Basic Lighting Controls (on/off only)? X10, Leviton? - Page 3

can the MLDenon control the AVR5803 via RS232? It wasn't in the list of controllable receivers on Cinemar's website. If you have 2 Sony cx777es, do they have to be connected separately to the computer or could you connect both changers together and use only a single cable to the computer?

brishea, I believe the AVR5803 will work with MLDenon. I am not 100% sure as I am not aware that that model was tested, but Denon has been good about using same protocol across their RS232 line. Easiest way to tell is to try it. It can be used for a 30 day trial.

You would need two serial cables and two available serial ports for supporting the two CX777ES changers. If you run out of serial ports, look to eBay for Edgeport USB to serial adapters. They work great. If your changers are a little bit of a distance from the control PC (running MLServer3 software), you can use a Cat5 wire with DB9 adapters on both ends to make the cable a serial cable. Cheap, works well if you can get the wire between the two.

thank you very much.

can cinemar run on MAC?. All my computers are MAC's.

No, MainLobby is Windows based today.
There are very limited choices for Mac.

what are the choices for MAC?

Indigo is one and there may be one other that isn't coming to mind.

Does anyone know if the ability to send commands (lighting) is possible using crestron processors???

I personally think x10 still has a place.

Granted I am new and just playing with power line carriers but I spend ~$150 on some x10 gear on eBay 30 dimmers, cm11a, phase coupler. Thats right, 30 freaking leviton dimmer switches!!! This stuff is cheap, so cheap if it did make a mistake from time to time it wouldn't bother me. So cheap I know I could offload it locally and get my $ back, probably profit it I wanted.

Thus far I have like 15 of then installed and I haven't had a problem.

The software used makes a huge difference in x10 speed. Some were very quick, never instant but inline with a CF lighting delay. Some were noticablely slower (easyx10 - free - not exactly easy).

I was in the same boat, seeing all the troubles with Insteon, and Smarthome, the lack of zwave devices, the costs of everything. I thought I might just try out x10, thus far it's not as bad as many would lead you to believe, and it's dirt cheap.

CollinR - would you install it in a clients house?

Not a chance in hell!


It has a place, but not with my company name on it.

Also not having real feedback is a real problem for me, I do not want the manual control to be able to send 100% power by default. I want it to simply make a request to the controller and it determine the proper level of lighting for that area at that time.


The ONLY reason I bought this stuff is to play and learn without a large investment. The control software all seems to work very similar be it x10, UPB, Insteon or Zwave.


I forgot to mention I also bought 5 filters in the package. I have some understanding of how this works (or is supposed to) so I did the basics many don't. I coupled the phases and filtered the noise makers. Also buying switches from someone like leviton or intermatic some assures a more quality product. I don't have a clue how the x10 dimmers from x10_com are, possibly much much worse.

I 100% agree! I will help someone that wants to use X10 but I would never install it as a "turnkey, guaranteed to work" solution.

X10 can be reliable. Mine is rock solid but it required a significant amount of work to get it to that state and anytime the wife plugs something new into a socket, I may have a troubleshooting mission.

As far as the switches themselves, stick with Leviton or PCS. Their products are great. The X-10 brand switches are cheap but they are problematic both mechanically and electronically.

I have a freestanding garage with exterior lights. I would like to be able to turn these lights on and off with:
1. My garage door remote control.
2. My HomeLink equipped car.
3. The wall swith in the garage.

I do not want to spend a fortune. Anyone have any ideas?

Thnx,