
ccclapp
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Everything posted by ccclapp
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The smart switched do. I believe the smart strip is not yet fully supported and is waiting for UD to implement multi-channel ZW, which apparently is imminent. I also look forward to using the smartstrip.
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Impressive! Thanks! Sure, I would be interested in the files/scripts when your're ready. My needs don't sound nearly as robust as yours, but your tool(s) will likely be very helpful along the journey... Also, I am running a RPi for IsyHelper and OpenVPN, and have now deployed the GC for reliable smooth volume control via KP (vs multi repeats via ISY). One thing you say gets my attention further: You say you are doing macros via GC. Is that something special your server/client IR setup does, or is this something a mortal can do with GC and ISY (without flooding the GC or ISY with lots of back to back commands, which it sounds like you avoid by somehow doing macros in GC?? Thanks
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Alex, Very elegant!! Ok, you're way up on me. I will circle back on this when all else is running well. FYI, so far, I find I often change volume even when my environment has not changed, eg when working w various levels of concentration vs interest in whats playing. Listening to Kitchen TV to hear dialog at points and not others. A lot of my use will be via KP on initial entry and some modest changing thereafter (if easier to hit KP than remote). My desire for initial and changes are not routine/environmental. More about mood, company, what Im doing. Moreover, I intend to use several mini-remotes (the tiny insteon 8 button pocket KPs) at the dinner table, bedside, desk, pocket. Most will be room specific and do normal source/volume/lights separately (not as a watch TV scene, but will likely have default start points per source). Some will be more "universal" with folder/variable activation code to control the whole house on those 8-buttons-in-a-pocket. The "activation code" would set the zone and/or control type and be consistent thereafter (so I dont need to remember much). With that streamlined, ill investigate "dynamic control". Sounds cool. I like your progressive volume scheme. Again, I will very likely implement that (state-machine) approach after my fairly smooth and fairly east to do initial solution. Thanks for sharing this!
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Yes, that sounds nice, but we're all here to find another way After much testing of options here is my conclusion for smooth Denon volume control: It involves adding a Global Cache and sending VolUp/Dn IR commands with repeats built in. I have one for small change (button presss), for which GC sends 2 repeats and another for mid change (button hold), for which GC sends 6 repeats. Both of these are single ISY->GC commands and the GC has no issue with the repeats and Dennon no issue in receiving them (just as is a remote volume button hold). I give some more detail in the GC thread on this forum here: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/4810-the-global-cache-wf2ir-works/?p=169036 Thanks for your wisdom/experience
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Thanks Alex. I've come to the same conclusion (strange that Denon would not have this as it limits the entire IP control of denon). Your vol preset approach is viable, but if using a KP or mini-remote, etc that takes up a lot of buttons. I came up with what I feel is a very good solution, but it involves adding a Global Cache and sending VolUp/Dn IR commands with repeats built in. I have one for small change (button presss), for which GC sends 2 repeats and another for mid change (button hold), for which GC sends 6 repeats. Both of these are single ISY->GC commands and the GC has no issue with the repeats and Dennon no issue in receiving them (just as is a remote volume button hold). I give some more detail in the GC thread on this forum here: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/4810-the-global-cache-wf2ir-works/?p=169036
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Here are the fruits of my labor... Reading the GC API it described the structure of the IR commands sent by GC device (via ISY etc). It specifies the digit in the command, which sets the # of repeats sent by GC from a single command by ISY. Thus one can have separate newtork resources of the same command but with the repeat digit changed to send, for example, a single volUp command or to send VolUp with 5 repeats (from a single ISY-> GC command. I set my controlling KP button to send: A. If pressed, send the 2-repeat VolUp GC command. B. If fade (long press) send the 6-repeat GC volUp command. With my Denon AVR, this gives me great small amd medium volume changes, which are fairly instant. If one wants greater change do multiple long presses. This is a great balance of intuitive control and avoids blasting/muting by holding too long if any command delay.
