TrojanHorse

Unfortunately it sounds like right now there's not a round peg for a round hole. You'll have to choose a path that will require a few intermediate steps. I think you have a few options. 1 - upgrade to 5.x and use a node server, probably this one here: https://github.com/firstone/RESTRemote or buy a Harmony remote and use this one: https://github.com/jimboca/udi-harmony-poly But you'll first need to decide if you want to run 5.x. 2nd option - send IR codes to the ISY with a remote - requires the IR module on ISY and the ability to get the signal there, maybe via an IR repeater. 3rd option - custom apps. I don't think the native apps you refer to will work since you generally can't modify them to send a REST command to the ISY. So I think that means either Mobilinc (which isn't really an A/V app) or Roomie or something similar. Option 1 is probably the cleanest and most robust since it will detect the state of your receiver regardless of how it changes, whereas methods 2 and 3 would require the command to come through a specific remote or app. But it also requires a bit of work to get it set up and you have to be very methodical about the firmware upgrade. Another consideration is that the AV node server will likely work to track your receiver, but probably not your TV or projector input, whether you've paused the Fire stick or cable DVR, etc. So for those cases, I think your options are the Harmony hub node server (I don't use this, yet...) or old fashioned IR to the ISY. So I don't think there's a definitive "best answer" and there are other options than what I've listed. You'll need to decide what you're trying to accomplish and how much time and money you want to invest to get it going. Good, cheap, fast - pick 2...

Haha that’s one route. Maybe automate the sign? Some good suggestions here. I think we need to back up though and get a few questions answered -what remote are you using in the HT? Harmony would be ideal - does your ISY have the IR sensor installed? - are you running 5.x firmware on ISY? Node servers? - Is there a door on the theatre that could have a sensor? Is it closed when you watch movies? In a simple explanation like @LarryLix mentioned you need to track the state of the theatre. Are you watching a movie or not? If you just had 1 motion sensor in the theatre, I would have it enabled to turn on the lights if you’re not watching a movie otherwise disable that program. If it’s an Insteon motion sensor (which I don’t use anymore) I wouldn’t have it linked to the lights via scene. Deal with the 1 second delay by running a program and simply enable or disable the program based on whether the movie is playing. The above questions will help determine how you can keep track of the state of the theatre (movie playing true or false)? Then you can think about things like - what to do when you pause the movie? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use “not calling for heat” and it’s a trigger so the ISY will only trigger that program when that state changes, not continuously. Go ahead and try it. “Not calling for heat” is similar to a “control” trigger (not status) however I believe I’ve read and experienced that this is sort of interpreted by the ISY. In any case I think it’s a one shot deal and can’t be queried. So good communication with the thermostat is important to not miss the trigger. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree. UDI should absolutely make an app. Let others make apps too but have your own. Could sell a lot more hardware i think if people knew the company was behind an app. I would bet that people who bought Agave are not too happy about it given that it appears that developer has really stepped back from that app. While obviously not UDI’s fault, I imagine that could leave a bad taste in people’s mouth and some may (unfairly) associate some of that with UDI. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry I was unclear. That was a question for@Kemo. I think that would work for his Foscam cameras too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Me too - I think you’re right. I just ordered keypad buttons too. That said I think they were unavailable for a while - I think during the ownership transition. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jinx. Did they stop the custom switch paddles? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They’re making the custom buttons. I’d like to see them cheaper... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but can you use the Foscam app or another app? I don’t think you need the hub. Anyway you don’t want to use it with ISY. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What cameras are you using? I saw reference to Foscam but closer read now I don’t see the OP saying he used Foscam. Anyway, I don’t believe there were any cameras sold that require the hub. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s not recommended to have both the hub and ISY running. Can you use the Foscam app? I use MobiLinc with the cameras (and also other apps for my cameras - mainly the app for my NVR). One nice thing about MobiLinc cameras is you can associate a button on the app (e.g. a program scene or device) and you see it on the screen with the camera. A use case for me is if I want to control my garage door I can see it before and during an open or close operation. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hear you. I’m planning to add a clamp type current sensor to my steam shower power wires to know when it’s on and do a different fan program. While simple can be less fun, perhaps your programs ultimately use the light on as a trigger to start the fan? Then just stop the fan after the pipes cool? Note that hot pipes is just a proxy for humidity... Use the sensor as well to turn on the fan. If you always use the shower light when showering this could be a good belt and suspenders approach.

