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mjwillyone
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| Posted: March 06 2007 at 11:31 | IP Logged
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Friends,
I am not new to X10 devices, but I am new to operating IR components along with X10 technology. I purchased the X10 ActiveHome software which came with a USB computer interface. I have set it up to work with X10 controlled lights, but I really think I need something more powerful with more advanced user configuration options. The ActiveHome software lets you use their components... nothing else.
That was a bit of history ... now for the question. Can I use my computer interface along with the PowerHome software to control X10 AND IR components? I have a DVD surround-sound home theatre, a video projector, and even an electric screen that utilize IR remotes but I want to automate everything into a macro. The macro should:
1. Turn on the DVD player
2. Lower the screen
3. Turn on the video projector
4. Dim the lights
4. Wait long enough for the video projector to warm up
5. Turn the lights off
6. Play the DVD in tray 1 of the DVD player
I don't have anything other than the interface to run the IR components. What else will I need for PowerHome to run the IR components. Also, will I need my computer to be in the room each time I want to run this macro? Finally, I do not have the IR codes for the devices, but I do have the remotes.
Thank you so much. Automating IR is very new to me, as is PowerHome!
Sincerely,
Mike
Edited by mjwillyone - March 06 2007 at 11:31
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dhoward
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| Posted: March 06 2007 at 20:30 | IP Logged
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Mike,
Based upon what you've posted, you may have some problems. You say that you have the ActiveHome software with a USB interface. That would mean that you have a CM15A. PowerHome does not currently support the CM15A (there have been issues with this device and the X10 activex SDK).
Now, if you have a compatible X10 interface and a compatible IR interface, then yes, PowerHome will be more than capable to handle your above macro (I do this exact thing all the time). I use an X10 palmpad to trigger this macro (RF, so I don't have to point the remote at a specific piece of equipment or even be in the same room).
Since you have the original IR remotes, PowerHome should have no problems learning the necessary codes with any of it's supported IR controllers (check the main PowerHome page for supported X10 and IR controllers).
Concerning having the computer in the same room...the answer would be no. The lights would be controlled via their respective PLC technology. The IR signals originating from the PowerHome IR controller can be relayed using the pyramid repeater devices or hardwired down to the respective components.
Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.
Dave.
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mjwillyone
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| Posted: March 07 2007 at 10:22 | IP Logged
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Dave,
Your help is very much appreciated. So, I need:
1) new X10 compatible interface
2) new IR interface
3) some hardwired repeaters (hope they are long!)
I will take a look at the components that work with PowerHome as you suggested. However, seeing that they are each a bit different, may I ask what interfaces you are using? I sure don't mind borrowing brains!
Thank you,
Mike
Edited by mjwillyone - March 07 2007 at 10:23
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mjwillyone
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| Posted: March 08 2007 at 09:05 | IP Logged
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Dave,
I am having trouble locating an IR controller that does not need to be connected to my computer to run IR devices. Here is what the RedRat people:
"Thanks for the mail and interest in our products. I'm afraid that all our products do need to be connected to a computer to operate as they have been designed to give PCs IR I/O capability and so are not able to act
autonomously. Good luck in your search for such a product.... Best regards, Dr. Chris Dodge"
By the way, I have the UX17A RF to IR box. It has three self-stick connectors on it. I would have purchased the Firecracker device that is supposed to work with this but I don't have a serial port on my computer. I need something that utilized a USB port.
Again, if you can be of any help it would be most appreciated.
Mike
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TonyNo
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| Posted: March 09 2007 at 06:44 | IP Logged
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One option, IIRC, is an Ocelot.
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mjwillyone
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| Posted: March 09 2007 at 08:40 | IP Logged
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TonyNo,
That was a great suggestion. Just the controller I am looking for (though more money than I thought.)
Thank you very much,
Mike
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dhoward
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| Posted: March 13 2007 at 21:28 | IP Logged
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Mike,
You could use the RedRat3 or any of the other IR controllers with the RF IR repeaters. These units look like little pyramids and come in pairs. You connect an IR controller to the PowerHome PC, point it at the transmitting pyramid and then place the receiver pyramid in the room with the IR equipment facing it. The transmitter pyramid reads the IR signal, converts it to RF, sends to receiver pyramid, converts RF back to IR and transmits it.
However, I would prefer running a cat5 cable or similar and distributing the signals that way. The USB-Uirt has a jack which would allow connecting this way as does the Ocelot.
HTH,
Dave.
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mjwillyone
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| Posted: March 17 2007 at 10:14 | IP Logged
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Dave,
My Ocelot arrived a few days ago and I had fun getting my IR devices working using it! Now .. just one more hurdle. About 9 years ago, I purchased the CM11A controller. It was connected to the computer with a serial cable connection on one end and a phone cable connection on the other. Since my new laptop does not have a serial port and trying the USB-to-serial adapter did not work with the software of the CM11A, I purchased the CM15A USB contoller a month ago. The Ocelot connects to my computer through the serial-to-USB adapter fine. However the "phone" type cable that was included with the Ocelot does not have the same end as my old CM11A. What can I do?
Thanks,
Mike
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Topic: IR Woes
