Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / December 2005

[Note: I am an end-user. I'm not making any $$ anyhow, anyway, by doing
anything in this post. I am not affiliated with any of the companies
that I reference, I am posting this for the same reason people blog -
to let others know what I do in case it will help them].

I have a relatively modern A/V receiver with your typical "standby"
mode, so it's always powered, listening for IR signals.  Hitting the
power button the receiver itself powers it up/sends it back to standby
mode.

The following describes a study which I think resolves several
issues with dims and microdims, their effects on various X10
dimmer modules, and discrepancies reported by a CM11A which
receives these functions over the power line.

I'm looking for suggestions for some needed X10 or other automation widgets.
I have done microcontroller design since the mid 70's.  Now retired, I'm
looking for projects to keep me busy.  Two ideas I have myself are a X10
module offering 4 to 8 digital I/O lines, and a high power ...

I was wondering if it is possible to contol winXP with universal remote
and USB IRDA controller, and if is wich softwer is for that. I don't
need too much range, about 4ft, just need to contol multimedia software.

Looking around the 'net, it seems that it is ridiculously expensive and
difficult to do home-automation in Australia. As we use 240v/50Hz rather
than 110v/60Hz, we can't the US stuff .. which is a pity as it is *much*
cheaper.

We recently moved to a new (for us) home.  I have a Belkin wireless
router connected to a DSL modem in my office at one end of the house.
My wife's desktop is at the opposite end of the home, about 120 feet
away and through three walls, one of which is cement block.

I got a Logitech bluetooth headset for Christmas. I am not using it with
my mobile phone which is not bt enabled, but just as a wireless headset
for my PC.
According to the manual, it is possible to control some basic phone

Using X10 PowerLinc 1132CU with Smarthome Plus software. Devices are
all generic Radio Shack type modules.  ON and OFF commands work fine.
Dimming is a problem. Very often the device will go to ON but not obey
the dim command.  I can do manual DIM through the software with

I want to put together a PC to store and playback all of my DVDs (I
currently have less than 100 of them). That's going to take around 400-800
GB of storage, which is not a problem.
My idea is to use this PC as an alterative to a DVD changer. Rather than

Based on comments here and some personal experience, I've been thinking
about creating a X10 RF Link Command Translator.
Many of us have devices we would like to control with RF remotes, and other
devices we would rather not have controlled accidentally.  Sometimes these

All,
I need some help understanding how volume control impedance calculates into
the load seen by the amplifier.  Here is my scenario, using just one amp
channel for illustration purposes:

Hi, be very careful how you protect your home or loved things and ppl.
Setting up a security light could get you arrested. I got hauled off to
jail.
I have updated the pages, 1/4 down is perhaps the weirdest arrest in

I have a friend that wants to control a traffic light (in his home, not
on the street) using X10 modules and ActiveHome software.  I thought it
would work but it looks like the delays for macros only do minute
increments.  Is there any way to do a few seconds?  I am assuming

I am not sure this is the right forum to be posting to; if not, is
there a better one? Anyway, I am at my wits end with a simple little
problem which I hope someone can help me understand.
I have a 2 line telephone connected with a single (4 stranded) cable to