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Barry, this sounds very interesting. Im wondering, though, what is the advantage to this over setting up all the commands you need/want on the isy and triggering as needed. Also, what are you using to invoke commands, ie remote, keypad etc? Finally do you feel the overall system and 2 pc's (pc/rpi) is stable enough for long term unattended (semi attended) use Thanks
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Hi Dan. Thanks Yes that is what I meant by "absolute volume", which can be done just as you say. Its "relative volume", i.e increase/decrease that is the issue. If you invoke Volume Down, it changes by 1 unit ie goes from 40 to 39. That level of volume change is barely audible so as to make that function useless because you cant send enough repeats fast enough to be functional...60 seconds holding a button doesn't cut it with Mrs. I've searched here, AVS, Remote Central etc and not found a way to do: "increase by 5db" etc. Because I am doing this on a keypad it looks like I have two options: 1) Use a Global Cache to convert back to IR with required repeats built into the command, or 2) Test IsyHelper for this. IsyHelper (IH) enables the ISY to interface w my Harmony Hub. If I can create the command in Harmony with enough repeats sent by Harmony that would work too. Two issues here: i. Harmony seems not to permit device level macros and has very limited repeates at the device level, only custom button press assignments can be macros, which IH may or may not interface with and, ii. will IH/RPi be stable enough for this unattended location vs Global Cache. Thanks for your thinking and effort. The search goes on...
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yes there are, but the command increases/decreases by one unit, an amount which is so small as to be hardly audible. Therefore one has to repeat the command at least 10 times flooding both Isy and the denon
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HI I would like to control volume from a keppad button with the same result as holding the vol button on a traditional remote, i.e. volume increases smoothly as long as button held, then stops. I am wondering how others have done this and if it is fairly successful. I would think the following owuld be the approack, but weleome your suggestions... VolUp: If Control (Old) 'KP 3R' is switched Fade Up Then Repeat 8 times Resource 'GC_VolUp' ----------------------------- StopVolUp: If Control (Old) 'KP 3R' is switched Fade Stop Then Stop Program "VolUp" Is that the idea, or is there a better way with ISY and GC? Also, what is the proper balance between adding repeats within the IR command sent from GC, vs sending repeats from ISY to GC? Thanks
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Thanks I will. I'm doing sonos control very well, but doing all volume via denon, even for sonos., I will check the wider universe on denon volume control via IP. Even the crestron controllers must run into this, that's why I imagine there IS a solution. Was hoping you guys knew. If I find it, Ill post back.
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Thanks for your help, Scott! I am trying to avoid adding a GC into the mix. It sure seems "backwards" to fall back to IR, but possibly that's required. Also, the GC is a pain to do the code conversions, etc. I know it can be done with the GC helper program (and possibly your links avoid that step), but a pain. I'm pausing in my reply to be sure I understand what you are saying: a. Are you saying this looks like it will require IR, I assume you are. b. That being the case how would ISY use a repeater, etc, without a GC (is seems you suggest another way to do it without the GC). Possibly you are asking "why not just use your remote". If that's whats in your mind, the reason is, I am doing this from a keypad (as an alternative to the remote and for "home" etc programs). I had not o made that clear, sorry. Assuming I understood correctly and that I want to use a KP (or programs), I believe the conclusion is (as far as you can tell) that I need to use ISY to send IR via a GC. It that correct? Thanks again. PS: my other option is to use my RPi which will be set up to run IsyHelper to be able to invoke "activities" from the Harmony Hub. I believe IsyHelper now has enabled "device" control (where it used to only handle "activities". Thus, I could go from ISY to RPi to Harmony to change volume on the Denon device...still not as direct as I prefer. Which route is the lesser of the evils is TBD...
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Hi. Thanks for the reply The bottom of page 6 and top of page 7 of the below linked document from Denon discuss volume control, but I don't fully understand what it is telling me (I do understand how to set a specific volume and how to go up/down 1 unit (which is a barely audible difference)). But I don't understand if it is saying I can change volume by a controllable amount (a relative change), or not, and if so, what the command would be... http://openrb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/AVR3312CI_AVR3312_PROTOCOL_V7.6.0.pdf Because the 1-unit change is so small, every controller would have to send fast repeated commands, however the equipment (and controller) dont handle that well at all. I find I need several seconds between repeats, yielding about a minute for meaningful volume change...I long time to be sitting there pressing the button.
