RE: Idratek Cortex

["Kevin Hawkins" <lists@xxxxxxx>]

They could actually use a C-Bus dimmer pack as well through a xAP gateway I
guess, if their serial high level protocol from the RS232 interface proves
supportable (and is documented) - the C-Bus dimmer packs are reasonably
priced.

On the X10 front I was rather disappointed to see they were just connecting
a variant of their RS232 interface to the CM12U X10 interface  which is a
big mistake IMO as it is notorious for it's reliability issues. I had hoped
they would be using a TW7223 or similar powerline interface (as almost
every
other X10 third part company does).

Overall though if they get the modules out at the price they indicated I
think they will be really useful.



Kevin



-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Doxey [mailto:ukha@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 10 June 2003 06:59

I do think that launching without a dimming capability is also a mistake as
affordable quality dimming is something that anyone installing a large HA
system will want as an essential.

They dont actually need to MAKE a dimmer. There are many affordable dimmer
packs used in the entertainment industry that are rugged, and more
importantly have passed all the EMI and safety tests. They could easily be
linked in by incorporating a module that either had  Analogue 0-10V
outputs,
or a DMX512 output to interface to Digital dimmers. That would avoid the
expense of designing and manufacturing dimmers and would allow a choice of
dimmer packs already available of the shelf in a range of sizes eg 4 x 5A,
8
x5A from the likes of NJD ( http://www.njd.co.uk ) upto 18 x 5A, 9 x
10A
>from
but someone on the list was using NJD's Midi-Controlled dimmer pack for HA
Lighting.
.



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