Integration possibilities...

I have been asked several times now for "a front end" which can control AV media, audio, security, gates, basically all home automation functions , but from a TV.

Several companies out there provide either a Microsoft Media Centre front end, or bespoke systems like control4, harmony, xantech.

From what I can gather, none of these companies have been c-bus enabled.

Has anyone developed a coherent solution for this type of front end?

Thanks

 

AMX has C-bus module

AMX has C-Bus module (not hardware) from AV Technology (current version 3.19). The module works throw C-Bus PCI or PCN. As I hear, Crestron has C-Bus driver too.

 

You could always look at a program called "Charmed Quark" or "CQC". (Run a search for them on this forum, there are alot of posts about the topic). And their website is http://www.charmedquark.com/

With CQC software, or software & hardware, you could design pretty much exactly what you're asking for. All you would need is a video card in the computer that had "TV Out", and a wireless keyboard/mouse to control the system.

Most people seem to use touchscreens with the software, usually as a "bigscreen" version of a Colour C-Touch, but there is no reason why you couldnt simply use a TV instead.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction

 

Oh, and yes Charmed Quark *IS* compatible with C-Bus, from memory is just uses a PCI connected to the serial port of the computer running CQC.

 

I am told by my local Control4 retailer here that it is C-Bus ready, it sends commands direct to the bus via a PCI just like concept. Most touchscreens are C-Bus ready nowadays, you just need a scene/logic device like a touchscreen or PAC unit to trigger events etc...

 

If you would like to learn more about CQC, you can post a message on their forum http://www.charmedquark.com/vb_forum/index.php

Or you can ask me

Cheers

Rohan

 

Sorry Rohan,

My Bad, I forgot to mention that you are our resident expert on CQC

I shall remember to mention your esteemed name next time I stick my nose in and mention CQC.

 

Don't be sorry, you can say what you like.

I just don't want to jam CQC down peoples throats, so sometimes I stay quiet.

But if someone else brings it up, then of course I'll put my 2c worth in.

Cheers

Rohan

 

C-Bus control via Ethernet for integration...

There are a couple of other possibilities too..

1) There will shortly be a C-Bus to HomeVision hardware controller available - allowing use of CSI's HV controller and that in turn is supported by many third party software applications. This fully integrates realtime C-Bus lighting control within HV including macro language support.

2) There is already available a C-Bus to xAP embedded controller which basically exposes C-Bus control and status on an Ethernet network using the xAP protocol (via the BSC schema www.xapautomation.org ). This is a very simple but powerful realtime Home Automation protocol and allows easy integration of C-Bus from all languages as well as some free applications (www.mi4.biz etc). Several Home Automation applications now support xAP either directly or via plugins, including HomeSeer, MisterHouse, HouseBot, xAP Desktop, xAP Floorplan, Charmed Quark (partial), Girder, XLobby, MainLobby (via HomeSeer) and indeed any other applications that support windows scripting by using the xAP OCX. There are SDK,s and even a display plugin for Windows MCE. So all these applications can be used with C-Bus and a little savvy.

xAP support is available (and ongoing) for a wide variety of devices typically found around a home, temp sensors, CallerID, mp3 players/servers, X10 , alarms, email, news, weather, TV listings, On Screen Display, PVR's, IR remotes / senders etc. Both Crestron and AMX can use xAP too. This allows integration of C-Bus in a truly distributed HA environment, reacting to many external triggers. Blink a light when your mother in law rings or your favourite TV program is about to start. Advise, overlaid on your TV screen when a PIR is tripped....or email arrives etc.

Kevin

PS Just to clarify.... I am the designer of these C-Bus gateway products as I needed them for my own use. I make them available (at near cost) to other enthusiasts 'as is'. As I make no money on them I really do not have a real 'commercial interest' although I am keen to promote xAP which is again a 'free' protocol. All the xAP applications and plugins are free. I am an official C-Bus developer but I have not , as yet, submitted the controllers to CIS for "C-Bus Enabled" approval as they are not yet final and I am tryng to keep my costs low. I support them directly.

 

Has anyone here used ConvergeX or know anything about it?

I don't think it's made much ground outside of UK/Europe but on the surface it looks promising.

http://www.convergex.net

 

Convergex

I met with a guy from Convergex at the Cedia Show in London earlier this year. He had a Samsung hand held wireless device that had c-bus drivers in using convergex. Looked like a nice piece of kit. I think it was developed for a project in the Middle East (Dubai maybe).

Graham.

 

I tried several times to e-mail them on the [email protected] but failed

 

try [email protected] that might work better...