aLf

Should anyone have any BB-HCM, 500 or 700 series Panasonic web-cameras. With the help of UDI, Burak and Wes of MobiLinc, life now has a stable and more importantly, an operational code that will control "Triggers" and other controls in these cameras. The 735 camera was a bit of a problem, but now with the push of a KPL button (or MobiLinc), I now can turn on / off the home / away scene and at the same time arm or disarm multiple cameras. No more pictures of my car driving up the driveway. There will be countless uses for this code as the Panasonic cameras are very robust in their features. All work through the CGI Transfer page. Panasonic provides free to users a nice (huge) .pdf file that explains all the functions. Now that we have this code I will incorporate it to pan / tilt the camera upon motion then switch lights on and off--all controlled from ISY. Anyone wanting this code, feel free to post and I'll get it to you. Thanks to everyone who helped getting this to finally work. aLf

Does the saving of an ISY backup cover settings in modules such as Network and Climate? Specifically will it save all codes written in the Network Module? Thanks, aLf

I just bought the MobiLinc App yesterday on a reccomendation. I'mm 150% satisfied. Works as advertised right out of the box. No bugs and Wes seems to be open for continual improvement. It's 20 bucks, you can't go wrong. aLf

Time has come to try one of the many iPhone App's for ISY. Could a few folks who have the different App's please post as to you feelings on them. The costs of all of them are very low so price is not the issue. What I want is number 1 a safe, secure interface. Then the options and ease of use become important. I have less than 50 Insteon units, but ISY and Insteon now controls my camera function as well. Thanks ahead of time for your input. aLf

sfhutchi: As I wrote above, so far I only trigger the camera by a program in ISY that runs my "AWAY" or "HOME" scene. That scene controls various lights and outlets around the house that I want to behave in different ways according to my being there or not. I also like to see any movement from my cameras. IN my Network Module I have code written that "POSTS" code over the net to these cameras. It is capable of posting on the 192 local network or across the web to other properties. What it does is turn off the motion sensors when I'm home (I was tired of driving up and seeing 100's of pictures of me), then back on when I'm away. Now I just turn the scene off when I'm driving up the driveway and the camera motion goes off as well. I kinda tore into Panasonic in my above post. I really don't think they have much support for what I consider a superb camera. They do provide a 100+ page document on what they refer to as CGI Transfer codes. These codes are the backbone of the camera function. They have done a super job with this document. You can do just about anything from the web to these cameras (some if not all is available in their GUI). As I sated though, multiple cameras require a lengthly amount of log-ins to several cameras. I would estimate that to do what needs to be done with my setup (now that I have the code figured out) takes less than a minute. When I figure out what iPhone app to buy that runs ISY, I will cut down the trigger time to seconds. If I do the same the long way through Panasonics GUI, it can take me 15-20 minutes! I've just broken the ice on this. I can see with enough people out there integrating cameras to their homes, ISY and UDI could make some great uses out of these cameras. I certainly can see something as simple as motion triggering a light, siren or any Insteon device. I don't know anything about some of the security systems (alarms), but certainly tie-ins could be done there as well. In addition to motion, there is sound and shock triggers. (The neighbors party gets too loud, triggers the yard lights, party quiets). (The temperature in the house goes below your threshold, turns on a light, moves the camera to the preset thermometer veiw and e-mails you a picture). (Driveway alarm triggers the camera to driveway veiw, zooms and send picture of mailman leaving while you're at work, megapixel gives perfect veiw of license plate). (Lake temperature sensor shows 70 degrees, Weather Module says the wind is less than 5 knots, turns camera toward the end of my dock clearly showing me downing a cold beer before setting out to waterski, http's picture to the ISY Forum for all to see). The 531 is a rock solid platform for starters, the 735 is a megapixel version with a bit more security. Either one has seen everything Mother Nature can throw at it in Northern Wisconsin. I like the 581 for indoors. It has a 20x optical zoom which can zoom easily a mile and see fine detail. Setup was zero problems once I installed a good router, I chose Draytek. I have fibre optic cable but they worked reasonably well with DSL. Sound is fantastic, you can hear conversation 100's of feet away. Hope this helps. aLf

