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Control All of Your Home's INSTEON Lighting and Appliances With Your PC
HouseLinc Desktop Starter Kit
INSTEON HouseLinc Desktop Kit
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Overview of Main Window Link Management Overview Manually Adding INSTEON Device ID
Network Discovery Device Properties Summary of Events
Summary of Timers Setup Options
INSTEON HouseLinc Desktop Kit
Item# 2496
Free shipping on orders $200 and up details

Overview

  • Product discontinued, HouseLinc 2 now available in USB or Serial
  • Software allows easy home control and management of all INSTEON and X10 devices
  • Control lights and appliances directly from your PC through a USB powerline interface
  • Schedule lights to turn on and off at specific times or create lighting events
  • Computer must remain on for timers and triggered events
  • Software translates X10 to INSTEON and vice versa
  • Kit includes software & INSTEON PowerLinc Controller, USB powerline interface

Essential Info

Manage your home's network of automated lighting and appliances using your PC. By linking any INSTEON-compatible or X10-compatible devices to the INSTEON PowerLinc Controller USB, you'll be able to manage every automated device in your home through SmartLabs Designs' INSTEON HouseLinc Desktop PC software. Once connected, you'll be able to create scenes, link devices, and create timed events. The PowerLinc Controller and INSTEON HouseLinc Desktop Software are also available to be purchased separately. Note: Smarthome does not accept returns on any opened software.

HouseLinc 2
Several improvements have been made to the original INSTEON HouseLinc Desktop Software. Some of these new features include: background link management, improved INSTEON product support, events now support simultaneous response for all scene members, and a new look and feel.
  • HouseLinc 2 - INSTEON Desktop Software with Serial Interface (Dual-Band)
  • HouseLinc 2 - INSTEON Desktop Software with USB Interface (Dual-Band)


  • Important notes:
    • SLD/INSTEON product & customer service support available at the INSTEON Gold Line at 1-800-762-7845 Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm ET

    Manuals/Software

    What's Included

  • PowerLinc Controller
  • USB Cable
  • HouseLinc Desktop Installation CD
  • Quick-Start Guide

  • More Info


    Link Management
    Link devices directly to the INSTEON PowerLinc Controller USB, a home automation powerline interface for controlling lights, appliances, heating/air conditioning systems and alarm systems. Once you have successfully entered all of your home's X10 and INSTEON-compatible devices into the HouseLinc Desktop software, you can manage them easily: Delete unused or unwanted links and create new links with an easy drag-and-drop method. Create whole-house lighting scenes in a fraction of the time it would take to do manually. HouseLinc Desktop allows you to create scenes and save them to your network; your PC will need to remain on in order to execute timed commands. Add new devices to the software at any time, and you'll instantly be able to include them in new or existing scenes and events.

    NOTE: HouseLinc will work correctly in conjunction with the Daylight Saving Time change. However, they may depend on the associated computer's operating system's being updated.
    Scene Device Setup and Events
    With HouseLinc Desktop, you'll have the ability to customize each device on your network: Set ramp rates, preset on levels, and more for your scenes while leaving the pre-programmed lighting levels and ramp rates as set locally. Events are series of actions triggered by an INSTEON or X10 signal, either due to the change of state of a selected device or from a button-press on your network. When the specified trigger is received, the event takes place. Example: A double tap of the living room INSTEON SwitchLinc Dimmer off paddle turns off all living room lights as opposed to turning off only the local load the SwitchLinc controls.

    Direct Control and Timer-Based Events
    Use this PC automation software to turn any INSTEON- or X10-compatible device on or off or dim it to a desired level, if possible. You can also set timer-based events, scheduling lights to turn on at dusk and off at bedtime on specific days, even triggering lights to turn on at the same time every day or randomized for security purposes. You can even use this software to trigger events based on your geographic location. After entering your location and time zone (by nearest major city), you can schedule your outdoor lights to turn on automatically at dusk and off at daybreak.

    Automatic Network Discovery
    HouseLinc Desktop software has the ability to "spider" your INSTEON network to find all of the devices in your home that are linked to one another. This is a convenient maintenance function, which will allow the discovery of unknown devices and links. Once one INSTEON-compatible device is linked to your PowerLinc, the software goes though the database of each device it is linked to and adds it to HouseLinc Desktop for setup and management.

    No More Fights over the COM Ports
    Unlike other home automation interfaces, which use the slower RS-232 communication protocol, the PowerLinc Controller transfers data at much higher speeds. Best of all, it plugs into any USB port or expansion hub so there's no need to plug and unplug other peripherals like PDAs, scanners or printers when you need to update the programming. In fact, many new computers, in particular laptops, don't include serial ports any longer, which will make using serial-based interfaces expensive and difficult to use.

    Don't Block your Outlets
    PowerLinc Controller includes SmartLabs Design's innovative pass-through AC outlet on the front of the unit. This outlet allows you to plug in additional AC devices. While the outlet doesn't have any control features, it really helps against "power strip buildup."

    Safety Tested and Factory Certification
    The PowerLinc Controller is safety tested and approved. The assembly lines for SmartLabs Design Products are ISO9001 certified. In order to meet the ISO 9001 standards, the entire factory underwent rigorous inspections of procedures and policies before being thoroughly audited. The certification received was based on its dedication to high quality management systems and strict adherence of quality systems and guidelines.

    Using PowerLinc USB & PowerLinc Controller with DirectX Input Devices
    It is advised that you unplug your PowerLinc when playing games that use Microsoft's DirectX system while using USB input devices like joysticks.

