HomeSeer PRO-100 — Getting Started Guide

Getting Started Guide for the HomeSeer PRO-100 — a fan-less, embedded-Windows home automation controller supporting lighting, security, HVAC, infrared, voice recognition, and telephone control across dozens of third-party technologies.

Overview

The PRO-100 is a hardware controller that packages the power and flexibility of HomeSeer PRO software into a compact, rugged, easy-to-install unit for lighting, appliances, security, HVAC, and infrared (IR) devices such as home theater equipment. It's an open-standards system integrable with numerous technologies (Lutron, Leviton, Intermatic, Lightolier, HAI, JDS, Global Caché, and more), and includes an open API for professional integrators to add custom or proprietary system support.

What's Included

• One PRO-100 Home Automation Controller Unit
• Power Supply Unit and Power Cord
• Speaker Client Installation CD
• Getting Started Manual

Included software plug-ins support Global Caché IR, HAI thermostats/Omni panels, HomeVision, HouseLinc, Insteon, IRLinc, Napco Gemini, OnQ, PowerLinc USB, RCS thermostats, Slinke, TempLinc, TI103 X10, UPB, WebCam, Z-Wave USB drivers, iTunes/Windows Media Player/Media Center, and more (see Updater for the current list). Additional bundled software: RealVNC, MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook Express, MS Windows Media Player.

Key Features

• Reliability: No moving parts, no hard drive/fan, embedded OS on write-protected flash memory (can't be corrupted).
• Web-based management: Configure and monitor from any browser, on- or off-site.
• Mechanical design: Small footprint (11"W x 7"D x 2"H), fan-less, mountable in structured wiring cabinets.
• Remote access: Monitor/control the system from anywhere.
• Text-to-speech: Whole-house announcements via synthesized/concatenated speech, sent to any networked computer.
• Voice recognition: Control via voice from any networked computer or by telephone (with HomeSeer Phone).
• Powerful event engine: Triggers on conditions, device status change, absolute time, sunrise/sunset (with offset), email, security panel events, matched infrared, recurring intervals, I/O events, or plug-in events. Actions include lighting control, sound/speech, email, scripts, chained events, network dialing, media player control, plug-in functions, webcam functions, and phone functions.
• Customizable: Web UI stylable via CSS; scripting interface supports VBScript, JavaScript, and Perl; custom .NET plug-ins supported via the software API.

Control Unit Specifications

• Size: 11"W x 2"H x 7"D
• Processor: 1 GHz; Flash: 1152 MB; Memory: 512 MB DDR
• OS: Embedded Windows XP; Fans: None
• Serial Ports: 2; USB Ports: 2; IEEE 1394 (Firewire): 2
• Network: 10/100 Ethernet; PS/2 keyboard/mouse ports
• Video Out: VGA, S-video, composite; Video In: S-video, composite; Audio: In/Out; SPF: Out

Installation & System Test

Mount on a shelf, wall, or in a structured wiring cabinet with adequate airflow around the finned heatsinks; consider a UPS/surge suppressor. The rear panel has ports for power, keyboard, mouse, monitor (VGA), 2 serial (RS-232) ports for thermostats/controllers/security panels, TV out (composite/S-video), LAN (10/100), USB 2.0, video in, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), and audio in/out (headphones, line-in, mic, SPF out).

1. Turn on the unit (blue light on front should illuminate). Default login: user "administrator", password "admin".
2. Access via monitor/keyboard directly, or remotely via web browser at the unit's name (default pro100##, ## = last digits of serial number) or IP address.
3. Test built-in audio: attach speakers, open the Control Panel, type [hs.speak "Pro 100 test"] in the Immediate Script Execution box, and click Execute Command.

Accessing the PRO-100

Access via web browser (http://localhost locally, http://hostname or LAN IP on the home network, or the public IP remotely), or via touchscreens/Pocket PCs at /touchpad_control (not installed by default — enable via Updater then the Interfaces tab).

Disabling/Enabling Flash Protection

The OS lives on protected, read-only flash (drive C). To make OS-level changes: restart the unit, close the Internet Explorer window to reveal the HomeSeer Event Log, open Tools > Disable Flash Protection, restart again — the C drive becomes read-write. After making changes, immediately re-enable via Tools > Enable Flash Protection and restart once more.

Setting the Time Zone

Disable Flash Protection, then via Ctrl-Alt-Del > Task Manager > File > New Task, run "Control Panel", open Date and Time > Time Zone, select your zone, Apply/OK, then re-enable Flash Protection.

Remote Access via RealVNC (pre-installed)

Browse to http://PRO100##:5800 (LAN) or http://[public IP]:5800 (internet); accept the Java security prompt, click OK on the Connection Details box, then enter the VNC password "admin". Port 5800 must be forwarded through any firewall/router for remote (WAN) access.

