Is there any way to program URC Rf remotes (like the MX 950 or MSC 400) to send out RF signals that would be recognised by X-10 recievers?

No. You would have to use an IR543 IR-to-X10 converter. No other universal IR/RF remote can directly control X-10 either.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

Actually x10.com sells a low end "universal" remote that does X-10 RF command directly plus some other components. Its not exactly user friendly, its all hard buttons, so you have to KNOW which number each light is, plus if you have multiple house codes you have to do another code sequence to change between those. Not exactly easy, but you can avoid having to buy the IR543 or IR543AH (for multiple house codes in one unit) and its pretty cheap, I think like $25.

On a similar note, does anyone know if they ever came out with an IR543 equivalent for Insteon?

Due the end of the month: [Link: smarthome.com]

Regarding the X-10 control, my point was that no IR/RF universal (with the exception of some home control systems that control things like garage doors, lights etc.) will control RF components of another brand.

That's awesome! Thanks for the link! I'm a big fan of Insteon, and I have been anxiously awaiting this product.

I have the X-10 Powerhouse RC5000 which includes an RF module that
plugs into the wall socket and a remote. Obviously, the remote receives the
RF signal and translates it to a pules sequence in the 60Hz/120v circuits.
Are you saying there is no hope of my MX-900 sending an RF signal that the
RC5000 would understand?

TIA

Ed

Jag,

You'll need to buy an IR543 from X-10. The IR543 receives the IR command from the MX-900 and passes that to the appropriate lights or appliances etc..

What I did was attach one of the flashers from my MRF-250 to the front of the IR543, so my MX-900/MRF250 operates all my lighting from anywhere. Hope this helped.

Thanks, Marcus,

I was hoping that since the MX-900 can send RF and my existing X-10 PowerHouse model RR501 is a radio transceiver I could avoid buying the IR543. Guess the IR signals aren't standardized....

I don't understand the role of the MFR-250 in your setup. If the IR543 responds to an IR signal why not just set up the MX-900 to send out IR signals for the LIGHTS device. Or, if the IR543 responds to RF, set the MX-900 to send out RF fof LIGHTS. I don't see the need for the MRF-250 either way. What am I missing?

Thanks again,

Ed

The MX-900 can't send RF commands directly to X-10 switches.
If you do send RF signals you will need a base station to convert the signal to IR that the IR543 can convert to X-10 RF signals.

Remote - basestation - IR543 - ...

Of cource you can have the the MX-900 send IR signals directly to the IR543 but the range will be short and it can't be any objects in the way.

Remote - IR543 - ...

I belive that FCC regulations are making the two RF systems inoperatable with each other, but I can be wrong

About X-10 I had an harmony 890 and the IR-543.

I used the harmony in the ''A zone IR'' for 4 modules and I had the ''B zone RF'' for the 8 remaning modules. (to use my X-10 brand remotes)

I did'nt even try to leave the 12 modules in one zone with the IR-543. My concern is if I run my 12 modules with the IR-543 will my other RF X-10 brand remotes will still work?
I got some X-10 remotes in every rooms. (5 total)

I wouldn't expect it to, since the X-10 control modules get the
controls over the mains, not RF or IR. However, the X-10 PowerHouse
RF transceiver receives RF from an X-10 remote and injects a
signal into the mains to control the various control modules. In an
ideal world, the MX-900 would send equivalent IR signals. IOW,
I was hoping the X-10 Powerhouse RF transciever was equivalent to
the IR 543.




So, you're saying that the IR543 sends out IR. Makes sense, otherwise they
would call it the RF543!

But you are also saying the X-10 work off of RF. Not mine.


Ed

Jag,

2 things:

1) I use the MRF-250 because all my equipment is hidden behind closed doors. Even if my equipment were exposed, I would still use it so that I can be anywhere in the house and control all my lights with the MX-900.


2) I do not believe the IR543 sends out IR. It's called the "IR"543 because it converts IR signals from universal remotes to X-10 commands. Think of it as a IR version of a RR501. The IR543 receives X-10 commands via IR instead of RF, and and then sends them through your electrical the same way the RR501 does.


Hope this helped.

Marcus, does it means my X10 RF remotes will still work even if I use the IR-543 for my livingroom IR-RF remote?
Thanks,
Gui.

That makes sense.


Oops, in my previous not I meant to say the IR543 receives IR. From what
I've now heard, I agree with your description.

Ed