eHome Digial Tools

Instead of re-inventing the wheel. I am looking to add support to an existing product. I have had quite a few votes for powerhome... And after looking at it I don't think one can beat the price - performance... Although it is not real user friendly to setup... Ideas, comments?

I have been leaning toward the HA omipro home automation controllers. They seem to have the most flexibilty as far as transmissions protocols to lights vid, audio, camera , X-10 through z-wave.

Any thought to entertaining them?

Keith

Can we have some sort of "generic" support? I have an automation system that I can tap into and control/monitor through a series of protocols...

Basically, I have a DB snapshot of the status of everything (SQL) and I have frontends to access that stuff through the web or whatever...

How do you plan on making the HA? are you going to just "embed" a program, or are the screens going to be from eHome itself? What will the screens contain? Just thinking of whether or not I'd be able to tie into what you are deving, or if it would be best to just add my thing as a plugin/extapp

YAKfletch wrote:I have been leaning toward the HA omipro home automation controllers. They seem to have the most flexibilty as far as transmissions protocols to lights vid, audio, camera , X-10 through z-wave.

Any thought to entertaining them?

Keith

Last time I looked at Omnipro they where pretty big dollar. Although if I remember, they do support X10. Not quite sure how though. Unfortunately, the chance of me affording one right now to do some testing with is pretty slim.

But I do wonder though, if they accept X10 commands how I could leverage that.

RoyN wrote:Can we have some sort of "generic" support? I have an automation system that I can tap into and control/monitor through a series of protocols...

Basically, I have a DB snapshot of the status of everything (SQL) and I have frontends to access that stuff through the web or whatever...

How do you plan on making the HA? are you going to just "embed" a program, or are the screens going to be from eHome itself? What will the screens contain? Just thinking of whether or not I'd be able to tie into what you are deving, or if it would be best to just add my thing as a plugin/extapp

That might work Roy. Powerhome is SQL baseed to and at this point I am just planning to read the tables and issues commands directly to the DB. Manny uses Powerhome Manny!!!! Stop slackin and pipe in here!

But you do have web front ends? Could you not just host them in the built in browser?

Yeah, but perhaps it would be nicer to have it in an interface? dunno... but also, how do you suppose I'll have the blinds close, tv come up, and lights dim when I start a movie, if I'm using the browser? automation...automation...automation....

Anyways, we'll come up with something when the time is right...

RoyN wrote:Yeah, but perhaps it would be nicer to have it in an interface? dunno... but also, how do you suppose I'll have the blinds close, tv come up, and lights dim when I start a movie, if I'm using the browser? automation...automation...automation....

Anyways, we'll come up with something when the time is right...

Didn't you parents give you a little brother? Thats what there for. You start the movie and then yell at him to close the blinds, etc....

LOL, i am too funny today!!!

Just make it script driven so you can plug-n-play new systems with ease...

Thraka wrote:Just make it script driven so you can plug-n-play new systems with ease...

See, thats just it. If I use something like Powerhome then that program does all the plug and play. I just read status's from it and send commands. Where is manny when you need him!

well that is what i mean.. reading from the script for reading status and sending commands..

How do you control your little brother via a script?

Ok, ok, I'm here.

I started a new job this week. The company I used to work for got bought out and so most of the old company got shown the exit.

I had to focus on finding a way to afford my lifestyle of not getting off the couch to manipulate lights, curtains, home theater, and sec. cameras.

Someone has to pay for all the toys I buy...

Seriously, anyone interested in HA should checkout PowerHome's website and forum. Any and all questions are usually answered in no time at all. If you haven't already bought HA stuff, you might consider Insteon.

I'm guilty of bribing Steve for PowerHome support as I've already invested in the software and truly believe that they would complement each other.

Other HA solutions are not left out if they have browser support, as eHome can display the web pages. If you have a talent for web page creation, then you are set.

eHome is obviously better looking than any web page I can make, which is why I begged for integration.

Also eHome is capable of running scripts, so if you have any for HA, you are in luck as well.

What is most exciting is catching eHome early enough in its life, that we can have input in its direction.
Thank you again for this Steve.

Manny

Oh crap... manny is back...

Mannyman,

If you are using Powerhome for your HA, What piece of equipment are you using as a control panel. I have been kicking around the HAI product specifically for the versatility of of protocol and the number of devices that can be controlled far exceeds anything else I have looked at. The Omnipro II is hard to top.

I agree that HAI is awesome.

But, in keeping with eHome's creator's vision of low-cost solutions for the average household $69.99 for PowerHome may be more compelling for his target audience. Couple the cost of the software with any of the below h/w solutions and you are still way below a basic HAI setup.

I would not dissuade anyone from purchasing HAI; if I had the money at the time I started out I would have seriously considered it.

S/W Control Panel will soon be provided by eHome.
Currently XLobby (recently went commercial)
http://xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5019

H/WControl panel (hardware):
1 old PC that functions as an HA server, A/V file server, Security DVR server, ReplayTV video server, and personal web server. (The same PC could be one of your eHome machines.)
For HA:
USB x10 interface sold by SmartHome (started w/ a serial controller at an even lower cost from Radio Shack.) I have some Insteon equipment but have not botherd to set it up as I have a working system.
IR is handled by USB-UIRT.
x10 and Insteon use existing powerlines for transmitting comands.
If you want to go the structured wiring route PH supports that as well.


