| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/28/2011 : 7:28:45 PM
I'm looking at installing a full insteon system in my basement, and the only thing i'm having issues with is will the IR system work with all of my A/V equipment, and will it work with my three way switches.
I just need to install normal on/off switches, as my main lighting is all fluorescent and can't be dimmed.
I'm most concerned about my theatre equipment, it will all be located in another room other than the projector. I have the following I need to control
Yamaha DSP-Z7 (same as RXZ7, a more popular model)
Epson 8350 Projector
Xbox
Samsung BluRay player
and my digital cable box which is made by motorolla
Any experience/ advice what to do? any help is greatly appreciated! |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| heyfrank |
Posted - 01/16/2012 : 12:59:07 AM
In order to turn the projector off from your hamony, make sure to send two off command with an appropriate time between them. |
| Tfitzpatri8 |
Posted - 11/30/2011 : 3:06:22 PM
The ISY software runs only on an ISY. You interact with it using a web browser and JavaScript, regardless of the computer OS you are using. For more ISY info, see http://forum.universal-devices.com |
| DanSag |
Posted - 11/30/2011 : 2:03:57 PM
Been a while since I've been on here. just wondering if the software that comes with the ISY-99 is mac compatible?
Thanks,
Dan |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 11:17:23 AM
My only issue with logitech (as I said before) is their remotes wouldn't turn my projector off... I've now solved that issue within the projector itself so just to save for a new remote now |
| oberkc |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 10:14:44 AM
quote:
I've owned a number of Logitech products (remotes, keyboards, mice) and I can't think of a single one that disappointed me.
I suspect most of my disappointment is due to unrealistic expectations. For example, I wanted to be able to use my logitech review or googleTV app (iPad or android versions) to control my Blue-ray player and insteon lighting and to be able to add buttons and configure the screen layout. Unfortunately, I found the apps to be less flexible than I had hoped. Perhaps I just missed something. I was probably hoping for too much.
Otherwise, I tend to agree...the logitech devices I have tried appear to work as intended. |
| loganjw |
Posted - 09/24/2011 : 07:20:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by oberkc
It has promise, but I have been disappointed before.
I've owned a number of Logitech products (remotes, keyboards, mice) and I can't think of a single one that disappointed me. |
| oberkc |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 5:45:18 PM
I saw the announcement of this device on ENGadget and other sites. I will watch it with interest. It has promise, but I have been disappointed before. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 08:01:53 AM
Ah it's a preorder thing! Oh well. Time to pull out the visa and hope it arrives shortly :) |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 07:59:56 AM
That looks awesome! I actually think I'm going to go pick one up today if I can find one! I hope to use it to control all my gear (located in the furnace room, and hopefully use the mini blaster to control my projector in my theater |
| loganjw |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 07:39:15 AM
This looks VERY promising as well:
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/for-ipad/devices/harmony-link
I'm assuming you can use the included IR blaster to send commands to an ISY-99 that lives in another room (mine lives upstairs). |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/04/2011 : 12:28:45 PM
My thoughts being... The projector has a manual zoom lens, with 2.11x magnification... I think at the 2.11 level (which it's at in my room) it magnifies the screen, but also the angle of the sides. I think I will get an all around better image when I don't use the zoom at all. I think this will end up being a trial and error thing, but I'd like to see what your opinions are, doesn't matter if you have a projector or not. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/04/2011 : 07:39:14 AM
Here's something that's come up and I'm not 100% sure what to do... Currently my projector is in my bedroom, and because it's a fairly small room the projector is close to the wall it's projecting to. It doesn't have any keystone adjustment and I'm not sure if there's a way to adjust the lens to make the picture truly square... At the moment I just have a painted screen. I'm moving all my equipment to the basement (which is why I'm looking at all this lighting) and I have the ability to move the projector back a lot further. In my room the projector lens is 10 1/2 feet from the wall and in the basement I have over 20 feet to work with, and also a mount that hangs further down from the ceiling.
My main concern is do I want to keep the projector close and have awesome brightness in the daytime but live with the angled sides, or put the projector back far enough that the picture is square and buy a screen, but sacrifice brightness? |
| stusviews |
Posted - 09/03/2011 : 12:22:24 AM
Vera is versatile. It has some (only a few) Insteon capabilities. It may be all you need if you want what Vera can do. But rule out Insteon as your main home automation.
