I purchased a comprehensive system including All X10 AHP related software, some cameras (low light camera – HAH), some Pro Modules and a Security System (fully Loaded /w 18 door sensors and 6 motion sensors (THANKS X10 SALES) – Oh and best of all (THE WRONG Switches) MOST OF MY switches require 3 way switches and WORSE NO single light switch has a GROUND CONNECTOR – OH JOY!!!!! Ever heard of BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS ANYONE @ X10??
The rest of the system KINDA WORK but my AHP Software and Add-ons – OH! What a headache..... Hardware Integration Issue with AHP:
• Cameras - Poor video reception and picture control,
• PRO modules... hmmmm.... PRO! Yeah Right...
• Who thought up the antennae on the Ninja's? What should I do? Rotate the house and the receiver around with it too to maintain perfect alignment with the camera?
• 4 corners to house… three ninja’s outside upside down under soffit, Can anyone think I may have hmmm a reception headache? Hmm? Hmm?
Most of the calls I have made to X10 Support is regarding programming my hardware but it seems the AHP software is at the heart of all the major problems I have had.
Here are a few issues.
1. I found a major bug in the software. Whenever I restrict modules from MyHouse.X10.Com, and I connect online, the local default ahp file (the one I spent hours building) gets corrupted and those devices I blocked or restricted disappear once the system recovers from a crashes that happens EVERYTIME I connect via the net.
2. Most damaging, I found a way to identify clients to the x10 gateways and probe those people (if they are not hardened) - finding the usernames and passwords for MyHouse.X10.com is not too hard.
3. Macros - HAH... the only great thing about AHP Macros is that with the SDK I can use VB or other languages... but the documentation is lacking and the logic weak. WHAT MACRO LIBRARY – I cannot click the Create button as it says in the documentation and it sends me to a link that tries to SELL ME MORE X10 Stuff. I learn more from the forums than I could ever learn from the docs or technical support.
4. MY GREATEST HEADACHE... whenever I call support... EVERYONE THERE TELLS ME ABOUT WHAT I DID NOT BUY. ALL X10 PERSONNEL DO IS SELL! SELL! SELL! Come on X10... Some of us are already sold on your stuff..... PLEASE SUPPORT IT!!!! Also I cannot tell you how many times I have called the support line just to be disconnected and NO ONE THERE CAN TELL WHY!!!! It’s like there is a timer on the call - if they put you on hold - FORGETABOUT IT! It must be me and my frustrated attitude but some of your tech support people really stink. Some of them – the last two women I spoke to were really nice but they hung up on me anyway – and never called back like they said they would. And I know – I DID NOT BUY THE WARRANTY….. ON PURPOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would I warranty something I don’t know if I will keep?
5. AHP Crashes like clockwork…with no use or interaction from me. I get this regularly…. ACTIVE HOME PROFESSIONAL HAS ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO CLOSE. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE… On debug…it all disappears.
6. The Ninja:
Rotation upside down is sluggish....
Reception is poor most of the time....
User cannot control which camera is selected in AHP as it constantly decides which it wants to show. I have adjusted the preferences till I am blue in the face.
Macros cannot shut off camera. I cannot even keep them off with the remote controller.
Ninja Control pad messing with other X10 devices/macros/triggers....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally - I promise not to share how to hack MyHouse data from poorly secured clients... My advice to X0 users is to be careful and
a. Leave it disconnected when not in use.
b. Don’t restrict anything you wish to keep when connecting
c. NEVER SEND THE SECURITY EMAIL VIA AHP.
d. Create a restore point before configuring and connecting X10 MyHouse Online and restore before you did when done. (Too many Antx files, registry entries and XML … stuf f to cleanup)
My plea to X10 - harden your systems and software. I have not looked at anyone's system or even or will try but I could hack my own and that is enough to tell me – Quality of Security and Program Stability is very WEAK!
NEXT VERSION ANYONE???
JM