I'm very new to X-10 and looking to make my first investment in automating my house. I'm trying to get the most flexible components I can, as to not limit my route in the future once I get a better hange of all that I can do with automation. To my question then:
X-10 travels through the house wiring, IR comes from my Pronto remote, and RF (radio frequency ?) code possible come into play from say my garage door opener...

So is there a single converter out there that can get all of these signals on the same page?
X-10 --> RF, IR --> X-10, don't think there is a need to go backwards with these.

Any help/explaination would be greatly appreciated.

You can't use your garage door opener with X-10. The only way to do RF is to use X-10 RF remotes and receivers. There is not any converter that will receive both the IR and RF versions to X-10 signals. Buy what you want now and just try to get the best switches you can afford. Look at Switchlinc or PCS's!

Chris
www.x10ideas.com

Mark:

Since you're using Pronto, your best bet is the IR543 for changing from IR to X10 signals. It is limited to one house code, but to capture all 16 house codes, you could buy many, many IR543 units for less money than a unit capable of all 16. As for operating your garage door opener, I would use a universal module. Most garage door openers have a pushbutton switch inside the garage in addition to the RF transmitter. The universal module could be installed in parallel with the pushbutton switch.

I have heard of a key fob that will learn and transmit RF codes. This could also solve your X10/garage door dilemma. (Don't recall details, though.)

Hope this helps.

Where can I get this elusive IR543 that everyone keeps mentioning? I've looked on smarthome.com, but the only thing I see is a rather clunky looking module for IR to X-10?

Is there any way to go from X-10 back to IR though? Seems strange, but what if I wanted my computer to control the TV via an X-10 signal. Don't know how logical that is, but just brain storming.

I have them for $19.84 on my site, [Link: homeautomationnet.com]


Have a great New Years!!

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Hey there,

I use the X-10 Powerhouse 4040 Infrared receiver. Works great, now come colored in black to match most A/V equipment, uses multiple house codes and costs only $30. You can get it from Smarthome.
[Link: smarthome.com]

Happy New Year!

The ones I sell are in black are made on the same assembly line and are identical in every way, but I chose to name them by the manufacturers part number instead of some made up number. The ONLY difference it they charge 50% more.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Thanks for the help guys.

i ordered two ir543 from home automation couple of days ago. glad to hear they are for sure black. haven't gotten them yet and was hoping they would match my audio equipment. i apreciate your regular postings here Bill E.

Mark:

Your question about X10 to IR can be cheaply answered at:
[Link: hawk.x10.com]
The limitation is that this device can only learn 3 commands. (Designed to be PWR, REC and PLAY, but you can teach it any command you want.)
X10.com markets this device for home security whereby motion detectors trigger the device to tell the VCR to start recording, then stop after a period of time.