I am thinking about getting the SmartLinc system from Smarthome.com.
Does anyone know how well this system works?
I like the fact that it includes the BOB for sensing.
How well does the touch screen work?
and lastly, does it or could it LEARN remote commands? I know it has an extensive IR library but those don't always have all the codes.

I use SmartLinc switches but can't speak to the system you mention however, you might want to ask Robert about the new LCD screens that JDS will have out soon - he will be selling them and based on a recent converasation with him, I expect to buy one or two from him..

Cheers, Jim.

Thanks Jim. I should have the JDS LCD control panels within a month. I have a standing purchase order with JDS Technologies to get some of the first batch.

For those of you that aren't familiar with this new product, it is a very powerful "softkey" back lit LCD screen for use with a JDS Stargate. It will communicate on the fast RS-485 port of the Stargate. Each flush mount LCD control panel (you can have up to 16 of them with one Stargate) can be configured with up to 96 different menus and submenus. You will be able to import bitmaps (similiar to Pronto), different sized fonts, and control the state of 3 LEDs (red, yellow, and green) on each of the switches. For example, if you are using the Stargate's built in voice mail when you arrive home you could program Stargate to flash the red LED to indicate new voice mail messages. Then when you press the button next to the flashing LED, the screen reconfigures to the voice mail screen where you can have full control of listening to your voice mail messages (e.g., play first, rewind, forward, pause, etc.) through the speakers you have connected to Stargate. Many predesigned menus will be included in the control panel's firmware (e.g., HVAC control, Voice Mail)so you can simply select the menus you like using the supplied Windows software and download it to the LCD control panels (like Pronto).

With the Stargate's IR Expander, you could use the LCD control panels to control your IR equipment. Since it will be hard wired (using 1 twisted pair of wires), it will be reliable and fast.

If you have any specific questions about this product, please send me an e-mail. I will post a message on this forum when the product is available.

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Will that touchpad and other controllers work with the JDS Timecommander (& plus) systems too?
the Stargate is a little more than I need.
(in the Smart Home catalog it's $1000 for the base system)
Is it available for less?
How much are the touch screens any way?

Stephen:

The TimeCommander is a great product, but it does not have an RS-485 port that is necessary for the new LCD controllers to work. An RS-485 port is similar to SCSI in that up to 16 separate devices can be connected in a daisy chain fashion with individual addresses. Presently, we offer a thermostat that operates on the RS-485 port, and a device that will allow Stargate to overlay text on a standard television. There are sure to be more products available that will also communicate via RS-485.

If the Stargate is a little more than your budget, you might consider a Stargate Lite. It is a few hundred dollars less but does not have the telephone or voice mail features (you can add that at a later time by purchasing a plug-in board).

Regarding the price, we offer the JDS Stargate at a little more than SmartHome (HAS), but we are able to provide you with greater value because we are able to order JDS products directly from JDS and configure them differently (JDS is only a few miles from our office in San Diego). We can add expanded voice memory that will double the digital voice recording capacity from 20 to 40 minutes. Also, by ordering directly we can ensure that you recieve the latest firmware and software with the products. In addition, we have been writing "code" for the Stargate since it was introduced several years ago and we include a sample "schedule" with your purchase. It has sample "events" that can be cut and pasted into your schedule. The sample schedule has both simple and very complex code so you can get a good feel of what you can do with a Stargate. The schedule has comment lines that explain what the code is doing. We have found that our customers that like to do their own programming, find the sample code valuable in getting them started and to be used as a reference later on.

The LCD "softkey" control panels are expected to sell for $399.

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

That Stargate Lite sounds like a possibility.
I really don't need the phone features now but it has the abilty to add them in the future.
Is there a web site for JDS?
thaks for the help!

Stephen:

The Stargate Lite is a special order version of the Stargate. If you would like to read or download a Stargate specification sheet, please visit our web site at: [Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

We offer the Stargate Lite for $300 less than the full Stargate, and we supply it with the sample code mentioned in my previous post. At a later time, you can purchase the telephone plug-in board and add the telephone and voice mail features.

Please send us an e-mail if you have any specific questions, or visit our web site for more contact information.

Robert
RCI Automation

For those of you that would like a preview of the new JDS LCD control panels that will be available next month, please take a look on our web site at:

[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Robert
RCI Automation

I took a look at the LCD control panels.
I thought they were more of a LCD touch screen, like a Crestron or AMC, but they're not.
Is there a touch screnn like those that can be used with the Stargate Lite?

Stephen:

The JDS LCD control panel is called a "soft key" panel because the buttons are fixed, but the button labels are on the LCD portion. There are other touchscreen type panels available but they do require considerable programming to interface with Stargate. The nice thing about the new JDS control panels is that they can be configured using software similiar to Pronto Edit, and once downloaded from your PC to the control panels, they operate on their own. They don't require extensive program code to take care of the interface. The other nice thing is the price difference. The JDS LCD panels are expected to sell for $399, while a Crestron panel would be at least double that amount.

Robert
RCI Automation

Robert,

How is the Stargate connected to the computer for programming?

The pictures I've seen make it look like something that would be permenantly mounted in a closet or garage which wouldn't work well in my current configuration. (Just wait for the NEXT house, though. )

What other hardwire connections does it require?

Thanks,

--LB

Larry:

It's connected via the RS-232 port (serial) and can be placed up to 50 feet from the PC. The only other required hardware connections are for a phone line, and power. Optional hard wired connections are: other RS-232 devices, RS-485 devices, 16 digital inputs, 8 analog inputs, and 8 relay outputs.

For a specification sheet on Stargate in Acrobat (PDF) format, please visit our web site at [Link: ourworld.compuserve.com].

Robert
RCI Automation