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- -------------------------------------
- Video Alternatives for Computerized
- Home Control Systems
-
- From: The Circuit Cellar BBS
- 203/871-1988
-
- June 1988
- -------------------------------------
-
- Msg#: 4141 *GENERAL*
- 06/22/88 00:31:19
- From: TAEGAN GODDARD
- To: ALL
- Subj: HOME CONTROL
- I am experimenting with home control using an IBM PC motherboard and the X-10
- Powerhouse to control lights and appliances. I am writing my control program
- in QuickBASIC 4.0. My question to anyone: What is the best type of video card
- to use if I want to send the video signal throughout the house to various
- monitors and TVs? Another question: Where is the best place to order
- thermistors (150k) that measure temperatures in the normal household temp
- range? Thanks much for any help you can give. ...Taegan
-
-
- Msg#: 4150 *GENERAL*
- 06/22/88 08:34:27
- From: DAVID HESSLER
- To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd)
- Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4141 (HOME CONTROL)
- Taegan, I would use an old CGA color card with composite output (from the RCA
- jack) cause it is easiest to boost arround many cables (Radio Shack quad
- amplifier box) and to convert with a little board (back of byte) from the video
- games to RF for TV reception where you want to use a tv and some monitors too.
- I think you can put some channel 4 rf on top of the composite video signal and
- get both on the cable. The amplifiers may not handle the low frequency video
- unless you add a larger capacitor on the internal coupling to go below channel
- 2, I haven't tried it. there are also dc optical volume controls for remote
- use in the surplus market that you can run with a bsr dimmer to a small 115v
- lamp thru fiber optic cable to the photocell to adjust volume, though you may
- need to rectify and filter the bulb power to reduce ripple at 120 hz.
-
-
- Msg#: 4189 *GENERAL*
- 06/22/88 22:37:48
- From: TAEGAN GODDARD
- To: DAVID HESSLER
- Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4150 (HOME CONTROL)
- Thanks for the info David... Thinking it over, I would be limited to 40
- columns of text resolution on a TV monitor with a CGA card (unless I'm
- mistaken). Color for the displays doesn't matter to me, but 80 columns would be
- nice. Am I wrong on this? I'd really like to switch video inputs to the TV
- when I want to check the status of the control system. Unless I get a high
- resolution TV/monitor I wont be able to see 80 columns. Does this thinking
- aloud make any sense to you..?