    Award-Winning Software
    Electronic House magazine selected HouseLinc Desktop as one of its 2006 Electronic House Products of the Year for its highlighted innovative and outstanding features, combined with overall value.


    Specifications

    Software Specifications

    Brand:Smarthome
    Manufacturer:SmartLabs Design
    Manufacturer Product No.:2416d
    UPC:689076404341
    Patent No.:U.S. Patent No. 7,345,998, International patents pending
    PC Requirements:Optimal: Windows XP
    Pentium 4
    USB 2
    256 RAM min

    Works on:
    Windows 2000 and higher
    600MHz and higher processor
    USB 1 and 2
    128 RAM min

    Powerline Interface Specifications

    Downloadable memory:32KB
    Internal battery:10 years
    Pass-Through Outlet:Yes, rated for up to 15 amps
    Warranty:2 years, limited



    Images/Video

    Overview of Main Window  Link Management Overview  Manually Adding INSTEON Device ID  Network Discovery 
    Overview of Main Window  Link Management Overview  Manually Adding INSTEON Device ID  Network Discovery 
    Device Properties  Summary of Events  Summary of Timers  Setup Options 
    Device Properties  Summary of Events  Summary of Timers  Setup Options 

    Reviews

    74 Ratings
    5 star: 16%  (12)
    4 star: 32%  (24)
    3 star: 24%  (18)
    2 star: 8%  (6)
    1 star: 19%  (14)
    Average Customer Rating
    (74 customer ratings)
    Share your thoughts with other customers
    JOHN -- lansdale, PA   10/31/2008
    This device requires a PC to be powered up continuously in order to provide the desired functionality. There is no provision for loading a program into a free-standing 2414U! The catalog was extremely misleading in this respect.
    LEN -- flower mound, TX   10/3/2008
    Works well, but the learning curve is quite steep & the documentation is not very clear.
    MICHAEL -- prescott, AZ   7/3/2008
    The software is relatively easy to use. It took somewhat longer to set up as not all of my Insteon networks are linked to all others. Set-up required manually linking one unit from each individual system.
    GIANNI -- tampa, FL   4/24/2008
    I am using this product in tandem with Mcontrol. Excellent integration.
    WARREN -- nashville, TN   4/21/2008
    Too much technical data on-screen. This could use some simplification. More user-friendly GUI would be great.
    BOB -- flemington, NJ   2/7/2008
    a little difficult to program X10 codes and fade rates
    VIKAS -- oakville, ON   1/2/2008
    The Houselinc software is quite easy to use and I was able to set up my lights very quickly. This has been working like a charm.
    GREG -- colgate, WI   12/27/2007
    Works as promised, remote should have at least 20 on/off buttons, lower the price please
    DANNY -- newport news, VA   12/13/2007
    would be better if it would run in the background. Unable to update, even with the firewall disabled. Does not recognize all the parts in the network
    GEORGE -- earlysville, WV   11/26/2007
    Hardware was easy to install and get operating. Should come with software. I purchased the Houselinc software not realizing that it would not be able to program the unit to stand alone without the PC. It's confusing for a customer to understand that since the hardware is advertised as being able to operate without a PC running (which is why I bought it in the first place). I have downloaded the timer software but have not gotten it set up yet (no time over the holidays).
    RAJIV -- woodbridge, VA   11/20/2007
    This software is very limited when it comes to programming scenes. Another 'linking limitation' makes it pretty much useless.
    Rex -- Charlotte NC   2/25/2009
    Houselinc II is not compatible with the SimpleHomenet EZRain, You have to read really deep to understand this. Wasted $124
    Matt Bays -- Santa Clara   7/29/2008
    The good news: moving from a X10 network to Insteon. Insteon is as other reviews stated, much more reliable than X10 ever has worked. Haven't seen a dropped command yet. The bad news: The software or at least how it is marketed. I read that a PC was needed for events, but somehow missed the fact that it was needed for timers. My older X10 controller for similar cost from Smarthome not only bundled the software that was similar the Desktop Kit, but you COULD DOWNLOAD IT TO THE PLC! So the product went backward where you need to run your 70+ watt PC all the time just to turn on your lights which if you don't realize is about what your modern refrigerator uses, rather that a 1-2 watt controller. That to me is irresponsible. The saving grace is that you can download the free program that can run simple timers without a PC being left on. Seems to work but limited in functionality. Bottom line, pass on the Desktop software and just get the controller.
    WARREN -- sunnyvale, CA   7/29/2007
    Worked as advertised.
    ROBERT -- kenmore, NY   7/26/2007
    THE ITEMS IN THE KIT WORKED WELL AND WERE EASY TO SET UP. I ALSO GOT THE DESKTOP SOFTWARE I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT IT DIDNT HAVE TIME CONDITIONS FOR THE EVENTS, ONLY DAY OF WEEK. I ALSO HAVE A REAY MODULE THAT I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT.IT SEEMS MORE COMPICATED THAT THE REGULAR MODULES
    JUDY A -- massillon, OH   5/22/2007
    This kit was the best purchase I could have made, the quality of the software is above excellent, Thank You!!
    MICHAEL -- cedar park, TX   5/6/2007
    Great deal.
    DONALD -- corrales, NM   3/19/2007
    Works great, although it is missing conditionals and saved globals to allow returning a light brightness to a prior value.
    Jim -- mechanicsburg, PA   3/19/2007
    For about the same price a better product is the Powerlinc Controller & Smarthome Manager Essential Software. The Powerlinc Controller & Smarthome Manager Essential Software does not require your PC to be left on. This product retains the times events ever after a power outage when me PC does not reboot.
    ANDREAS -- orinda, CA   3/9/2007
    Awesome

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