This user’s guide is for use with Version 2.2.0.66 or later of the HomeSeer software.

This guide was last updated October 19, 2007.

If you are an experienced HomeSeer user, please see What's New in this Version for a quick summary of the changes in this version.

HomeSeer is an advanced home automation package designed to take full advantage of the features available in your PC such as Internet access, E-mail, text-to-speech, and others. These features are typically not available in stand-alone controllers.  The software was designed to be easy-to-use yet flexible enough for advanced users.

HomeSeer works automatically by responding to events that you configure.  For example, a motion detector causing a light to be turned on if it is dark is an example of an event that you might want to set up.  The motion detector sending an ON signal is a trigger, whether or not it is dark is a condition, and turning on a light is an action.  These terms will be referred to several times throughout this help file.

All things that happen automatically are because of an event.  HomeSeer can be controlled by voice, web browsers, touch screens, PDAs, even instant messaging programs.  For example, you can run a pre-defined set of actions (configured in an event) in response to a button pressed in a web page or a phrase spoken into a microphone or telephone.

HomeSeer is designed to work with a wide range of home automation devices.  Support for new devices is through the use of Plug-Ins. New plug-ins are constantly becoming available through HomeSeer Technologies, as well as third parties and end users.  Check our support web page and our message board for the latest plug-ins that are available.  Some plug-ins are purchased separately.  Here is a partial list of hardware that HomeSeer supports -- please visit the HomeSeer website for more information:

• HomeSeer Technologies Z-Troller Z-Wave Serial Interface

• TouchPad devices, PDAs, and other micro-browser based devices

• Windows Media Player

• Apple iTunes Music Player

• Web Cameras

• Lightolier Compose Lighting Control System

• Lutron RadioRA Wireless Lighting Control System or Lutron HomeWorks Lighting Control System

• CentraLite LiteJet Lighting Control System

• UPB PC Interfaces by HAI (36A00-1), PCS (PIM), and Simply Automated (UMC)

• X10 ActiveHome CM11A X10 serial interface (two way interface) and compatibles (HD11A, CM12U)

• ACT TI103 X10 interface (X10 only)

• Applied Digital Ocelot/CPU-XA (X10/Infrared/Input-output serial interface)

• X10 CM17A RF serial interface (one way, send only X10 interface)

• MR26A RF Receiver

• WGL Designs W800RF32 RF Receiver

• Global Cache GC100 IR/I-O/Serial Ethernet controller

• SmartLinc HouseLinc home controller (X10 and infrared)

• NIRVIS Slink-e (infrared, Sony Control-S)

• JDS IRXpander (Infrared)

• JDS Stargate

• Custom Solutions HomeVision

• SmartHome PowerLinc

• SmartHome IRLinc model 1623PC

• Home Electronics' TIRA 2 USB Infrared Interface

• IRTrans USB Infrared Interface

• Nicolas' Internet's PCIR Infrared Interface

• USB-IRT USB Infrared Interface

• HAI Omni and OnQ HMS series Home Automation and Security Controllers

• Napco Gemini Security System

• DSC MaxSys and Power Series Panels

• RCS TX (X-10), TR (Serial) and TZ (Z-Wave) series thermostats

• Enerzone (Aprilaire) thermostats

• HAI RC series thermostats

• IP Proliphix Ethernet thermostats

• Aprilaire 8870 thermostat

• .... and many more!

HomeSeer is designed to work with just about any X10 or Z-Wave compatible device.  If you are confused about what Home Automation or X10 is, please read the FAQ section before going any further.  The FAQ is available at the HomeSeer website.

At a minimum, you will need the following:

• An X10, Insteon, UPB or Z-Wave Interface for your computer.  The CM11A or TI103 connect to your PC’s serial port, the SmartHome PowerLinc connects to a USB port on your computer, and HomeSeer's Z-Troller Interface connects to a serial port.  There are many other X-10, Z-Wave, Insteon, and UPB interfaces supported by HomeSeer.

• Some X10, Insteon, UPB or Z-Wave plug-in lamp modules.

• Some X10, Insteon, UPB or Z-Wave plug-in appliance modules.

• If you are using Z-Wave, one master controller is needed (usually a handheld controller or HomeSeer's Z-Troller).

The easiest procedure for getting started with HomeSeer is to create devices in HomeSeer that represent the devices you want to control and then create some events to control those devices.  As you become more familiar with HomeSeer, you may wish to explore more advanced automation topics, plug-ins, scripting, and much more.

Some key information:

• HomeSeer has an autosave feature.  Any changes you make to your configuration, either locally or via the web, are saved immediately.  There is no need to be concerned about losing data and no need to perform frequent saves.  It may be wise to backup your configuration file periodically.  Note that HomeSeer automatically creates a backup file of your configuration.  Configuration files have the extension ".mdb".  All configuration information is stored in the config directory in the HomeSeer folder.  HomeSeer settings for the program itself are stored in the file SETTINGS.INI which is also in your config directory.

• The current configuration file is always displayed in the title bar of the main window.  When HomeSeer is first installed, this is usually Sample.mdb - once you customize your HomeSeer environment, you should use the File... Save As... function to save this file under a different, more descriptive name.