RS232 A/V equipment with home automation. What do you use?

[frijoli]

Essentially looking for a good RS232 / ethernet gateway system and a good choice for software to use it.

I have Home Control Assistant now and UPB devices through out my house and theater. Right now I only control my lighting with it.
What I want to do is control my all of my gear with one software package. Meaning I would like to have an ethernet to serial gateway/router to control my A/V equipment from my PC server located away from my A/V equipment.

I don't want to use an IR server as there are more options for control of the gear using serial communications.

Ultimately what I am trying to do is have my IR remote trigger events in the software that turns on the equipment, turns out the lights and then starts the movie playing, etc.

Where I am lacking in experience is the interfacing of the software to the A/V equipment through the hardware. I know how to take a laptop, telnet into the receiver and turn it on and such. What I don't know how to do is route the commands through a router to multiple devices. Multiple serial ports at the server is not an option.

I do want this as DIY. I was looking at these, but don't fully understand the interfacing.

I am happy with HCA but, I am not opposed to trying Homeseer or something else if it will be more complete.

Point me in the right direction please!

Clay

 

[JimS]

Sounds like a "terminal server" might work. Basically a box with ethernet and multiple serial ports. Often there is software available for them that make them look like local serial ports - this makes it much easier to use standard software. They are a bit expensive new but can be found pretty cheap on ebay. I picked up an 8 port Digi unit for about $25. If you are going to have it on all the time you may want to look at power usage.

 

[electron]

Do you have a list of make/model numbers? Are you willing to write your own scripts/drivers? Serial to Ethernet gateways are nothing new, so it's just a matter of having software which supports talking to these components (just ignore the serial ethernet gateway part while figuring out software support).

 

[frijoli]

Do you have a list of make/model numbers? Are you willing to write your own scripts/drivers? Serial to Ethernet gateways are nothing new, so it's just a matter of having software which supports talking to these components (just ignore the serial ethernet gateway part while figuring out software support).

I would prefer something with drivers built in. I don't mind adding in commands and such but I'd rather not write a bunch of scripts.

Denon 3311ci
Oppo BD-83
Tascam dvd player. Not sure the model.

IS what I have or will have.

Is there automation software that has serial support that can be customized easily?

 

[frijoli]

Sounds like a "terminal server" might work. Basically a box with ethernet and multiple serial ports. Often there is software available for them that make them look like local serial ports - this makes it much easier to use standard software. They are a bit expensive new but can be found pretty cheap on ebay. I picked up an 8 port Digi unit for about $25. If you are going to have it on all the time you may want to look at power usage.

What model did you pick up? Do they have drivers available?

 

[JimS]

I have a Digi "Portserver 8" which is an older model. And digi's "real port" software.
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/
They have software for windows, linux, etc. Makes it look like a regular serial port so no special software. Whatever works with a regular serial port should work (except perhaps if the software can only use the first two regular ports).

You can also use these without the realport software but I don't know the details.

Digi isn't the only game in town but their support is great. Here is a thread about these.
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16544

The price of new ones may scare you but you can pick up older, used ones cheap if you look around a bit.

 

[frijoli]

I have a Digi "Portserver 8" which is an older model. And digi's "real port" software.
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/
They have software for windows, linux, etc. Makes it look like a regular serial port so no special software. Whatever works with a regular serial port should work (except perhaps if the software can only use the first two regular ports).

You can also use these without the realport software but I don't know the details.

I just purchased a pair of 8 port servers on Ebay for 20 bucks shipped. Thanks for the tip!

 

[potts.mike]

You should check out CQC. It's a software package that can tie all you components together and allow them to be controlled by a custom made interface. It can have a bit of a steep learning curve but once you get it it is pretty simple to set up.

 

[frijoli]

You should check out CQC. It's a software package that can tie all you components together and allow them to be controlled by a custom made interface. It can have a bit of a steep learning curve but once you get it it is pretty simple to set up.

Thanks, I Downloaded the trial. It won't install though. I am on that forum for help on this matter as well.

 

[potts.mike]

After posting here I saw your other post. Like I said, it's got a steep learning curve. Dean already posted a response though.

 

[frijoli]

After posting here I saw your other post. Like I said, it's got a steep learning curve. Dean already posted a response though.

Steep is right. I may not have the time to invest in learning the program right now. Certainly not in the 45 days for the trial. Very cool program and it may very well be where I end up.

Clay

 

[KentDub]

I picked up the Perle CS9000 from e-bay for extremely cheap (MSRP is in the thousands....)

It is an embedded system that provides 24 serial ports. Supports authentication, and whole bunch of stuff too. Best of all, it is a standalone device so you won't be forced to run a computer 24-7. Even if you already have a PC running 24-7, connect the PCs serial port to the Perle and you can SSH into it to start/restart your PC remotely.

Heres a link to an active ebay auction for one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Perle-CS9000-/280455365702?pt=PCC_Modems&hash=item414c714446

 

[etc6849]

Motorola Premise is easy to use FREE software that will do everything you are talking about. I had a few IR and RS232 theater components up and working the first day I ever used the software; if you're good with computers, I think you could do the same and the web interface Premise creates for you automatically is very nice.

http://www.cocoontech.com/wiki/Premise
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showforum=51

Solutions I use for IR over IP:
http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/models2/
http://www.globalcache.com/products/gc-100/

iTach and GC-100 are compatible with Premise natively.

Solutions I use for RS232 control:
http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/external-device-servers/?tab=0
http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/portservertsmei.jsp#overview

Lantronix and Digi both offer port emulation software that allows a remote PC to access the serial ports over your network; however, Lantronix is natively supported from within Premise.

I use this wireless solution with Premise:
http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/external-device-servers/wibox.html