Archive for category Programming
Elk hosts webinar to introduce ElkRP2 security panel programming software
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Programming, Security, Software on January 6, 2010
For those familiar with the installation of a Elk M1 security panel, you have surely used ElkRP to set up both basic and advanced features. The software is much faster than doing it the old fashioned way of programming through the keypad. Well it appears Elk is making the program even better with the introduction of ElkRP2. The latest version available only to dealers is the first release candidate, but Elk warns it should only be used for evaluation purposes. The webinar will cover installation and use of RP2, generic control of Russound, Nuvo, and Proficient distributed audio systems, and finally methods to have both RP and RP2 coexist on the same machine. Two sessions will be held on January 22. The first is 9:00am – 10:00 and an afternoon class from 4:00-5:00. Keep in mind this webinar is only for dealers and space is limited so be sure to sign up early. Click below for the 4:00-5:00 class registration.
The End of an Era, Well Sort of…
Posted by Dave in Announcements, DIY, Personal, Programming, Software on December 29, 2009
Well I finally decided to move away from a PC based automation system over the Christmas holiday. For the past 6 years I have used Cinemar’s MainLobby and have loved it. It has given me a strong foundation to learn on, and has served me well. I really can’t say anything bad about the product, it has served me well, with the exception of a few hard drive failures (obviously not Cinemar’s fault), it has been rock solid. I have now moved on to a Crestron system. Why?… Read the rest of this entry »
NT Designs adds Multicolor segmented gauges/sliders to free downloads
Posted by Dave in Programming on November 27, 2009
This came out about 3 weeks ago, but I think it is great that companies like NT Designs offer up free graphics in their download sections. Although I”m sure they hope the quality of their free products will lead you to purchase their other items, it’s always nice to have some of the these objects in your arsenal when designing most interfaces. As many of you know, designing the interface usually takes the most time in your program (at least it should if you are doing it from scratch and you actually want it to look good and be functional). Companies like NT designs, as well as others, try and help us programmers out by putting together some pretty slick looking packages that we can just “plug” our signals into. GUIFX has been the leader for the past few years, but it is nice to see some friendly competition. Click the read link below to go to their download sections, but be nice and spend some time reviewing their paid products as well. These guys put a lot of work into this stuff and deserve a good look!
Do CE companies care about the Pre?
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Programming on October 11, 2009
Now that a list of over 100 top home automation applications are available for the iPhone, it has us wondering if CE companies will have the same interest in the Palm Pre? The ability to have multiple applications open at once is definitely a nice feature over the iPhone, but I have to admit as a Pre owner, the touchscreen, and overall speed and responsiveness is a bit disappointing when compared to an iPhone. In addition, the lack of a low cost counterpart like the iTouch is to the iPhone, means companies will be developing for only one device on one carrier. Although we’re sure there will be at least a few home brew applications that make their way to the app store, I doubt we’ll ever see even close to as many applications from big name companies as the iPhone in the near future.
Smarthome adds SerialLinc for RS-232 Control over Insteon Network
Posted by Dave in DIY, Hardware, Programming on October 6, 2009
We have to hand it to SmartLabs and their Insteon products, they just keep pumping out new ideas. Recently the SerialLinc was introduced for 2 way control of RS-232 devices on your Insteon network. The device requires the user to create .csv files containing a listing of their serial commands, and use the SerialLinc Downloader software to load the commands onto the device. Once complete, you can unhook your computer and address each serial command as you would any other Insteon device. The manufacturer does warn that users should have “intimate knowledge of working with serial command protocols.” If anyone tries one of these out, we’d love to hear how it works out for you.
Global Cache releases a Crestron Module for GC-100
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Programming, Software on October 5, 2009
OK folks, very exciting news here. One of my favorite products of all time, the Global Cache network adapter now has a Crestron module. Although the module is still a beta, it’s pretty functional. For those of you unfamiliar, it allows you to add IR, Sensor, Relay, and Serial ports to a remote location via cat5. With their introduction of their latest wireless modules, installation is even easier. This is huge for the retro market since it isn’t always easy to pull wire (especially in a two story house) to remote locations, and the Crestron room controllers (which is probably the closest competitor and aren’t exactly cheap) require Cresnet or Cat5 to the location. I have been waiting for this and can’t wait to get it programmed into my system. Click the image to apply for access and download the beta.