I can finally put this camera trigger thing to rest. I have been wrestling with a "fix" for this for six months. I have asked the experts in the field, including "Customer No-Service" at Panasonic. The first thing Panasonic needs to do is study UDI and their Second-to-None customer satisfaction. I have learned more from Michel and his crew and the unbelievable following they have here on this forum. Now to the bottom of this issue. If you have Panasonic Webcams, you know that they have a robust collection of uses and available options. If you have one or maybe two of them there isn't a problem, simply go into the GUI and do your adjustments. The problem is in my setup, I utilize motion detection. Turning one detector on or off is no problem but a dozen cameras is a different story. A year ago ISY Forum Member, Burak, wrote code for the Panasonic 500 series cams. Inserted into the ISY Network Module it worked beautiful. Turn my Insteon "Away" scene on or off and the camera motion turns on or off. Technology enters. I purchased a handful of their new 700 series, megapixel cameras and the code won’t work. Long story longer it comes down to a security code called "random number". Back to Panasonic “Customer No-Service" and their canned answer that what I'm trying to do is unsupported. The answer was right there in the GUI, under the "Administrator" tab... CGI interface Allow setting changes Only disallow settings from browsers Do not allow setting changes Seems that by choosing “Allow setting changesâ€, does a workaround that lets the GUI accept calls from abroad. The “random number†still generates, but it does it internally, and then sets the trigger. Simple as that. So simple that after a dozen calls to Panasonic, nobody on their tech line even knew the above setting or that it could be done. As a matter of fact I was told what I was trying to do was not possible. I’m beginning to believe that when it comes to this electronic stuff, anything is possible. It surely is with the talent and knowledge found in this forum. I hope that this helps others. aLf

Hi Rand: I'm an old Wheeling boy as well, Dundee & Wolf, 18 years ago! Do you have any ideas on how to "capture" the code that is run in my cameras GUI. What I'm trying to accomplish is having ISY set the "Trigger" for motion on and off. Curerently ISY runs (perfectly) the trigger for the model 531, but I upgrade three cameras to 735 and the CGI Transfer code is different. I have access to the tech sheets and (think) I can get the new code written. BUT.... The code runs every time from their GUI and I can't figure out a way to capture the sent data, that would be so simple. If you can help, thanks. aLf

Michel: I have the original .zip that was created for the rule. I've tried to "unzip" it and no luck. I'll send you that and you can see what you can do. Then if and when I can figure out the new code, I'll need to know how to "rezip" it and import. I only wish I knew more about this stuff. Jets are much easier. I only need to know two things. 1) Keep the rubber side down and the painted side up, 2) Point it in the right direction and go like H**L! Thanks for the help. Tim

Michel: Thanks. I have tried that and there seems too be no way to cut what is written there. What I'd like to do is cut it, paste it in a text editor where I can compare word for word with (what I think is the code for the new camera). If I highlight the code and right mouse, there is no option, tried Alt-x as well. Tim

I have a program that was wriiten for me (camera triggers). The gentleman on this site who wrote it, sent it in a .zip format. That .zip was uplaoded into the Network Module. I can't figure out a way to cut it back out to an editor so I can re-write it. I also tried "unzipping" the original file, but it won't open in regular unzip/open all. Does anyone know how to do that? If I just write a new script in an editor, how do you then paste it into the Network Module? Thanks, aLf

Illusion: Thanks. So can you elaborate on how you're saving $$ ? Also, I have a ton of power outages (NO. WI), As long as the ISY comes back up, I assume the Venstar will as well? What kind of call outs will it, do just e-mail thru ISY? Which model is the best to have without programs? Thanks, aLf

What has been the best thermostat for use with ISY? Also because I have a Freeze Alarm installed at my house right now (2 thermostats), I'm hesitant to make the plunge to Insteon control of my HVAC. As with all the Insteon stuff there seems to have been much stumbling blocks in the therm's as well. I'm giving thought to just buying a thermostat to use as a "monitor" of my temperature. I'd appreciate input from all you testers who have been involved in this side of Insteon. This would eliminate one thermostat for me, but I have to have a warm fuzzy because of its importance. Thanks, aLf

