Overview

Imagine controlling your entire home with a hand-held remote while watching TV. View a complete system interface on your TV screen. Change the temperature of the AC system. Or even reprogram the thermostat schedule. Have the name and phone number of callers appear instantly on your TV. Arm your security system while viewing the status of each zone. Or close the garage door you left open. Imagine changing your lighting schedule without getting up from your chair. HomeVision makes all of this possible at an affordable price. It comes complete, including PC software.

The HomeVision controller brings together seven key home automation features in a single unit:

• Video output displays menus and control screens on your TV (all TV's with the addition of a modulator)

• Two-way infrared capability so you can control HomeVision, and HomeVision can control all your audio/video equipment

• Two-way X-10 communication controls and monitors lights, appliances, thermostats, security systems, etc.

• 24 digital inputs/outputs provide direct connections to other equipment (motion detectors, water detectors, relays, etc.)

• Battery-backed clock controls events based on time, date, sunset, etc. (auto daylight savings time adjustment)

• Two-way serial interface provides full control and status reporting via a PC (max 4 serial ports)

• Web server provides control from any web browser anywhere in the world! (requires PC)

In addition to these built-in capabilities, you can add on telephone control, caller id, more serial ports, and other capabilities!  HomeVision is a stand-alone automation controller that is initially configured with a PC. It can then be disconnected if desired. HomeVision constantly watches for any events you've specified, then performs whatever actions you've told it to do.  Any event can trigger any other event(s).  The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

HomeVision is initially set up through the supplied Windows-based PC program. The program (schedule) is then downloaded to HomeVision, after which the PC may be disconnected. The schedule is "event-driven"; you simply enter the actions to perform when the specified event occurs. Programming is by "pointing and clicking"; there's no need to memorize or type in complex statements. Commands are entered using list boxes, push-buttons, spin-buttons, etc. Commands and conditions are displayed in easy-to-understand English text, not bizarre syntax. An online help file is always available to guide you if you need assistance.

Web Server

The HomeVision computer program contains a built in web server.   This provides several capabilities:

• Turns your computer into a web server that serves files to web browsers.
• Can be accessed by any web browser. The browser can be on the same PC as HomeVision, on another PC on a network within your home, or anywhere in the world (if you have an Internet connection to your home PC).
• Can automatically create web pages showing HomeVision status.
• Can insert HomeVision status and control objects into custom web pages you create.

Video Control & Status Screens

HomeVision generates video text for display on your TV. The line-level (RCA jack) output connects directly to a video jack on your TV or VCR A built-in video switch can switch the output between HomeVision's video screens and an incoming video signal, essentially bypassing HomeVision when desired.

HomeVision has over 50 built-in screens to control your home, including compatible HVAC and security systems. Screens provide status/control of:

• HVAC
• Security
• X-10
• Macros

• I/O ports
• Scheduled events
• System time and date
• Weather data
• Programming objects such as flags, variables, and timers
• and much more !

There's also a 256-line event log so you can see what happened and when. Even help screens are included.

If the built-in screens don't suit you, you can create your own! Develop personalized control screens, display messages or reminders, etc. You control what's displayed and where it's displayed. Even choose the background color, character size, character blinking, and more!

Thermostat Control

HomeVision can control up to 16 thermostats via X-10 or the serial interface. It can automatically run two of the thermostats to different schedules (each with eight times/temperatures per day, and three different daily programs). You can reprogram the schedule from your TV! Even view the actual temperature, setpoint, and mode and control them with your remote. Raise or lower the temperature via X-10 without getting out of bed! Set the temperature back automatically when you leave home, and restore it when you return.

Works great with the RCS TX10, TX10B, TX15, and TX15B thermostats. These give you direct X-10 control of setpoints, modes, etc. The TX10-B also reports the actual temperature, setpoint, and modes back to HomeVision via X-10! Also works with the RCS serial (RS232 and RS485) thermostats!

Can also integrate with Enerzone RS-232 thermostats when connected to a PC.

