Setting up Homeseer to control a home theater

[jwshome2]

I've used Homeseer for a while, but it has been some time since I changed the configuration, so I want to check to see that what I am about to do makes sense.

I have left over from other projects an Ocelot and an infrared distribution panel. I plan to use Homeseer on a dedicated, networked PC; install HTouch on the PC; connect the Ocelot to the serial port of the PC (using a USB to serial converter), connect the infrared distribution system to the Ocelot, and then place the infrared output thingies on each audio/video component.

I would then hope to be able to use a graphical interface on the iPod to control the audio/video equipment. I assume if I add some Insteon light switches to the mix I could control these from the iPod as well.

I havetwo questions:

1. Does all this make sense?

2. Is there some relatively inexpensive equipment that is more modern (i.e. than the Ocelot) that might make the whole project easier? In particular - if I decide to purchase an ISY to make management of Insteon devices easier, can I use it to send infrared commands and dispense with the Ocelot?

Thanks in advance for any help ...

[gelessor]

Makes sense... I just use HS and USB-UIRT. Been using that for years to control all audio /video and lights in the theater.

[buvens]

I don't see why it wouldn't work.
I have a pretty old Stargate with a JDS IR Xpander attatched and have taught it the ir codes for my TV, DVD etc and run one of the outputs off the IR Xpander to an IR block in the cabinet with the TV, DVD etc,
Never have spent the time to set it up for much automation but if my wife gets a phone call and the remote isn't handy, I use the IPhone with HSTouch to mute the volume.
Mormally I don't controll the cable PVR and things except with the regular controlls with buttons because for me I can feel the buttons with out having to look for, play, FF etc. With the phone I have to look at the screen to make sure I hit the right one.
If your equipment can handle descrete codes. IE: seperate on and off codes then you could do some real neat stuff once you figure out how to get them working.

I don't know anything about the ISY or Insteon so hopefully someone else will coment on those.

[jwshome2]

Thanks to both of you for your posts.

gelessor, the USB-UIRT seems like a perfect device, much better than the Ocelot (I'll need to go from USB to serial to handle the Ocelot, and I might want to avoid the little problems that sometimes creep in when making this translation). Do you know if the USB-UIRT is programmable for discrete on/off codes? Or programmable for any IR codes? I may have lost some of my remotes ...

[jwshome2]

Whoops, never mind - I see from the USB-UIRT website that it can transmit discrete codes, and it is programmable.

[gelessor]

Yep.. and a lot of the discreets can be found at Remote Central