Like every other issue, Michel is the man! Thanks for fixing it and sharing your precious time. aLf

I re-booted the iPhone this morning, no change. The password is the same as always and it isn't a password problem as I can get to the "scenes" and "devices" pages, but that is when the problem starts. Once into those pages, I get the error when trying to trigger the device or scene. Tim

Michel: 1) Yes, everything works well through the computer on IE. 2) I'm only using the Safari in my iPhone, which worked on 2.7.6. 3) I tried http://192.xxx.xxx on the network places and have the same problem where it wont work. Tim

I just tried the https route again and tried to activate a light via the "Devices" page and also via the specific device page and neither of them worked either. Tim

Michel: You lost me. I have tried http://MYIPADRESS:MYPORT also, http://MYIPADDRESS:MYPORT/admin Neither allows me to get to the GUI. If I use https, I get into the GUI but when I push a scene button I get the failure. aLf

I updated my 99 to version 2.7.7. Everything works great except... Today I used my iPhone to access my ISY. I was able to log in OK and I then pushed "scenes" and tried to trigger a scene. Every time I tried a scene, I got a "Cannot Open Page". I waited until I got home and tried it "locally" through my router (again fron iPhone) but got the same message. I can log on the GUI via my computer OK and all works. Is this a bug or do I need to log in a different way than I did from 2.7.6? I am using https://MYDYNDNSADDRESS:MYPORT#/admin I then push "scenes" and get to, https://MYDYNDNSADDRESS:MYPORT#/scenes Thanks, I'm sure it is something simple. aLf

Maybe no connection, but I had so much trouble with Panasonic cameras and an Ooma phone that I had to send the Ooma back. What a shame as the Ooma was a fantastic phone. There was some sort of conflict with the two. I tried utilizing QoS on my router and that made no differennce. I have no idea whether this is an issue with your ISY, but I thought I'd throw in my 2c. aLf

What do you mean by the "sound"? aLf

oberkc: The KPL's I have allow you to dim by holding two buttons, but it is still room-brightening. The wife hates them. I'm tempted to upgrade just for the dimming option, but wonder if there is any other benefit. aLf

I have very old KPL's. Is there any advantage to upgrading them other than dimmable button lights? My old ones work OK but keep my wife awake at night. I'm happy to spend the couple hundred bucks, but what do you guys who have used both think? How about the original SW's, any value there or wait until they shoot craps? Thanks, aLf PS. Only 65 more days until the ice goes off the lake!

One of the posters on this site had a useful script that would run on a network module which controlled my Panasonic cameras (on/off of a trigger). It worked perfect for the BB-HCM531, but unfortunately the new BB-HCM735 uses SSL and will not allow the script to run properly. Has anyone had any experience with the new 735 series cameras that could help me? All I'm trying to do is with the push of a KPL button run a script on the NM that would turn the trigger on or off. Thanks, aLf

I have used these products successfully, http://www.robertssteplite.com/. What I did was I wired an outlet controlled by a 2476S. I can control the outlet on or off by Insteon commands or scenes. The beauty of Roberts transformers is that they have four channels of output. I then ran each channel through a switch (4) that then runs the low vltage to each zone of landscape lighting. In the winter, I can then turn off the unused (buried in snow) zones. I initially had this controlled by a 2476DH, but found that I never dimmed the lights due to low voltage line drop. I've had this working for four years with absolutely no problems. aLf

My old DSL router/modem (Siemens SE465) was a boat anchor. It updated sometimes multiple times in a day. I never in 2 years had any problems with DYNDNS. I now have a cable high speed and because of some programming problems on their end, I was given a static IP (maybe for good) and now my DYNDNS times out the other way. If you don't have an updaye in IP address every 30 days you have to manually go into you account and do an update to the same IP. I have several DYNDNS address' because of multiple locations so I just go in and update each once a month. This is a much better problem to have.