Adding and Configuring Devices

Devices represent real-world things (light switches, garage doors, thermostats) or virtual data. Supported technology categories include Lighting (Centralite, HAI, HomePro, Intermatic, Lightolier, Lutron, PCS, Smarthome, Simply Automated, Vantage, X-10, Zigbee, Z-Wave), Security (Elk, Napco, HAI, On-Q, GE/Caddx), HVAC (Aprilaire, Enerzone, HAI, HomePro, RCS), Infrared (Global Caché, Home Electronics, IR Trans, JDS, Nirvis, SmartHome, UIRT), RFID, and A/V software (Apple iTunes, Windows Media Center/Player).

• Enable/configure plug-ins under Setup > Interfaces tab, then click SAVE.
• Z-Wave devices: select a Z-Wave interface in the Interfaces tab and SAVE; click LEARN DEVICES; on the Z-Wave Master Remote, go Menu > Setup > Copy Remote Ctrl > Send Information > Only System Information, point it at the USB interface, and confirm "Send Completed" appears with the device count.
• Creating devices: use the Add Device screen for Lighting, Infrared/Home Theatre (requires an enabled IR interface and pre-created IR signal buttons), Security (X-10 devices manually, or auto-created zones from an enabled panel plug-in like HAI/Napco Gemini), Climate/thermostats (script-based basic support, or richer plug-in support for RCS/HAI), and Virtual devices (hold values/states for use in event conditions, e.g. a Home/Away flag).

Controlling Devices with Events

Events combine a Trigger (time, device status change, email, voice command, etc.), optional Conditions (AND/OR logic gating whether the event fires), one or more Actions, and an optional Group for organization. Create an event via the Event Properties screen (name, optional voice command + Confirm Voice option, optional DTMF phone trigger), set its Trigger in the Event Trigger screen, and add Actions in the Event Actions screen — click SAVE when done.

Voice Recognition

The Speaker Client application (pre-installed on the PRO-100, installable on any remote PC) handles voice recognition, text-to-speech, and audio playback; events can target a specific host:instance, all clients (blank or *), or a named remote PC. Multiple instances on one PC (for multiple sound cards) are launched via Speaker.exe soundcard1-style parameters. Remote connections require the Speaker Client Port, a static/dynamic-DNS address for the PRO-100, and a Connection Username/Password from the Web Users setup.

Command Syntax

• Ranges: TV channel (0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9)+ accepts any digit sequence like "tv channel 1 3 6".
• Optional words: square brackets, e.g. [please] turn on the TV.
• Alternatives: parentheses + vertical bars, e.g. (hello [there] | hi). Nested parens/brackets are not allowed.
• Repetition: * for zero-or-more, + for one-or-more, e.g. please* try this or (New York)+.
• Word spotting: ellipses [… check mail …] ignore filler words around a key phrase (use cautiously — increases false-match risk).
• Tips: include at least one required word, spell out numbers/acronyms phonetically ("I triple E" not "IEEE"), and omit punctuation/symbols. A small VBScript can convert a recognized voice command (via hs.lastvoicecommand) into an infrared command using hs.SendIR with $# substitution placeholders.

HomeSeer Phone (requires Way2Call Hi-Phone USB modem + HomeSeer Phone software)

• Control the PRO-100 by voice or touch-tone from any phone; trigger events on phone rings, voicemail, caller ID, or off-hook.
• Caller ID can play custom greetings, hang up, announce callers via Speaker Client, or display info on screen.
• Includes an Address Book (voice dialing like "call Mom") and two built-in answering/voicemail systems, playable from any networked computer.
• Enable via Setup > General > "Launch HomeSeer Phone at startup" = Yes, restart, then configure the modem under Setup > Phone > Line Specific Settings.

Customizing the PRO-100

• ASCII Scripting: Send raw strings out a serial port (e.g. to a DVD changer or receiver) via hs.OpenComPort, hs.SendToComPort, hs.CloseComport script calls.
• Scripting: Full VBScript/JavaScript/Perl interface with hundreds of script calls (see full HomeSeer documentation).
• Digital I/O: Best accomplished via an Applied Digital controller over serial, auto-creating devices for each I/O point; some security panels also expose digital I/O via their plug-in.
• Advanced Programming: Custom .NET (VB.NET or C#) plug-ins via a developer SDK available from HomeSeer Technologies.

Support & Warranty

The PRO-100 is sold and supported through authorized HomeSeer dealers; limited community support is also available at board.homeseer.com. HomeSeer Technologies warrants the PRO-100 against defects in materials/workmanship for one year from purchase, covering repair or replacement at HomeSeer's option (normal use only — misuse, abuse, accidents, unauthorized service, or third-party product combinations are excluded; software and non-HomeSeer branded products carry their original manufacturer's warranty).

Manufacturer: HomeSeer Technologies — 109 Powder Hill Rd., Bedford, NH 03110 • 603-471-2816 • www.homeseer.com