Can anyone recommend a simpler replacement for CQC?

[ChuckSchick]

Greetings. I'm hoping to be pointed in the right direction.

I've been a CQC user for 3 or 4 years and over time I'm using less and less of it's functions. At this point all I use is the ELK M1 Interface to report alarm status and the web widget to display a few cameras. Sonos and Sage have taken over the media aspects. It's hard for me to justify the expense of the yearly software contract.

For my touchpanels, except for the alarm armed status, I could replace that interface with some html to display the security camera feeds and some weather maps.

I'm wondering if there is any way to get data from the Elk M1G into a web page? Alternately, is there a product out there that will do something similar to CQC with reduced functionality and cost?

Much thanks, Chuck.

 

[electron]

Your cameras will be the big question here. If they are IP, then maybe they are compatible with ELKRMS, which talks directly to the ELK M1 over IP. It's a very stable application, lets you control all aspects of the M1, and supports IP cameras. The skin can be changed (default looks pretty good tho), but would require the expensive designer software. Runs on CE and Windows XP/Vista/7.

 

[roussell]

Take a look at Housebot or the free Premise (on the forums here).

I'll beat Rupp to the punch and say that you could go with HomeSeer too.

Terry

 

[jkish]

Greetings. I'm hoping to be pointed in the right direction.

I've been a CQC user for 3 or 4 years and over time I'm using less and less of it's functions. At this point all I use is the ELK M1 Interface to report alarm status and the web widget to display a few cameras. Sonos and Sage have taken over the media aspects. It's hard for me to justify the expense of the yearly software contract.

For my touchpanels, except for the alarm armed status, I could replace that interface with some html to display the security camera feeds and some weather maps.

I'm wondering if there is any way to get data from the Elk M1G into a web page? Alternately, is there a product out there that will do something similar to CQC with reduced functionality and cost?

Much thanks, Chuck.

Just FYI, there is no more CQC yearly maintenance fee as of a couple of days ago.

 

[EST]

ChuckSchick,

If you have already paid for CQC and it works for you, why change it? They no longer are charging for yearly update fees (search here and CQC forum for all the details). Even thought you don't use all the features (same here only because of a time factor, not the lack of will to use it) you have already been using it so why change? Since there is no longer a cost, would you change for other reasons? They now charge IF you want to upgrade, if you don't...then don't. If you have already paid for update fees, you can still get the updates until the time frame you bought expires.

 

[Frunple]

Take a look at Elve. It's still young but very well built, support is great and it's getting better every day!
Try it out and see if it works for you, very easy to use.

 

[Dean Roddey]

Have you looked at the CQC/Sage integration? I don't use Sage myself, but from what I understand from those who do, the integration to CQC is very powerful. So it would seem like your using Sage would make CQC more useful to you, not less.

 

[Steve]

I agree especially in light of the eliminated maintenance fees that it is probably not the wisest thing to switch unless of course you have some other underlying reason. You have invested alot of time in learning CQC and it is setup and working. And who knows, most of our systems are always being improved and added upon, who's to say you don't want to take advantage of some other CQC feature down the road. I don't use all of its functionality either but I am comfortable knowing pretty much whatever I want to do will be possible.

 

[jumbodogs]

There is also Girder/Netremote. I currently use this for my for my setup and I am in the process of setting up the ELK plugin that they have.

You can take a look at my blog to see some of the stuff I am doing. http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...;blogid=20&

You can also check out jwilson56 blog to see even more stuff you can do with it. If you can access the cameras from webpage you should be able to add that to touchscreen by using netremote.

 

[nexus99]

Why not just move totally away from a software app?

Just get a control app for you panel and put your programming in the panel.

I went the HAI route and I am using H@me via my iPhone to control lights, HVAC, and security. I have Casatunes to control music for my whole home audio. Its all nice looking and you dont have to do any heavy lifting to get it started.

For people with simple needs like me it fits the bill!

I guess the question is... what do you really need the control tool to do?

 

[ChuckSchick]

Why not just move totally away from a software app?

I'm starting to think you may have hit the nail on the head. My Elk M1G drives my relays, has it's own programming functions, and has 5 hardwired keypads throughout my house. I'm not sure I need to add an additional layer of programming. All I really need to do is get some limited data out of it and pump it into an interface.

Ideally the interface would be html as it's supported on every conceivable device. (I'm pretty sure my toaster has a web browser). I know I can get IP camera data onto a webpage, I just wish I could get a "Arm Security System" button. The Girder/Netremote products look like they may have some potential.


.... off to do some digging.

Thanks, Chuck.