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[daniel toner]

Barrington wrote "there are probably not 2 <BR>computers in the <BR>world with exactly the same hardware, <BR>firmware, software, registry entries, etc <BR>installed.  So to "troubleshoot" a problem <BR>is a methodical and logical approach. " <BR> <BR>Now that's just funny as hell. Have you ever <BR>heard of an office network? Dumbass. The only <BR>things different on those computers are the <BR>contents of the cache, if that. Same <BR>motherboard, same memory, same hard drive, <BR>same cd-rom, same video card, same operating <BR>system, same keyboard and mouse, same <BR>monitor, same drivers, same network, same <BR>access, same registry, identical everything. <BR>It's actually quite easy to make compatible <BR>hardware device drivers, some vendors just <BR>don't care enough. As for troubleshooting and <BR>technical support. Any advanced <BR>troubleshooting system can adapt to just one <BR>small detail, the user's operating system. <BR>With that information any troubleshooter can <BR>accurately guide a frustrated user through <BR>steps on resolving most issues. Provided of <BR>course the vendor took the time to encode an <BR>impressively detailed troubleshooting guide. <BR>Shame on you for calling yourself a computer <BR>whiz. You're a complete idiot.

Are all x10 products cheap junk? [1 of 5]

Re: Are all x10 products cheap junk? [2 of 5]

Re: Are all x10 products cheap junk? [4 of 5]

Re: Are all x10 products cheap junk? [5 of 5]


[TTA Edit: Experiment to determine whether or not SPLITTING 'Highly-Viewed' / 'Highly-Replied' but currently INACTIVE threads from LONG, LONG AGO (I'm starting with ~2 years) into parts will allow current ACTIVE threads to appear in the Top 10 Topics (by Replies) section of the Statistics Center (aka More Stats) Page.

NOTE: I *WILL* address the <BR> problem...]

[john murphy]

VIC: Apparently the drugs are helping me get
these to work. I never stated they were good
products, obviously you have a reading and
comprehension problem, I stated I was making
them work.

You really have issues, slick.

[TK]

What I have to say here is purely commentary
so I apologize to those who are in search of
answers to problems and to those who share
their experience with others to assist them
in making these products work.

I came to this forum to see what peole had
to say about X10 and perhaps some of the
items I purchased but have not yet received.
I was looking for some tips on installing or
potential issues I might encounter.

What I have found in this forum is a group
of guys willing to help others, possibly new
to this hobby (and they make it clear that
it is a hobby and nothing more with this
stuff), and another group of people who
cannot contain their emotions and just let
the bile spew forth. People who's paranoia
leads them by the nose to believe that there
is this concerted conspiracy on the X10
forum against them. It would be comical if
it weren't so sad.

Just felt compelled to add that bit of
socail commentary...Again, sorry to those
who are here for answers and those who are
here to help.

[TK]

What I have to say here is purely commentary
so I apologize to those who are in search of
answers to problems and to those who share
their experience with others to assist them
in making these products work.

I came to this forum to see what peole had
to say about X10 and perhaps some of the
items I purchased but have not yet received.
I was looking for some tips on installing or
potential issues I might encounter.

What I have found in this forum is a group
of guys willing to help others, possibly new
to this hobby (and they make it clear that
it is a hobby and nothing more with this
stuff), and another group of people who
cannot contain their emotions and just let
the bile spew forth. People who's paranoia
leads them by the nose to believe that there
is this concerted conspiracy on the X10
forum against them. It would be comical if
it weren't so sad.

Just felt compelled to add that bit of
socail commentary...Again, sorry to those
who are here for answers and those who are
here to help.

[thedanc]

We are not sycophants.  None of us has ever
said that X10 provides quality equipment,
support, or service.  The forums, when they
are not polluted by whiners, are one of very
few sources of useful technical information
based on practical experience and actual,
non-hyped testcases.  We are trying to be
part of the solution.

Ironically, my discussion with ADT is what
led me to X10.  The shyster ADT salesman
came by my house offering me a deep discount
on absolute safety and security and some
other hyped up lies.  Does the hype sound
similar?  I opted out of ADT because I
wanted control over all of the security
equipment whereas ADT offered to install
everything for a big fee and monitor it for
a monthly fee.  ADT may be a good choice for
the nontechies that want everything done for
them and are willing to pay for it, but
you're placing an awful lot of trust in
people if you explain all of your valuables
and leave the design, implementation, and
maintenance of security to someone else.  If
you're that trusting, why not just get a
nice set of deadbolts and be done with it?

[daniel toner]

Actually ADT installs CCD security cameras,
make that QUALITY security cameras as well as
monitors, digital video recorders with DVD
burning abilities. X10 is like peddling a
bicycle, and an ADT security camera setup is
the Cadillac. Yes, Dan, you're right, they do
push **** you don't need or want and they do
push for the monthly fee to monitor your
stuff for you, but that is optional. They
work on commission, so what if they're a
little pushy, you would be to if that's how
you paid your bills. Now you want to protect
your valuables? X10 is a joke, EXTREMELY
unreliable wastes of junk. There is a
difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive."
X10 is cheap, and ADT, while costing more, is
very inexpensive.

