Re: Re: I need a doorbell!!!

[Kevin Hawkins <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You will - at least financially for just a doorbell :-)

C-Bus has both input and output units interconnected by a networking
(CAT5) cable.  You can program which inputs control which outputs so you
could connect your doorbell to an input unit where it appears as a light
switch type control - this can then be onwardly linked to lights on
dimmer channels or relay output units - and could even connect to a
logic controller like a C-Bus touchscreen or C-BUS PAC unit. - or
outwards to xAP...  should be able to easily get up to £2-3K for all
of
those - warranting a claim to the most expensive doorbell in the UK !
Even limited functionality would be over £500 I'm thinking.

The Netiom will run without a PC 24/7 but won't do much - it will send
network messages if asked by something else.  A xAP Netiom will send xAP
network messages again 24/7 without a PC. What is possibly more useful
from Phaedrus is the VIOM .  It's not connected to Ethernet but it has
inbuilt 'smarts' allowing it's inputs to control its outputs with logic
and timed delays implemented - eg doorbell push could ring  internal
bell in kitchen twice and if door not opened could ring bells in all
rooms 30 seconds later.  If back door is open then ring in backgarden
too type of thing.    It is controllable via a serial port but would run
standalone 24/7 too.  The WebBrick is sort of similar to one of these on
Steroids - has Ethernet plus a nice web interface and amazing internal
engine with advanced timed /logic control . The VIOM is a brute force
basic logic controller and the WebBrick far more sophisticated , but at
a higher cost.  Barionet as Li says has it's own internal Basic like
programming language which makes it very flexible to achieve almost
anything you could want.

For all these however you are really in the domain of device control -
one thing triggering another which after all is what a doorbell does.
Should you want richer types of interaction with things like activity
logs, video recording/voice mailbox if out , mp3 files (ringtone
doorbell) , an SMS arriving on your phone when the doorbell rings or
maybe even voice routing to your mobile then you need a fairly powerful
piece of kit - Things like Comfort handle some of these but a PC will be
the most flexible and cost effective  (although not dependable) assistant.

Kevin

noel_pilot wrote:
>
> hmmm sounds good....
>
> ...now i'm sure i will live to regret this but......How would you do
> it with Cbus?!
>
> --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx <mailto:ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Tim
> Hawes" <timsyahoo@...> wrote:
> >
> > You don't need a PC on 24/7 for basic functionality via a Web
Brick
> > (www.o2m8.com) e.g. bell-press is pushed, web brick output rings
a
> > bell etc. but you probably would for some of the more fun stuff
(take
> > photo / activiate sprinklers etc.). One of the great advantages
of the
> > web brick is that it can run self-contained should the rest of
the
> > network have a problem. The other thing I like about the newer
version
> > of the web brick is that it has a couple of mains-rated relays
> > directly on the board (I've no connection to the web brick guys,
other
> > than an enthusiastic supporter).
> >
> > I don't know whether the Barionet (www.laser.com) and NetIOM
> > (www.phaedrusltd.com) require a PC to be on 24/7. IIRC there's a
> > version of the Barionet that is designed for door entry
applications
> > so can (again, IIRC) support audio. Have a look at the Barionet
over
> > at Laser.
> >
> > You could also do it with C-Bus too I guess.
> >
> > Keep us posted, and don't forget the pictures :-)
> >
> > HTH,
> >
> > Tim.
> >
> > On 8/30/06, noel_pilot <HA@...> wrote:
> > > thats what im talking about :) something whole new that i've
not
> > > dabbled with that means i can get learning once again! :)
> > >
> > > i've heard them mentioned lots but know nothing about them,
any links
> > > to reading material for them?! am i correct in assuming
these require
> > > a pc on 24/7, not a big problem in itself as i may do that
anyway,
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx <mailto:ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Tim Hawes" <timsyahoo@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Standard doorbell push-button connected to a NetIOM,
Web Brick,
> > > > Barionet etc. which, when pressed, initates a xAP or
xPL event.
> After
> > > > that you can do what you like with it (play a sound
inside, flash a
> > > > light, send a text message etc.)
> > > >
> > > > Halloween is coming up(!), maybe you could play a
spooky scream etc.
> > > > to scare away the trick or treat-ers, flash the lights
in the
> > > > pumpkins, turn on the garden sprinklers etc...the
possibilties for
> > > > childish pranks are endless ;-)
> > > >
> > > > HTH,
> > > >
> > > > Tim.
> >
>
>