Why you shouldn’t buy Crestron gear on Ebay (or should at least know what you are getting into)
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Programming, Software on October 1, 2009
Let’s face it, Crestron is THE name in the Home Autmation world. Sure there are others with great products such as AMX, Elan, Vantage, or RTI, but based on number of products and name recognition, Crestron is hard to beat. Those of you that have considered buying used Crestron gear on ebay should be warned. It’s not because the gear is shabby, in fact some of my gear is over 10 years old and still chugging, but you can’t just buy a piece of gear and program it. You need to be a dealer to even have access to the tools to program the system. You also have to be a dealer to get any of the partner modules to control the gear (unless provided easily by the actual device manufacturer). Although I mention Crestron in the title, the same rules apply for all the above mentioned product lines. The last thing I would want is for someone to think they hit the mother load because they bought a high end system, and when it arrives have no ability to make it do anything! Those of us that are Crestron/AMX/RTI etc Programmers typically have to go through the classes to learn how to use the tools (there are a lot of them!). If you are looking for a DIY product, I highly recommend one of the PC based systems such as Cinemar’s MainLobby or Charmed Quark. Both of those applicataions offer powerful control and stunning graphics!
URC introduces “URC Control Room” website at CEDIA
Posted by Dave in Programming, Software on September 4, 2009
Universal Remote Control (URC) has announced that the new URC Control Room website will be coming online shortly. In it, will be free templates, graphics, device control modules and more. In addition, developers will be able to buy and sell their own creations to others similar to the iPhone appstore. We think it’s a pretty cool idea and wheter you choose to buy or sell, or just use the free content, it will hopefully keep all of our interfaces and ideas fresh. Plus, if who ever liked looking up and typing all those 232 strings anyway? With pre-made modules, hopefully things should be a little more simple for all of us!
HA Chunnel: The testing rig
Posted by admin in DIY, Hardware, Programming, Software on September 3, 2009
OK, so i still haven’t come up with a better name, but trust me I’m working on it. Its time to introduce my testing rig. Keep in mind my end goal, to have a MainLobby front end, and a Crestron back endd (with either a X Gen or 2 Series Processor). So below is the list of equipment I will be using to make sure I cover all areas during testing.
- 2 Crestron CNMSX-Pro X Gen processors with the CNXNET+ Ethernet card installed
- 1 Crestron CNMSX-AV X Gen processor with a CNXNET+ Ethernet card
- 1 Crestron CP2E 2 series processor with Ethernet support
- 1 Crestron TPS-4L in wall touchscreen
- 1 Old Crestron VT-3500 touchscreen with video input interface
- 1 Crestron RF Gateway
- 1 Crestron MT-1000 mini-touch remote (basically a URC MX-3500)
- 1 Samsung Q1 UMPC running the MainLobby client
- Windows MediaCenter Remote and USB-UIRT connected to MainLobby to see if I can have USB-UIRT response commands control the crestron system (hey, you can’t beat a $20 remote, especially they way I loose them!)
- PC running MainLobby Server.
Keep following for more details!
Cinemar’s MainLobby Library 28 up for CE Pro Best award.
Posted by admin in Announcements, Programming, Software on September 2, 2009
As you have probably gathered, I have been a long time user of the Cinemar MainLobby product, even before they had the MLServer component. One thing that has always had me coming back was their delivery of stunning graphics at a reasonable price. Well it looks like they are finally getting the recognition they deserve. In an earlier post I mentioned that their Library 28 was up for a CE Pro Best award, but I though it deserved a post of its own. While I haven’t purchased this product yet myself, I have quite a few of their previous libraries and they have never disapointed. I just wanted to send out a personal “Job well done” to all the folks at Cinemar. Keep up the good work.