Hi,
I just found an interesting website ([Link: lutron.com]). Although this component doesn't provide the flexibility of an x-10 controled lighting system, it would appear to be a stand alone solution for controling lighting in a single room (e.g., your home theater). While I don't know how much this costs, Lutron has a tendency to be expensive.

Clay W.

I have had the lutron spacer for a month now.

I wasn't done yet. The package contains one dimmer and the remote. It cost me about $60 from graybar electrical distributor.The switch simply replaces the existing light switch.

The pronto helps out because of it's strong IR line of sight is not always neccesary just pointing it in the general direction works. I simply added a device on the pronto called 'lights', programmed the buttons and away I went.
(Adding the dimming commads to macro's allows for automatic dimming when a movie starts, a nice touch.)

I have a secondary light source in that room so I purched another dimmer (without remote for $40) and wired it in. Unfortunately the switch does not have channels so they both operate on the same dim/brighten commands. I may mess with the channel thing after the holidays but for now it works great.

It is certainly an option without having to get into X-10 controls.

P.S. For reference the spacer has essentially four commands: Dim, Bright, Full On, and Togggle On/Off to last level. (on/off is a gradual dim over 2-3 seconds)

Clay,
I still believe that teh TouchLinc dimmer is a better overall choice. It's X-10, 2 way, has 256 memory positions(levels) and all you need to do is use an X-10 IR543 IR to X-10 interface to drive it. The IR543 sits with the rest of your equipment and you just include the lighting memory position needed in your Pronto macro. One button does it all, equipment, source selection, lighting. Combine it with a HouseLinc and get even more powerful solutions.

Is there a web site with info on the Touchlinc or Smartlink?

I have Lutron Spacers all over the house and while they were quick and easy to install and never fail to amuse guests I'd like further control over the individual circuits to really blow their socks off (visions of my own disco light show w/fogger & siren not withstanding :)

TIA,
Phil

ps. whew, glad I am researching the Pronto remote, almost made a(nother) expensive mistake! (you know what I mean)

Hi!

Check www.smarthome.com there you will find not only SmartLinc info but al sort of X10, IR and other technologies for House Automation and Control.

I just bought everything necessary to control my lights and fan in my home theater room. From www.smarthome.com, you will need the following.

Part 4040: this is an x-10 controller that receivers IR signals.

Part 4006: this is a cheap ir/rf remote that is necessary to program the x-10 ir codes into your pronto

Part 2204awci: this is the x-10 dimmer switch that will control lights/fan ect...

it came to a total of $125 with fedex shipping...

Brooks

RE: X-10 dimmers....There are a couple of things to remember with respect to X-10 dimmers, especially lower cost models, these are:

They will not retain memory of lamp level in a power fail and return condition.
They will not "start" at 0 and allow ramping up to the desired level, only full ON and ramp down....a bit hard on the eyes after a darkened room/movie.
Of course they have no "memory" for presets.
They tend(from experience) to respond more often to unexpected power line noise and are less sensitive to actual PLC commands.
They tend to have a higer failure rate based upon components used.
Just a few comments on our experiences.

I have a question regarding X-10.. which is taking this thread even more off topic.. but if it helps I also plan to use the Pronto to dim lights and do do blinds..

Are all X-10 devices from all manufactures compatible? In other words.. if I purchase the ActiveHome base system and the 4040.. and then down the road add some Leviton or Lutron dimmers... is this going to be a problem.. or is X-10 really the standard it is intended to be?

Thanks.

Pierre,

X-10 is a standard for power line carrier communications. They also have their own IR code set. As far as I know, Lutron also has their own IR code set and they do not talk X-10 at all. Leviton definately uses X-10 protocol and may even have X-10 build some of their units. SmatLinc also does some OEM for Leviton. Lutron is either a single load unit(low cost) or a "system" at a much higher cost with intercommunications between load devices being either hardwired data cable or more recently RF (Radio RA). Many more $$$.
The ActiveHome is X-10 based for lighting control but keep in mind, the modules are also conventional X-10 with same restrictions noted earlier in this thread.

Okay Jack, so cut to the chase. For the bucks, what is the best way to go? I agree that lights to full on at the end of a movie is almost useless. But a Grafik-eye (or however they spell it) is an awful lot of money.

For a one room, three or four light source (separate switches), home theater what do you think has the best bang for the buck.

Thanks, V

And Phil, some of my friends got drunk and installed a disco ball in my home theater, spins and everything. Since it doesn't have a remote its outta there. If Pronto can't drive it then I don't want it! ;-)

No chase....look at smartlinc.com touchlinc two way. In my view there are X-10 dimmers and then there are touchlinc 2 ways. They should be shipping (finally) any day in there most refined form. Single gang 600w, 256 memories, 12mv sensitivity, blah blah blah. Have a look, these guys really know X-10. I think around $80-90 a piece. Previous version nearly as powerful, may still be available for around $70 each, 16 memories, a bit less bells/whistles, still, unless you're in a hurry, wait for the new ones, they have no match.

I installed the x-10 pieces I mentioned above and it works great....

as for turning the lighs on after a movie... your not supposed to have ALL of the lights off anyway while watching a movie... it strains you eyes... when you go to the movie theater there is always a little light...

also, why not just dim the lights all the way while wathcing the movie, then you can step em gradually if you eyes are that sensitive...


Brooks

Thanks Jack, I'll check them out.

I'd second what Jack said about SmartLinc's 'SwitchLinc' two-way X-10 dimmer switches. They cost a little more than the competition, but they're in a different league altogether. Much better than the others I've tried, the only other brand that comes close is PCS - and they don't have the two-way functionality of the new SwitchLinc models. The only disadvantage is that they're a little more expensive than the common-or-garden X-10 dimmers (which are pretty cheap and nasty, in my opinion).