HCA 7.1 includes a number of bug fixes and new features.  One of major new features is something we call a Protocol Bridge.

Here is a problem we all have as we add new technologies to our home:  How to control new Insteon or UPB devices with all those X10 motion sensors or X10 keypads?  Also how do we control new UPB devices with those great new Insteon Keypads?

A protocol bridge does this.  To access the bridge just choose from the HCA menu: Smart Devices - Protocol Bridge. In this example, whenever a E2 is received a UPB link command is sent.  Whenever an E3 is received an Insteon device is controlled.  What command is sent?  That's what the bridge does for you.  If an ON is received, an ON command (or Activate in the UPB case) is sent.  If an OFF is received and OFF is sent.  DIM and Bright also are handled in most cases.  The idea for the bridge is to make HCA into a smart transceiver.  Messages are received on one protocol and transmitted on another.  Setup of a bridge is very simple, all you need do is to select a few settings and that's all!

For more information see the complete User Guide appendix on this new feature:

Vista Support

HCA 7.1 has been redone for Windows Vista.  Prior versions worked fine under Vista but there were a few quirks.  These have now been worked out.  A Vista installer is used to get HCA onto your Vista machine, HCA now uses the latest versions of the Windows support libraries, and the time-lock software that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't work, now always works.  We are committed to expanding Vista support in the coming releases.

For details on all the other 7.1 changes see the readme file.