OK, guys, I fully admit to being a novice to X-10. I would appreciate any suggestions. I want to automate an X-10 dimmer (no selection yet) to include going to a preset level, open the curtains on the Stewart screen and close the curtains over the windows (don't have the autocurtains yet) through my Pronto Pro. I am just getting my feet wet here but have looked at the Ocelot (do I need this) and the IS 543 receivers. Which should I go with? Where do I get commands for the Pronto Pro to make all of this work? I like the idea of the programmibility in the Ocelot but I see posts on incompatibility issues with it, apparently on it sending IR codes. I don't need to do that at this point. Any suggestions? Or on how I can educate myself real fast?
Much appreciated,
Wayne
[email protected]

Wayne,

You can do all this without going to the Ocelot, although it's a nice unit probably more than you need for what you are doing. Use an IR543 with PCS scene switches for lighting. For the curtains use a PUM01 universal module which closes contacts when it receives an X10 signal, or a lot of curtains have IR receivers. The X10 IR codes should have come in the Pronto's code library, if not you can get them off this site.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Thanks for the kind help, Bill. I had a thought...can the Ocelot learn IR codes for various components and set up a macro within Ocelot, then activate it from a single command from the "Pro"? That would be a neat way to offload the time consuming macros which forces you to continue to point the Pro at the components during the macro. I can't tell from the info on the Ocelot on their website if this is possible or not.
Best Regards, Wayne

Yes - this is what the Ocelot is the best at doing. Because it is a programmable controller, you can setup all sorts of things to happen from one push of the button. For instance, in your case you could teach the ocelot the command for play on your DVD player, and have the screen open, the curtains close and the lights dim as soon as this button is pressed!

Cheers, Cam

A good point, the RF extender available with the Pro would also take care of the pointing issue but the Ocelot can do a whole lot more and cost about the same. The Ocelot gives you the ability to exercise Crestron type control at a fraction of the cost. Certainly not a bad choice, I just thought it was a bit of overkill for a set of lights and curtains. Keep in mind you may have to go with an add on or two to control the curtains and distribute the amount of IR you will need.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Bill and Cam: Thanks a lot for the input. In the mean time, I downloaded the users manual for the Ocelot and figured out this thing can do everything but make your coffee for you in the morning (on second thought...this is getting crazy). I have come up with a lot of ideas of automating that room including turning down the room track lights, turning down the table lamps, opening the curtains around the screen, closing the window curtains, setting up the system, opening the DVD drawer, turning up the spot lights aimed at the DVD media rack to select the movie...and the list goes on. This is cool! I can see a lot of late evenings with this new toy.
Wayne
[email protected]

See [Link: how.to]

All I can advise is, please think about what you REALLY need and REALLY want to do. From your original message it sounds like you don't need an Ocelot. I have one and love it, but it's uses in my environment are far less than I originally planned.

Also keep in mind that you'll need to invest in IR connecting blocks and emitters, and setting that up can be a bit of work. I had no problems until I realized my Sony bigscreen TV had no IR receiver on the outside. In order to put an emitter on it I would have to open up the TV and find it. I opted for a powermid, which works but is far less reliable than I like.

I think the original reply makes the most sense. IR543 and PCS switches and/or lighting modules. Get a curtain that has built in IR and you're all set. With that you can likely do everything you've described.

Of course this is coming from an Ocelot owner and a guy who loves to over do everything. So I'll forgive you if you go that route! :-)

Cheers,
John

John, I respect your opinion and value your perspective but this is a new toy and I want to see what it will do. Take it for a spin, so to speak. I realize that a lot of what I want to do can be done with the Pronto Pro and the IR 543. I may try that approach first before going to the Ocelot but the Ocelot's capability has me intrigued. I see so many possibilities with it that would be more difficult if possible at all with the 543. I'm an experimenter at heart (frustrated engineer).
Regards,
Wayne

Dear Wayne,

Then you have my blessing! :-) I'm just like you at heart. Remember I *DO* own an Ocelot and a billion other x10 things. It drives my girlfriend crazy! Have fun!

Cheers,
John