raymondh Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 I've read rumors about a PLM developed by UD. I'm sure the company doesn't talk about rumors but I would love to hear some details if there are any. So, how about it?
bipto Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Wow, great rumor! After my last replacement of a 13 month-old PLM I now keep two spares - 1 for the inevitable just-out-of-warranty replacement of the unit I have in service now, and another just in case that replacement is dead in the box... Hard to imagine UD could do any worse...
Michel Kohanim Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Hello everyone, The rumors are true! The good news is that we have taken all failure points into consideration during design. The bad news is that we still need to use INSTEON provided chips which include their firmware and thus not field upgradeable. With kind regards, Michel
raymondh Posted July 4, 2014 Author Posted July 4, 2014 Great! Can you give us any details? What advantage will your PLM have over the Insteon PLM?
Michel Kohanim Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Hi raymondh, Our goals have been: 1. To design the power circuitry so that it won't die after 2 years 2. Heat dissipation so that the unit does not overheat 3. Power ISY 4. NOT a wall wart The rest is pretty much identical to SmartHome's reference design and the firmware is theirs. With kind regards, Michel
bipto Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Wow, when I saw this thread I figured this rumor was too good to be true... This is great news - I'd definitely be interested. Any target date for availability..? Well played, UD!
Teken Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Hi raymondh, Our goals have been: 1. To design the power circuitry so that it won't die after 2 years 2. Heat dissipation so that the unit does not overheat 3. Power ISY 4. NOT a wall wart The rest is pretty much identical to SmartHome's reference design and the firmware is theirs. With kind regards, Michel Michel, Can you provide more insight to 3 / 4? 3. I can see as a benefit to those who like to power the ISY. But, a con for those who like to have the ISY on a UPS. 4. I am assuming the case will look like the new on / off plugin switch? Teken . . .
B.A. Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Any chance it would support X10 Extended Command Dimming? As I understand it, the Insteon PLM hardware is the roadblock to this.
Brian H Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Smathome/Smartlabs chose the %Dim command and not the Extended X10 Messaging command. So I doubt the Insteon Chip UDI will be using will support X10 Extended Messaging.
Brian H Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Michel; Too bad Smartlabs will not let you update Firmware. The 2413S/U do have the five pin programming connectors for both the RF Insteon and Power Line Insteon Chips. Just their long standing fears of someone getting their hands on their firmware images.
MWareman Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 3. Power ISY 3. I can see as a benefit to those who like to power the ISY. But, a con for those who like to have the ISY on a UPS. Worth bearing in mind. Michel, can you make powering the ISY an optional feature of your PLM? Maybe a dip switch to enable it.
Teken Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 I am not really surprised by the fact smarthome has not allowed the firmware to be field upgradable. It's consistent with their short vision of the future and third party support. Teken Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions
Teken Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Michel;Too bad Smartlabs will not let you update Firmware. The 2413S/U do have the five pin programming connectors for both the RF Insteon and Power Line Insteon Chips. Just their long standing fears of someone getting their hands on their firmware images. Maybe this was a valid fear 10 years ago when the whole HA scene was being ushered in. Now with the Z Wave, Zigbee, UPB camp firmly entrenched with the major players. At this point Insteon should be giving it away to try to get some decent (major vendors) to produce and make some 3rd party Insteon products! That ship sailed away 7 years ago! Teken Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions
Michel Kohanim Posted July 5, 2014 Posted July 5, 2014 Hi Guys, ISY has a switching power supply. It's totally up to you how you would like to have it powered. i.e. you can also plug your ISY to the power supply and thus it'll always be on. With kind regards, Michel
Teken Posted July 5, 2014 Posted July 5, 2014 Hi Guys, ISY has a switching power supply. It's totally up to you how you would like to have it powered. i.e. you can also plug your ISY to the power supply and thus it'll always be on. With kind regards, Michel Awesome! Now what form factor does it resemble now ? Given you stated it wasn't a wall wart? Teken Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions
Michel Kohanim Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 Hi Teken, Currently, it's a rectangular box. With kind regards, Michel
LeeFleishman Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Based on the statement, "The rest is pretty much identical to SmartHome's reference design...", is it correct to assume that the UDI PLM will be dual-band, and not just PLC? Sure hope so. Please, PLEASE!, add me to the "I want to order one as soon as they're available" list. I've had to replace several SH PLMs for clients just in the last 60 days (nearly all just barely over 2 years old). A viable, RELIABLE, alternative is very sorely needed. Keep up the fantastic product development and support, UDI! Lee Fleishman INControl Home Automation Thousand Oaks, CA
upstatemike Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Will the UDI PLM have a larger link capacity than the Smarthome one? Will it have a faster processor so it can find matches in the table faster?
Michel Kohanim Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Hi Guys, 1. Yes, dual band 2. No, unfortunately we do not have access to the firmware so not larger capacity for links With kind regards, Michel
thedishking Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 This is great. The biggest challenge with my system today is the PLM dying every so often. Thank you Michel for helping make the system more reliable!! Sign me up to buy one.
Teken Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 This UDI PLM will be a world supported unit for our brothers across the pond? ie. 50 Hz / 240 etc
apostolakisl Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 Good to hear Michel. Taking things into your own hands sadly would seem to be the only way with SH. Put me on the list of those in need!
Michel Kohanim Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 Thank you all. Board Layout is almost done! Teken, yes, this PLM supports all INSTEON frequencies (of course there's a hardware configuration/chip that has to be replaced). With kind regards,Michel
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