PowerHome is a home automation software package that allows you to control your home's lighting and appliances as well as your Home Theater's infrared devices. Lighting and appliances are controlled via the following Insteon and X-10 controllers: PowerLinc V2 (USB and Serial), CM11A, CM17A, MR26A, PowerLinc (Serial and USB), W800RF32, and CPU-XA/Ocelot. Infrared control is achieved through the following IR controllers: CIR (Computerized Infrared Remote), Multi-CIR, RedRat2, RedRat3, CPU-XA/Ocelot, USB-UIRT, and Slink-e. With the CPU-XA/Ocelot and additional modules or the Velleman K8000 controller you also have access to digital inputs/outputs, analog inputs and analog outputs (K8000 only). With this programmable interface, control is achieved via keyboard, mouse, web, EMail, X-10, IR, Voice recognition, Socket communications, Windows Messaging, and even your internet enabled cellphone.

Features:

Fully programmable interface via your choice of languages. You can use the internal Macro and formula scripting or any language supported by Windows Script Host (for example: VBScript, JScript, etc.)
Internal Web server for remote control and monitoring. Supports user defined dynamic content via PSP (PowerHome Server Pages)
Voice Recognition
Text to Speech
User definable remote layouts allow for virtually any keystroke combination
Touchscreen friendly interface
Customizable display allows you to show floorplan layouts and place controls over actual photos
Insteon control using USB or Serial PowerLinc V2 and the SmartHome Device Manager. Full support for Insteon including software link discovery and building as well as KeypadLinc support.
X-10 control via CM11A, CM17A firecracker, MR26A Mouse Remote, CPU-XA/Ocelot, W800, W800RF32, PowerLinc RS-232, PowerLinc USB
Infrared control via CIR, Multi-CIR, RedRat2, RedRat3, CPU-XA/Ocelot, USB-UIRT, Slink-e
Digital Input, Digital Output, and Analog Input control with the CPU-XA/Ocelot and additional Adicon modules
Full DI/DO and AI/AO support for the Velleman K8000 controller.
New Controller module allows you to use a virtually unlimited number of controllers. Use multiple X10, IR, and other controllers. Don't limit yourself to a single controller.
CD jukebox player control with playlists and autoprogramming
CD database with freedb support
Video database
Macros
Triggers
Timed Events
Full event and Web logging
Multi-X control allows a sequence of X-10 commands for control (access 256 macros from your palm pad by pressing 2 buttons, 64 macros from your keychain remote by pressing 3 buttons.)
Sunrise, Sunset, and Civil Twilight calculations
Socket Server for remote control of PowerHome from other applications and machines
Windows Messaging Interface for additional remote control capabilities
Windows Script Host Interface
Built-in WAP server for remote control via an internet enabled cell phone

I am trying to look at this through the eyes of someone who is in the market to fully home automate. As luck has it I am. When I first started my research into automating my home, which just 3 months ago. I thought that I could never afford to do it. I have recently got bids for contractors to auomate my home for me. Bids have come in from $13,000usd up. I decided to tackle this project myself. This got me thinking about the market that was stated this software suite is geared towards from mannyman. I also have heard statements from Steve/Jake saying that he wants to approach whole home automation, not just playing video and audio. This got me to think who would really be looking at the software suite. What would their income level be. What technical knowledge are they really going to have. Will the perspective market be owning their own homes already, renting someone elses, or be in the process of building their own, or having their own built, or building one for someone else.

Keeping that in mind and finding the balance that encompasses the majority of these groups will enhance the opportunity for this software suite to successfully promote itself and sell. Now, with that in mind, the software suite as it is, for the most part will distribute audio and video , and will show you the weather, allow you to statically bring up Web pages, put in contacts, use a simple calculator, play games. It has a great front end that is simplistic, but doesn't look cheap. Actually it looks "HOMEY".
The software suite has not evolved yet to encompass Whole home automation yet. Now when entertaining this HA module, Realize that I am coming from the perspective of the following concept.

1> I don't want it to be expensive

2> I don't want it to be cheap, the lower the price, the less bells and whistles, the more I have to get involved with it, the more I realize what I don't know, the more I gravitate towards the something more expensive and less complicated.

3>I would rather spend more money on better quality hardware that will last me for quite awhile, hopefully my lifetime. (Let the next owner worry about upgrading if they choose when I am dead and better technology is out).

3>I do not want a whole lot of controller modules for different types of transmission media( IR< SErial, USB, CAT5 coaxial, X-10, UPB,Insteon, Zwave) and to accomodate all the appliances to cover my entire home, from 12 seciruty cameras on pan/tilt, 20 motion detectors to all my lights in multiple zones, intercom, audio,video,.

4> I want my home to be fully automated, but not look fully automated.

All that being said, I do not think that someone that is entertaining whole home automation with this software suite, for the most part is renting, 2> a true techie that knows fully what they are doing, although they might be in tech management and oversee those that do. 3>willing to invest that much of their time to figure out how all those pieces of harware, listed by MannyMan above, communicate with each other lot let alone how to troubleshoot where the comminication break occurred.

I am willing to spend and can afford to spend the money on a HAI Omnipro controller, if I know that I have a Lower priced good piece of software to enhance it and tie it up into a more non tech, user friendly front end that my kids and wife can use and enjoy without messing it up for me to try and figure out how the messed it up.