Insteon

[bob in canmore]

Any news on compatibility issues with the new Insteon protocol?
I am planning an x-10, HAL controlled system for my new home which is almost built.
Should I wait for Insteon?
Anyone know the advantages over x-10?
Will Hal be able to control both protocols?
Thanx

bob

[Nathan]

Insteon is *very* new. True it addresses the major X10 flaws, with faster speed, and a CRC code, but it may be a while before it really catches on, if ever.

I would love to be able to use it. I am about to my limit with X10 frustration.

But I won't be holding my breath for HAL support.

Still, if there is any success in the market place at all, I am sure the folks at HAL will get around to it.

Cheers,
Nathan

[Todd K.]

Funny, after hours of trying to debug some x-10 issues, I pick up the new PC mag, and lo and behold, a story on Home Automation!

Get home, log onto the message board, and there is a question on Insteon, already.

We all must read the same mags. ;-)

I too, am interested in this new protocol, as, due to the fact that I live on Cape Cod, (end of the NE power grid), and one of the most unreliable in the country, i.e. - a month doesn't go by with out coming home to flashing clocks and wondering which x-10 module is dead now, and checking if ALL my surge protectors have \"died in the line of duty\" ...again.

I'm thinking I'm done with powerline protocols, time to go wireless.

Does anyone know what broadband over powerlines, (now being rolled out in a few areas of the country), will do to x-10 signals?

More noise, less signal ....more flakey-ness? (God, I hope not!) ;-)

[Tilandra]

From the Insteon FAQ: http://www.insteon.net/faq.html

Should I continue to purchase X-10 based products or wait for INSTEON?
One of the significant advantages of the new INSTEON technology is it's backwards compatibility with existing X-10 products. As an example, an INSTEON switch can turn on an X-10 lamp module and an X-10 switch can turn on an INSTEON lamp module. Homeowners can continue to purchase X-10 devices today and then migrate over time to INSTEON.

Will there be an upgrade program for X-10 devices to INSTEON?
There is no need to upgrade X-10 devices, INSTEON devices will work with X-10 devices and X-10 devices will work with INSTEON devices.


Edited to Add a link to press release from SmartHome.com:

http://www.smarthome.com/pr04-8.html

[Nathan]

[quote:b1d95652f3=\"Tilandra\"]From the Insteon FAQ: http://www.insteon.net/faq.html

Should I continue to purchase X-10 based products or wait for INSTEON?
One of the significant advantages of the new INSTEON technology is it's backwards compatibility with existing X-10 products. As an example, an INSTEON switch can turn on an X-10 lamp module and an X-10 switch can turn on an INSTEON lamp module. Homeowners can continue to purchase X-10 devices today and then migrate over time to INSTEON.

Will there be an upgrade program for X-10 devices to INSTEON?
There is no need to upgrade X-10 devices, INSTEON devices will work with X-10 devices and X-10 devices will work with INSTEON devices.


Edited to Add a link to press release from SmartHome.com:

http://www.smarthome.com/pr04-8.html[/quote:b1d95652f3]

Yes..... But....

If you use X10 devices on an INSTEON network, they are still X10 with all their flaws and foibles.

Presumably, you can replace your TW523 with an INSTEON device, and all your X10 devices will still work. But they are still working as X10 devices.

After re-reading the various articles again, it *looks as if* *maybe* +just possibly+ *with a little luck* the INSTEON version of the TW523 will look just like a TW523, so no real software upgrade would be necessary for HAL to support it. If so, that would be a big deal but there are some questions that come to mind.

For example: What is the physical interface between the TW523 replacement and HAL? If USB (a la the Powerlinc USB) then great, but that leaves Ocelot users in the cold. If it supports the same low-level physical interface as the TW523, then you sacrifice the performance of the new system.

I would say that if you are planning on buying a bunch of high-end X10 devices to automate your whole home, you might consider holding off until at least you can get some feel of how soon INSTEON is coming. But if you're talking less ambitious project, go ahead.

I wouldn't bet on Insteon being real before 2006, if then. Look how slow ZWave is coming along.

Rather than betting on some radical new technology, I would like to see someone (Smartlinc for example) develop standard X10 products that were more robust.

For example:

Put a timer on the reception of an address command, so that if it's not followed pretty soon (say, 2-3 secs) with a command it won't remain selected. This issue alone is responsible for a great deal of false activation problems with X10.

Examine the received adr/cmd pairs received to make sure both copies are clean before accepting them. Treat one corrupted pair as an error and reject it.

Allow configuration options so that two consequetive commands, either on the same address, or on sequential addresses, are required to turn on or off.

I'm sure other enhancements are also possible while maintaining compatibility.

Cheers,
Nathan

[AutomatedOutlet]

I think that the key with insteon is that it will also take stand X10 commands in addition to RF commands.

Going from X10 to RF will not solve power outtage issues. If the power is out, neither one of them will work.....