Wish you could fill your entire home with sophisticated mood lighting just by flipping a light switch? Want to bolster home security while you're on vacation by making your house look like it's occupied? Or how would you like to set your thermostat via a remote computer? You can take on all these tasks and limitless others with CommStar Network Controllers, a line of comprehensive 2-way X10 powerline and RS-232/485 controllers providing complete on-command, pre-scheduled or conditional control of lights, appliances, thermostats, audio/video components or even relay-controlled devices!
The CommStar system allows you to program a home control schedule on your PC and download it to the controller via your computer serial port. The controller then operates independently of the computer, so you don't have to keep the PC booted up to control your home. You can also use a standard external modem to call into the system from a remote PC to check temperatures, lights and other home conditions remotely!
The system controls and communicates with 255 home control devices connected via unshielded twisted pair cable (i.e. Cat. 5) and 256 electrical devices over your home's existing wiring — no retrofit wiring is required. It even supports macros and "scene" lighting — perfect for creating a one-button "party" lighting mode or a movie-watching mode that turns on all your A/V equipment, dims the lights and closes the automated drapes.
An internal real-time clock allows you to program up to 1,000 timed events using the included scheduling software - perfect for making sure your lights turn on and lawn gets watered while you're out of town. It also supports up to 256 if/then/else macros, allowing you to do things like only cooling/heating rooms that are occupied or turning on all the lights when you disarm the security system after sunset.
Each controller has pre-defined support for more than 80 devices, including keypads, HVAC zone panels and I/O Xpanders (#1220), which provides eight analog inputs and 16 digital inputs for monitoring security magnetic contacts, motion sensors, etc., as well as 8 relay outputs for controlling low-voltage devices like HVAC systems, garage door openers and more! The system is also equipped with three RS-232 serial ports, including one for future firmware upgrades via modem.
Expand this automation controller with these expansion accessories! |
| Initiate events with IR signals with this 2-way learning IR controller with a 250-command capacity (expandable to 500). Compatible with Time Commander Plus, HAL2000, Stargate and RCS CommStar Network Controllers, this unit offers 4 zoned output ports, which drive up to 4 standard IR emitters each . Click here to learn more! | | | | Add the I/O Xpander to the Time Commander Plus, Stargate and RCS CommStar Network Controllers to obtain 8 analog inputs, 16 digital inputs and 8 relay outputs. Additional input/outputs can be obtained by daisy chaining additional I/O Xpanders (up to 152 inputs/72 outputs). Click here to learn more! | |
Controllers are available in three configurations, including:
CommStar CS30 (Smarthome #1211)This affordable network control unit comes with three RS-232 serial ports, an RS-485 CommStar Network port, a bi-directional X10 port and an expansion port for up to four I/O Xpanders.
CommStar CS308 (Smarthome #3002)The mid-priced model offers all the features of the CommStar CS30 (#1211), but includes an 8-channel RS-485 Star wiring hub that allows home run wiring to each device. Each channel is driven by a separate RS-485 driver, and can be on cable runs as long as 4,000 feet. The hub can also directly provide power to 12V network devices, up to 800mA total. This model is ideal for structured wiring installations.
CommStar CS48 (Smarthome #1213)This top-of-the-line network control unit offers all the features of the CommStar CS30 (#1211), but adds an integrated I/O Xpander at a price that's much lower than if you added the I/O Xpander at a later date.
All versions measure 12" x 9" x 1.75" and come with a power supply (12V for #1211/#3002 and 16V for #1213).