Smart Home Blog

The English company Lifetime Software offers its HomeLife - a software package which allows to control x10 devices via web interface or via phone. The system uses X10 CM12U (or equivalent) interface to connect x10 devices with PC. The software uses a true client/server architecture, the server runs as a windows service and communicates to clients using TCP/IP, giving you full remote access to your home automation system. The client uses the latest .NET framework to provide a modern and easy to use user interface.

There is a free version of HomeLife which allows to connect up to 4 devices. The activation of full-functional version is £34.99.
As you can see, this solution is only for Windows users. So, Linux geeks should find something else.MisterHouse, for example, or Plutohome.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Share This

INSTEON- and X10-enabled lawn irrigation system allows to control up to 8 sprinkler valves via Insteon or X10 protocol. The sprinker controller is ready to use together with home automation software such Indigo, MControl or HomeSeer (I suspect that it’s also possible to use it in the systems based on Plutohome and Mister House). Additionally, it can work under control of a standalone home automation controller.
INSTEON/X10 8 Zone Sprinkler Controller can be bought on Smarthome site for $124.99.

Share This

Using X10 devices is the most appropriate solution for budget home automation. They can be installed and configured by homeowner without any problems and after that they can be controlled via PC or remote (sure, you still can switch on/off light manually). But X10 devices suffer from disadvantage as well. For example, the 2-ways devices (they can receive commands and send events) are too expensive. You can choose 1-way X10 but when you change their status manually your automation system won’t know about it.

Another a considerable disadvantage of X10 is a possibility to control your devices from outside your home. X10 signals travel through your electical lines and can pass from one house to another if you do not have the signals filtered by adding additional hardware.

The new generation of X10 devices have built-in noise filter and more pleasing aesthetic design. Also, they have higher power handling and remember last brightness level. So, let’s see how the second generation of X10 will work on practice.

Share This