Archive for category Software
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 »
Cortexa slashes prices on hardware, attracts both DIY and Pro Integrator market
Today I had a chance to participate in a personal demo of the Cortexa automation system from Jesse Lind from the sales department at Cortexa Automation LLC. For those unfamiliar, Cortexa’s system centers around essentially a headless PC running their automation software. Both control and administration of the system are accessed through an internet browser, and iPhone app and Media Center add-in are available as well. The system is compatible with many common products covering all aspects of home automation including lighting, multi-room audio, security, and HVAC. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
Crestron releases Mobile Pro iPhone App
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Software on October 2, 2009
This one almost slipped by us! About 10 days ago Crestron officially released its Mobile Pro iPhone app. This is an enhancement to their previously released Crestron Mobile app. The new Mobile Pro edition retains the capability of controlling security, lighting, and HVAC, buts adds additional whole house control. Although we haven’t had a chance to play with the new app personally, it looks promising. But we have to ask, with the dropping prices of the iPhone/iTouch, its going to make it pretty hard to justify the big money Crestron pulls for some of their hand held touchscreen remotes. Click the image to read the full press release.
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!
Logitech adds Squeezebox Touch
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA), Software on September 8, 2009
Logitech will shortly be releasing its latest addition to the Squeezebox line, the Squeezebox Touch. For those unfamiliar with the Squeezebox line, they are basically music streamers, that also have access to multiple online content providers such as Pandora, Last.fm, and other Internet radio sources. Connected to your stereo or a set of powered speakers, they offer a reasonably priced and attractive alternative to more costly multi room audio systems, or the popular Sonos system. This latest incarnation offers a 4.3″ color touchscreen interface, Ethernet and wireless b/g connections, and the ability to play from a local SD card. An optional wall mount will be available giving the device a bit more custom look when installed. Although I’ve never owned one of these devices, they have always intrigued me. Using SqueezeCenter(formerly SlimServer) 3rd party automation products such as Charmed Quark can control the individual players. Plus, I’ve just always liked products that allow developers such as myself to tinker and write our own apps.
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!
Cool quick skip feature for Media Center in Windows 7
Here is an interesting post I stumbled on over at the digital lifestyle. It appears that Windows 7 now supports the ability for the user to specify the number of skips before hitting the skip forward button. To use this feature, simply press the key for the number of skip intervals you would like prior to hitting the skip forward button. One thing to keep in mind, when you are accessing this feature from the remote, you are dealing with skip intervals, not seconds. By default, a forward skip is 30 seconds and a backword skip is 7 seconds. So for example, if you press 5 and then the skip forward button, you would actually be skipping ahead 2 and a half minutes. (30 seconds per skip interval x 5 intervals). Want to take it one step further? If you know exactly where you want to go in the show, you can enter the number of minutes then press play. Regardless of where you are, this will take you to that exact point. Now that I have converted my movies to dvr-ms, this feature sure beats fast forwarding to return to where I left off since resume still doesn’t seem to work properly for me even though they have been converted to dvr-ms. Thanks Mark for the great find!
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!