Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / June 2007

I know that sticking emitters on each individual component is the
preferred method of IR distribution. But I'd still like to know what
"blaster" options are available.
I'd rather avoid sticking an emitter on a powermid and using it to do

My alarm (a DSC 4020) is monitored (and supposedly maintained) by the
company that installed it, and for several years I was happy with
their service, but for the past six months they're not responding to
troubles and not returning phone calls.

I need recommendations on a good RF remote deadbolt door lock system.
I found several e-tailers that sell them but don't know which brand is
best/most reliable. I'm disabled and need this to be able to unlock my
apt. door while I'm in bed. The bed is approx. 30' away from the door,

I have a set of X10 light switches being controlled by a plug in
conroller (Model CM11A X10 2 Way Computer Interface).  The program
stored in the interface was configured using ActiveHome 1.42.
I replaced two X10 switches with ToggleLinc V2 Relay (2466SW) and

I'd like to web-enable certain aspect of my system and have been looking at
both Charmed Quark and Girder.  There's an enormous price difference.  Is
there a correspondingly enormous quality or value difference?
--

Anyone know of a COTS (or easy to construct) X-10 based 4, 6 or 8 channel AV
switcher capable of taking the typical yellow-red-white RCA type AV
connectors?  Those are the kind found on VCRs and such and I want to switch
them, cascade style via a "pulse" from X-10 controller.  I ...

By Blaine Harden
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 30, 2007; Page A01
NESKOWIN, Ore. -- Alex and Sara Sifford, who live here on the Oregon coast,

From the EPA at...
http://www.epa.gov/oar/mercuryrule/basic.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/oar/mercuryrule/b
asic.htm
"Mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants comes from mercury in coal,
which is released when the coal is burned. While coal-fired power plants are

Anybody know of a source for a X10 6308 Photocell transmitter???
I already know that they have been discontinued but was looking for one that
may still be on the shelf somewhere.
TIA

I am purchasing a new home that has the usual utilities available.
However, I will NOT be installing land line telephone as we will be
using cell phones.
All of the residential security companies/solutions we've researched

I have 3 Toshiba Televisions in a Media Room, two identical 32" sets
and one 72" DLP set. All three respond to remote inputs, and I cannont
devise a way around this. I am thinking an RF universal remote, that
can control emitters independently, would this set up work? If so,

I have a Robot ( ERnie ) running around my house. The eye for the
robot is a SHarp Camcorder with a zoom lens.
I would like to zoom the camcorder lens under USB software control.
I can currently do this only with a handheld remote.

I've got three different dead CFL's that I want to cut apart so that I can
examine the circuitry and to see what component emitted the thick smoke
cloud when the GE bulb failed.
I was thinking of making a jig from a 2 by 4 scraps with two v's cut so that

I've inherited a leviton 49660 wire cutter/stripper.  I've figured out
how to use the notches at the front to strip the outer jacket from cat
5 cable, and there's a cutter between the handles that seems self
explanatory, but I can't figure out what the other blade between the

I've been googling home automation today and came across X-10,
eventually leading to this newsgroup. I've always been interested in
home automation, ultimately wanting to be able to use my PC to remotely
turn lights etc. on and off. Now that my semi rural area finally has