Crestron Systems - Programming? - Page 2

@amirm - Alright, I just posted that mainly for clarification purposes I'm planning on making a bit of progress on this over this weekend. I'll post what I can since I knew Neurorad is also interested in this.

I am going simple I just removed any extra pages, but I have my page with one button on it, if I can get the relays to go with that button that's good enough for me. I like a bit of a challenge, but I know I can figure this much out eventually. I've got the join numbers, just reading into what the next step is.

I have my project/system designed (pieced together) in SIMPL Windows, and for my specific touchpanel through VTPro-e i've now got one page with one button on it.

It's not about a challenge for me but rather the learning experience I may not be able to do it, but eventually I will figure things out. I'm not backing out anytime soon, this stuff is of a personal interest for me. I like hearing from the experts around here instead of just guessing. Not to say that I'm just a guy that takes the easy way out, but I do learn from everything that's been posted in this thread thus far, and that's the greatest opportunity for me in my opinion.

I'll try for a week though, without trying to ask for a helping hand as much as possible, but I'm not so sure about that week time period with no help. I may not even be able to get it within a week with the assistance here, can never tell

But I've learned most of what I know today aside from Crestron on my own basically. Lots of resources out there, I was having trouble finding those resources with Crestron though aside from basic documentation.

My biggest obstacle here now, is trying to figure out how to piece things together, from my SIMPL Windows project, to my VTPro-e project for the GUI, to the events between these 2. And compiling, that must be done in Crestron Toolbox if I was to take a guess. Otherwise SIMPL Windows, then Crestron Toolbox or either SIMPL Windows to send to the devices the system file that I've created. Maybe the in-program help docs can help me out, I should try that.

That may be helpful, I forgot about all those videos. Easy learning

Finally got my first system up and working

Updated the firmware through the MC2efor both the MC2e itself and the TPS-4000L via an indirect Cresnet connection through the MC2e. Got my 1 page VTPro project created using Photoshop for the button images, and gave each object/button join numbers for 11, 12, and 13. Made sure the Cresnet ID's were coinciding for both the VTPro project and the SIMPL Windows projects, compiled and uploaded via serial and cresnet through the control unit.

I'm fooling around with different button press sounds and background images and all that now. Big thanks to everyone that helped me get on my way, along with another member on this forum by the name of ttt2k who has also taken the liberty to help me understand a few things. He actually helped me understand a bit of the logic in terms of joins and modules in SIMPL Windows as well. Very helpful user.

When you first see the result of matrix's over a series of screens, that's pretty cool as well. I was reviewing all the multimedia section that they had a week ago I got my CSS-D as well during that time.

I didn't get it in a week, I failed on that front I did spent and use up pretty much all of my free time on the weekends and after work though reading documentation and reviewing the crestron videos for the toolbox and whatnot on their site though. I ended up actually getting my CSS-D certification as well because I literally looked through their entire site by now, and I seen that this was available so I decided to get it while I was on their website (why not?).

I really enjoy how helpful and friendly the people are in this community though. Maybe I should have taken your challenge (even knowing that I would have failed lol). It would have been good for laughs at least

I'm happy I spent the time I did on this though. I learned quite a bit, and not only about SIMPL Windows, ToolBox, VTPro and the communication between a touchpanel and a processor through a SIMPL Windows/VTPro project by digital joins, but lots of other things as well; Shading solutions, and lots more about the hardware that I currently have by Crestron. I'm actually looking to invest some into getting myself one of their newer touchpanels, just for the purpose of learning and using some of their newer programs like Core3UI, and others.

I know the world of automation is starting to get into control, through things like apple devices (iPads, iPhones, etc...), so perhaps this is something I should be looking into as well, since I know lots of consumers will want this. I need to get into that game of things. Believe it or not, I now already have some background knowledge in Objective-C, so apps for the iDevices aren't too far of a stretch for myself.

Thanks guys
~Ace

I'm now using that TPS-4000L to control my bedroom TV

I have an IR driver module for the TV that I have in SIMPL Windows from the Crestron DB that i'm using and assigning to the digital joins for each button in the VTPro project, and outputting IR hex codes directly to the TV from there.

TPS-4000L via Cresnet back to the MC2E and to the IR/Serial output, port A from A-D, which blasts IR to my TV for the control.


Edited by AceInfinity - 9/9/12 at 9:51pm

Yes, i'm actually starting to understand this stuff now. I'm no pro, but I will get there one day, the learning curve doesn't all of a sudden end for me right here and now because i've created a couple systems lol. Still a novice on that front. Getting there step by step

Thanks! For what you're saying here, and myself experiencing it, I agree. These programming concepts that I previously have are starting to make connections to each other even though SIMPL Windows in itself is so different looking than what i'm used to. I can understand how things work because of my background knowledge, and I think that's the reason for why i'm progressing the way I am. I was looking at SIMPL+ versions of code actually on the Crestron WikiSpace and it makes MUCH more sense to me now. That place I found from the Yahoo Group was incredibly helpful.

