Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[gec5741]

I am totally new to x10 but very interested.  I think I will be buying the Active home autoation kit for 99.99 dollars to start with. 

Now from reading as much as can it seems if I want to later add in video servalance I would need to get the Iwatch software as well?

Also in order for me to have any controll for any of this being video cameras and home atomation ( ie turing on and off lights and appliances) I would need then to
have the My house software?  I am just trying to figure out and get all this straight in my head as to what I will need to do what I want it to do.  I want to plan out what I will be able to do with what I have with each thing I purchase and it can get a little confusing when your first starting out. 

I figure if I just start with the lights and appliances and get what I want set up with that I then would probably like to be able to access it from the internet next.  I then probably will start to think about adding in some video servalance into the mix. 

Anyway thank you for any advice you may be able to provide me!
Thanks.

[glt]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know what package you are looking at for $99.00 - but this looks to be the best deal I've seen for a while and it's only $49.00.

http://www.x10.com/promotions/cm15a_ed_freesuite_onalert_1227.html

(Excuse the slow page load). This has Iwitness, OnAlert, MyHouse,and Smart Macros INCLUDED. (i.e. EVERYTHING) Plus a premium appliance module and a window/door sensor.

Active Home Pro (and smart macros) along withe the CM15A is what you use to control lights and appliances.

Myhouse is what you need for internet access.

OnAlert works with security equipment such as the included door/window sensor.

IWitness works with the cameras but you'll also need a VA11a:

http://cgi.ebay.com/X10-USB-Video-Capture-Adapter-X-10-VA11A_W0QQitemZ330092135631QQihZ014QQcategoryZ48637QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


You'll need some modules/switches for your lights and appliances - so I would either get the $49.00 kit from X-10 or get them from ebay.

http://www.x10.com/automation/rcagiftpack.html



I hope you understand there can be potential problems such as power line phase issues and limited RF range on the CM15a. Plenty to read on this forum about those things.

GLT





 

[gec5741]

This was what I was looking at.  it has the basics, 

http://www.x10.com/activehomepro/activehome-pro.html   

[glt]

Ok, now I see.

If you check out what I listed,  it is a much better deal.

Your deal does NOT have any of the 3 add-ins you mentioned you may like in the future. They generally are sold by X-10 @$49.99 each. The deal I listed has them all + the OnAlert plug-in. If you add the $49.00 pack listed at the bottom of my post, you simply get a LOT more for your money than the $99.00 deal you listed.

GLT

[gec5741]

Ahh I see what your saying.  That's nice!  Thanks!

[vhoang]

Here's another option:
http://www.x10.com/whatsincluded/CM15A-ED-FREESUITE-AM14A-HR12A.html

You *might* have more fun with the remote then opening and closing the ds's contact for testing.  (use the other buttons to launch media player?  )

but at a minimum try to get a deal with one input source and one output source, ie: one rf sender, one PLC module so you can play with and see how X10 works.  like the one glt pointed to.