Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Lighting & Home Control Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
What is X-10??
This thread has 2 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Monday April 26, 1999 at 11:26
John Hurlbut
Historic Forum Post
OK, I understand it is a way to control lights, heat, etc in your house. But does anyone have a cool website that sells products? Or can I pick them up at Home Depot?? What do I need to get started. I want to control two lights plugged into AC outlets for my home theater. Of course I want to use my Pronto to do this . . . :-)

Thanks in advance for any help.

BTW Robert, your site looks cool, but it didn't give me the practical info I was looking for. Looking for more general info.

Thanks!!
- john
OP | Post 2 made on Monday April 26, 1999 at 14:51
Robert
Historic Forum Post
John. I know my web site could be a lot better and it is definitely on my list of things to do! Home automation is a rapidly changing industry and new products are released weekly. The big driver is improvments in technology and lower cost of the technology.

My business is designing home automation systems that meet customers specific needs. There are so many types of products available, I recommend that customers discuss (via phone or e-mail) their needs or objectives with me before they buy products. This can save the customer money because they will then be able to select and purchase products that will work for them, and expand later without having to replace products.

My company sells a huge variety of home automation equipment despite the small offering on the web site.

To get started using your Pronto you need to purchase a transceiver. This product converts the Pronto IR signals to a coded signal that will be sent down your home's AC powerline. Now, you need something connected to the powerline that will receive the signal and do something, like turn on a light. These devices are X-10 receivers and come in many varieties. The most common type of X-10 receiver is the type that controls a plug in lamp, or a switched light.

Since you mentioned that you have lights that are plugged in, you would need an X-10 lamp module. There are two types available. Of the two I highly recommend the type that has a "soft start" feature and "memory dim", and "Automatic Gain Control". This type of lamp module is more expensive than the standard type but the features are well worth it.

"Soft Start" brightens the light from Off to On over a 1-2 second period saving your eyes and light bulbs. It dims to Off over a 1-2 second period when you turn the light off.

"Memory Dim" memorizes the last dim setting your lamp was at when you turned it off. It will resume to that dim level when you turn the lamp back on. Lamp modules that doen't have this feature go immediately to 100% brightness first, and then you can dim them down to a lower level.

"Automatic Gain Control" is extra electronics that improve the module's sensitivity to X-10 transmissions. This can save you a lot of frustration that you may experience with modules that doen't have this feature. AGC can compensate for electrical noise on your AC power line that interferes with X-10 signals.

Please send me an e-mail if you have any questions or would like to order the equipment you need to get you started. By the way, X-10 light switches have even more options to consider so please contact me or someone qualified in this area before you purchase.

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]
OP | Post 3 made on Wednesday May 5, 1999 at 21:08
Daniel Nguyen
Historic Forum Post
John,

I got X-10 stuff from the following 2 sites:
http://www.x10.com
http://www.smarthome.com

Just a couple of shopping tips:
1. Registered your email at both sites.
2. x10.com will send you special deals (which happens everyday, so don't buy their "last day!" gimmick).
3. Wait for "Free Shipping" at smarthome.com. It happens from time to time.
4. The IR-to-RF you're looking for to be able to control using the Pronto is a product named 4040. Search for it at the smarthome.com site. It is made by X10 but they only sell it through smarthome.com

Good Luck and have fun...


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse