Active Home Vista

I recently updated from Windows 7 32 bit to Windows 8.1 64 bit. I connect via serial port to a Firecracker CM17a that X10 sent me for free in the 90's. I have it talking to several X10 receivers. I was surprised to see Active Home Vista work so well with this older equipment. Between the Android app, the macros and scheduling my simple automation requirements are fulfilled. AHV has been very reliable and the X10 modules respond correctly almost 100 percent of the time. It's amazing that AHV allows me to use this old and inexpensive X10 stuff to control things in the house. I first looked into AHV as a solution to buy time until I figured out which newer system to commit to but I'm inclined to stay with X10 for now.

The PC software sucks. In fact, it's so bad as to make the $80 usb unit almost useless. Macros don't work, and the author refuses to allow the program to run BAT files, stubbornly refusing the program to actually be versatile. My bat files work 100% of the time. The macros in ActiveHome Vista? Yeah. I've seen them work. I've learned I cannot make my life depend on them. I'll be un-installing this and moving to Girder6 with my next computer. Look into it. They actually support requests their users make.

Was looking for a way to get X10 control on a Windows 7 machine and found ActiveHomeVista. From there it was a short time before I discovered the Android app. It’s now installed on two Nexus 7 tablets and a Droid phone. Flawless operation.

I can remote into my home and control practically anything that is x10. I'm using a laptop with XP as a server connected to a cm15 controller. No 3rd party involved and best thing is if you are at home and DSL is down, you can still access your modules. Others like insteon need a DSL even if you are home. Great work on this app!

This app does not have any instructions on how to get it running. It is not a program for the average person, and you can see the few people who actually got it to work had a hard time getting it running. After My first review of this app I received an email from "the developer" asking why I was screaming, and telling me my review was not helpful. 1st, there were no caps in my review (no screaming) and 2nd, his reply could have been helpful but wasnt, and my review has since been deleted.

Brings new life to X-10! Allows me to manage my CM11A interface using Windows 7, so I don't have to dig out my obsolete laptop with XP. I'm no working on setting it up to work remotely with an android device, so if it works, will be better than 5 stars. Customer support is fantastic, thanks Arjan!

Got it running on Windows 10, CM15A runs fine through lan but 19A is hit and miss.

SoRealz

Nicely done... Much better than what x10 offers. As a developer, I can appreciate the work involved.... Thanks for keeping it free...

Works pretty well controlling my X10 lighting, I have stupid problems with stupid lights not always turning on or off when commanded, but that must be in the wiring. Awesome app! Thanks for the input dev. It is definitely a 5 star app.

Configuring this to work reliably has been a hit and miss learning curve. I now have it working well on my local network and also managed to get it working from the web too. The problem I had was with the cable companies router not forwarding, I had it changed to a regular modem and issue resolved. An exit app button would be useful too, in my opinion. All in all great work.

This app is the only thing I found that allows remote access to my 15a. The server runs happily along side active home pro. I have my router port forwarded. Only problem is wan address changes every week or so. Dam DHCP. Anyway, one small problem is the US RF modules won't work, but I think a small tweak in the vista code will fix that issue. This guy is on to something very usefull. If anyone is having problems, its probably a setting you missed. Edit.. App now will control those rf module s! Way to go!

I had been using this app for a few months and absolutely love it. Then I had to reinstall the app on the PC due to Hard Drive issues. Now I cannot seem to get my Android to connect to the Server. Still worth the 5 stars.

The PC software sucks. In fact, it's so bad as to make the $80 usb unit almost useless. Macros don't work, and the author refuses to allow the program to run BAT files, stubbornly refusing the program to actually be versatile. My bat files work 100% of the time. The macros in ActiveHome Vista? Yeah. I've seen them work. I've learned I cannot make my life depend on them. I'll be un-installing this and moving to Girder6 with my next computer. Look into it. They actually support requests their users make.

Have AHP as my main X10 control software, but as many know, the license servers are still off-line and plugins will not register. Thus, I lost my smartphone interface. This app was just the fix! both web based and Android interfaces are working great. I really like the ability for Activehome Vista to show current status of x10 switches and modules. While you cannot download timers and macros, that alright. I just need this to get status as well as trigger macros and modules on/off. I also like the ability to customize the on/off graphics. Good job on this one. Look forward to future enhancements.

Awesome

The PC software sucks. In fact, it's so bad as to make the $80 usb unit almost useless. Macros don't work, and the author refuses to allow the program to run BAT files, stubbornly refusing the program to actually be versatile. My bat files work 100% of the time. The macros in ActiveHome Vista? Yeah. I've seen them work. I've learned I cannot make my life depend on them. I'll be un-installing this and moving to Girder6 with my next computer. Look into it. They actually support requests their users make.

Was looking for a way to get X10 control on a Windows 7 machine and found ActiveHomeVista. From there it was a short time before I discovered the Android app. It’s now installed on two Nexus 7 tablets and a Droid phone. Flawless operation.

