Control/Automation Servers For The Home?

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by MitchSchaft

Damn, that's hardcore.....

I'm stumbling through mControl's various guides/descriptions, but have yet to figure how to invoke the IE-based interface.

I'm guessing it's just an IP address to the server - but I can't find any reference to it.

Am I on the right track?

Oops: Got it http://[WHS ServerAddr]/mcontrol/default.aspx. And it has tb via IE and not FireFox.

(I'm still pursuing this thread bc my user ID on the mControl fora still does not have permission to post)

[sic0048]

Actually CQC can control Sage, not Sage controlling CQC (although we hope to get there one day). So there is no Sage screens that you control your lights with or anything like that.

Here is the spec sheet on the CQC Sage Driver so you can see what it can do. EDIT - Actually this is the 2.0 version of the driver. There is a newer 3.0 version that adds a lot of capabilities too.

Regarding the fee. CQC does have a $95 annual upgrade fee if you want to be able to get the ongoing upgrades. Keep in mind that these types of upgrades really don't compare to a normal software update. This is because the upgrades include new devices that were not supported before. Some automation systems charge for each new driver or device in an a-la-carte type set up. CQC has decided that every license will allow you to use all the available devices. But they do charge a $95 fee if you want to be able to upgrade over time. This fee is completely optional, but totally worth it.

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by sic0048

Actually CQC can control Sage, not Sage controlling CQC (although we hope to get there one day). So there is no Sage screens that you control your lights with or anything like that.

How about viewing camera outputs?

Does CQC or mControl have provision for looking at what a camera sees via the console - ideally the console on a Pocket PC or iPhone.... but even the PC console would be a nice-to-have.

I am going to play with mControl for the trial period - half expecting it to fall short, but not really knowing what CQC does that mControl does not....

[MitchSchaft]

Yeah, mcontrol does all of the above, even the iphone.

[MitchSchaft]

Also, you're better emailing them for support. They don't cruise the forums that often.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

How about viewing camera outputs?

Does CQC or mControl have provision for looking at what a camera sees via the console - ideally the console on a Pocket PC or iPhone.... but even the PC console would be a nice-to-have.

I am going to play with mControl for the trial period - half expecting it to fall short, but not really knowing what CQC does that mControl does not....

I guess it depends on the type of camera. If we are talking about an IP camera, then it is simple to integrate that into a CQC viewer.

If it is an analog camera, then you could possibly control the DVR or a matrix switch to display the analog signal on a display of some sort.

Hopefully that helps. I guess what I am trying to say is that CQC won't have a problem with it, but there may be some larger CCTV issues like trying to show an analog signal on a digital computer, etc. But any system would experience the same issue with something like that.

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by sic0048

If we are talking about an IP camera, then it is simple to integrate that into a CQC viewer.

I guess it's time for a quick trip to Micro Age and pickup an el-cheapo webcam - just to play around with.... and then maybe pull some Cat5 to a central point under the eves of each sice of the house....

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by sic0048

I use CQC and love it. I started out using it mainly to control a centralized a/v distribution system. ...

Since then, I've also expanded the system to include security and HVAC control.

Have you tried a camera yet?

I ran a couple of the tutorial videos and then tried looking at CQC Server Administration | Add Driver but did not see anything that looked like an IP camera driver.

Looks like drivers are moot for cameras.

Insead, one builds screens and one of the building blocks for screens is something called "Widgets".... and there is something like an "Web Page" widget that can be pointed at some HTML that the user supplies.

I tried copying/pasting the html from my camera's admin page it worked with the "Java" option on my other PC. The server PC's not buying it yet... but that approach seems tb the answer.

Sheesh!!.... This product looks like geek heaven to me.... I just *might* decide to buy it over mControl just for the granularity of control that it offers - even though I'd only be using about .005% of it's capability.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

Have you tried a camera yet?

I ran a couple of the tutorial videos and then tried looking at CQC Server Administration | Add Driver but did not see anything that looked like an IP camera driver.

Looks like drivers are moot for cameras.

Insead, one builds screens and one of the building blocks for screens is something called "Widgets".... and there is something like an "Web Page" widget that can be pointed at some HTML that the user supplies.

I tried copying/pasting the html from my camera's admin page it worked with the "Java" option on my other PC. The server PC's not buying it yet... but that approach seems tb the answer.

I don't have any cameras, so I haven't done anything like this. But CQC does have a webserver. So you are thinking correctly that you would build up web pages that CQC would then call via the web browser widget. I'd recommend that you post on the CQC forum with some questions (or search the forums for previously asked questions). You'll find the users over there are extremely helpful and friendly.

Originally Posted by PeteCress

Sheesh!!.... This product looks like geek heaven to me.... I just *might* decide to buy it over mControl just for the granularity of control that it offers - even though I'd only be using about .005% of it's capability.

It is an extremely powerful piece of software. We all start at .005% and then once we learn what is possible, our systems seems to expand and out wallets seem to get thinner (because we keep buying more hardware to control - CQC doesn't charge by the device as some companies do).

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by sic0048

CQC doesn't charge by the device as some companies do).

That's what I've been waiting to hear.

Now that I can post on CQC, I'll take my comments/questions over there and let this thread die.