Two-Way Infrared Control

Any standard programmable or learning remote can be quickly configured to control HomeVision. You can then issue commands or control the video screens displayed on your TV without getting up from your chair. A press of a single button on your remote can trigger any actions you want! HomeVision also learns up to 255 infrared signals which it can then transmit to control TVs, stereos, etc. Since all of HomeVision's functions are cross-linked, X-10 commands or other events can easily trigger IR signals and vice-versa. You can also set up HomeVision so that a sequence of received signals triggers an action.

The infrared transmitter and receiver are built into HomeVision's front panel. In addition, a rear jack allows direct connection of external IR transmitters. The optional Multifunction Expansion Board provides 8 zones of infrared output. With a whole-house IR distribution system, you can control HomeVision remotely from anywhere in your home!

Two-Way X-10 Control

HomeVision can transmit and receive all X-10 signals for all 256 addresses. This includes advanced commands like Preset Dim and Status Request. HomeVision constantly monitors the power line and tracks the state and brightness level of each module (which you can view on your TV!). Any X-10 signal or sequence of signals can trigger any event(s). X-10 transmission reliability is maximized with advanced error/collision detection and multiple automatic retries. The scheduling software provides over 50 X-10 commands allowing you to easily create powerful programs. Send multiple dim/bright commands, set to a specific level, transmit individual house and unit codes, etc., each with a single command.

Supports:

• X-10 LM14A and AM14A modules (read status, "direct level" commands, fade on/off, level memory, etc.)
• Leviton 6381, 6343 and similar switches ("scenes", "direct level" commands, fade on/off, level memory, etc.)
• New SwitchLinc X-10 two-way switches ("scenes", "direct level" commands, fade on/off, level memory, etc.)
• PCS brand lighting modules (preset dim, micro-dim, fade on/off, level memory, etc.).
• RCS TX10, TX10B, TX15, and TX15B thermostats.

• Virtually all other X-10 devices and capabilities!
• Single-phase or three-phase transmission.

24 Input And Output Ports

Three types of I/O ports connect to external equipment through board-mounted terminal blocks:

• 8 relay-driver outputs to drive your own external relays or solenoids.
• 8 digital inputs for direct connection of switch-closure type devices (such as switches or relay contacts) or direct DC voltages. Inputs can withstand +/-30 volts.
• 8 bi-directional digital (+/-5V) I/O. As inputs, they can connect to switch-closure devices or external digital circuits. The inputs are so sensitive, you can even connect two plain wires to use as a water detector! As outputs, they can drive low-power devices such as LEDs or external digital circuits.

All ports can be controlled/read individually or as a group. Output ports can be "pulsed" on and off with millisecond precision. Inputs can be used to trigger actions if desired.

If you need analog inputs or more digital inputs, add a Multifunction Expansion Board (or two!). This board provides 8 analog and 24 digital inputs, plus 8 zones of infrared output and connections for 64 digital temperature sensors. You can also add I/O boards from Sylva Control Systems. In total, you can have:

• 96 digital inputs [32 opto-isolated via Sylva I/O boards]
• 48 outputs [8 digital (via HomeVision Port C) and 40 relays(8 driven by HomeVision Port A, 32 on Sylva I/O boards)]
• 16 analog inputs
• 64 digital temperature sensors
   

Much More...

• By adding on HomeVision-Phone/Serial or HomeVision-Phone/CID, you can have complete control of your home from any touchtone phone inside or outside your home!  HomeVision-Phone/CID also adds caller ID.
• The real time clock automatically adjusts for leap years and daylight savings time.
• "Security" feature can randomly vary an event by up to +/- 4 hours around the base time (you control the interval!).
• The automatic power failure recovery routine is extremely powerful yet flexible. Events which were missed while the power was out can be "caught up" when power returns or skipped altogether.
• The extensive programming capability includes a complete set of flags, variables, timers, delays, waits, macros, etc. (255 of each!). If-Then-Else statements with multiple And/Or conditions can be "nested" 15 levels deep. Over 380 different commands and 140 conditions are available.
• All of HomeVision's functions can be controlled over the serial interface (command and message protocol is fully documented). Operating from 1200 to 19200 baud, HomeVision can be controlled by the supplied PC program or any other program or device that can transmit serial data.
• It's unique architecture allows it to respond to events virtually instantaneously (typically <0.02 seconds).
• HomeVision was designed from the start with reliability in mind, and comes with a 3-year warranty.