Re: Newbie Advice needed

[Free <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the SmartHome info.

"ceedub" <craigmw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>"Free" <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:2m8l91djhnvf2732gs21315di4834jta07@xxxxxxxxxx
>> [I am posting this on USENET as well as YAHOO GROUPS - so if you
>> monitor both, please bear with me.]
>>
>> I have been scouring the web for info for a couple of weeks, but there
>> are some fundamental questions I cannot seem to resolve to my
>> satisfaction.  I would appreciate any advice I can get.  I have a
>> 2-story house with about 2000 sf per floor.  I want to start with some
>> simple automation, but quickly move to more complex capabilities.
>>
>> I don't see any of the newer technologies coming anwhere close to X-10
>> prices; and also they mostly don't have the wide selection of
>> supported devices as X-10.  So, I think I am going to start with X-10,
>> if reliability is anything close to tolerable.  Comments?
>>
>> X10.com seems to have excellent pricing.  SmartHome is pretty close.
>> Is X-10 technology implementation any better with either one of these?
>> Any reason not to mix-and-match?  Does either have an edge in software
>> robustness?  ActiveHomePro has a plug-in for conditional macros - does
>> SmartHome have similar capability?
>>
>> I would prefer a stand-alone programmable controller (i.e. set it up
>> with a USB-linked computer and then let it run alone), but I could
>> dedicate an old W98-capable laptop to the task if that gave me a lot
>> more flexibility.  How does computer control compare to the standalone
>> X-10 (CM1xA or PowerLinc controllers)?
>>
>> Is there any difference between X10 and "X10 Pro" besides a longer
>> warranty?
>>
>> I don't get X-10 "2 way".  If all devices are 2-way and support a
>> report back of status, and if the controller can understand this
>> status, it would seem that would solve intermittent transmission
>> issues and X-10 would be near 100% reliable.  Apparently, it does not
>> have "five 9's" reliability so I am left wondering what "2-way" does
>> and why the controller cannot sense when a command has failed and
>> retry until it works.  (Obviously, if a transmission is never able to
>> be received, this wouldn't work but I would expect intermittent
>> problems to be solvable.)  What am I missing?
>>
>> Thanks to you wise men!
>
>Free:
>
>My HA setup is rather simple at the moment, and is comprised of several X10
>and RadioShack lamp and appliance modules. These are currently controlling
>lighting in each room, my front and back yard low voltage lighting, and some
>decorative outside lighting. During the Christmas season, they also serve to
>control my outdoor and indoor Christmas lights. All told, only about 15
>receivers so far. I originally purchased the X10 ActiveHome kit, so I also
>have the RF receiver from that kit installed in the house. This turns out to
>be fairly handy, since you can control everything from the remote unit. In
>the ActiveHome kit, there was also the CM11A controller, which connects via
>a serial cable to the PC for programming. This unit stores various timers
>and macros and overall worked fairly well during the three years I was using
>it. However, I noticed degradation in performance over time with this setup.
>Eventually, there were fewer and fewer receivers working in my house, to the
>point that I nearly gave up on HA. But, I discovered that Smarthome released
>their own programmable USB controller and I had to check it out. So, off to
>the Smarthome store I went (which, luckily, is nearby for me). I mentioned
>some of my problems, and they recommended an active coupler that fit into my
>unused electric dryer 220V outlet. I also noticed their Powerlink Controller
>USB kit. This kit includes the controller itself, which connects via
>standard USB 1.1 connection, as well as the Smarthome Manager software.
>
>After having trouble with one of their units (which they promptly swapped
>out for me), I've been running smoothly ever since. I like their software
>better than the Activehome software from X10 (which had not been updated for
>3 years). It seems more useful, though not quite up to software like
>HomeSeer. But, I understand that Homeseer is compatible with this unit. In
>any event, all works great now. I also really like the Smarthome dimmers.
>Their basic Smartlink dimmer is pretty cheap relative to others on the
>market, and works very well. In fact, previously I'd picked up other
>electronic (but non-X10 compatible) dimmers from a local "big-box" store for
>nearly the same price. I love these dimmers. If you need scene programming,
>they have an intermediate priced unit called the Smarlink Plus dimmer that
>also works very nicely. These are much more solidly built than the X10
>dimmers.
>
>I'd definitely check out the Smarthome website (smarthome.com). I'm happy
>with them so far, at least for my very limited use of HA thus far.
>
>Craig
>