All the items above are from the X-10 line of automation products. I have been using X-10 devices for over 15 years and love the high tech convenience of having control over everything in the house. The system usually consists of a hand held controller(like the two above)which transmits it's X-10 signals via radio frequency to a transceiver which is usually plugged into any outlet and has an antenna to receive the radio signals. The transceiver then sends a signal through your existing electrical wiring and any modules plugged in to any plugs will switch on or off if their number is called. We have a combination of about 16 devices on our system and continue to add devices all the time. Our TV remote control (8 in 1 pictured above)can control 8 devices such as a tv, vcr#1, vcr#2, receiver, cd player, satellite, dvd player, aux device, as well as controlling most of the lights, lamps and fans! The 8 in 1 remote is also a learning remote and can learn commands from your existing units. At the top right what looks like a regular security light that you can get for under $20 at the hardware store is actually a unique X-10 device. When it detects motion, it lights up the spotlights but also sends a signal down the electrical wiring to wherever you have a device such as a lamp or radio and turns the unit on alerting you to motion outside on your property. We do all of this without even talking about the computer software side of all this. The picture at top left is of a kit that contains the software on cd. You can also download it from X-10's website. With the software kit, you can, set up scenes at different times and download them to the little computer interface box that comes with it, and your computer doesn't even have to be on and at 8pm the front light will come on to 80% brightness, 10 minutes later the kitchen light comes on full, stereo and whatever else you would like to control from your furnace to your drapes! You can add a telephone device which allows you to call from anywhere and control everything, it will also flash all your lights when your phone rings. You can have your burglar alarm trigger all the lights to flash on and off in the event of an alarm, you can have the opening of your entry door turn on lights, you can set up macros which will, at the touch of a button start a series of events which could last for weeks, and so on ( I could go on for a while)
Home Security
Well, when it comes to security systems there are three very important letters to remember...DSC. I have used their products for over 15 years and have a vast knowledge of all products out there related to home/business security and find DSC to continue to remain at the top of the security heep. They are a company always on the cutting edge with new products and inovations but keeping to the original concept of a capable, quality product that is easy to use. Alarm systems have come leaps and bounds in the last 5-10 years. Digital controls are now becoming available, changing the face of the systems once again.
The Power 832 or PC5010, is an 8 hardwire zone panel that can be expanded to 32 zones. The features are too numerous to go into but here is an example. It is a burglar/fire alarm, has intercom capabilities, can have listen in feature, add an escort module to call your alarm system from anywhere in the world and check status or turn on and off ect, it can control lights in your house (X-10), page you when your system has been turned on or off (keep track of the maids hours!)and a host of other amazing things.
