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

In addition to these built-in capabilities, you can add on telephone control 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. See our example system diagram to see what a complete system may look like, or read more about what you can do with HomeVision.

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. NTSC video is standard, but PAL video is available for international users.

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

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! Software version 2.6 makes it easy to create completely custom menus in minutes!

Sample TV Screens

Thermostat Control

Works great with the RCS TX10, TX10B, TX15, and TX15B X-10 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, TR15, TR16, TR36, and TR40 (although the TR36 and TR40 stat's display message capability is not directly supported).

Can also integrate with Enerzone RS-232 thermostats when connected to a PC. Click here to read how one HomeVision user has set up a 5-zone Enerzone StatNet system with lots of custom TV screens! 

Security System Control

HomeVision has built-in commands and video control screens for controlling and receiving status from security systems.  It works best with a GE (formerly CADDX) security system connected to a HomeVision serial port (either the built-in port or an add-on port).   However, it can also work with most other types of security systems (see our application note on interfacing HomeVision to security systems for more information).

Two-Way Infrared Control

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:

In addition to X-10, HomeVision has the ability to control UPB switches and other non-X10 lighting systems by using its "custom lighting" feature!

24 Input And Output Ports

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

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:

Phone Control

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.

Time/Date Scheduling Control

The real time clock automatically adjusts for leap years and daylight savings time. It accurately tracks sunset and sunrise times based on your latitude and longitude. Events can be scheduled based on sunset/sunrise or fixed times. Limit events to specific days, dates, months, etc. if desired. "Security" feature can randomly vary an event by up to +/- 4 hours around the base time (you control the interval!). Great for giving your home that "lived-in" look while you're away. Periodic events can also be set up to perform actions at preset rates.

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. Timers which were running when the power failed are handled properly, with events performed in the proper sequence (even with intermixing of scheduled events and expiring timers).

Powerful Programming Language

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.

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 450 different commands and over 170 conditions are available. Advanced commands provide such capabilities as millisecond-accuracy delays, logging of time and date, indirect accessing of variables (one variable is the pointer to another) and variable mathematics. All events can be individually enabled or disabled. This simplifies schedule development, as events can be disabled until they are working properly, then enabled.

A sample schedule is supplied with the controller implementing a wide variety of functions. Most are initially disabled; you just enable the ones you want and make a few simple changes like setting your own X-10 house and unit codes. With this schedule as your starting point, you'll be up and running in no time. And since HomeVision can handle schedules of over 8000 lines, you won't run out of memory any time soon !

See our software tutorial page for an overview of the software and example screens.

You may also be interested in the free HomevisionXL program developed by Schelte Bron, a HomeVision user.  This is a cross-platform tool for developing schedules for HomeVision and HomeVision-Pro.  It's a very powerful program that can do many things that the HomeVision software cannot.  

Powerful Serial Interface Control

All of HomeVision's functions can be controlled over the serial interface (command and message protocol is fully documented). Operating from 1200 to 57600 baud, HomeVision can be controlled by the supplied PC program or any other program or device which can transmit serial data. HomeVision can read in ASCII and binary data, and take any actions based on it. It can also transmit ASCII text or binary data to control your PC or other devices. It can also be configured to automatically report the occurrence of any event. This makes debugging your schedule a snap, as each event automatically sends a message to your PC for display or logging to a file. You can use any communications program or the built-in terminal emulator for this purpose.

Use the serial interface to communicate with a:

In addition to the built-in serial port, you can add on up to three more ports using HomeVision-Serial and HomeVision-Phone/Serial.  Two of these can even be RS-485 ports!

Whole-House Control From Your PC

Although HomeVision can operate without a PC, the PC program includes a variety of screens to give you complete control over HomeVision while it's connected. These screens provide direct control for X-10, infrared signals, I/O ports, macros, video displays, and more. In addition, HomeVision can play WAV (sound) files or run other programs on your PC when commanded by the controller. Or send an e-mail by adding a simple batch file (download zip file here).

You can also control HomeVision with a variety of powerful software programs:

See our software page for more details.

Web Server

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

You can view examples of the built-in web pages.  Note that the buttons on the page won't operate because this is only a demo.  Go here to view the example pages.

In addition, we have a Flash movie that can run in a web browser and can control HomeVision and HomeVision-Pro. This provides a fancier graphical interface than the standard web pages shown above.  See this page for details.

Finally, the software also has a "Remote Internet Access" capability. This allows a copy of the HomeVision software running on one PC (the client PC) to control a HomeVision unit connected to another PC (the server PC). Basically, the client PC can control the remotely-located HomeVision unit as if it was directly connected to the client PC.

High-Speed Performance

HomeVision was engineered from the ground up to provide maximum performance. It's unique architecture allows it to respond to events virtually instantaneously (typically <0.02 seconds). Compare this to other controllers that can take several seconds when running large schedules.

High Reliability

HomeVision was designed from the start with reliability in mind, and comes with a 3-year warranty. Read the HomeVision reliability page for all the details.

HomeVision Specifications

Hardware Interface Limits

The following table shows the maximum number of hardware interfaces you can have with HomeVision. It also shows which HomeVision accessories are needed to provide these.

See our comparison to other home automation systems for more details.