HomeVision photo

HomeVision 

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HomeVision-Pro

Imagine controlling your entire home with a hand-held remote while watching TV. View a complete system interface on your TV screen. Or from a web browser anywhere in your home (or in the world). Change the temperature of the AC system. Or even reprogram the thermostat schedule. Have the name and phone number of callers appear instantly on your TV. Arm your security system while viewing the status of each zone. Or close the garage door you left open. Imagine changing your lighting schedule without getting up from your chair.

HomeVision®, HomeVision-Pro, and HomeVision-PC make all of this possible at an affordable price.  They come complete, including PC software.

Our original product, the HomeVision controller, brings together seven key home automation features in a single unit:

bulletVideo output: Displays menus and control screens on your TV (although the system can be completely controlled without a TV) !
bulletTwo-way infrared: You can control HomeVision, and HomeVision can control all your audio/visual equipment !
bulletTwo-way X-10: Controls and monitors lights, appliances, thermostats, security systems, etc.
bullet24 digital inputs/outputs: Provides direct connections to other equipment. Add expansion cards for even more I/O.
bulletBattery-backed clock: Controls events based on time, date, sunset, etc.
bulletTwo-way serial interface: Provides full control and status reporting via a PC. Run programs to add voice recognition, voice response, and many other features !
bullet

Web server: Provides control of HomeVision from any web browser anywhere in the world!

In addition to these built-in capabilities, you can add on telephone control and other features!  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.

HomeVision-PC has similar hardware interfaces as HomeVision at a lower cost, but requires the PC to be running with additional software.

Finally, HomeVision-Pro integrates all of HomeVision's functions and adds even more, making it our most powerful and popular controller.

Read more about what you can do with HomeVision, or see a more detailed description here.

 

Sample custom TV screen

TV Screen Control

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Web Page Control (Method 1)

  

Web Page Control (Method 2)

Site Contents

Products
bulletProduct overview and comparison
bulletHomeVision:
bulletDetailed description
bulletDocumentation
bulletSoftware (FREE!)
bulletHomeVision-Pro:
bulletDetailed description
bulletDocumentation
bulletSoftware (FREE!)
bulletHomeVision-PC:
bulletDetailed description
bulletDocumentation
bulletSoftware (FREE!)
bulletAccessories:
bulletMultifunction expansion board
bulletPort extender
bulletHomeVision-Serial
bulletHomeVision-Phone/Serial
bulletHomeVision-Phone/CID
bulletSylva I/O boards
bulletEthernet interface
bulletColor touchscreens 
bulletInternet control software (FREE!)
bulletInternational versions
 
HomeVision User's Assistance
bulletTech support and troubleshooting
bulletE-mail users group
bulletApplication notes
bulletCompatible hardware products 
bulletCompatible software programs
bulletExample system diagrams
bulletSoftware tutorial
bulletUsers' automation systems
bulletOwner registration
bulletUpgrade information
bulletHardware version information
bulletSpare boards
Information Sources
bulletHomeVision news
bulletFrequently asked questions (FAQ)
bulletMedia information and articles
bulletIndependent product reviews
bulletUsers' comments
bulletHome automation links
Miscellaneous
bulletWhere to buy (distributor list)
bulletUpcoming features
bulletComparison to other systems

HomeVision products have won numerous home automation awards including:

Rated 4 Stars in "Home Automation" November 2003 Review !

Popular Home Automation Top 50 Editors' Pick

Wired Magazine Best Buy for 2000 !

 

HomeVision News

bulletWe currently have an excess supply of HomeVision units in stock and would like to reduce it.  We’re offering two special deals through May:
  1. We will sell a complete HomeVision package for just $295, approximately half of the typical street price.
  2. We will sell a spare HomeVision board to current owners for just $140, 30% less than the usual $200 price for a spare board.

If you’re interested in either of these offers, contact us at csi@csi3.com. Although we normally don't sell directly to users, we're making an exception for these offers.

If you’re a current HomeVision owner without a spare board, we suggest you consider either getting a spare board or some spare parts (see our recommended parts list here: http://www.csi3.com/Lightning.htm).  Here in the southern United States, thunderstorm season is approaching.  Every year, lightning strikes cause a lot of damage, and HomeVision isn’t immune.  With all the wiring that most users have connected to HomeVision, it’s hard to stop a nearby lighting strike from getting into HomeVision and damaging it.  If you have spare parts or a board on hand, you can quickly get HomeVision (and your home) running again.  If you depend on HomeVision for any import functions that you wouldn’t want to do without, be prepared!

