Who's converting to iRule remote control? - Page 3

This is something I REALLY want to do, but I just fear my lack of patience (and lack of expertise in a few areas) is going to get the best of me.

I can barely handle monkeying around with my Harmony 1 anymore.

What is most daunting to me is the integration of my IR-only components. If someone has a link to a good textual, or even better, video explanation as to how these "gateways" (I could be wrong with that reference too, lol) are intergrated into this for the IR control, I may take the plunge this week already.

If it was simply a matter of pluggin everything into my router/using the WIFI, I would have done this months ago.

As someone alluded earlier, I think a step-by-step, irule-for-dummies guide would spur along the "bit timid" gang looking to do this exponentially.


James

Perhaps you should Google Flash capabilities. In a nutshell I get precision timing with Animation, can playback video from multiple sources, and on and on and on. Your imagination is the limiting factor.

Basically it's the difference between a turd and a shiny Diamond.

If you want static buttons then your fine. Just know that its nothing special and not impressive in the least. Just functional. If you want something that looks like a million bucks, then you need Flash with a good graphic artist that can Photoshop with special effects.

Seems people are impressed with the cost of remote software, not how awesome it is. Meaning it doesn't beat Crestron and AMX (Creston copy).

By no means am I saying the product is bad; it's just not for me until future enhancements are incorporated. For the average user that doesn't know Flash, Photoshop, programming, then it will most likely suit them just fine. I'm ok with that, and hope the development progresses. Make sure you pay your dues to aid in that development too.

I've also used a Pronto for years, and spent hours programming it. I have an iPad and iPhone and have been toying with the idea of switching to iRule, but am also put off by the lack of clarity in exactly what hardware (which Global Cache) is necessary to deal with IR and RS232 components. I've also had some negative experience with IR emitters in terms of dependability, so would welcome some clear advice. The programming of iRule seems fairly clear, but it's difficult to imagine starting from scratch.

You shouldn't have problems with the Global Cache products. I use the GC-100 series with zero problems for many many years.

So if I have 9 IR and 2 RS devices to control, am I better off with the GC100 or iTach devices? What are the pros and cons of each?

I can only speak for Global Cache. I wish there were improvements for more interfaces per device.... with that being said, I have never run into a problem with RS-232. It has been perfect since day one as far back as I can remember.

Of course any product can fail as nothing lasts forever. I'm sure it will fail eventually. But I have been very happy with their performance so far.

I wish they had more "outputs" similar to what Universal Remote has: MSC-400 on one device. Oh well.

One limitation of the GC100 I have heard is that it can only be controlled by one device. So if you want to use both your I-Phone and Ipad as remotes, the GC100 doesn't support that whereas the Itach does.

Is this correct?

Yes, the GC units only support one connection at a time, whereas iTachs support multiple connections.

jeff, you said you send off trigger commands from the xp8 to the GC unit. do you know if this possible to do with a URC msc400 base station as well? i have hundreds of macros programmed into my base station and i just can't rewrite all of them.

and, could you control all of your components ir connected directly to the xp-8 or did you wire them all to the GC units?

there is an unsupported driver for GC to RTI XP8 on the RTI forum: I have not tried it yet

check for PM

I was all set to buy a Global Cache GC-100-12, but now I can't use it with my iPad2 and our 2 iPhone4's?

I posted this in the master iRule thd.

I'm a bit confused by this. You ar controlling this unit via IR right? Is it sluggish in respone to the regular ir remote as well? Please clarify.
Thansks

Jeff, from what I remember at the Spring meet, Pete and Kevin volunteered you to host the next meet, so it sounds like you are on the same page .

PM me if you have time. We would love to keep the ball rolling with the HEMI meets.

Nick

Jeff- hopefully we can have a summer meet at your place July/August - throw around a date.
I can be penciled in for Spring 2012 HEMI meet as placeholder, say May-2012.




