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X-10 Activehome

ActiveHome is a house automation program that allows you to control all sorts of X-10 compatible devices through your computer. The software uses a simple, but intuitive interface that allows you to quickly create switches and controls for your X-10 devices. It also allows you to create rather powerful macros that can automate several processes for you.

An Introduction to X-10

X-10 is a communications protocol patented by a company called X-10. The X-10 protocol uses standard mains lines to communicate with electrical devices via various messages. Each device is assigned a house code and device code. This way to can tell devices to turn on and off, dim a certain amount, even send and retrieve information all through the mains lines!

Setup

You'd think setting something like this up would be complicated, but 4 simple steps got me up and running. I first connected a CM12U (computer to main interface) to a socket, connected the CM12U to my computer using a cable that connected the CM12U to my serial port. I then installed the software and attached a LM12 module to a lamp I have. I was now setup to control the lamp from my computer!

Note: ActiveHome does not come with the modules described here (CM12U, LM12 etc.). See the Hardware Reviews for more details on HA modules.

Features

ActiveHome has a range of features from a simple "point-and-click" interface to a decent macro maker. Below is a screenshot showing a very simple setup. I have my bedside lamp connected to a lamp module and I want a coffee machine connected to an appliance module.

One simple but very cool feature of X-10 lamp modules is that it can dim any incandescent lamp. Therefore, when I turn on a DVD now, a simple click will dim my lights down very low (but not off). ActiveHome offers constant help to people not familiar with X-10: from pictures of the modules that should be applied, to tooltips, status bar updates and a decent help system.

Most of ActiveHome's power comes from it's macro power. You can activate a macro which will then automate several processes automatically for you. Perhaps you have a motion detector that get's triggered, this then turns on an X-10 compatible camera and turns the outside lights on. All these sort of things are easily achievable using ActiveHome.

As with anything though, ActiveHome does have a few small faults. It seems very stuck in the Win3.1 world (despite having separete Win3.1 and Win9x versions). It doesn't support Win95 names, uses the control panel for sounds (very annoying if you don't like sounds to manually turns of the 20 or so sounds ActiveHome assigns), and uses the old Win3.1 style dialog boxes and toolbars. Something I would have liked to have seen are computer commands. Meaning, in any given macro the computer could execute a certain command. For example, dim the lights and start up the DVD Player on your computer. This would have infinitely expanded the macro power. Nevertheless, these are small points and are easily balanced by the price: free!

Additional Features

One very neat 'feature' is a little program that comes with ActiveHome called X10Comm (or X10Com32) which handles all of the X-10 communications stuff. Yeah, so what? Not only will it display what codes are being sent and received, it allows the user to call it with the necessary parameters to control X-10 devices yourself. Therefore:

"C:\Program Files\Home Control\X10COM32.EXE" a1 off

Will turn off A1. This allows you to create programs to control X-10 devices without ever needing to bother with the interface protocol! Another useful side-effect is you can create shortcuts in toolbars or on your desktop to control your devices.

Conclusion

ActiveHome is a brilliant little program that can be downloaded for free and used to power your home through the X-10 interface. The only bad point is the lingering attachment to Win 3.1, and the additional feature of computer commands would have been greatly appreciated. Nevertheless, for a beginner in home automation I'd definitely recommend ActiveHome.

For additional information on the home automation modules, look at the Hardware Reviews.

Cover 7.4

Price: Free

Liked: Decent interface, well documented, X10Comm good for developer use.

Disliked: Interface stuck Win 3.1, would have liked computer commands, more complex macro handling.

Website: http://www.x10.com

Submitted: 13/06/2001

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