Vera is a Z-Wave device! |
| oberkc |
Posted - 09/02/2011 : 7:32:39 PM
It does not look familiar to me. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 09/02/2011 : 7:20:18 PM
I stumbled across a thing called Vera today... It's basically a router that has smarthome technology built in... It says in the videos that it can be used to control home theater stuff. I'll need to do some research but have you heard anything about it? |
| oberkc |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 03:56:56 AM
quote:
I'm just chatting with one of the people from smart home, and he is telling me that the ISY-99 won't control any of my home theatre,
I am not sure I agree with this, or at least find it inaccurate by omission. Technically, the ISY-99 can directly control SOME theater components. While it is not IR, there are examples I see of folks using network commands to control theater components so enabled via the ISY-99. The omission part is that there is in IRLinc transmitter that can control theater components via IR. The logic in the ISY-99 could be used to trigger signals through the IRLinc transmitter. Unfortunately, I speak only theoretically, since I have not done this myself.
quote:
oberkc, have you tried using your remote to change inputs on your amp?
Last night, I spent about a half-hour playing around further with the revue, with stock keyboard remote. I was able to teach it commands from existing IR remotes. This includes ability to switch inputs on my amp. No problem. I suspect I could use this computer-keyboard-like remote to control anything that I wanted in my theater. Unfortunately, this is not ideal to me and will certainly not pass the wife acceptance test standards.
More interesting (to me, at least) is the possibility of using an iPad/pod or android tablet as a remote, through the revue. I tried out the iPod app with the revue last night. Unfortunately, it appears too limited in configurability at this point. Like most harmony remotes, the app is "activity" based, and only allows one activity: watch google TV. I have yet to find the ability to add activities (such as watch TV, watch DVD, etc....) Neither have I yet found a way to add or configure buttons. But this is only after about a half-hour of looking. Perhaps I missed something. |
| stusviews |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 3:56:56 PM
Insteon controllers are not capable of operating IR controlled equipment. IR remotes are not capable of controlling Insteon devices.
The RemoteLinc is an Insteon controller. It'll control Insteon devices natively, but requires an INSTEON to IR Converter to operate IR equipment.
The Logitech (and other) remotes require an IR to INSTEON Converter to control Insteon devices.
RF is an entirely different matter. RF converters are not readily available except within the same manufacturer's equipment. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 2:08:00 PM
I'm just chatting with one of the people from smart home, and he is telling me that the ISY-99 won't control any of my home theatre, and strongly suggests I get the logitech harmony 1100 remote, then just use the new RemoteLinc to control the scenes I would like. He also said with the amount of devices I'll be using (under 15) I should be alright with the SmartLinc. When I move to my next house I'll upgrade to the ISY-99 because I will be completely automating the home, appliances and everything. I'm certain I'll need the brain power at that point.
Now, my (hopefully) last dilemma, when i get the harmony remote, should I buy the logitech RF to IR system to control the amp and such in the remote room, or should I use something off this site? I'm not sure if the harmony remote will just work with any system... there is just a bit of a delay in the RF system from logitech, it's a bit irritating, i've dealt with it before |
| oberkc |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 1:36:01 PM
I don't use the smartlinc, so my knowledge of it is based solely on the web page and instructions. It may turn out, for your current and future needs, that smartlinc is all you ever need. It looks like a nice system to me. It appears to me that the smartlinc also provides some scene management capability.
My suggestion to you is to go back to the web pages for each of your potential devices and open the manuals. I have found them to be pretty good (certainly better written than I could describe on this forum). You will start to see some trends among devices. Remember, however, that the manuals are written based on the assumption that you have no central controller. Much of the manual steps for your switches and modules will be unecessary if you purchase the smartlinc, so start with the smartlinc manual.
Yes, it will be easy to add the ISY-99, but you may end up not needing it.
The risk of something not working for you will be, in my estimation, near certainly be based upon two factors: have you coupled the legs of your electrical system, and do you have any electrical devices in your house that cause communication problems for insteon. I would guess that 90%+ of problems people experience are related to one of these two issues. Both are solvable, but troubleshooting can be, at times, quite tedious. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 12:35:28 PM
So just a background for myself of how things work, because I honestly know nothing about how Insteon systems work, other than the use of RF and the lines within the house, how is it set up? If i Just get the SmartLinc is it all set up by the pushing of buttons, or is there a computer program I would run that would allow me to set up scenes, where my lights are, etc.? I notice the ISY-99 comes with software that aids the set up. Because this is a small system compared to what I've seen before (I helped out on a niles system over the winter, and there were over 150 switches and plugs, plus 4 "movie room" zones and nearly a thousand lighting/AV scenes) I wouldn't be killing myself over a few button pushes. I've been down the road of trial an error but it seems with my luck everything works great till I'm a couple days after the "return period" and things get messy. Then i'm stuck with something that doesn't work that well, and it's already lost like half of it's worth... meaning I lose half the amount of money.
