Thanks for all your questions and
suggestions. Here are the answers to your most common questions. If you have another question you can submit it below or contact us directly by sending e-mail to techsupport@x10.com, by calling 800-675-3044 or by clicking the button below for a live chat.
Q: Why do I need an Internet connection to use ActiveHome Pro?
Why no CD?
A: ActiveHome Pro is distributed only through a download from X10.
When you purchase ActiveHome Pro, we send a unique download link and
registration number to your email account. If you've lost your email, you can request it again
here.
We are quickly
responding to users requests and suggested improvements to the
software and make these available directly through the ActiveHome
Pro software using an "Update Available" feature. This ensures users
always have the latest version of the program in the quickest manner
possible. One click and we update your software.
As you may know,
most software you buy on a CD is a older revision. It is
recommended, as with any piece of software you buy on CD, to go out
and download the latest patches, fixes and updates. We're making
that process easier by simply making sure you get the latest version
of ActiveHome Pro when you install it the first time. Like
many other software products on the market, we have found that this
is the most customer friendly means of distribution, and most cost
effective.
Q: Will ActiveHome Pro receive RF from remote controls and execute
macros?
A: Yes. This is actually one of the key improvements that makes
ActiveHome Pro more responsive. It will receive a command directly
from your RF remote and start sending the X10 macro commands. This
saves the time it used to take by receiving the command first at a
transceiver then passing that command down the power line to the
CM11A module. You'll see a definite improvement in how fast your
lighting scenes come alive.
Q: Will ActiveHome Pro work with my X10 camera monitoring software
such as Multi-View, Pan Tilt Pro or Vanguard Internet Control Center?
A: Yes. The ActiveHome Computer Interface (CM15A) actually replaces
any existing FireCracker computer interface (CM17A) or USB PC
Transceiver (CM19A) that you may be using to switch between cameras
or to control pan and tilt positions. You'll be able to run any of
your X10 camera monitoring software just as you do now except the
commands can now be sent through the ActiveHome interface
simplifying the number of devices you have connected to your
computer.
If you own the previous
ActiveHome software and CM11A Computer Interface (serial), you can
step up to the new ActiveHome Pro software and USB Computer
Interface for a very reasonable price. For more information,
click here.
Q.
My car came with a feature called HomeLink in the visor. Is this
compatible with ActiveHome Pro? A. The HomeLink system you describe is a popular method for
controlling garage doors while sitting in your car. If you already
own a HomeLink receiver (sold separately from
HomeLink.com
and not included when you purchase a vehicle) then ActiveHome Pro's
Macros feature can monitor and perform advanced lighting control
actions when the Homelink button is pushed. Think of how powerful it
is to press the HomeLink button on your cars visor and see the
garage door open and lights throughout your home turn on.
Q. I am running into problems
where ActiveHome Pro and the CM15A won't talk to all my modules in
my house. Why? A. In many circumstances, non-responding modules are a result of
two-phase wiring in your home. Since X10 commands communicate
through your existing house wiring, it is possible that our signal
can't get from one phase of the electrical (110V) to the other.
ActiveHome Pro provides a simple solution for this problem in the
software. Using a common transceiver (such as TM751 or RR501) and
the ActiveHome Pro Macro Designer feature you can establish a
"wireless connection" to communicate X10 commands to the other
phase of wiring in your home. Place a transceiver on an outlet that
is not responding to X10 commands. Create a macro using an RF
Command (in the "rooms drop-down" box). ActiveHome Pro's CM15A can
send your wireless commands to the transceiver, which places the
command onto the other phase of your electrical wiring.
Q: How many lights and appliances can I
control using X10?
X10 can control up to 256 unique addresses (combination of 16 house
codes and 16 units codes). However, each address can have an
unlimited number of modules. This means you could set three lamps,
with lamp modules, in the living room to use the same X10 address
and they will a respond to ActiveHome Pro at the same time. This is
particularly useful for holiday decorative lighting allowing your to
control many different electrical decorations using a single X10
command. Take a minute to count how many available outlets you have
in your home, and you'll quickly realize that 256 addresses is
likely adequate for almost any home situation.
