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[Hueyt]

I ran across what seems to be a fantastic automated system to use with x10 called HAL2000.  I was wondering if anyone here had any success with it?

http://www.homeautomatedliving.com/products_hal2000.shtml

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LkNIXSvW9Ek

[dahur]

I ran across what seems to be a fantastic automated system to use with x10 called HAL2000.  I was wondering if anyone here had any success with it?

http://www.homeautomatedliving.com/products_hal2000.shtml

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LkNIXSvW9Ek

BVC(Bills Voice Commander) a AHP X10 plug-in, does the same thing for a fraction of the cost. You can find out all about it here.
It's a wonderful tool.

[Charles Sullivan]

I ran across what seems to be a fantastic automated system to use with x10 called HAL2000.  I was wondering if anyone here had any success with it?

http://www.homeautomatedliving.com/products_hal2000.shtml

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LkNIXSvW9Ek

It's a CM11A based system.  A lot of pizazz (assuming it works) but pretty expensive ($400), and that doesn't include the extra hardware and software needed to do any of the gee-whiz stuff in the YouTube video.  And I notice there's no mention of Microsoft Vista in the system requirements.  Note: the HAL software requires authentication and I understand the registration can be transferred only once - I don't know how new PC hardware or OS upgrades are handled.

[Hueyt]

Yeah I've read alot of glowing reviews from some of you guys here and went ahead and made the donation.  I'm just not sure if it can do everything HAL can?  I'm loyal a loyal Bill fan, but I'd like to see it have all of the same features such as music retrieval and calling in from a phone.

[HA Dave]

I'm just not sure if it can do everything HAL can?  I'm loyal a loyal Bill fan, but I'd like to see it have all of the same features such as music retrieval and calling in from a phone.

I've never used HAL.. but I may be the UN-disputed #1 BVC fan.

BVC is written by Bill himself... and is always being improved and polished. After Bill added the IR capabilities... the program had grown to the point where it needed a good operators manual. Bill is currently working on that. The program will most certainly continue to grow... and hopefully with more extras and add-on than any-one would ever want.

I use WeatherAloud with BVC. NextUp has a full line of "speaking softwares". Also You may find some of Tuicemen's (also a forum member) software X10WavPlayer and PC Companion great add-ons as well. There is also X10dispatcher.. and AlertDialer. Check the third party software here at this forum. Hopefully Tuicemen will reply here to fully describe what can do what.... better than I can.

You will also find helpful information at Bill's own forum![/color][/b] If seems to me david3336 is using a $10 software (VR commander?) to play his MP3... via BVC. I don't think you will have problems with getting all the usefulness and FUN you want... from BVC.

Be sure to post here as well as joining in at Bill's forum. Also... check out KDR's Home Automation Chat Rooms.. to meet other X10 and BVC users (as well as Bill himself).

The use of Home Automation AND BVC is limited....... only by our imaginations.

[dahur]

 I'd like to see it have all of the same features such as music retrieval and calling in from a phone.

Anything that is in wav format, just ask BVC to play it and it will.

[s0urc3f0ur]

but I'd like to see it have all of the same features such as music retrieval

You could create a batch file using a plugin for winamp called Clamp( http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/144432) and have it to play a random playlist that you have created. Then create a  macro in AHP to execute the bat file and a voice trigger for it in BVC.

[Charles Sullivan]

I'd like to see it have all of the same features such as music retrieval and calling in from a phone.

Anything that is in wav format, just ask BVC to play it and it will.

If BVC can recognize voice commands it should be able to recognize voice commands (or just tone pulses) from a modem.  Perhaps that might be Bill's next project if he gets enough requests (and enough donations - hint, hint).

[dahur]

If BVC can recognize voice commands it should be able to recognize voice commands (or just tone pulses) from a modem.  Perhaps that might be Bill's next project if he gets enough requests (and enough donations - hint, hint).

I think that's a great idea!

[HA Dave]

If BVC can recognize voice commands it should be able to recognize voice commands (or just tone pulses) from a modem.  Perhaps that might be Bill's next project if he gets enough requests (and enough donations - hint, hint).

I think Tuicemen already created a program that will work with phones and BVC.... the AlertDialer. I was thinking of maybe playing with it to see if I could enable BVC to become a "speaker phone", on [Voice] Command. It might also be handy... if I fall, and can't get up.

The possibilities created with these (donation supported, cheap, or FREE) X10 user written programs   are ENDLESS. Maybe Hueyt's question should have been:  If I spend enough money.... can I get HAL to do what BVC does?

[cjc5602]

hey dave

i actually looked into hal 2000 before i donated to bill for BVC. The main problem that i observed with Hal 2000 was their support, it doesnt even come close to the x10 comunity forum and the BVC forum.

my question for you dave is how can i set up weather aloud  and bvc to report the weather when i ask her what the forcast is.
i am guessing its a macr setup to open program, but from there i am lost. Your expert advice is always apreciated. Its because of you guys on the fourms that i chose AHP and BVC 

[HA Dave]

............ my question for you dave is how can i set up weather aloud  and bvc to report the weather when i ask her what the forcast is.

Weather Aloud checks the internet for me every thirty minutes and downloads a "read to text" (I think it's called) file. That file is actually a WAV file that it puts the weather report info in my BVC user data/ audio file folder. Then every thirty minutes Weather Aloud saves a new file (by the same name) and that replaces the old WAV file. All this is setup through Weather Alouds (less than friendly) settings.

I simply use a BVC custom command, and have BVC play the WAV file with the weather info. At my request.

I am also now looking at another forum user created software. Although I have to admit I am a PC Companion newbie... I think it may have many uses also. Bill and Tuicemen are working at making/keeping the two programs completely compatible. 

The PC Companion works differently than Weather Aloud. Instead of storing retrieved weather info.. when asked for a forecast... it goes out to the Internet and retrieves it. To be honest I am clueless as how to set this up. I am hoping this mention will cause someone to jump in with directions.

[Knightrider]

Getting the Weather with PC companion is as easy as just typing in the name of the city in which you live (strictly for cosmetic reasons) and entering your zip code.  That's all!  (yes, it's just that easy).  Now, if you're on dial-up like me, there's about a 20 second delay as companion fetches the information, but not bad.

The REALLY NEAT thing about using PC Companion as a weather center, is that the full version will allow you to set x10 macros which are activated by the temperature (no need for an external interface).  You can set companion to scan the outdoor temperature via the internet every 2,4,6, or 8 hours and it will transmit commands based on conditionals that you set!

For example, I have heat tape attached to some pipes in my crawl space on an appliance module,  when the temperature is below 15 degrees, Companion activates it for me!  Very cool.

Future plans of mine include installing an attic vent fan that will activate when the temperature rises above, say 90 degrees.

The possibilities are endless.

[HA Dave]

Getting the Weather with PC companion is as easy as just typing in the name of the city in which you live...

Thanks Knightrider!

So... I how do I setup PC Companion to respond to my BVC request for a forecast or current temperature?

[Knightrider]

So... I how do I setup PC Companion to respond to my BVC request for a forecast or current temperature?

I hate to say it, but I use Weather Aloud for that one.   Maybe Tuicemen can shed some light on that.

I have Weather Aloud read both the temperature to a sound file (summary1.wav) and the forecast to another (summary2.wav).  I then set up a custom command in BVC ("Jarvis, what's the temperature?" "Jarvis, What's the forecast?").   
Instead of having BVC perform and x10 action in response to these commands, I have it play the respective sound files.

Hope this helps.