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WHAT WE NEED IS ...!
A new column for the HTINews ... What We Need Is ...! Send your needs to bobh@hometoys.com and we'll see what we can find or at least use this column to let those manufacturers and software engineers know what it is that we the consumers want to buy and use. Please let me know if these things are available, coming soon, good idea or just plain crazy. I'll keep the threads going as long as the feedback keeps coming in.
What we need is someone to bring back the Mega 36 Remotes and Bases!!! I waited to long and missed out!! Anyone have any new extras they want to sell?
RU my Boss RUmyBoss@aol.com
What we need is a "wireless LCD screen remote" similar to the LCD remote thats out now, similar to the Mega 36 remote, except LCD that tells you what each button does and a button on the bottom that changes the house code (A, B, C, etc...) and changes the LCD screen to match what each button does. It can do all 16 house codes!! That would make a nice high-tech replacement for the Mega 36 remote! But keep in under $200. so we can afford it!!!
RU my Boss RUmyBoss@aol.com
Bob,
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I really need a X-10 RF Reciever which is capable of recieving multiple X-10
Housecode signals. I know of one unit which can recieve on two consecutive Housecodes, but
for my application, I need 4 Housecodes (and maybe not consecutively either!). Any ideas!?
From: Tom Laureanno
Again I asked Dave Rye this question. Unfortunately his response was "I am not aware
of any. X-10 does not manufacture any." Can anyone out there help Tom?
I posted a message on comp.home.automation March 13, which gave a 'preview' of the
CM14a that I am beta testing for X10. The CM14a has the capability of selectively choosing
housecodes for receiving RF commands. So, you don't have to throw out your RR501s or
TM751s if you use the relays, just don't select that housecode on the CM14a. I currently
have mine set to receive on 4 different housecodes, and will increase that as my macro
count continues to climb!
I still do not know when it will be released, or what the price will be, but it is amazing
for it's size.
I included the text of the newsgroup message at the end...
Jim Cirillo cirillo@atb.teradyne.com
> >>> Be forwarned - the ActiveHome software that controls the CM11a is buggy and lame. In addition, the CM11a itself has a problem that causes it to lock up under some situations.
> > These statements are correct. .....in some situations. Many people have been using the CM11a for extended periods of time with no problems. The ActiveHome software may be lame in YOUR opinion. If you buy a $50 controller, and expect the same functions as a $300+ controller, you WILL be disappointed. X10 was going after a broad market (non-HA and HA users) and put out a product that has some compromises, and hits a specific consumer price point. As for being buggy, X10 is still updating the 'beta' releases to eliminate problems that users report. The latest releases include a new communications driver that works 100 times better than previous versions. One of the reasons is that it was designed for Windows 95, instead of trying to be compatible with Win 3.1 and Win 95.
> >> Be very careful here people! ActiveHome (X-10) is now "dumping" their ActiveHome kit on the market for $50.00. Why the drastic reduction in price? Because X10 is about to release a new controller. I accidently found it the other day on the X10 page but there was no file to back it up.
> > This is only partly true. The new controller is called the CM14a,
but it is not a replacement for the CM11a. It has many new features, including support for
conditionals. I do not know when it will be released, or how much it will cost (I am beta
testing it). I know the next question will be 'Well, what does it include???" so,
here's a quick list: 1) Macros with conditionals, programmed graphically. Outputs of
macros can be X10, IR, and program launch. Built in conditionals (so far) are date, day of
week, dawn,dusk, daytime, nighttime, and user flags. 2) IR - standard code selections AND
learning. No receive capability for macro processing of IR signals. IR signals are sent
via RF using an X10 pyramid receiver, and directly using the pyramid's IR extension
(RX569) plugged into the CM14a. 3) RF Mouse - the CM14a acts as the RF mouse receiver - no
need to change any settings for your existing mouse. 4) RF X10 (I think it's the best
feature) - Selectable RF transceiver for ALL housecodes!!! (you choose which RF housecodes
the CM14a will process) 5) Much larger download memory - no I don't know numbers, but X10
heard all the complaints about dusk / dawn taking up too much space, so there's a separate
memory area for that. And 'verify' operations actually compare what's in the device
(uploads are supported).
I know there's more, but that's all I can remember right now...
> >> Weeeeell, the CM11A is basically a poorly designed toy at best. ... With
products like JDS on the market, well the CM11A doesn't measure up....not by a long shot.
I know the basic JDS TC rings in at a price of $300.00 and now that you can purchase the
ActiveHome for > >> 50 big ones, does the cost justify the difference?
Again, buy what you need - if you want to fully automate a house, the $50 CM11a wasn't
designed for that... And I'm not prepared to answer if the CM14a is either, but it will
certainly have many new uses.
Jim
Thanks for all that info Jim. I asked Dave at X-10 about the CM14a and he replied that it's probably a bit early as they don't yet know when they'll introduce it. Stay tuned for more. Perhaps I can talk Jim into writing a review once it's ready to go to market.
In reguards to the following letter sent to you, this can be done by opening a
arm/disarm or learning remote and use Universal modules (1 for arm, 1 for disarm).
Connecting the wires to the button contacts. Then his HA controller or timer can do the
rest! There was no email for him, so I'm sending to you, if you still have it, maybe you
could get the message to him.
>>>Bob, What I really need is a way to arm and dis-arm my X-10 home security
system using a computer interface or a clock interface. For example I could set the timer
to arm my security system every night at 11:00pm and dis-arm it every morning at 6:30am.
This way I wouldn't have to worry about manually arming and dis-arming the system all the
time. Why is this not possible?
I sent this one to Dave Rye at X-10 and here's what he had to say ... " It is not
possible because the computer interface and timer only send powerline carrier signals
(over the house wiring) the only way to arm and disarm a security system is via an RF
signal.<<<
RU my Boss RUmyBoss@aol.com
Thanks RU, I forwarded your message. And here's a further suggestion from Sean OnTheAir1@aol.com
Why not buy one of the keychain X-10 alarm remotes, pop it open, solder two wires from
the disarm button and have the connection made by an X-10 universal module?
Anything's possible with a soldering iron,
Sean
In response to Ron Graham. He could use a 120V Relay switch connected to a appliance module to run the motors.
brian brianmac@ecom.net
From Ron Graham in the last issue:
Hi Bob, I just discovered your Home Toys web site. It's very good. I have a question for
you or the forum, if you will accept it. I have several motorized window shades in the
house and would like to control them with X10. Is there some type of 110VAC double
pole/double throw switch that is X10 compatible?? I have thought of ganging 2 modules
together but I'm afraid if an 'on' command for both the up and the down X10 modules gets
sent at the same time it will burn out the motor. Does anyone have any ideas on how to
best control the shades?? Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding, this project is
to control window shades and not draperies with a pull chain. My email address is rgraham1@maine.rr.com .
I don't know who at X-10 designs some of their stuff but their pocket protector must be too small. So many of the gadgets are just short of being really useful. For example, the big out door motion detector is so sensitive, the birds in our back yard have been setting it off. And the little one needs to have a switch that cuts out the dawn/dusk feature; I have one in the garage and when the car comes in, it thinks the sun came up and doesn't sound the chime to warn my wife I'm home. I found the instructions on masking and will try that tonight.
They need a really long range transmitter to send signals from the car - The Activehome system is neat but the programming is left handed and I have had major problems with connecting a computer to the interface - even now, every other time, it tells me that the connection isn't working
