iRule vs. SimpleControl (formally roomie remote) Experience

[ccmichaelson]

Looking for any experiences (good and bad) using one or both of these systems...
 
I home ran all TV room wires (CAT 6, Coax, etc.) into a central location and plan to use either iRule or SimpleControl to control all A/V gear in rack and TV's mounted on walls.
 
I also have the ISY994i and Elk M1 alarm panel and hoping that I could incorporate some lighting control into the "watch TV", "watch Movie" modes.

 

[cyberk]

I'm also interested in the responses here!

 

[tunneling]

I think the biggest difference with these systems is going to be how they are implemented and how they monetize the product. I personally felt like iRule took too much time for me to get started. You have to build an interface in their iRule Builder. With SimpleControl, I'll honestly say I haven't used it for quite some time (I thought it was still called Roomie). Back when I did try to use it, I just felt like it lacked flexibility.
 
There are other options out there. If you have Android, you might take a look at Panoptic. It's free to download and most of the drivers have a free demo version. You can actually build control panels on the device so you don't need additional software or to use a web interface.

 

[rugao123]

I tried with iRule, but just couldn't get to work.  SimpleControl (Roomie Remote) was very easy to setup, now with Amazon Echo, works like a charm.  As of this week, I'm able to change TV channels and set the volume of the receiver.  Good tech support through email. I will definitely get the hub to have it integrate with Echo.

 

[video321]

I used to spend lots of time creating custom panels back when I first got started with the PPC and Girder then moved into tablets. Now, I don't have the time to even care so I use a free program called OpenRemote to create a simple layout and pass all commands through to one of my VMs running EventGhost that will control A/V equipment and basic automation/security. If I want more control over my automation/security I just bring up that particular app on the tablet. I used to get hung up on that "single interface" to bring everything together, but not now.
 
Anyway.. that's just my take on it and what I'm using.