You don't have to waste time or money buying and installing a horde of various home automation devices. Do it all with one versatile home control system that combines easy-to-use 2-way X10 control with the ultra-reliable RS-485 hardwired protocol. The result: complete on-command, pre-scheduled or conditional control of lights and appliances, HVAC systems, audio/video components and so much more. The system's programming is performed on your PC and downloaded to the controller via the computer's 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. Check temperatures, lights and other home conditions remotely. The system controls, powers and communicates with more than 250 devices over a 4-wire twisted-pair network. These devices can include LCD keypads, thermostats or devices controlled by relays, like sprinkler systems, doorstrikes, fireplaces and more. Plus, its X10 interface allows you to control up to 256 electrical devices (i.e. lights and appliances) over your home's existing wiring. It even supports conditional X10 macros and "scene" lighting - perfect for creating a one-button "party" lighting mode or a home theater macro that turns on your A/V equipment, dims the lights and closes the automated drapes. Its 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 do things like only cooling/heating rooms that are occupied or only running certain schedules when someone is home. The system also has pre-defined support for more than 80 devices, including keypads, HVAC zone panels, I/O controllers (each with 16 digital inputs, 16 digital or relay outputs and 8 analog inputs). The system is equipped with an RS-485 half duplex 4-wire network port (2 communication/2 power) and two RS-232 serial ports (one for PC set-up and monitoring, and the other for firmware upgrades via a modem). To communicate with continuously variable input devices like temperature, light or water sensors, expand with the I/O Xpander (#1220), which provides eight analog inputs and 16 digital inputs for monitoring security magnetic contacts, motion sensors or other contact closure devices. The I/O Xpander also provides 8 relay outputs for controlling low-voltage devices like HVAC systems, garage door openers and more.