Just to clarify:
I can get the Global Cache GC-100-12, and then program my iPad2 with its own screens and our 2 iPhone4's with their own screens.
But, controlling the HT devices with the GC-100-12 will work like this:

a) Anyone of the iPad2/iPhone can control, but just one at a time. Once one initiates control - it "takes sole ownership" of the GC-100-12. i.e., that iPad2/iPhone will keep ownership rights of controlling the devices until it shuts down or gives up ownership.

Then, any one of the 3 devices can again assume owneship of the GC-100-12, and keeps ownership/control until its all turned "off", reliquinshing ownership rights.

For us, the iPad2 makes sense as the HT control device - nice big screen, howeve if my kids are using that upstairs, and my wife is in the basement and wants to turn on zone3 of the Denon, which I have set-up for her craft room in-ceiling speakers, then she could do that via her iPhone, which she basically carries around.

Same for me, I'm working in the basement and want to turn on say zone2 speakers, which are my in-ceiling speakers not in the HT but in the general open area, I'd want my iPhone capable to do that. Or, even run the whole HT while my kids have the iPad2 upstairs.

When I look at the site http://www.iruleathome.com/ its unlcear to me that ability.

Something in favor of the Apple device interface (iPad/iPhone/iPod), at least for me, is the sheer industrial design aspect of the Apple devices. They are almost always gorgeously designed, solid, beautifully engineered pieces of gear.

Even when I was deciding which smartphone to buy after trying the iPhone 4 all the other smartphones, whatever their particular tech or software advantages, just felt like cheap, novelty knock-offs in terms of "hand feel," build quality, attention to detail etc.

Even a couple years back when I was considering the Sonos music system (and other such digital music systems), once the iPod Touch and iPhone got their "Remote" app the sheer beauty of their screen, software and industrial design made other company remotes feel years old, clunky and cheaper, even if they actually cost more. Every time I picked up another remote control it felt disappointing.

It's also like the difference between my RTI T2C remote for my main system vs my Harmony One remote for my secondary plasma system. The RTI remote feels top notch, refined, all around solid. The Harmony feels like a plastic toy in comparison...absolute lunch-bag-let-down. The idea of spending as much money as I did on my home theater and having the one device I mostly hold and use to interact with it feel cheap and cheesy is intolerable.

With the iPad 2 (which I've had for a little while now) it again raises the bar for industrial design - the look, feel, precision, gorgeous screen. Even many of the more expensive touchscreen remotes I've seen from the "big names" feel generations behind.
(Although there may be new ones out I haven't tried...and I know many produce apps for the iPad as well).

Anyway, just musing out loud....

Steve - These are really nice looking. Thx for your efforts.

so now I hear the RTI iPhone/ iPad app has been delayed due to latency issues: from when a button is pressed on the iOS till the time it shows the command in real life

the latest release date is July (the release date has been set back over a year now)

Sounds like they should call Itai

I have a fairly elaborate pronto pro system and am running iRule in parallel with this system. I think we are seeing the transition of high end remote systems to a new generation of companies that are embracing a new model of control which will is changing the whole model of system integration that we have embraced over the last decade. Makes me understand why Phillips shut down their business. SJ.

I have 4 Video Zones and 7 audio zones, I have been using Control4 to run it, Cost is very High.. On Friday I pulled the Control4 system, and installed the Global Cache. Equipment Change out was 6 hours, Programming 5 hours and I like my screens better.

I could never invest in changining my lights over the cost was too high with Control4, now it will only cost me about $50 per switch, Control4 $130, plus you have to pay a tech to program it becuase they have locked down there software.

I program industrial control systems for a living, I am very impressed with the potential of IRule, The setup and programming is easy.... once you learn how to do it. The lack of documentation makes getting started hard. If you are willing to take the time to look things up at AVSforum, and ask a few questions, you can have a great control, of your AV equipment, and lights for a fraction of the cost of traditional systems like Crestron, and Control4. I hope this help other users.

It still has a long ways to go to approach Pronto Pro. Great value though. If I had a working Pronto Pro system, I'd just wait for this to evolve more. I am still experimenting with it. Pronto Pro had to evolve as well.

Support is great as well.

what light switches do you use?