If I buy just the SmartLinc will it be easy to add the ISY-99 to the system, or will the ISY-99 completely out rule the smartlinc? |
| oberkc |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 10:05:43 AM
quote:
Do you guys think I could do it without the isy-99 or should I get it to help the system have more brain power? I have a feeling the fades I would like and the sequence of the scenes might need a good controller,
You could do all this without the ISY-99, assuming that you are triggering the scenes with your motion sensor or manual switch control. The fade (ramp rates) are part of the basic insteon capability.
quote:
especially for programming
While you CAN program this WITHOUT the ISY-99, it would be easier with it. Still, I don't think it insurmountable to program this manually. It will take a bit of time, and a lot of button presses. There may be a bit of trial-and-error until you get a handle on "scenes" and "controllers" and "responders", but doable, nonetheless.
The ISY-99 or IRlinc could be used to trigger one of these scenes based on an learned IR input.
Don't forget you should have at least two RF-enabled devices (dual band, access points, etc) to couple the legs of your electrical system and to recieve the signals from the motion sensor. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 07:30:28 AM
I've noticed the remote that just came out on smarthome's site, it's a small, handheld remote that can control 8 scenes. All I really want from this system at this time is to have a motion sensor that turns a set of lights on when I get into the basement. The second scene would be having the main lights on (just on on/off switches, they're flourescents so no dimmers) the third would be like movie mode, main lights on and theater potlights slowly fade in. 4th would be tv/pool to have the theater lights on about 50% and have the pool table light fade in. Do you guys think I could do it without the isy-99 or should I get it to help the system have more brain power? I have a feeling the fades I would like and the sequence of the scenes might need a good controller, especially for programming |
| oberkc |
Posted - 08/31/2011 : 03:29:59 AM
Sorry, but I did not get home until late last night. Will attempt to find some time to play with logitech revue tonight.
To manually control a few scenes, you may find the ISY-99 of insufficient value to justify the added expense. You could certainly start out without one and see how it goes. On the other hand, you could take the ISY-99 with you to your next house.
The ISY-99 could offer some solutions towards the integration of your home theater control system with your insteon lighting. Of course, you won't know until you decide upon your home theater control system. It is possible that other options (such as IRLinc) could suffice, as well.
The ISY-99 is a great tool when you start wanting to control lighting based on time-based events and logical conditions. It also is a great help in establishing and managing your insteon scenes. But many get by without one (or something like it), especially if you have only a handful of devices. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 9:07:04 PM
Newest thought... Will I really need to get the ISY-99i if i'm only going to be controlling 6 or 7 switches with really only 4 scenes? I don't have much else planned as far as expansion goes until I move into my next house, which is about a year away from being in the drawing stage...
I would just be using the SmartLinc thing in that case. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 8:32:27 PM
Who ever knew a chicken with it's head cut off would spark excitement in someone looking to try new things... I'm glad i've got you interested, and it helps me too, as I wouldn't mind saving a couple hundred bucks and get a keyboard to control my system instead of a remote. |
| oberkc |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 10:26:10 AM
quote:
oberkc, have you tried using your remote to change inputs on your amp?
This thread has gotten me a bit excited about exploring the revue options. I, too, feed all input through the reciever. At this point, I have not tried the revue to change inputs. However, with HDMI-CEC, the reciever tends to come on to the correct input based on the HDMI signal.
The on-screen instructions with the revue claim that it can change the reciever input, but I have not found the dedicated button on the revue keyboard associated with this function. I suspect I will have to make this a learned function. It is my understanding that any IR function on the stock reciever remote can be duplicated. I may try this out tonight. If so, I will report back.
As an aside (in case you are interested), I have found the revue also able to play back the .wtv files used by windows media center to record live TV. This has also not been an easy capability to locate, and is not advertised on the revue data sheet.
More to come. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 08:28:53 AM
oberkc, have you tried using your remote to change inputs on your amp? the way I have things set up everything runs through the amplifier... Now i'm looking at the revue possibly being an option vs the 1100. Might not work but i'd rather spend a hundred bucks over a couple hundred |
| oberkc |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:55:44 AM
This sounds like a good approach to me. I suspect that once you become familiar with the ISY and the various insteon items available, you will find a solution that will work for you. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:54:42 AM
I actually didn't try the learning thing in the remote... Got pissed off and sold it before I could ha ha. I'd like to give it a try. I do like the harmony 1100 just as long as I have more patience with it this time around. |
| DanSag |
Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:48:53 AM
Maybe I should just stick with a universal remote for now and use it for the a/v equipment then just get a small controller for the lighting, or just use my iPod touch I hardly ever use for anything else. (Projector problems aside, it doesn't kill me to keep the Epson remote on the coffee table.) Then have hopes the remote can help with lighting or the isy99 can eventually control my system with future updates, or once I try a few things out. |
