Msg#: 4381 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 15:04:38 From: ROBERT MCILVAINE To: RICHARD ANDREWS (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4216 (X-10 TRANSCEIVER) It seems to me they should also produce a device that will allow multiple controls points from one unit. As it is now for everthing you want to control you have to buy a unit. Msg#: 4382 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 15:09:11 From: ROBERT MCILVAINE To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4247 (BSR MODULES) I've found that noisy switchs on other appliances will cause false activation of the old brown modules. I no experience with the new tan ones, but the only problems I've had with the old ones is burnout or relay welding (using loads well within the specs). Msg#: 4388 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 19:46:22 From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: ROBERT MCILVAINE Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4382 (BSR MODULES) I'm beginning to think that my problem is specific to this one module attached to my TV. It went on again today - unanticipated - without anyone turning on an electrical device. Of course other appliances were operating at the time -- could be a refrigerator kicking in, for instance. Then again maybe my house is spooked and the tan modules wouldn't help much either :-) !! (This problem is actually kind of fun because its only that one module anyway. It would be something else if I had an appliance that shouldn't be left on unattended) Under computer control, I really like Steve's method of sending refresh codes out to make sure everything is going the way it should. That not only fixes the problem with the old modules, it is smart programming. ...Taegan Msg#: 4384 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 16:47:06 From: RICHARD ANDREWS To: KEN DAVIDSON Subj: X-10 STUFF . Have you seen the latest issue of Radio-Electronics? In it they have plans for a current carrier modem that is supposedly capable of 9600 baud. It seems that something like this could be used for home control (especially if it could be shrunk down into a smaller package); the only thing that is lacking is a protocol for sending information to various devices that would be connected to the receiving end. I wonder if anybody would be interested in putting forth a proposed spec for such a thing? Msg#: 4387 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 17:42:47 From: MATTHEW ZUCKERMAN To: KEN DAVIDSON Subj: BSR STUFF Ken, I understand that MMint sells a home-controller that hooks up to the sb180 and will operate standard BSR modules. Anyway, that is what I think I saw in a message on the BBS this AM. If so, please send me spec sheet and cost. Thanks, Matt Msg#: 4389 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 22:42:03 From: DAVID HESSLER To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4189 (HOME CONTROL) taegan, a cga card driving a ttl interface DB-9 connector to an R RGB color monitor is solid at 80 columns, even thru a composit is not too bad, but into a tv is definately just forty col. no one uses it for ibm pc even though ibm set up for the major part of their market plans for color tv use... Msg#: 4399 *GENERAL* 06/28/88 23:12:22 From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: DAVID HESSLER Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4389 (HOME CONTROL) David, Do you have any idea how far the TTL signal is good for from the CGA card to the RGB monitor? I'd like to be able to run the signal through cables to as many as five different rooms - amplifying it as needed. OR... can I use the composite signal in 80 columns on an RBG monitor/TV? ...Taegan Msg#: 4411 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 07:23:19 From: BOB PADDOCK To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4399 (HOME CONTROL) The length of a cable carrying TTL signals should be meseraed in inches, not rooms. Msg#: 4421 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 09:12:04 From: KEN DAVIDSON To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4399 (HOME CONTROL) You can't run the TTL signal more than a few feet before you pick up noise. It sounds like you really only have two choices: use a 40-character display broadcast to all the monitors via a composite video signal, or use a terminal board at each display sight and transmit the data serially to each terminal. Trying to send an 80-column display in video form throughout the house sounds like a losing proposition. Msg#: 4442 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 19:13:26 From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: BOB PADDOCK Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4411 (HOME CONTROL) That's always what I had believed. I was planning to use the composite signal from the CGA card - but the last message seemed to indicate otherwise. Thanks ...Taegan Msg#: 4443 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 19:16:21 From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: KEN DAVIDSON Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4421 (HOME CONTROL) Thanks for the input Ken. I guess I'll have to stick to 40 columns. I heard from a friend that his brother broadcasts his video signals throughout his house on his own "TV station." Have you heard about anyone else doing this? Msg#: 4416 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 08:47:07 From: KEN DAVIDSON To: RICHARD ANDREWS Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4384 (X-10 STUFF) We've experimented with power line modems and had limited success. Steve had wanted to do an article using the NE5050, but experimentation showed that the error rate was so high you needed a pretty robust error detection/correction scheme for it to be of any use. By the time you implement the error handling on each node, the node becomes real expensive. The RE modems might be fun to play with, but I wouldn't try putting together a real product with them. Msg#: 4428 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 09:55:10 From: STEVE CIARCIA To: RICHARD ANDREWS Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4384 (X-10 STUFF) I have my doubts about the reliability of the RE circuit. It may transmit and receive 9600 bps but two characters sequentially? ........... or, with noise on the line? ......... It is not a particularily sophisticated circuit. We have experimented with far better circuits and I still don't think powerline communication is reliable except if there is never any electrical noise (doubtful) or both sides incorporate processor/buffer/erro r checking (expensive). Remember, you get what you pay for. If a circuit that inexpensive really worked, you'd see it commercially available with lots of competition. -- Steve Msg#: 4418 *GENERAL* 06/29/88 08:59:00 From: KEN DAVIDSON To: MATTHEW ZUCKERMAN Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4387 (BSR STUFF) I think you misunderstood something somewhere. Micromint sells an X-10 module, cable, and software that connects the computer to the power line so it can send X-10 commands. While the module can be used with any computer with the proper interface, cables and software are available for the BCC52, BCC180, and IBM PC. The software simply allows user programs to send X-10 commands; it is not home control software. I had mentioned that I'm working on home control software using the module and a BCC180 in my spare time, but it won't run on an SB180 and won't be a product anytime in the near future. The module that Micromint sells is described in an article I wrote for the third issue of Circuit Cellar INK. Msg#: 790 *BULLETIN BOARD* 06/28/88 00:15:52 (Read 10 Times) From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: JIM KELLY Subj: X-10 Hi Jim... Did you ever upload that program you wrote for your X-10 powerhouse in pascal? If you are still willing, I'd love to see it. I'm writing a program now that synchronizes the clock in the X-10 interface with MS-DOS. My PC's clock keeps much better time than the one in the interface - in fact the one in the interface is quite lousy. My program will run before I start any X-10 program that needs the clock. Do you have any other interesting programming ideas for the X-10?? If you are really into this stuff - check out Circuit Cellar INK Issue #3 - a really great article on computer interfacing with a new X-10 power line interface. Call Circuit Cellar BBS 871-1988 to order a back copy if you'd like. . ...Taegan Msg#: 801 *BULLETIN BOARD* 06/28/88 03:12:07 (Read 10 Times) From: JIM KELLEY To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 790 (X-10) Taegan, I have not uploaded the program yet. After reading your last message, I called the Circuit cellar and poked around there. My program is set up for house code J and uses ALT FKEY combinations for 4 modules. Do you want me to change the house code? ..Jim Msg#: 820 *BULLETIN BOARD* 06/28/88 19:24:57 (Read 0 Times) From: TAEGAN GODDARD To: JIM KELLEY Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 801 (X-10) No need to change the house code Jim... Are you going to include the source code? I'm especially interested in seeing how you drive the X-10 in PASCAL. If not, I understand. I'll be looking for the upload... THANKS ...Taegan