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[rift]

Hey everyone.I just ordered AHP and some x10 components. I just thought I'd stop in here and se if anyone had any recommendations beore I dove in headlong. I read over a lot o the pinned subjects already, but if anyone has anything they want to add, I'd appreciate it.

Our house got broken into last weekend, so the main goal is security, I determined that going through an alarm company would be more expensive than being robbed again, so I figure, DIY.

So on the way is the Protecor plus panel and a few door/window sensors, a couple of motion sensors and some light bulb things and a camera

I'll see how these compnents work in various locations and then worry about AHP.

My theory on how I would LIKE it to work is: Alarm Event-->AHP (via onalert) notifies me via Android phone-->I assess situation on cameravia Android phone and either call the police, or silence alarm.
Doable? The X10/AHP reps seemed to think so, but sales people tend to lie a lot.
I’m an electrical designer with experience in controls and SCADA systems, so theory isn’t lost on me, I just have no experience with X10 and its limitations and capabilities.
Thanks!

[Dr.Fiero]

If you're used to how well SCADA (which I affectionately refer to as Self Contained Above Dirt Alarm) works - you might well be really disappointed in X10 stuff.   

But....

I'm sure you're running some 2.4Ghz WiFi stuff - it's a video killer.  I've got 2.4/5 on my router, and just switching off the 2.4 side improved things about 95%.  Problem is, not EVERYTHING I have supports 5.   

Support software is getting better (especially for the handhelds).  AHP fails in many areas, so be prepared to find 'other' ways of getting things to work.

And luckily for you, we're here to help - cuz' you won't get that from X10!   
 

[nybuck]

What I have done is had detected motion send me a JPG.  I can then login to my security computer via a 3rd party VNC and control anything on the computer - control X10 lights, PTZ camera if equipped, view video live, etc.  The video is stored locally on the security machine.  I don't have the alarm console, so I don't know if you could silence the alarm.

Wireless video:  Well, I haven't had a lot of luck with that.  It is grainy at best, and 2.4 GHz has all kinds of trouble in the house with the microwave oven and WiFi.  I wired my floodcam and have a rock-solid picture.  This helps with the 3rd party software I use that senses changes in the picture and interprets that as motion, not relying on the X10 motion sensors.  I do use the X10 motion sensors for lights, but DVR is controlled that way.

Another word of advice:  The help you get here is often more valuable than X10 support.   

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!   

[rift]

Thanks for the responses so far.
I got my Activehome pro and some modules and have been playing around with them for a few days. It is a lot of fun. There are bizarre little quirks in the system that seem to be reminiscent of a beta build, but they seem to be well documented here and on the wiki. There are also some little things that they didn’t want us to do, like Controlling the DS7000 with AHP-Kind of frustrating, but I’m confident that work arounds have been created.

I’m putting all the pieces together (So far mostly security components like door/window sensors, motions sensors, socket rockets, etc.) and with the exception of the goofy programming of the socket rocket without a remote of programmer, it’s coming off pretty easy. Another little program  that I was unaware of was that when a module is deleted, it’s not really deleted. I had to go into deleted modules and completely delete it. Part of the learning process I guess.

I installed logmein on my host computer, and that seems to be a great way to control AHP and even view the cameras from my phone. Hopefully this new phone camera viewer pans out and I can get a clearer picture.
The only reall missing links I’m dealing with right now has to do with notification. I don’t have a landline and want to know immediately when security events happen. If the horn or any horn could be converted to a NC and plugged into an appliance module, I don’t even see the need for the DS7000.

Maybe Wired cameras are the way to go, they are so much cheaper and the quality is better, It might be worth a few holes in the ceiling/attic.

[AZDoug]

There are bizarre little quirks in the system that seem to be reminiscent of a beta build ...

That's amusing.  I came to the same conslusion when I got AHP after years of using its little brother the CM11.  Still haven't got beyond it. 
When it comes to home security systems, I always felt that my prominently posted signs from a real security company gave me the lion's share of the protection I needed; the electronics was a backup.  Check eBay for signs. 

[HA Dave]

......... I always felt that my prominently posted signs from a real security company gave me the lion's share of the protection I needed; the electronics was a backup.  Check eBay for signs. 

Interesting... that you call the signs or even an alarm... protection.

All any alarm can do is alarm. Alarm: An electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that serves to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal

Most crooks are scared and lazy (often high as a kite as well). A target (home) that looks difficult or risky is often just enough to make them move on to an easier target. A few alarm stickers and a couple signs can be just enough of a deterrent to do that. If not... once inside.. a siren can be enough to scoot an intruder out the door.

Other deterrents like solid doors and windows, good locks, break resistant film of windows (where needed), cameras, LOTS of nighttime lights on motion sensors can all help. I even use a voice warning setup. I'd rather a bad-guy just walk away... then kick open a door and then run.

