DO IT YOURSELF:

HomeVision software is designed to offer user friendly programming capabilities and easily understood functional characteristics described in basic terms using screen shots and brief explanations hereunder. You can also view technical specifications, system capabilities and the many options available with both a HomeVision 'std' or HomeVision Pro by clicking the relevant links below. If you want to see for yourself how easy it is to interact with the software program, download it from Custom Solutions Inc or the Download page on this website and by following the instructions detailed on this page, check out how it works.

• Features and benefits available with HomeVision 'Std' and HomeVision Pro.
• Technical information for both units can be found on the specifications page.

The first example describes how to set-up a command that turns an X-10 light ON and OFF using a schedule. In fact, the same can be done for Dynalite and C-Bus, using serial commands based on ASCII strings. However, the system management software is available from Dynalite's website (as far as I know at no cost) and from Clipsal at a fee. You need to make enquiries direct.

TUTORIAL # 1:

Basic steps for setting up two scheduled events, one to turn on some X-10 lights 10 minutes before sunset and then to turn them off at 1:00am.

1)  Start the HomeVision software and create a schedule file using the "Open"command under File menu.

2)  Open the X-10 "Module Summary"screen (located under Objects/Events menu) to name your X-10 devices.

3)  Open the "Scheduled Events Summary"screen (below) to add a scheduled event for each time you want actions to run. In this example you need two scheduled events (named "Landscape lights on" and "Landscape lights off"). The screen default is one event so to add more, click the "Add" button.

4)  Double-click "Scheduled Time" field (in rectangle above) to set required times. This opens a window (below) where you can set fixed time (e.g. 7:00 PM) or variable time (e.g. 1 hour after sunrise). You can also make it random time (this will allow variations around the specified time) if preferred. In this tutorial, "Landscape lights on" is set for 10 minutes before sunset and "Landscape lights off" set for 1:00 AM.

5)  Double-click the scheduled event’s "Actions Defined"field to open the "Actions Entry"screen depicted below. It already has two X-10 actions entered and the next step describes how this is done. In this tutorial, you will need to enter actions for each scheduled event.

6)  To enter an action, click one of the buttons located along the left-hand side of the window (this is the "Toolbar"). To enter your required X-10 action, click the X-10 button. This opens the "Edit X-10 Action" window below. Select the desired X-10 command from the left list box then the module active circuit from the right list box and click OK. This enters the new command in the "Actions Entry" screen area indicated above. You can enter additional commands in the same fashion. Click OK when done.

7)  To complete the process, you now load the schedule into your controller. The "Load Schedule Into Controller" screen is located under the "File"menu, as shown below.

8)  If you completed the exercise and want more information regarding networking your home, send an e-mail Enquiry with details of what you want to achieve. If you are interested in purchasing a HomeVision, send your details to the Sales address.

Some of the screens in the software that simplify the programming process are shown below;

Main Screen

This is what you see first and is used to access all the HomeVision program functions.

User Location Screen

Controller Settings Screen

This screen is located under the "Configure" menu and enables a wide variety of controller settings. You must load the revised schedule into the controller before these take affect.

Macro Summary Screen

This screen, located under the Objects/Events menu and shows all the macros in your schedule. Macros are a group of one or more actions. Once you create a macro, you can run it from anywhere else in your schedule and saves you having to repeat commonly-used commands throughout your program. You can also run it from TV screen, an infrared remote or test it directly using the "Control" menu options.

Actions Entry Screen

The screen below is used to enter actions to be performed for each 'event'. You access this screen by opening the "Actions Defined" field for the associated event. For example, to access it via the above "Macro Summary" screen, just double-click the "Actions Defined" field.

To enter an action, click one of the buttons located along the left-hand side of the window (in the "Toolbar") and it will open a unique window where you enter (or edit) specific programmed activities.

You can enter additional commands in the same way. If you highlight a line, subsequent commands will be inserted above it, but if no line is highlighted, the command is placed at the end. You can edit a command by double-clicking it and using the standard Windows copy (Ctrl-C), paste (Ctrl-V) or cut (Ctrl-X) to move, delete or replace them (right-clicking the mouse will also perform these actions). There are over 300 different commands and 100 different If-Then conditions you can use.

Thermostat Configuration Screen

This screen is located under the "Configure" menu and specifies the type of thermostats you use. The example shown below is a configuration for an RCS TX10-B bidirectional 2-zone thermostat. On the HomeVision Pro and HomeVision expansion board, digital inputs can also be used for the Dallas DS1820S digital temperature sensor. You can "setback" temperatures (for when you are away from home). You can also enable an automatic reading function where HomeVision periodically "reads" the temperature setpoint, actual temperature, system mode and fan mode from each thermostat.

Thermostat Schedule Screen

This screen is located under the "Advanced" menu and schedules your thermostats. HomeVision can control your thermostat with eight time/temperature settings for three different days of the week. You can also view and change this schedule from your TV screen using an infrared remote!

Custom TV Menu System Screen

This screen is located under the "Advanced" menu and allows you to quickly create your own TV screen menus. You can define up to 16 screens, each containing whatever text you want. You can also define what actions to perform when someone presses a number corresponding to the menu on an infrared remote while viewing the TV screen. Note - to enable this software capability you must first enable the "Custom TV Menu System" option in the "Controller Settings" screen.

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