Hello all ,

I hope this is not a repost (I did look in the Search field for this) but I'm wondering if anyone has purchased and/or used the X-10 ScanCams with the Pronto and IR543(AH) ?

They are address selectable , which may make use of the standard codes for the IR543(AH) but the Scan Controller has "Scan" function that is definitely not learnable due to its RF output .

My intention is to connect the wireless input to a spare input on my TV and , using Pronto , set this input up for the PIP setting naming the function "Security" and allowing me to monitor the exterior of my house from the comfort of my HT chair using the TV's PIP display.

The problem will be with the feature buttons on the ScanController and creating IR codes for the IR543(AH) for use with the Pronto.

Any thoughts please respond ,

Scott..............................

Scott,

I am not sure what you are saying is correct. The palm pad they are giving you (scan controller) is talking to the included TM751 transceiver. I don't think there is any other device that gets a signal from the remote. I may be wrong, but I was fairly sure that it was the addressable power supplies doing the work. I never noticed any additional antenna on the 2.5GHz unit for RF reception. It would be easy to test with a maxi controller or some other form of X10 input.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Bill E. ,

I agree . The commands to turn the addressable power supplies on and off to activate the individual cameras would be the same as turning on or off a lamp module . Actually this will work out well as the outside security lights and the relevant camera can share the same code giving me a lot more flexibility .

However , my question regarding the other buttons on the Scan Controller still hold . How do we "learn" them into an IR format and thus into the Pronto ?

Thanks,
Scott....................................

Scott,

I have a spare scan cam controller (I think). Will try to give it a test this afternoon to see what it is really putting out.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Everybody,

The Palm Pad like "scan controller" does not do anything that can't be done with an ordinary X-10 controller. That is, it does nothing but send on/off commands to specific addresses via the TM751. That's it, no magic. The "scan" button, if I'm remembering correctly, does nothing more than send an "on" to the next unit code. Each time you press it, it moves to the next of 4 sequential codes. On the fourth press, it goes back to the first. Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. The only thing unusual about the xcams, are the power supplies. These units respond normally to "on" commands sent to their unit code, but they also turn "off", if they see an "on" sent to a unit code within the same 4 unit code block. Suppose you have 4 xcams, set to unit codes 1,2,3,4. Let's say that right now, you're looking at cam 1, so it's power supply will be in the "on" state. Press the scan button. The remote will send out unit code 2 "on". Cam 1 will see the "2 on" and turn off. Cam 2 will see the "2 on" and turn on. The next time you press the scan button, it'll send "3 on", etc.

If you're lazy and just have to have this "scan" functionality, then it can be replicated on the Pronto, but it's going to take a little bit of work. I'm not a Pronto expert, but try setting up 4 different screens that cycle through, each with a "scan" button. The scan button on each screen will send out a "x on", where x is 1,2,3 or 4. You need to setup the Pronto to switch to the next screen after it sends the "x on" when the scan button is pressed. So really, there are no additional IR codes needed to do what the "scan controller" is doing.

John Galvin

John Galvin ,

Lazy...? Please , you don't even know me ! Just kidding . thanks for the response . Yes , I can now see how easily it would be to cycle thru the codes with the Pronto . I would even be able to add delays that are better than the default with the Scan Controller. Now if I can only order the ScanCam system without all the useless hardware...............

Thanks again ,

Scott.....................

Scott,

Turns out, I could not find my scan controller we cleared out all my scan cam equipment apparently. I am sure John is right, and you can do what you need with macros.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com