Just wondering if you have a light in the shower that you could use a trigger instead? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad to hear. Do you have thermostats linked to your ISY system? If so, you may need to do extra steps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Learning is the best way. To test things I’ll often shorten the waits from say 5 minutes to 10 seconds or more depending on the situation so I can test more quickly. Then when comfortable with the programs I extend the wait times and monitor their behavior. I like to send texts from ISY to myself upon events if needed to troubleshoot. Good luck and have fun! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed. But I like to program around the “edge cases” of use. It’s just an extra program, not lost functionality. And it’s good to have the ISY / your “system” know if a door isn’t closed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point and helpful explanation of how Insteon devices work. I think many people have been confused about when to use a "switched ON AND NOT switched OFF" structure so this is helpful. I don't use Insteon door open/close sensors so I may be wrong. Yet, I still see that the lights will go off (after 5 minutes) even when the door is open. I remember when I had a similar program structure with Elk security sensors and the lights turned off during a "long goodbye" and car loading when the door was open. I believe it's best to turn the lights off (say 5 minutes) after the door is closed. Ugh. Complicated, but I'm having fun with Home Automation!

I believe he’ll have the same problem when the door closes during the 5 minute wait and it re-evaluates (appears to be an Insteon sensor which I don’t use so maybe there’s an option there). Regardless I would split this into 2 programs. (Edited:) If you want the lights on (time and door open) Then: turn lights on ENABLE program 2 Program 2 If door is closed Then: wait 5 minutes Turn off lights DISABLE program 2 Might want to have this 2nd program to run at startup so it doesn’t get goofed up if the ISY loses power while it’s running? Others may have cleaner suggestions. There are several ways to do what you want. AM and PM programs will work best I think if you split each into 2 programs like this. This also prevents the lights turning off if the door is left open, which your program would do and I’m not sure you really want that. My original suggestion maybe was too simple and wouldn’t work. Here was my original suggestion. Problem is that the 2nd program wouldn’t keep checking if the door is closed. If you want the lights on (time and door open) Then: turn lights on Run IF of program 2 Program 2 (disabled) If door is closed Then: wait 5 minutes Turn off lights Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good overview and well said. How would you compare pushover vs text? I suppose that depends on cell provider to some extent. I discovered recently that pushover didn’t work for Verizon for maybe 5 days due to maybe an inaccurate anti malware flag that effectively Verizon placed on pushover servers. I suppose nothing is 100% so having some redundancy is important. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn't write those instructions. I don't recall needing one of those apps. I believe you log in and create an "app" that you end up using. Wish I could offer more help, but I recall this being discussed here before. Note, I did see that for maybe 5 days or more, Verizon users were not getting notifications. Something to keep in mind... https://blog.pushover.net/posts/2019/10/verizon

You can start here for the NR. https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i_Series_INSTEON:Networking:Mobile_Notification#Pushover I don’t use it anymore but I recall it was very quick - basically instant. The advantage I saw was on iOS the push alerts get your attention better than email and maybe text too. Or wait and do the node server if you don’t want to do the NR. I haven’t tried that. Of course with any of these you’re relying on your network, the internet, pushover, cell provider or someone else’s WiFi maybe and your email provider if you are doing that, so it may not always be instant. Writing this reminds me why I’ve started to find value in the old Elk voice announcements for certain things... Good luck! I’m sure you’ll get it working. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought pushover used network resources - are you sending an email to pushover? Have you tried the network resource method? I notice that sometimes my emails take a while to get through to my phone as a text message, but they’re in my sent folder at the proper time so must be something with Verizon here. I put a time stamp in all of my ISY notifications for this reason. I’m not sure if you can do that with Elk - I didn’t see a way to do it and any messages I send from Elk are redundant with ISY for critical things only. There is a pushover node server on polyglot that you could try. If you don’t want to learn the NR way you could wait to get Polisy and try the node server. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ha! This has nothing to do with titles / screen names. Just telling you what you are. I did check my programs, and checked them again now that the conditions can be reasonably tested (temperatures). Anyway, let's stop this, it's hard enough to sort through info here without unhelpful posts. I'll see you in the coffee shop if you want to continue.

@hart2hart was nice enough to put together a comprehensive list that notes some of the common gotchas and how to avoid/resolve them. I'm suggesting that this issue with thermostats should be included. It's funny, I go back and look at this thread and see the lil' guy being a complete RichardKnob there as well.

I never mentioned UDI... Critical thinking is clearly not your strength. You try to be critical but it reflects poorly on you when you're just plain wrong.