Fw: Re: Putting it all together and XAp in a box ??????

[Gareth Cook <g@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Kevin

Any news on adding the "KB" command to the Comfort plugin ?
Whilst the
hardware solution would be nice, there is a working solution today (of
sorts) with the software plugin. Just need that command support so I can
do the security console via xlobby !

Pretty please :-)

G.

Gareth Cook
Tools and Process Architect
IBM SWG Sales - Lotus Park, Staines, TW18 3AG
Office: +44 (0)1784 445166 - Mobile: +44 (0)7980 445166
AIM Chat : TheBoyG - MSN Chat : chat@xxxxxxx
email: g@xxxxxxx


----- Forwarded by Gareth Cook/UK/IBM on 18/01/2006 18:01 -----

Discussion
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ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Today 11:43

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Subject:
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Re: [ukha_d] Re: Putting it all together and XAp in a box ??????
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Category:



I think most people creating their own HA setups are in similar
situations - it seems there really isn't an embedded controller solution
with sufficient capability available at a reasonable cost . HomeVision
has held the low/mid ground for a long while and is an excellent piece
of kit but when you need to expand beyond that there seems to be a
void.  HomeBrain was sort of aiming at this but never materialised.  AMX
and Crestron type boxes certainly have the capability but both these
companies are out of the typical budget range (particularly the touch
screens) and are really still dealer install only, both companies having
both removed the programming software/updates  from 'end user'
availability.  This decision is a nightmare when you have users who are
more capable than their dealers.  Or there's the PC..and Linux is surely
a preferable platform to Windows but seems to lack the HA tools.

Anyone any other suggestions for embedded HA controllers - rock solid -
affordable - large capable 'easy to use' script language - lots of
expandable I/O including Ethernet,   touchscreen interaction ?

Reading below, one thing I would suggest Mark is to remove IR as a
control dependence wherever you can. It is always going to be a weak
link  because of it's very nature ...., may or may not be received,
isn't two way, often uses 'toggle/select' functions rather than discrete
codes , steps can get lost in macros and also particularly because you
are constantly  faced with having to track and model 'assumed' state
information to decide what needs changing. If there is a possibility of
using serial wired links , wired switch inputs/outputs or IP then go for
it as these are almost guaranteed delivery and provide two way
communication.   I'm sure as an automation engineer you've seen these
issues every day.

Likely you'll want some 'remote' of course and two way devices are
expensive but RF can help a lot, as can a rock solid TX to RX IR setup
with the 'smarts' being done based on a single received command (not
macros in the IR remote) - and converted to hard wired control actions
and two way communication with the equipment, all  actioned by the
(embedded) controller.

Amazingly on some devices the most frequent IR toggle is a power ONOFF
and so having a mechanism to know which of these states a device is in
is critical - there are probe devices that offer this based on power
consumption or even synch sensors for video. Even the most foolproof
macros get thrown when someone pulls the plug to use the vacuum cleaner
or presses buttons on the AV amp directly.   Source select is another
frequent 'press n times for S-Video' type of toggle nightmare, if you
have auto Scart selection say this can be unworkable.  I'm finding that
code to be 'foolproof' in operation is  many times larger than the code
to achieve the task in the first place, and hence tends not to be done :-(

K


Mark Walker wrote:
> Hi Kevin
> I see your point and I guess I was a bit vague.
> But I always seem to go around in circles, with different bits of kit
> and different bits of software. you always seem to end up with one
> bit of software that does 80% of what you want and then you may have
> to buy several other packages to make up the other 20%.
>
> I am an Automation Engineer in Industry, so shouldnt have a problem
> getting to grips with the scripts etc.
>
> I guess I am just looking at an easier way to control stuff without
> having to buy lots of bits that may or may not work together and may
> have other problems like a crash, which if I wasnt there the wife
> would have no chance of sorting out. So the solid state option sounds
> great. Thats why individually each system on its own works well and
> does what it should. The Cbus is great, but what if you want to
> randomise events and use timers etc, you need to use something like
> HA which relies on a PC which may not reboot properly, a nuisance
> when I am there, complete pain in the ass if I am not.
> Or I could link it to my comfort system, which seems better but has
> limitations on memory/timers/responses etc, OK to start with but I
> can see the automation out growing the capabilities of Comfort.
>
> Then you have the home cinema side of things, I have most stuff wired
> up and currently use a pronto remote with Pyramid senders and
> recievers. Kind of does the job and if I am there I can can get out
> of a situation where a macro missed a beat or A piece of kit didnt
> turn on. However it doesnt go down well, when I get home from work
> and the wife informs me she spent 3 hours trying to set up to watch a
> DVD and gave up in the end.
>
> So I am after a simillar thing to Kevin.
> Something that can run in the background to take care of automation
> that doesnt require user intervention once set up.
> Also a reliable and foolproof man machine interface for both Lighting
> etc and controlling the DVD and CD jukeboxes, AMP, Plasma etc etc
> Without getting my ear ripped off.
> "How come I get sound but no picture."
> "How come I get a picture and no sound."
> "How did you say I watch a DVD again."
> "I thought this lot was meat to make things easier"
>
> And when my parents come over I might as well give up when I have to
> start explainig why the Light swithes have orange and blue lights on
> them.
>
> Sorry for the long post
> But thats where I am at
>
> Regards
> Mark
>
>