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When importing a HomeVision into the UK you will need to
obtain two additional components to make it work. This
article details exactly what they are, and what you need to
do with them.
Power Transformer
You need a transformer with the following
specifications - 9 Volts DV, 300mA
transformer with female 2.0mm or 2.1mm centre hole (centre
positive, outside ground).
I obtained mine from Maplin Electronics
for around £10 (catalogue number JC91).
X-10 Power Line Interface
The other component that plugs into the mains is the
device that interfaces the
HomeVision to the power line. Currently there are two
models to choose from.
- The first is the TW523 TW523 Review.
This is the unit that I use and it was obtained from
Laser Business Systems (approx.
£30). It is a modified American unit.
- The newer TW7223 TW7223 Review). has CE
approval and appears to be a proper 220V 50Hz version
of the TW523 specifically designed
for Europe. Again this is available from Laser
Business Systems (approx. £35).
Optional Components
In addition to the two items above that are required
for HomeVision to work there are other components that you may wish to add that are optional.
Caller ID Interface
The CTI Meteor is an
interface that can pass UK Caller ID data to HomeVision
(via a PC). For more detailed information on how to implement Caller ID check out this HV UK CID page.
Other UK Issues
The "Day Light Saving" option in the
HomeVision software is not compatible
with the UK. If you use this you will find your HomeVision
controller changing to British
Summer time on the wrong week. At the time of writing
there are no plans for the software
to support the UK time change. However from version 2.7 on
of the HomeVision software it
is possible to program these time changes as scheduled
events. Here's a quote from
the HomeVision "International Version" page http://www.csi3.com/hv_intl.htm
"HomeVision version
2.7 gives you the ability to
adjust the clock within your schedule. You can
create scheduled events which
run on the specific days daylight savings starts and stops
and change the time accordingly
in the event."
Now...all we need to know
if when the changes should occur.
The following is taken from
the "Royal Observatory
Greenwich" website http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk/leaflets/summer/summer.html
"From 1998 BST will be kept from the last Sunday
in March until the last Sunday in
October.
1998 March 29 to October 25
1999 March 28 to October 31
2000 March 26 to October 29
2001 March 25 to October 28
2002 March 31 to October 27
2003 March 30 to October 26
2004 March 28 to October 31
2005 March 27 to October 30
2006 March 26 to October 29
2007 March 25 to October 28
All changes to be at 1 am GMT."
The dates for other years are available HERE.
OK...so now it's a simple matter of programming this as
a scheduled event. Here is
the extract from my schedule to enable the automatic
adjustment of the controller clock
for BST (both events are set for 1:00am)...
SCHEDULED EVENT # 8 'BST Starts'
If
Date is: (Days= Su) (Dates= 25,26,27,28,29,30,31) (Months=
Mar)
Then
Controller command: Set clock ahead 60 minutes
Set flag #2 (BST)
End If
SCHEDULED EVENT # 9 'BST Ends'
If
Date is: (Days= Su) (Dates= 25,26,27,28,29,30,31) (Months=
Oct)
And Flag #2 (BST) is set
Then
Controller command: Set clock back 60 minutes
Clear flag #2 (BST)
End If
Click Here to see
pictures and read a description of
HomeVision
Click Here for Custom
Solution's official page on the "International
Version" of HomeVision.
hardware
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