Good Day,

Some questions, but first my situation and hardware
setup.

I currently have a fully programmed macro'd out Pronto
(TSU1000). It's been a life saver for the last 4 years
or so. I know it well.

I also run a full lighting setup using various X10
hardwired and wireless plugin/switches ect.

So here's the scoop, I'm finally making the leap into
home ownership (townhouse).

I want to do a centralized setup for my home
audio/video. Leaning more to the video side of things.

I have 2 (Bev), 2 (DTV), and (1) DVD that I'm going to
modulate into my cable system with my ChannelPlus
Modulator.

I'm trying to figure out if the Ocelot will help
me with IR control throughout the house?

I've gone through it's manual and the impression I'm
getting is that it will take an X10 command
and "translate" it into IR commands and/or macros of
commands I choose?

Is basically what it is good for?

Is this what I need or is it overkill?

I like to do multiple macro commands.

Go easy on me. New to this piece of hardware.

Lumpy


This message was edited by Lumpy on 09/17/03 00:59.

You might be able to get the Ocelot to do what you want but there are better ways. The Ocelot is better as an automation controller which can interact with IR as well as X10.

There are various ways to distribute IR. I'm most familair with a hard wired system of receivers, connecting blocks and emmiters. There are also wireless systems as well.

If you have access to run low voltage wires (Cat3 or Cat5 works well though you don't need anything that fancy) then a wired system is likely the most reliable. I've used the Xantach prodcuts and they work very well. What you would do is build a system with a receiver in each viewing location and a connecting block and emmiters in the source location(s).

The Ocelot can watch all of your IR traffic and take actions (X10 or IR) when appropriate but most of the time all you'll need is a simple relay not anything that requires "thought" which is what the Ocelot's programablility allows.

Check out the IR distribution page on Bill E.'s site: [Link: homeautomationnet.com]

I've used some Xantech IR distribution stuff with an Ocelot. I used the the Xantech gear to distribute IR signals across my RG6 coax cable. Why am I telling you all of this ... well, I had troubles getting the Ocelot to work very well with the Xantech gear until I swapped out the power supplies that came with the Xantech gear with some *regulated* 12V power supplies. Then, life was good.

The output of the Ocelot IR port is 5V and the input that most Xantech connecting blocks expect to see is 12V. If you put the Ocelot output into unamplified blocks you just don't have much signal left after it goes through the internal resisters. If you use the amplified blocks (note don't use mini plugs to connect the two) we have found that the signal distributed from these is quite good.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

I wasn't too clear in the posting. I had an optical emitter attached to the ocelot's IR receiver. I am not using the ocelot to transmit IR signals just receive them. The base Xantech power supplies were not sufficient for this purpose. I found that only regulated supplies worked reliably.

Can someone describe to me in simple terms how the
Xantech IR distribution works?

My setup is going to have all my Sat receivers in the
basement. Tv's will be in kitchen, living room, master
bedroom and spare bedrooms.

How does it work? via RG6 or independantly run lines?

Sorry just getting a little confused, tried following
the website but it's not too straight forward if your
unfamiliar with their product.

Lumpy

Ok got the 172-94 XtraLink2 figured out and how it
work.... Basically I'd use the 291-00 IR receivers
and injectors, link the coupler in dowstairs at the
panel and it will feed the IR signals to emitters at
the Sat receivers.

How does the control blocks work? are they better in
some way? Benefits?

Lumpy

The control blocks (I think you mean distribution manifolds) are so you can have multiple emitters and if you have a lot of emitters offer amplification of the signal. The 172 is limited on emitter output to a split single emitter, or 2 devices.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply.

So what is installed where? Are the blocks at each
TV location? or are they at the central location?

Is it just an IR eye that is at each TV location?

I guess ultimately is do I have to run wires for these blocks / manifolds? versus the other setup which injects into regular coax.

Sorry, sometimes you guys forget that we all are not at the same level as you guys. Trying to decipher all this is confusing at first. :-)

Lumpy

Lumpy,

I went back and read your initial thread. I was wondering why you are not just using the channel plus IR option with your modulator? Anyway if you want to use the X10 rout you could probably just take the IR emitter from your ocelot and place it directly on the face of the 291 receiver that come with the Coax based 172 extralinc. You my need to add an additional controller (part that pulls the IR off the coax) at the other room locations. I would just weigh this option ~$100 to the channel plus option. Also why throw in X10 if you have a viable IR option, I see some benefits (no line of site control) but normally the more simple you make things the more reliable it works.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Lumpy,

I went back and read your initial thread. I was wondering why you are not just using the channel plus IR option with your modulator? Anyway if you want to use the X10 rout you could probably just take the IR emitter from your ocelot and place it directly on the face of the 291 receiver that come with the Coax based 172 extralinc. You my need to add an additional controller (part that pulls the IR off the coax) at the other room locations. I would just weigh this option ~$100 to the channel plus option. Also why throw in X10 if you have a viable IR option, I see some benefits (no line of site control) but normally the more simple you make things the more reliable it works.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

My Modulator doesn't have the IR option. I think it's
the earlier model. Just have 4 spots for RCA inputs
and a coax out. :-(

I'll keep plugging away at it.

Lumpy