Great X 10 app and even greater Tech support. I couldn't get program to work on Android devices. Send Arjan an e mail and with in next to no time he had replied with detailed instructions how to make the connection. Amazing . Thanks for the help and great App. William D. Love

I was having some trouble setting up client/server functions on PC and especially Android app. Not sure what I did but it just started working. Love it! Had a bunch of X10 stuff in a closet but now have reason to bring it out. I had all but given up! Thanks!!!

This app makes my x10 hardware work remotely using this Android app over the Internet. Now I can turn my house lights on and off when I'm traveling. When I upgraded to Windows 7 a while back I had to put away all my X10 switches, and now they can be usefull once again. It was a bit confusing to get it working, because I found the documentation and the options in the setup screen confusing. I did not realize that must check the Server checkbox in the Communications tab of the Options dlg box & Web Server

Did you not realize that A1 is a valid X10 command? As is A2, A3, ... you can see where this is going. Send A ON after those three and all three light up simultaneously. Send a DIM and... you get the picture. Send another unit code command and start the selection anew. Send A ALL LIGHTS ON or A ALL OFF and all A units are deselected. Radio Shack sold X10 remotes (PLC and IR) that could do this back in the 80's. RF protocol can't support it, which is why RF remotes have fewer buttons. ;) Of course, SmartHome's apps make the same mistake, but they are trying to kill off X10 in favor of Insteon,.ActiveHome Pro is the last software they made that could implement most (if not all) of the X10 protocol as intended. You also need to be able to send such commands to program various X10 devices as well. SmartHome's LampLinc modules come to mind. Can't add to scenes, remove from scenes, set ramp rate, etc. without supporting basic X10. Can do it all easily enough with a 30 year old IR remote or table top control.

Configuring this to work reliably has been a hit and miss learning curve. I now have it working well on my local network but can't get the server to wake up from outside networks, work in progress for me. An exit app button would be useful too, in my opinion. All in all great work.

AHV works great!! I have been an X-10 user since the 70's and I was using "Autom8" on my Android phone for control, but it was temperamental.It's nice having AHV on my phone and tablet for remote control.

Nicely done... Much better than what x10 offers. As a developer, I can appreciate the work involved.... Thanks for keeping it free...

Continues to be the best app of its kind. And hooray for gtv support!

Can't say enough about this app. Widgets are awesome! Support is outstanding too!

I am grateful to Arjan van der Hoogt for making his software available which has helped to keep the old X10 home automation protocols fresh for this era A downside is that the documentation is very scant but the author responded to my cries for help within what seemed like minutes I can now operate any of my 26 X10 switches and any of my macros from anywhere I have a CM15Pro device which has been programmed by the original ActiveHome Pro Application. For me that continues unchanged. What Active Home Vista has done is to provide me with an interface that allows my Android Smart Phone to control the system

Okay it took a minute to set up but oh boy is it good! You NEED the free software on your PC! Documentation leaves a bit too be desired but hey its all free. With NFC this can really cook. The widgets really are exceptional too.

This application works great. I've been using it for about a month now, to see how reliable it was, and it has been rock solid. It meets my needs very well. The only problem that I have noticed, is that it is slow to update changes from the Windows server, when X10 configuration changes are made. But, perhaps I am missing how a function works. Eventually, the configuration changes get propagated. I especially like the feature of installing your own jpeg images for X10 on and off conditions. This are nicely propagated to the Android device, and give a nice touch to the android app.

This is a great app to add to your x10 network. Best part is it's free! I donated because I liked it so much. First time I spent money on an app!

Works properly, support is amazing, the widget is very useful.

The app works as specified. Thank you!!

Very impressive program and helpful support . It does need a manual but is reasonably easy to figure out.

This App works in conjunction with Server software that you install on the PC that your X10 module is connected to. The Server software is better than X10's own Active Home Pro IMHO. And since X10 doesn't even have a native Android App this is the perfect solution. X10 makes a very neat and inexpensive product, but their software support is terrible. This provides the missing link. The developer is very responsive and helpful with any issues. This app also provides widgets that allow you to quickly control different devices from and of your Android home screens. I have widgets that control my garage door and turn off all downstairs lights before bed...very convenient!

Still has some bugs!

Easy to set up & saves on money spent on extra controllers.

Awesome app if you need the x10 features. A 6 star application that I previously rated 4 only because it remains resident at all times. I should be able to close it and not have it restart again by itself. Maybe I really need it off at times. Pls add an EXIT function.

Had trouble setting up so contacted author. His near immediate response helped me realize I was confusing the webserver password with the server password in communications options. I didn't notice that these are two separate features and I had set them differently. I was not using the communications server password. Now up and running with old X10 devices I had laying around. Very useful.

So happy there's a good and free X10 solution. Thank you!