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[atmaynard]

Hi,

I want to use X10 to control multiple TVs (total of 14) in the same room (health club).  I want all TVs ON if someone is in the club. My understanding from reading is that if I have one motion detector by the club entrance it would turn the TVs ON  (all TVs would be connected to appliance modules set to the same code. I'm thinking I want them to turn off after 1 hour of no motion. My concern is if someone goes to the back of the club and spends greater than an  hour there the TVs will go OFF. So I'm thinking I want one at the back of the club as well. This would result in the front sensor turning the TVs OFF aftere an hour and then the back sensor would turn them back ON. I'd like it if they stayed on until both sensors went an hour without detecting motion. e.g. avoids the Tvs turning OFF and the ON needlessly.

Do I understand this correctly?

Any ideas on how X10 can accomplish this?

Thank you,

Jim

[hawk1]

To do this you probably need Active Home Pro and the cm15 also.  Along with Smart Macros.  Then you could write a macro that could accomplish this fairly easily.

[Brian H]

One thing to consider. Most TVs use a standby power supply so their remotes can turn them on and off. Very few TVs will turn back on with application of the AC Power. So you maybe able to turn them off once and not back on.

Not too sure if we can rig up an X10 signal to send an IR On and Off the TVs would understand.

[nybuck]

Maybe a VCR commander could send the IR on/off...  It does have 4 IR emitters.....   

[HA Dave]

hawk1, Brian H, and nybuck are all correct! A simple motion sensor setup... won't be robust enough for your use... a AHP (CM15A) with macros would be helpful. Simply controlling the power to the TVs... likely won't work ether with modern TVs. You will need to control the IR (infrared) like the TVs remotes use.

I control my TV(s) via AHP with a USB-UIRT device (it sends the IR signal like a remote control) I use my USB-UIRT through BVC (BVC has the needed software built-in). I do this through my HA PC... which is located in my basement. To then control my upstairs TV I use a powermid [like] device. I actually use two sending devices... and three receiving ones. So you might be able to setup two or three of those powermids to blast a large area.

[Knightrider]

This will get complicated very fast and may cause some hair pulling.

With the CM15A, Smart Macros™ and BVC, it can be done.

Here's a possible solution:

1.  Set up a phantom module on any given house code, unit code "1".  Call it "TV".
2.  Set that house code to monitored.
3.  Set the Motion sensors to the same HC with different unit codes.
4.  Create macros from the Unit Codes of the Motion Sensors to turn on Unit Code "1".
5.  Create a macro on Unit Code "1" that Turns off Unit Code 1 after 1 hour with a condition that checks the      Unit Codes of both motion sensors to only execute if said unit code(s) are off.  If the Motion Sensors are still on then just refire Unit Code "1", as an "else".
6.  Get BVC and a USB-UIRT.  Set up listeners in BVC to Activate the TV's with a Unit Code "on" command, and "Off" likewise.


I think this should work.

[HA Dave]

I think this should work.

I use a very similar macro control/setup in my Occupancy Sensing. I agree... I think you guys had this all figured out!

[hawk1]

I believe you can also do this with a vcr commander and PCC.  PCC can send RF to the vcr commander which in turn transmits IR to your tv.  Maybe Tuiceman can jump in.   

[Tuicemen]

Although you can turn your TV on/off with IR via BVC (using a USB-UIRT) or PCC (using a VCR comander) most Electronic equipment today use the same power command for ON as OFF.
I think as  Knightrider stated:

This will get complicated very fast and may cause some hair pulling

Your going to need:
All TVs to be the same brand (use the same IR codes)
A USB-UIRT or VCR Commander( won't work with some newer TVs)
The Software to use the above hardware
A PC running
ActiveHome Pro with the SmartMacro plug-in and the CM15a
Powermids  possibly 2 sets
Motion sensors (most likely more then 2)
And lots of Hair to pull!
 

[nybuck]

Your going to need:
All TVs to be the same brand (use the same IR codes)
A USB-UIRT or VCR Commander( won't work with some newer TVs)
The Software to use the above hardware
A PC running
ActiveHome Pro with the SmartMacro plug-in and the CM15a
Powermids  possibly 2 sets
Motion sensors (most likely more then 2)
And lots of Hair to pull!
 

So your Math homework for today: 
If Jim leaves the TV's running instead of buying all these items, which will cost less?

Or Science Homework:   
If Jim gives the remote to the desk attendant to turn off the TV's when everyone leaves, would it accomplish the same goal?

[dave w]

So your Math homework for today: 
If Jim leaves the TV's running instead of buying all these items, which will cost less?

Or Science Homework:   
If Jim gives the remote to the desk attendant to turn off the TV's when everyone leaves, would it accomplish the same goal?

 

I'm going to have to wear Depends if I keep monitoring this forum.

Anywho,
Tuicemen, all TVs would not have to be same brand as long as the ON-OFF code for the Daewoo was not the channel change code for the Sampo, would they?

Couldn't you just transmit ON-OFF's sequentially for each brand?

[Tuicemen]

Anywho,
Tuicemen, all TVs would not have to be same brand as long as the ON-OFF code for the Daewoo was not the channel change code for the Shampo, would they?

Couldn't you just transmit ON-OFF's sequentially for each brand?

True
And it would involve more hair pulling If Jim had any left!
 

[HA Dave]

Your going to need:
All TVs to be the same brand (use the same IR codes)
A USB-UIRT or VCR Commander( won't work with some newer TVs)

I don't think using a few different "brands" of TV's should be a problem. Although I've had problems with the Sony brand and the VCR Commander myself. Since TV's do "toggle" (same power signal is used for On as Off) extra checks or efforts will need to be made.

I use a Trickle-Saver on my living room TV. The trickle-saver powers a walwart that activates a powerflash module. The monitored status of that PowerFlash module tracks the status of the TV. This allows my morning macro to turn my TV On when I first set down to watch the news and drink coffee. But then.... the HA PC can see the TV is on... when I get up refill my coffee and return to the chair. So the TV On Macro isn't repeated. Something like that might be helpful in such a setup as well.

I know this setup is starting sound a little complex [and Cocoontech-like] but I think it is very do-able. And with the cost of electric and the current American energy saving tax cuts.... it is darn well worth the effort as well.

[Brandt]

one could get the TV-B-Gone kit from Ladyada:

http://www.ladyada.net/make/tvbgone/


It only does power on/off codes with one single button and does not work for Olevia tv's, but you could some how wire the contacts (in series) to two Universal Modules and aim it at the tvs

That way it would take two separate on or off codes to shut off the tv's...you could overlap the two motion sensors off times so that no more than one ever sends an off at a time while the club is open

[HA Dave]

So your Math homework for today: If Jim leaves the TV's running instead of buying all these items, which will cost less?

14 TVs @ 200 watts per = 2800 watts or 2.8 KWH @  $0.11 per KWH = 31 cents an hour.
Gyms open (generally) at 6AM and Close at 9PM or 15 hours at .31 and hour = $4.65 daily.
Closed for 4 Holidays annually that is 361 days or $1,678.65 per year.

If the desk person does half as good a job... you would still lose nearly $840.00 annually. Plus if the desk person loses just one "sale" because of being busy "on the floor".... that plan would more than be a wash. This would be... or could be.. a perfect use for automation.