For readers deciding on purchasing, or
seeking technical assistance, or just unhappy
and thinking of demanding a refund: X10 is
junk, if you've already wasted your time and
money, demand a refund. Go with a hardwired
ADT system, you can't go wrong. Use X10 ONLY
for what it's best at: turning lights on and
off by remote. Security is an important
issue, leave it to professional grade
equipment and ADT installs it for you.

So you like installing your own? Then buy a
16 channel DVR, 16 CCD cams, WIRED ONLY. Add
anything else you want to add but start
there. You can even find complete kits on
eBay for professional grade equipment.
Wireless cameras only work if they're network
Wifi cams, X10 uses 2.4GHz which blasts trash
all over your house cutting down the quality
of anything else wireless in your home, from
routers, to home phones, to Bluetooth
headsets and PDA's.

X10 is complete junk.

[john murphy]

VT: appreciate the change. I was trying not
to be a dick, but damn. So thank you for the
post.
Daniel: I'm a govt contractor working in the
middle of the Mojave Desert in California.
Not much to choose from. And having
personally used wired systems, that was the
reason I went WIRELESS. I got tired of
running wires.
And yes unfortunately these devices are a
pain in the ass to get going. And you wanted
a slap on the wall, turn it on, and woo hoo
solution. This aint it.
For now it is functional for what I wanted to
use it for. But if the crime rate does go up
out here, which it gradually is, I'll be
forced to climb up in my attic, again, to run
those freakin cables.

[frowny]

I would go to the trouble of wiring your
cameras if you are truly concerned about
security.  Wireless cameras can be jammed
easily, and are not reliable enough to put
your property in their hands.  If you like
x10, they do have wired cameras with simple
rca connectors on the end of the 60 foot
cable which can be plugged into a DVR
computer card, or a quad/VCR device.  Also,
there are other security companies out
there other than ADT.

[frowny]

I would go to the trouble of wiring your
cameras if you are truly concerned about
security.  Wireless cameras can be jammed
easily, and are not reliable enough to put
your property in their hands.  If you like
x10, they do have wired cameras with simple
rca connectors on the end of the 60 foot
cable which can be plugged into a DVR
computer card, or a quad/VCR device.  Also,
there are other security companies out
there other than ADT.

[frowny]

I would go to the trouble of wiring your
cameras if you are truly concerned about
security.  Wireless cameras can be jammed
easily, and are not reliable enough to put
your property in their hands.  If you like
x10, they do have wired cameras with simple
rca connectors on the end of the 60 foot
cable which can be plugged into a DVR
computer card, or a quad/VCR device.  Also,
there are other security companies out
there other than ADT.

[daniel toner]

Frowny is right, there are other companies
other than just ADT. People need to do their
research and shop around. There's nothing you
can trust more than forums, so listen to
people that are experienced with the company
you're researching then make an educated
decision. In this case, anyone would be a
fool to buy any X10 products after reading
this forum.

[john murphy]

I appreciate the advice. If someone is
80-100% not willing to compromise on quality,
and require a flawless security option,these
products are not for them, and should invest
the time and money, after doing the research,
on something else. I agree.
If you want to piss away your money on a toy,
and are not relying on these devices to
protect life and limb, then these devices are
for you.
For those who have not giving up on their
purchase:
In my dicking around to get these cameras to
work worth a damn, I ran across this FREE app.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dorgem
Ran it over my VA11A, tested with my low
light camera, with light in the room on
(since it looks like **** in low light) and
picture looks pretty good and clear.
I'm still working on getting everything to
work in Linux. Since I'm not in the mood to
get in a pissing contest between open source
and other OS's I'll leave it at that.

[DS]

JM: Would you mind telling me which
radioshack system you have?

I'm totally new and clueless to all of this.
What I'm needing is a wireless outdoor
camera that will work in almost complete
darkness. There is no access to electricity
where this will be installed, so I need
something that can run on batteries. A
friend has a regular x10 system that she's
happy with, so I thought I'd check and see
if they had a no-light camera, which they
don't. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[john murphy]

Radio shack camera system - Copy and paste
into browser window
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-2534
This is not an outdoor camera.

I did a google search and found this.
http://www.pimall.com/nais/monitorsys.outdoor.html
Similiar to my radio shack model.
Notice the infrared leds around the lens. A
feature that X10 cameras lack.
Unfortunately for your needs, I have not come
across both wireless and battery powered.
I did find this. A portable electric battery
pack. Interesting. Actually a good concept.
http://www.dulley.com/docs/f400.htm

[john murphy]

Radio shack camera system - Copy and paste
into browser window
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-2534
This is not an outdoor camera.

I did a google search and found this.
http://www.pimall.com/nais/monitorsys.outdoor.html
Similiar to my radio shack model.
Notice the infrared leds around the lens. A
feature that X10 cameras lack.
Unfortunately for your needs, I have not come
across both wireless and battery powered.
I did find this. A portable electric battery
pack. Interesting. Actually a good concept.
http://www.dulley.com/docs/f400.htm