Re: Newbie Advice needed

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

As you have found, X-10 pricing is unbeatable.

X-10's patent on the basic PLC technology expired a few years ago so there
are now several manufacturers that use X-10 PLC technology - Leviton,
Lightolier, PCS, SmartHome's *Linc, and others. Mixing and matching is
usually OK but you do need to be aware of some 'gotchas' (see below).

While it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain reliability of an
X-10 based system, it is possible as long as you understand the
fundamentals. I've tried to cover the essentials on a web page at
http://www.mbx-usa.com.

I always write my own software so I cannot comment on what might be
available from the manufacturers.

Two-way devices must incorporate both a PLC receiver and a PLC transmitter.
Most PLC transmitters load the system (It's possible to design ones that do
not but that adds cost.) and attenuate the signal. The more transmitters you
have, the lower the signal strength. Two-way functionality varies. Devices
do not respond with an ACK or NAK but some respond to a STATUS REQUEST poll
although their response may not actually reflect the condition of the load.
Some report local control changes. It is probably best to limit two-way
modules to areas/situations where they may be most useful.

Terminolgy can be confusing as marketing departments try to differentiate
what are essentially near identical technologies. Leviton's DHC line uses
X-10 PLC technology. Lightolier's Compose line uses X-10 PLC technology.
Most of SmartHome's *Linc line uses X-10 PLC technology. Etc., etc., etc.

There are two "preset dim" methods. One, X-10 defined in the original PLC
protocol but never used and have 'undefined' it in later documentation of
the PLC protocol. SmartHome and PCS use it. It has 32 levels. It can have
strange interactions with other devices. The other, 'extended dim', was
defined by X-10 about 7-8 years ago. It has 64 levels. X-10 uses it in the
LM14A and similar European devices. Leviton uses it in some of their
devices.

Most of the more useful stand-alone controllers are not USB but you can
usually use a USB-to-RS232 adapter with them.

I think the Ocelot still gives the most bang for the buck. It is expandable
but you can start with the basic unit for about $150. I do not recommend the
higher priced controllers for beginners as I think there may soon be
developments that will make them obsolete.

HomePlug has concentrated on high bandwidth applications like Ethernet over
powerlines and HomePlug AV (multiple audio/video streams) but, I think, it's
just a matter of time before someone introduces lighting and appliance
control using their technology. With BPL modems retailing near $20, the
economics have finally started to make sense.

Free <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>[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!