Frequently asked questions for X10 controller from UK Software.Frequently Asked Questions

X10 controller from UK Software Speech input not available in English.

If you right click on the MsAgent character's icon in the task bar and select 'open voice commands window' you may see this message (picture left).

This could be because of one of the following reasons
1] This actually means you don't have a voice recognition engine installed. Its very easy to install one. You can find installation instructions and setting up instructions on our Voice Recognition page. Click Here for more

2] Speech input has not been enabled for the character, do the following. RIGHT click on the characters task bar icon (wizards hat by default) and select 'SHOW'. Your MsAgent character will now show himself. RIGHT click on the MsAgent character this time and select 'Change Speech Properties'. Two windows will now open. In the window titled 'Advanced Character Options' click on the 'SPEECH INPUT' tab. In this tab you need to Tick/Check the option at the top saying 'Characters Listen For Input'. You can also alter other things in there if you like, when you are finished, click on OK. Now your character will listen for input when you press the selected key.
 
 

  How do I train the speech recognition engine to know my voice ?

Do the following, but please make sure you have 10 minutes of un interrupted and quiet time free before you start. This is the most important step in making X10controller work properly and once you've got it trained, you will be amazed at how easy it is to control your whole house by speech alone.

Click on START, then CONTROL PANEL (this will bring up Windows Control Panel). Now click on the 'SPEECH' icon (if you get an error at this point, ignore it and click OK). A new window will appear, Click on the 'OTHER' tab and then click on 'SAPI 4 Control Panel'

You should now see a few lines and near the bottom one of them will read 'Speech Input', underneath that you will see 'Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine..' Click on that line to highlight it and then click on the 'TRAINING' button near the bottom. Follow the on screen instructions from there. The more training sessions you complete, the better the recognition accuracy will be.
 

 
  How do I know what commands I can use

To see a full list of the commands that you can speak in to the microphone, do the following. RIGHT click on the MsAgent characters task bar icon (wizards hat usually). If you don't see a list of commands appear, click on 'SHOW' and then RIGHT click on the MsAgent characters icon again, the commands list should now show.
 

 
  My original software that came with my Cm11/12 computer interface can only work with up to 16 devices, how many can X10controller work with?

X10 controller can work with up to 256 devices. Where the old X10 Home Control software could only use one house code, X10controller can use all 16 house codes and each house code can have up to 16 devices on it.
 

 
  Does X10controller need to be left running all the time for events to work?

No, unlike virtually all other X10 software (event the ones that claim they do), X10controller successfully uploads all of your daily events to the Cm11/12's interface meaning you don't have to leave your computer on over night etc.
 

 
  How do I change the com port that X10 Controller uses

That easy, simply remove your Computer Interface from the com port it was using (physically unplug it) then start X10 Controller. The software will realise something is wrong and re scan the ports for Computer Interface.

 
  Can X10 Controller run as a Windows (NT, 2000, XP) Service?

Yes, as all good software should, X10 Controller can and does run as a service. This means that you don't need to be logged in to your computer for X10 Controller to control your devices. You will however need to log in to the computer if you wish to make any alterations or manually switch devices.

 

  How do I add X10 Controller to Windows Firewall (SP2) and what programs need adding?

Its easy to add X10 Controller to Windows firewall. Click on START, then CONTROL PANEL, then double click the 'Windows Firewall' icon.
In the new window, click on the 'Exceptions' tab and then click on 'Add Program'. Now click on 'Browse' and navigate to the installation folder of X10 Controller, usually C:\Program Files\X10controller. In there, select the file called x10engine.exe and click on 'OK'. Repeat the above steps and select the file called x10controller.exe and click on 'OK' again. You have now added all required files to Windows Firewall.

   
   
 

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