Fw: [HOMEVIS] Announcement: New HomeVision version in development

["Mark McCall" <Mark@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Craig Chadwick
To: HomeVision E-Mail List
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 6:13 PM
Subject: [HOMEVIS] Announcement: New HomeVision version in development


Hi all !

We are publicly announcing today for the first time plans for our
HomeVision-Pro controller.  We expect to begin Beta testing in late April
and to start shipping in July.

HomeVision-Pro will be our most powerful product.  It is essentially a
HomeVision unit, with some of the accessory options built into it, plus
some
new features added.  Our web page at http://www.csi3.com/Hv_pro.htm
<http://www.csi3.com/Hv_pro.htm>
 has more information, but the following
list summarizes the differences between HomeVision-Pro and HomeVision:

*      HomeVision-Pro is mounted in an alarm-type enclosure.  The steel,
beige-colored enclosure measures 11.25" X 11.25" X 3.0".
*      HomeVision-Pro contains three user-controllable serial ports.  The
primary serial port is the same as on HomeVision.  In addition, all the
capabilities of two HomeVision-Serial devices are built into
HomeVision-Pro.
You cannot use external HomeVision-Serial devices with HomeVision-Pro.
Therefore, the maximum number of serial ports remains at four (three built
into HomeVision-Pro, plus one on the HomeVision-Phone/Serial device).
*      HomeVision-Pro also contains another serial port that will be
dedicated to special functions (the user cannot control it like the other
serial ports).  This port will not be functional in the first versions of
the HomeVision-Pro software, but will be supported in future software
versions. One planned use is to connect to a new X-10 interface device from
ACT (the TI103-RS232).  This device can replace the TW523/PSC05 X10
interface device that comes standard with HomeVision and HomeVision-Pro. 
It
provides superior X10 transmission and reception performance (increasing
system reliability), and can also receive "extended codes" that
the
TW523/PSC05 devices cannot.
*      HomeVision-Pro contains a USB-to-serial adapter.  This can be used
on the main HomeVision-Pro serial port to connect to a PC USB port instead
of a PC serial port.  If you don't use the USB-to-serial adapter for this
main port, it can be connected to one of the additional serial ports
HomeVision-Pro provides.
*      HomeVision-Pro contains four analog inputs.  These provide the same
capabilities as the analog inputs on the Multifunction Expansion Board.
When using HomeVision-Pro, you can now have a total of 20 analog inputs
(four on HomeVision-Pro plus 16 on two Multifunction Expansion Boards).
*      HomeVision-Pro supports digital temperature sensors and has an
improved drive circuit.  You no longer need a Multifunction Expansion Board
(MFEB) to use the digital temperature sensors (the MFEB digital temperature
sensor interface is disabled when used with HomeVision-Pro).  The
HomeVision-Pro drive circuit is improved over the one on the MFEB, and
allows driving longer cables.
*      HomeVision-Pro output Port A provides eight Single-Pole-Double-Throw
(SPDT) power relays.  Relays are rated for 10Amps at 125VAC, 6Amps at
277VAC, and 5Amps at 100VDC.
*      HomeVision-Pro input Port B contains switches to individually enable
or disable "pull-up" resistors.  HomeVision contains pull-up
resistors that
make the inputs go high when nothing is connected.  This makes connecting
"contact closure" inputs easy.  However, when connecting a
voltage source,
it is often necessary to add an external resistor to overcome the built-in
pullup resistor.  The HomeVision-Pro switches simplify connections by
allowing you to disable the built-in pullup resistors instead of adding
external resistors.
*      HomeVision-Pro has an infrared receive input jack (in addition to
the two built-in infrared receivers standard on HomeVision).
*      The HomeVision-Pro infrared output is available at a terminal block
as well as an infrared output jack.
*      The HomeVision-Pro infrared output is a 12V signal instead of the 5V
signal used on HomeVision.  It provides higher current capability and is
easier to connect to some IR distribution systems.
*      The built-in infrared emitter standard on HomeVision has been
removed from HomeVision-Pro.
*      HomeVision-Pro provides additional terminal block connection points
for power, ground, and other functions.  There are a total of 60 terminal
block positions.
*      The HomeVision-Pro battery is a standard coin type that can easily
be replaced by the user if needed.
*      HomeVision-Pro can connect directly to the Sylva 8O8I input/output
boards.  Unlike HomeVision, it does not require a Multifunction Expansion
Board in order to connect to these Sylva boards.
*      HomeVision-Pro has an enhanced memory architecture that allows the
processor to access more RAM than HomeVision.  This makes it easier for
HomeVision-Pro to provide additional features in the future.
*      HomeVision-Pro will function slightly faster than HomeVision.
*      HomeVision-Pro provides connectors and board space for a future
expansion board (to provide Ethernet functions as well as other
capabilities).
*      HomeVision-Pro contains a total of 43 status LEDs to help you see
exactly what is happening.  The LEDs are:
o      24 LEDs on each of the 24 digital I/O ports
o      One transmit and one receive LED on each of the 3 serial ports and
the USB port
o      One digital temperature sensor status LED
o      One power indicator LED
o      Three X-10 status LEDs
o      Two infrared status LEDs
o      Four processor status LEDs

We anticipate that the street price will be about 50% more than for
HomeVision.

Thanks,

Craig Chadwick
President
Custom Solutions, Inc. (a.k.a., HomeVision)
mailto:csi@xxxxxxx
http://www.csi3.com
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HomeVision: Home automation controller with two-way X-10,
two-way infrared, 24 I/O ports, over 50 video screens on your
TV, web server, and much more!  Add-on phone interface, serial
ports, analog inputs, digital temperature sensors, and more.
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