What other (non Clipsal) automation software products can be used with C-Bus?
Hi If you want a free software then i would suggest xPL.......If your willing to pay and have nice graphics then i would suggest CQC...... http://wiki.xplproject.org.uk/index.php/Main_Page http://www.charmedquark.com/ hth Frank
As mentioned CQC I also believe, AMX and Crestron (if you have the budget). HAL Helix (http://www.hallifestyle.com/) has just been released as well and that has the capability to integrate with C-bus (One way only though). I think someone here had Windows Media Center talking with C-bus. I think there are a few others, but they were fairly minor players. Mick
Also there is a low cost C-Bus to xAP interface available (a box bridging between the two protocols C-Bus one side and xAP over Ethernet on the other). It's a personal product I've been working on, on and off over the past few years. xAP is a project aimed at creating a free open protocol for home automation use. Once you have got to xAP then you can use any of the commercial and free Home Automation software applications for which there is xAP support or a plugin. Some that come to mind are HomeSeer MisterHouse XLobby MainLobby (via HomeSeer) Girder HouseBot (Meedio via Housebot plugin) MediaPortal Charmed Quark (early xAP support but C-Bus inbuilt anyway) HomeVision hardware automation controller Crestron and AMX soon xAP Floorplan xAP Desktop Some integration with XBMC and Windows MCE The 'free' xAP Floorplan inparticular offers a web browser interface to all your xAP devices , of which C-Bus lighting can be one area and you can customise it with backdrops , graphics, icons , text etc. Nicely it updates and controls in near realtime using AJAX. Some xAP devices offer very rich content like emails, news, callerID, TVListings, weather, AVcontrol etc. You can really bring together a neat home solution - with alongside your C-Bus lighting More info on the xAP bits from http://www.xapautomation.org http://www.mi4.biz
