I am currently considering Homeseer or HAL Deluxe. What is the popular opinion, what are your personal experiences??

I want web access from both remote locations and PDA on 820.11 - so any webserver interface will do. But mostly I want to have complete control of events and scene control. CallerID is not needed.

Another quick question is how are people handling voice control in locations other than by the computer?? If I am in the shower and I want to turn on the porch light, how is this possible?? I think I could get by with about 5 or 6 zones of voice control, but that is further down the road... how are people setting this up??

I started out using PowerHome:
[Link: myx10.com]
A great program, but not too user friendly.

I now use HomeSeer:
http://www.homeseer.com/
Not quite as powerful but easier to use, at least for me!

This message was edited by ONEAC on 02/14/04 13:49.

I am a distributor for both HomeSeer and HAL. They are both great packages. If you are looking at the HAL, you might consider the HAL2000 as well. Which package you choose is really a matter of what you are looking for and your technical abilities. If you're more the programmer type, I would go with the HomeSeer, otherwise, I would go with the HAL2000. Either one is a good choice.

As far as talking to your computer from the shower, sure, you could do it but do you really want to install microphones is your shower? The choice is yours....

Martin
Martin@AutomatedOutlet.com

HomeSeer for all the "live" stuff, and C-Max with the Ocelot for all the other "computer off" stuff. Both will do just about anything you need for HA things and are as close to flawless as you will get. Love 'em both!

Well the shower reference was more joke than sincerity... I was really after the fact that I would be "tethered" to my location.

I haven't heard of C-max, but I will look into it. I didn't think the Ocelot would work for me - web interface??

Many of us use the Ocelot (programmed in C-Max) for the "mission critical - it has to work always" part of our Home Automation. This little box always does it thing, built like a brick. And is 1000% more reliable then a Windows based box,on a day in day out basis.

We also use HomeSeer or HAL for the "gee whiz and wow" funtions. These software programs also interface with the Ocelot, for additional functions, and allow the voice control and web interface you were interested in.

These software programs, interfaced to the Ocelot, allow voice and web control thru the Ocelot to the functions controlled by the Ocelot.

so phase 1 should be Homeseer... or Ocelot??

and I guess I need a phase coupler and signal booster too... it's funny how I sold my girlfriend on this as "it'll only be $100"... now I am like "it'll only be $100 per month"... :-)

X10itis at it's best...

I (if I had it to do over) would start with the Ocelot and get a good basic system up and running and then start adding the bells and whistles.

homeseer all the way. this has become the "hub" in my home that runs everything, and I do mean everything. check out the forums on there site at www.homeseer.com

Do any of these packages support multiple computer interfaces, selectable as part of the programming (or alternatively, can multiple instances be run on the sape PC?) - this would allow multiple X.10 universes (to use a DMX term) of 256 addresses, provided you isolated them with the appropriate X.10 filtering.

PowerHome allows up to 5 infrared controllers, 5 X-10 controllers, and 5 Other controllers can be defined. Supports multi-zone IR.

[Link: myx10.com]