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Here is a thread you may find useful/interesting: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/12682-energy-monitoring-circuits-plugs-interface/ Here is the status as of a couple weeks ago: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/12682-energy-monitoring-circuits-plugs-interface/?p=132278 Here is as of now (with some more for me to write to bring us current) http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/12682-energy-monitoring-circuits-plugs-interface/?p=167740
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Hi As you guys are experienced with ISY -> Denon control, I'm wondering if you can answer the following: Can one specify the amount of volume increase or decrease, or is increase /decrease always by one unit? I know I can set an absolute volume,but am trying to send increase decrease volumes but they only increment by one. This means I need to send repeated network commands from ISY and it takes a very long time for the response cycle to for example increase volume by 10. I've tried adding a number after the volume up/down command and have not succeeded. Can this be done? Thanks
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Hi As you guys are experienced with ISY -> Denon control, I'm wondering if you can answer the following: Can one specify the amount of volume increase or decrease, or is increase /decrease always by one unit? I know I can set an absolute volume,but am trying to send increase decrease volumes but they only increment by one. This means I need to send repeated network commands from ISY and it takes a very long time for the response cycle to for example increase volume by 10. I've tried adding a number after the volume up/down command and have not succeeded. Can this be done? Thanks
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I would be very interested but am iOS. Best wishes on the effort!! Am I correct there has been little other activity on this front, of have I missed stuff? Thanks
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Go to the wiki page and look under The section that describes controlling external devices there will be an article and a download of all the codes. Sorry so I am not online to give you a link directly
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Why would you use IR when you can go direct via network resource?
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Ill take that as a "yes" Thanks Now Im going OT and will start a new post if it becomes a conversation. It relates to using programs to better control scenes... Goal: Use a KP button to do more/different functions to a scene than the built-in on/off, fade up/dn, fast on/off from being a Controller of the scene. Method: 1. Removed button from scene 2. Put button in toggle mode 3. Created programs to control the scene all based on the button actions, where by: a. button on or off = scene On b. button fade up/dn = scene fade up/dn c. button fast on or fast off = a different scene On Result:This generally worked, but results were not constant, e.g repeated (slow) button presses yielded different and inconsistent light levels (but On and Off both trigger scene On via the controlling program) The gist of my question is: Is it a mistake to try to circumvent native insteon functionality by using programs? This is what dimming a scene via a program for Echo and what my button scheme attempt to do. Thanks!!
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Do I correctly understand you are saying: Echo aside, due to Insteon, ISY programs can only din/brighten a scene by 3% per "call"? Thus (Echo aside) dimming scenes via programs in not prudent?
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Is a workaround to have a program which solely exists to invoke a scene dim level, e.g program "Evening 50" turns on the Evening scene at 50% dim? One coule have 2-4 such programs for the critical scenes. Then in Echo "Alexa, Evening 50 On". Yes/No?
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As others have mentioned it would be good to be able to refer back to what's been added AND also to hide them to see only remaining ones. Might you implement a check-box to show/hide previously added devices?
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Read and follow the process in the link I gave above. It will take you time and effort. I am also a RPi noob and bought one and learned specifically for that over the past week. Maybe you can get Harmony to reply to Universal Devices request. IN the meantime, this is why we are doing the above.
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Yes, with some effort... The thread below discusses communicating 2-way between Harmony and Isy. It requires a raspberry pi (or other "server"). It enables the following: a. The active Harmony ACTIVITY to be reported to ISY (which can be used by ISY to trigger actions) b. ISY to change the Harmony ACTIVITY c. Harmony remote/app "Lighting Appliance" controls to trigger any ISY actioin Note a and b are activity, not device control. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/16787-isyhelper-interface-older-foscams-maker-ifttt-amazon-echo-and-more/ In addition, Harmony devices database (where you specify up your TV, etc) include the ISY yielding 45+/- IR codes that ISY responds to naively (assuming you have an IR compatible ISY (or add the IR module). This means, ISY can be incorporated into any Harmony activity and also be controlled individually, just live any other AV equipment. THis gives full 1-way control of ISY from Harmony. In addition, ISY can send out unlimited IR commands using the Global Cache WF2IR or other devices. In addition ISY can communicate with many AV components over wifi, using network resources. As you know you can control anything ISY can do via a KP. Thus, any of the above can happen via KP. Thus, peaking specifically about KP control of AV, you can: - change activity (ISYHelper on RPi) - control any individual device (network resources and/or IR) (does not involve Harmony, but that doesn't matter as long as activity is not changed, i.e if ISY changes channel or volume of TV, harmony doesn't care (vs turning off TV, can get out of sync and should be done via activity) - You didn't ask, but you can also control Sonos via ISY.KP. Together this covers most all things. Having said that, it takes a lot of thought, planning and time to fully integrate ISY/Harmony/KP. I am embarking on this at this time.