RE: Homevision??

["Kevin Hawkins" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kenneth Watt [mailto:kwatt@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 25 May 2004 23:07
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Homevision??
>
> > I'm coming to the conclusion that I need a dedicated HA
> controller.
>
> Well done, I would tend to agree. PC's are fine but I find
> them too unreliable for the task of running my home unless
> they are solely dedicated to that task.

I like the dedicated nature of HV - and its very dependable - a PC is fine
until it gets those one or two other bits installed and then I've found I
just cant rely on them.
>
> > Have been through the archives and Homevision seems to get rave
> > reviews in the past.  Is it still the one or are there
> any other new
> > kids on the block?

HomeBrain was promising but I think is still some way off. HV does what it
does - it lacks some features that most modern controllers would probably
have eg an inbuilt web interface and the macro space / implementation is a
little restrictive (RAM). It handles it's I/O in a slightly older way
meaning it can miss very fast pulses occasionally if you aren't careful.
But
I am happy with mine and I would buy the same again. Now that there is
'custom lighting' in the imminent new ROM it has prised itself away from
being X10 centric. It just works.
>
> Yep, if you use X10 then it's the one. Even with CBUS I
> think that Kevin's
> CBUS>HV thingybob is probably the way to go and the way
> I'd go should I
> CBUS>ever
> move to CBUS.
>
> > And should it be Pro? - guess it depends on what I want
> to do... but I
> > wonder how many would have gone for Pro if it had been
> available or
> > with the benefit of hindsight??
>
> If I were buying now, I'd buy the Pro version as it's a
> one box solution and, trust me, once you start to see what
> can be done with HV you will want the extra capabilities.
> I currently have HV and the MFEB so there's little point
> in moving to HV Pro IMO, too little gain for too much
> expense but for a new buyer I'd always say but the Pro and
> save yourself a lot of hassle later.

I found the Pro to be a somewhat disappointing product - it was really just
a physical tidy up of the existing HV unit rather than a next generation
product - and it's quite expensive. Take a look at the newer features of
Pro
and see if you need them - if not I would think a standard HV might suffice
- essentially they have the same programming capability and speed/space but
the Pro is a 'node 0' type box with a little extra I/O and USB interface
etc. The most significant thing is probably the extra serial ports on Pro
(which has three) and I guess the onboard relays.  HV can be expanded to
almost every Pro feature (except USB) - if you intend a lot of hardware
interfacing then Pro might be more suitable. It also has a better temp
sensor interface allowing for the Dallas one wire sensors to work over
longer cabling runs. For the money I feel that the standard HV is much
better value.

Kevin