[nybuck]

The only reall missing links I’m dealing with right now has to do with notification. I don’t have a landline and want to know immediately when security events happen. If the horn or any horn could be converted to a NC and plugged into an appliance module, I don’t even see the need for the DS7000.

The Email is a relatively quick notification to you, wherever you are on your smart phone.  I like that it shows me if there is a car pulling up, or a person walking too close to the house.  It may just be the UPS guy, and I can go get my package.
For an audible notification, you can use a regular appliance module with a 12v power supply plugged into it, and a 12v siren.  I would imagine there are 120v sirens available, or a stereo set to a loud volume may work as well... 

What is it that Dave_X10 says?  Home Automation is limited by your budget, imagination, and what your wife lets you do - or something like that.....   

[HA Dave]

...... What is it that Dave_X10 says?  Home Automation is limited by your budget, imagination, and what your wife lets you do - or something like that.....   

That's exactly... what I MEANT to say!

[rift]

Perfect! Thanks guys, I should have checked in here BEFORE I bought my stuff. Oh well, lesson learned I guess.

[HA Dave]

I should have checked in here BEFORE I bought my stuff. Oh well, lesson learned I guess.

I like buying the X10 "package deals" because of the value they offer. I tend to think of X10 as "cost per unit". With the package deals I may buy stuff I never thought I'd use... but got a great per unit price on the items I needed. Yet... I've never failed to sooner-or-later find uses for everything X10. I am sure you'll find a use for what you've already purchased.

[Brian H]

I paid less for the AHP kit with CM19A {what I wanted} and an extra copy of AHP. Than a CM19A alone costs. 

[HA Dave]

I paid less for the AHP kit with CM19A and an extra copy of AHP. Than a CM19A alone costs. 

I can't recall ever regretting an X10 purchase. But I have regretted NOT buying some deals... that have since slipped away (or the items are no longer available).

[PajamaGuy]

Your purchases weren't in vain.  Your thinking needs a bit of "aligning".

1. X10 has some great stuff, but it's amateur and quirky.  You don't play, "You bet your life or home" with amateur stuff - if you are in any situation that serious, call in the pros.

2. The X10 Alarm system is designed, and should be used to "Inform the intruder that he has been detected, and therefore scare him off."  If you want a system where your main purpose is to catch the intruder - get something else.  While all the vidcaps, emails, and phone dialing are cool, remember that you can NOT count on them - and it's the flashing lights and the loud horn/siren that will scare off the intruder.

3. X10's Alarm system (currently called Protector Plus) - is completely separate from AHP and the home automation, cameras, messages on my Droid, etc. 

4. HOWEVER - AHP (via OnAlert) can receive signals from sensors and from security remotes.

So, if you understand and believe #1 & #2, put all the AHP stuff in a box and don't play with it until you've set up the Protector Plus (look for  other posts and "DS7000")  Unless you live in a 1-room studio, you're going to have "challenges" with range & distance between the sensors and the DS7000.  The point is that nothing in the AHP package will help get the sensor's RF signal to the Protector Plus Dialer.  And so far, the only device that does help is a signal repeater (SR73) - if you can find one.

After you get the PP Dialer system working the way you want it to, then you can fire up AHP, its modules, plug in the cameras, hook up the CM15a, and really start pulling your hair out.

Your best source for help and advice is right here in this forum.  You may have to do some searching, but everything you need is right here!

Welcome & enjoy!

PJ

[HA Dave]

....... Your thinking needs a bit of "aligning".

1. X10 has some great stuff, but it's amateur and quirky.  You don't play, "You bet your life or home" with amateur stuff - if you are in any situation that serious, call in the pros.

It may be the sign of the times... to tell people how to realign their thinking. But such ideas give me pause.

Lets be careful with our facts. ALL Home Automation can seem iffy. Reliability will always depend on many variables (and grass on the other side of the fence... will always appear to be greener). X10 protocol's are the standard and millions of X10 products have been installed and used for decades. That includes the alarm... which X10 claims to be the most popular of DIY alarm systems.

2. The X10 Alarm system is designed, and should be used to "Inform the intruder that he has been detected, and therefore scare him off."  If you want a system where your main purpose is to catch the intruder - get something else.  While all the vidcaps, emails, and phone dialing are cool, remember that you can NOT count on them - and it's the flashing lights and the loud horn/siren that will scare off the intruder.

The alarm [siren] in any and EVERY alarm system is to alert the occupant of an intruder. Hopefully the sirens and flashing lights will give YOU time to escape. "If you want a system where your main purpose is to catch the intruder" [and your NOT a policeperson] - contact your mental healthcare professional.

Unless you live in a 1-room studio, you're going to have "challenges" with range & distance between the sensors and the DS7000.  

I wouldn't call my home a "studio"... yet range hasn't been such an issue for me. X10 Reliability will always depend on many variables.

[dave w]

PJ!!! You're back!! Where have you been hiding? Now you haven't been spending time on CocoonTech have you??