Yeah I seen some videos and reviews of CEDIA 2012... That Sony 4K is pretty awesome actually! I'm looking forward to seeing what Crestron comes out with next. They've been talking about a bunch of new software for various things apparently

I can't say I have an answer for you, but I know that the TPS-4000L touchpanel that i've been working with lacks the graphic quality that i'm looking into dealing with. If you take the 3000 and 4000 as version numbers, even if i'm wrong to assume that, I can't say that the 3000 will be much better. Although it does the job, and Cresnet is amazingly simple stupid to deal with, it will power up the Touchpanel from the control processor as you've got the Power and data all in those 4 wires running through it. It's what currently helps power up my TPS-4000L when i'm working with it for communication.

I would LOVE to have a nicer touchpanel, but since i'm still learning I think it's best for me personally to make due with what i've got.

For you though.. You don't have things to work with yet? Then you've got free reign to gain feedback from the pro's here, and take their word on things based on what YOU are looking for, for when you first start practicing with this stuff, which could be a good thing!

Good luck friend

Hahaha!

That's one of the reasons why I like my TPS-4000L; large screen. Although my eyes aren't bad yet, it's just nice to work with, both when creating a GUI, you've got more space for objects to put on a single page, and even when in use, it's much easier to use than a smaller screen.

Just my personal preference though at this point. I don't have any hardware preferences yet because I haven't quite worked with this stuff too much yet. I can't be an advocate for which is better over something else per say, so I just don't go there. As for now, it's just the specs and the "wow" factor

~Ace

Not really, the touchpanel can be powered via Cresnet because 24 and G are power, Y and Z are both data. I'm not even using any other ports, the only connection I have to my TPS-4000(L) is through Cresnet by phoenix connector. I don't have the TPS-IMPC or TPS-IMW, it's just my MC2E processor and the TPS-4000L. Connected by Cresnet. No interface module is required really (from what I know anyways).

Typically because 24 and G are power, red being hot would go to 24 and black would go to G. You'll notice with Cresnet wire that the Red and Black wires are a bit thicker than the white and blue. That's the reasoning behind this

But then, from there for my system that i've been working on, i've also got IR emitters on the Serial/IR output which is controlled by touchpanel actions.

Cresnet on the TPS-4000L back to the MC2E:


Cresnet on the MC2E back to the TPS-4000L:


Here's my VTPro GUI i've created utilizing Photoshop:

Edited by AceInfinity - 9/15/12 at 2:57pm

That's what I was reading for the longest time. Manuals, manuals, manuals for all of my equipment. Along with many other specs and all that for each program I knew i'd need along the way to create my own basic system at first. The only thing i'm seeing about my TPS-4000L is that the supported colors is affecting the gradients, and making them more like regional "rings" instead of a gradual gradient color change from one point to another. So for my GUIs that's one thing to mention here with this Touchpanel. I'm going to have to lessen the use of gradients here with large color differences.

I have 4 or 5 years in Photoshop and graphics design as well, so i'm well suited for most of this Crestron stuff so far lol. I absolutely love the way things have been working out for me though, I understand i'm fortunate for my past background knowledge, in both programming, graphics design, sound design, and other technical labor with installations. It covers pretty much everything here.

-Creating the GUI
-Sounds for the program
-Programming the system
-Installing it

That GUI was entirely created by myself in Photoshop, but without gradients things are limited to that fancy factor

I was actually working on something like this with orbs currently to see what this would look like but I haven't completed the design yet (the orbs I did in Photoshop):


I would also try to stay away from proprietary requirements. It makes things more expensive and harder to replace. The TPS-4000L I have was great for understanding the fundamentals of a system, and just in general for getting me started though. Although it's the only one i've actually worked with at this point, i'd recommend it for a multitude of reasons...

Next I want to test my ST-1700C (which was my first plan initially, but I moved to the TPS-4000L instead later on) to get started with RF communication. What i'm donig now though is trying to get a PCI card for my motherboard so that I have a few serial ports built into my computer however. I've been using a USB to Serial adapter up until now, but since it's not just a regular cable (it actually does conversions of the data) I find it less reliable, and it's probably slower on the data transfer for uploads.

~Ace

I wonder what a good choice would be for a touchpanel... Probably something which is in the Core3UI supported list i'd assume, but i'll have to look into that, and see how I can get a touchpanel ordered for myself through Crestron or get a good deal somehow through some company. I have a few choices here, it just depends on who wants or is willing to do me the favor. I could get one for free if they have enough personal faith in me to make something out of it once I get another one. But until then it's not rushed, i've got capable touchpanels for learning purposes at this point, and that's my priority focus

(Hopefully they'll have serial port PCI cards in stock for me soon, so I can continue learning. If not i'll get another cheapo USB to serial adapter for the time being.)

I found a 2 port one, but it was the wrong type of slot for a PCI, for ~$50 at a local store near me. Although there's really hardly a need to be using both at the same time, especially since they both share the same IRQ (interrupt request), to save computer resources. You only really upload to one device at a time anyways, and I don't have anything else that would require a COM Serial port. 8 ports would be overdoing it for me

Ahh! Thanks for that information, I had it in mind at one point in time, but must have neglected to retain it as important while I was learning because I had the Serial at the time lol. I guess I could try this next