Comfort Automation/ Security System Forums > Third Party (interfacing to Comfort) > X10 > Remove X10 from Comfort? |
Comfort Automation/ Security System Forums > Third Party (interfacing to Comfort) > X10 > Remove X10 from Comfort? |
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ident Administrator 
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It has been suggested that X10 is obsolete and should not be included in new Comfort hardware. There are hardly any suppliers of X10 products, the technology is too old and too unreliable. However the firmware will continue to support X10 for existing users with Comfort Any comments from the Comfort community? Who wants to continue using X10 on new Comfort systems? Last edited on Friday Apr 18th, 2014 12:41 pm by ident |
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wexfordman UCM Pi Users
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I removed x10 from my system a couple let of years ago and went completely with velbus. Was delighted to get rid of x10,more because of the improved reliability and functionality of velbus. Couple of months later I reused to ad10 modules in my shed cos I could wire to it. So, why remove it, you can still get modules, and it is handy for those awkward places to reach. I know other wireless solutions are available but that means having to install a ucm dedicated for it. |
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Home Comfort Distributors
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YES REMOVE IT FROM THE MAIN PCB I am sure that there must be an X10 RS232 interface that people could purchase. What did happen to X10 di they file for bankruptcy AND why are X10 product still being sold - does anybody still manufacture them? |
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Ingo UCM Pi Users 
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I assume if the X10 circuitry is removed there will be space for something else, right? What are you guys planning for the future? |
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ident Administrator
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perhaps a built-in ethernet interface? |
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juwi_uk Member 
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I guess it is one thing removing the interface from the main pcb (strange it was ever there in the first place so assume pre UCM times) and another to remove support in firmware. I'm guessing the firmware needs chipset support that is x10 dedicated rather than using generic hardware on the pcb? I'm also guessing a lot would still be using and wouldn't want to be frozen on the last firmware that supports x10. Can something like ucm/universal be setup to support if you did do this as a replacement? I can liken it to the switch from xp to win 7/8 and people needing time to switch. Julian Personally I switched to Zwave a while back! |
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slychiu Administrator 
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The support in firmware would have to remain for those who are already using x10 If there is a serial interface to X10, then the universal could be used X10 was part of the Comfort PCB since the beginning in 1996 even before it supported keypads.It was the 1st widely used home automation device But I doubt many new x10 products are sold now It is being sold by Marmitek http://www.marmitek.com/en/products/home-automation-security/x-10-home-automation.php Interestingly the website says X-10 Home Automation Make your home a house of the future - today! |
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Ingo UCM Pi Users
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I like the Ethernet idea. More space for other UCM's in the enclosure then :-) |
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Julian.Driver Member
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I have CBus for 90% of the lighting and other stuff, however there is no CBus device which I can use to control lamps which are plugged in to a power socket, so I have to use X-10, distasteful as it is. If Schneider were prepared to launch their wirless devices in the UK all that would change however. |
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ident Administrator
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Zwave is a better alternative to X10 If you have a few devices that should not cause any problems |
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HomeIQ Comfort Distributors
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Personally, X10 served me well for many years, however, I think having a standard Ethernet I/o is the way to go, leaving third-party interfacing to the buyers choice of add on interface. |
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Home Comfort Distributors
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X10 DEAD! Several years ago there were rumours that X10 had gone bankrupt. Several key web sites STILL sell X10 I can NEVER get an answer to the question IS X10 bankrupt and are the sites selling X10 just flogging old (very old now) stock. Certainly the only press i can find is about dodgy deals with asia - there appears to not have been any promotional activity or new products. My conclusion some years ago was that X10 was bankrupt - however I struggle to see how several years later X10 products are STILL available - should we be told! Any other info would be most welcome. |
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Home Comfort Distributors
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Comfort PCB YES REMOVE X10 interface DO NOT ADD the Ethernet module into the main pcb - that WOULD be madness..... If anything is going to be prone to change upgrades (hardware, firmware and software) its going to be an Ethernet module. The on cost on the main board would i suggest put of people who want the flexibility of a modular solution - in some cases the phone line is more than adequate in other cases we can end up fitting 2 or even 3 main comfort units in large properties with out buildings the satellites are never going to require Ethernet. |
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Home Comfort Distributors
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X10 dead - its a mystery However wikipedia has the following: "" On August 2, 2013, X10 filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington. As of the filing date, total company liabilities were listed as being in the realm of US$1.0M to $10.0M (one to ten million U.S. dollars).[2]" So presumably Marmitek have been (are) selling 'old stock'... |
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ident Administrator
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Not necessarily selling old stock X10 is bankrupt but the patents on the technology have expired so others can continue to manufacture it. Or Perhaps they bought the licence so x10 is not completely dead |
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Home Comfort Distributors
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BUT what you say may be true BUT there is NO new advertising Marmitek have nothing on their web site to promote X10 and news over the last 3 years again has nothing relating to X10. IF someone had started to re-manufacture then they would have put some effort into marketing. |
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phil1155 Member
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I am late in this session. But X10 is not dead, still being sold .(http://www.eurox10.com/Product/Micromodules/Actuators/AW12.htm) I am considering the capabilities of comfort in receiving and sending X10 commands to build a communication Stream between comfort and a open source home automation software ( Jeedom) that have plugin to connect to x10 components.My goal would be to have comfort to be more imbricated to this HA Platform ( email, scenarios, cameras surveillance/recording..) Has anyone made such a project work ( X10 or ?)thanks |
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slychiu Administrator
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But why use X10? why not ethernet, or RS232 or some other interface? X10 is not reliable |
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phil1155 Member
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Chiu, Id love too. but I have not the talent to make the small plug in to send command or get status through ethernet from php or json. If I have source model , I can copy it. Do you have? |
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slychiu Administrator
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We are not familiar with these protocols but I am sure others will know |
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Ian Member
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I moved form X10 due to lessening reliability, I suspect caused by the increasing number of other electrical devices plugged into my house. I had gone to the trouble of whole house filter, individual device filters, high power X10 transmitter but nothing helped. I still have a couple of X10 controlled lights (shortly to be replaced)and they sporadically turn on by themselves. Initially, I moved to Insteon for the X10 compatibility but the lack of devices for the UK and poor build quality has sent me down the Z-wave route. I like the idea of on-borad eternet for Comfort. |
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