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Hardware
X10 Controllers
CM11A - The CM11A is an older device.
You need to have a serial port in order to use this. Many
newer computers don't have serial ports. This generally
isn't a very reliable controller, however Home Domination does a
pretty good job of detecting errors and retrying until a command
is sent properly, and if the incoming data gets out of sync, Home
Domination can re-sync so it will never be locked up. The
best way to get a CM11A (or CM12U in the UK) is to purchase the ActiveHome kit from
.
It comes with a lot of stuff for the money. It comes with
software too, which you can try if you like, but save the frustration and don't
spend too much time with it.
CM19A - This is a controller that uses RF
to transmit codes from the computer, so you also need a
transceiver (RR501 or TM751) in order for it to work. This
is typically sold with X10 camera equipment. Home Domination
works well with this device, but sometimes it requires that the
FireCracker software be running in order for it to work with Home
Domination.
CM15A - The CM15A is the newer version of
the CM11A. It has an antenna so it can receive RF signals
directly instead of requiring a transceiver for that. The
range of this device is very poor though, so unless your computer
is centrally located in your house you may need a transceiver
anyway. But since the transceiver sends codes through your
wiring and so does the CM15A, it's fairly likely there will be
collisions if both are able to receive the RF signal. See
this page for information about support with Home Domination.
You can pick up the CM11A, CM19A, or CM15A from .
Any X10 compatible hardware can be controlled by
Home Domination. Another great source of X10 compatible
hardware is www.smarthome.com.
Video devices supported include anything that
supports DirectX, which is likely most of them.
If you're interested in using a device for
controlling low voltage wiring, Home Domination will soon support
the USBmicro
U401/421
USB I/O Interface, and currently supports the
ADLINK ACL-7122 144-CH Programmable Digital I/O Board on Windows
2000. This is available from www.adlinktechnology.com.
Other Interface Devices
USBmicro, LLC manufactures the U401,
U421 and U421-SC3, and can be purchased from this
web site by clicking Buy Now.
These are USB devices that you can plug in, and they have support
for 16 different data pins. You can plug in and use any
number of these in Home Domination. You can also use these
to support 1-Wire temperature sensors from Dallas
Semiconductor. The DS18S20, DS18B20 and DS1822
are supported by Home Domination. Click
here for more info. For more information on how to
directly control devices, click
here.
Hardware Possibly Supported in a Later Version
RedRat - www.redrat.co.uk
- Here's another cool product which may be supported in a future
release. It appears to be a device that can receive infrared
codes from standard infrared remote controls, and can be
programmed to send these same signals. If this works well
and if it becomes integrated into Home Domination, it will allow
you set up macros that will control your home audio and video
equipment (TV's, stereos, you name it), or for that matter, it
will let you control anything you like with any infrared remote
control. But before we start integrating with this, we need
to get this version out the door. But if you have an
interest in this kind of support, or if you have any experience
with the RedRat, please email
and let me know.
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