 

E-Mail Users Group

Ingo Dean, a HomeVision user, has kindly set up a HomeVision e-mail list. You can use this list to communicate with hundreds of other HomeVision owners. This list is open to everyone, even those who don't own a HomeVision. To subscribe, visit Yahoo! Groups or enter your e-mail address below.

Subscribe to homevision-users
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

 

Independent Product Reviews

You may be interested in reading these independent reviews of HomeVision:

bulletReview of HomeVision-Pro in the November 2003 issue of Home Automation
bullet"Best Buy" in the March 2000 issue of Wired magazine
bulletDetailed review in the August 1996 issue of Home Toys
bulletReview in the July/August 1996 issue of Home Automator newsletter
bulletComparison with other home controllers in HTI News
bulletReview of the PC software, also in HTI News
bullet"Top 12 Systems for the New Year" in the February 1997 issue of Electronic House
bullet"Top 50 1998 Editors' Pick" in the May 1998 issue of Popular Home Automation
bulletReview in the October 2001 issue of Home Toys

 

HomeVision User Comments

"HomeVision still remains the best thing I have ever bought !"
   -  Simon Bullers, United Kingdom
 
"Thank you for a most excellent product. If this product cost double it would still be an amazing value. Every day I find something different I can use it for."
   -  Peter Smith, United Kingdom
 
"Congratulations on an excellent product. My unit has been in 24x7 use for several years and has never missed a beat. ... My thanks for exceeding my expectations."
   -  Gene Kaplan, Mission Viejo, California
 
"I love your product - thanks so much for making an automation product that not only works, but works better than expectations !"
   -  Jeff McNaught, San Jose, California
 
"I would like to emphasize how truly reliable the unit has been over the last three years. Terrific work ! "
   -  Amal Chaudhuri, New York, New York
 
"I have been with you for just over a year now, and am writing to tell you just how perfectly ALL of the features of HomeVision have performed !"
   -  Dave Anderson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
"By the way, keep up the amazing work. I'm a programmer and an IT consultant, and it's difficult to think of any product or company that has impressed me as much as you and yours."
   -  Kevin McMahon, Rochester, New York
 
"I have been working with home automation systems for years and this is by far the best I have ever seen. The controller is designed well and looks good, the software is very impressive, the documentation is thorough, and the capabilities are endless."
   -  Mark Ciotti, Belleville, Michigan

"I initially thought I would use it (HomeVision) as a video front-end for a JDS TimeCommander-Plus. Boy, was I ever underestimating the power of the HomeVision."
   -  Charles Waggoner, Edmond, Oklahoma

"I think your software and manual and best of all your "how to" lets a novice or non-programmer accomplish really sophisticated automation."
   -  David Rabin, Highland Park, Illinois

"I want to tell you what an outstanding job you are doing. As a customer, I feel that you are always looking out for my best interest. Your product is top notch. The quality is amazing. Thanks."
   -  Tom Christian, Brookfield, Wisconsin

"Custom Solutions Inc. describes your company perfectly and is the ONLY choice for Home Automation."
   -  Dale Shaw, Hockessin, Delaware

 

Upcoming Features

New features are in the works or under consideration:

bulletPossible support for Z-Wave devices

 

Where to buy (distributor list)

We do not sell directly to end users.  Our products are available from these leading home automation distributors:

     U.S. Distributors

bulletWorthington Distribution (800-282-8864 or 570-226-8864)
bulletSmarthome.com (800-762-7846 or 949-221-9200)
bulletHome Tech Solutions (888-257-4406)
bulletASI Home (800-263-8608 or 570-226-6517)
bulletCustom Automation Technologies, Inc. (1-877-I-BUY-CAT (1-877-428-9228) or 614-939-4228)

     International Distributors

bulletLet's Automate (Europe, +44(0)1753 580516)
bulletDigiHouse (Australia, 613 9596 8958 or 0414 379 079)
bulletLaser Business Systems (Europe, +44 20 8441 9788)
bulletP5 kft (Hungary, +36 1 466 2576)
bulletGalaxy Tech Ltd. (Israel, 972-58-391717, 972-54-542584, E-mail: elik1@isdn.net.il)

Please note that some distributors only carry a subset of our products. If your preferred distributor doesn't carry what you need, ask them to!

 

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E-mail questions or comments to us
at: csi@csi3.com 

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Last updated:
14 April 2008

Copyright © 1996-2007, all rights reserved, by:
Custom Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 33905, Indialantic, FL 32903

HomeVision® is a registered trademark of Custom Solutions, Inc.