Q: I hear ActiveHome Pro will support Plug-Ins or Software Modules. Can you give me some examples of what this mean?
Our software development team is
rapidly working on a number of exciting Software Modules that will plug-in to ActiveHome Pro to give you expanded capabilities and enhance your lifestyle. These Software Modules are possible because of the new CM15A
Computer Interface Module and the completely new design of the ActiveHome Pro software. Our first Software Module, Smart Macros is now available. Here are just a few of the other projects that are in the works:
Camera Monitoring and Control is Here! Just released! iWatchOut is a software module for ActiveHome Pro. It supports all X10 cameras
and allows for some really cool surveillance stuff. Now you can use ActiveHome Pro to capture time lapse
images. It's fully compatible with ActiveHome Pro's timer designer, macro designer and
Smart Macros. When used with X10
Robotic Pan & Tilt mount, iWatchOut gives your control over when the camera is pointing. Use motion sensors
to follow and anticipate movement in a camera scene. Digital recording of snapshots, AVi video and
video stills are easily reviewed in the iWatchOut's media browser. For more information, check out
iWatchOut for ActiveHome Pro.
Home Control From The Internet
Wouldn't it be exciting to take control of your home from any
computer connected to the Internet? That's what we thought too.
Everything you can do from ActiveHome Pro at home will be available
using a standard Internet browser. And, the best part is NO MONTHLY
FEES. That's right, we're not going to nickel and dime you like
other web-based home control services. COMING SOON!
Home Control From Your Cell Phone
We're building a plug-in to allow your WAP-Enabled cell phone or PDA
that will connect to your ActiveHome Pro software for truly wireless
control from anywhere. Lets say you get stuck in traffic on the way
home and decide you need a good soak in the hot tub. No problem!
You'll be able to crank up the heat so it's good and hot when you
arrive. COMING SOON!
Make Your Own Software
Modules for ActiveHome Pro If
you are interested in writing your own software to work with
ActiveHome Pro, check out the
ActiveHome Pro SDK. Now its easy to develop your own
application that work with ActiveHome Pro and the USB Computer
Interface (CM15A). The X10 protocol for home control has been
an open standard from the very beginning. And we want the NEW
CM15A computer interface to be the same. This way, you can
benefit from all kinds of new products that haven't even been
imagined yet. Get your
ActiveHome Pro SDKnow!
ActiveHome
Pro is easy to use! You can
tear up that computer programming degree. Now anyone who
can point and click will be able to look like a home
automation genius! ActiveHome Pro looks like other
Windows XP software and works with Drag-And-Drop
simplicity. This is the software you've been asking for,
enjoy it.
Take advantage of our Technology Guarantee.
Now you can enjoy "Worry-Free" protection and get unlimited X10
phone support for up to five years with X10's Extended
WarrantyPlus Plan. This is the best way to ensure that
you'll always have the latest X10 technology controlling
your home.
*Prices are posted in $US dollars ONLY! Offers for FREE FEDEX Ground shipping valid ONLY in the United States of America. Note: Some orders may be shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Orders to Canada have a $10 Shipping & Handling Charge and will have a 5% goods & services tax (GST #10575 8056 RT0001) added to the order. Prices may change without notice. X10 accepts only credit card payment (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express), for both online and telephone orders. If you would like Express Shipping please call 1-800-675-3044. X10 reserves the right to discontinue or change the posted promotional offers at any time. Technical support is available only to customers in the US and Canada.
ActiveHome
Pro is easy to use! You can
tear up that computer programming degree. Now anyone who
can point and click will be able to look like a home
automation genius! ActiveHome Pro looks like other
Windows XP software and works with Drag-And-Drop
simplicity. This is the software you've been asking for,
enjoy it. 