Thought I would try the forum first before I hit tech support. I’m an embedded software engineer by profession and a gadget nut / tinkerer by hobby. I’m considering home automation as my next hobby project.
I’ve got a house with Cat 5e through most of the house. I have two Panasonic BL-C210a IP cameras set up. I have my own domain set up that is currently being handled by Dynamic DNS pointing the DNS to my home IP. I’ve got the IP Camera’s set up to be accessible on my domain through custom ports. I’ve got a bunch of geeky questions.
Can MCV use my panasonic IP cameras as motion detectors?
Does the MCV have to be the DHCP controller on the LAN? I understand that it is probably how autodetection works but can I just manually add IP’s?
The house has an old fashioned, low tech, security system that is not monitored and has no RS232 outputs but it does have sensors wired throughout the house for windows and doors. Is there any way to wire these existing sensors into MCV?
Is there any kind of PIN pad type interface to disarm the system? I frequently go home for lunch and I don’t want to trigger my security system every time I go home for lunch or the cleaners come. I want to give different codes to my wife, kid, and cleaning people so I can create rules that do different things when these codes are entered. I want to avoid “false positives” from normal household activities because then you start ignoring the emails and SMS’s.
I currently have a wireless router running linux with a USB port, if I replace it with MCV, can I extend my Z-wave range by buying another USB to Z-wave adapter and plugging it into this router in another part of my house?
No. I have my Vera as a client to a D-Link Router with DCHP.
Not that I am aware of. I suppose with extensive programming, it might be possible, but I do not see how.
I would think that depends on your security system, not Vera.
ZWave devices themselves act as repeaters for ZWave signals. Sometimes it is necessary to put another ZWave module between a distant one and Vera, but that should be all that is necessary to extend the range.
Possibly, see 4 below and depending on what sensors you have they could wire to Z-Wave sensors.
No pin pad but there are a couple of software plugins. DSC and Paradox I think it is, someone was also working on building an Ademco plugin too.
Using multiple Vera’s as bridged networks is possible, maybe @Woodsby could help you with that if need be but the range of Z-Wave is max 4 hops which in a perfect enviroment could give you as much as 400’
Thank you for the replies. Time to do a little more research.
The Panasonic IP cameras have motion detection built in, they can send emails to me or record footage. I wonder if there is any way to tie these to events. I’ve googled but been unable to find any API for the panasonic cameras. Anybody aware of a panasonic API document?
DSC alarm looks promising… It may meet my needs. Thanks.
David
I have a Panasonic camera too…only able to function as a basic camera!
Well…the book answer is no. But I had a “yes” situation. Early on I had issues with Apple Routers and AT&T DSL modems and I was required to put my old Vera 1 as the DHCP router as well as the first device after the DSL modem. It would not work any other way for me! But I bought a combo modem/router for the DSL connection and Vera works fine on the inside of my network.
I’m interested in that too – see below comment on ADT Pulse. I can probably come up with something if I talk to enough people, but the central monitoring aspect is valuable – especially if I miss an alert or the phone call for being in a work meeting or asleep in a hotel room away from home. At least ADT is supposed to dispatch the cops.
Definitely looking for the next iteration of ADT Pulse – too many questions I have. But I found iVera works very well, so does the other more expensive iPhone app to control things on the fly. I guess almost as good as a touch pad.
A new Schlage lock (non deadbolt Z-wave) on the master bedroom door fixed some early network reach issues I had. (I previously had a “regular” non-Zwave Schlage lock.)
Txpatriot, thanks for your comments. I’m down in Pearland, just south of Houston. You would not happen to be close? Would love to see the system in action.
After a little digging I have found some info on the DSC line of alarms. They have both serial and TCP/IP interfaces and I am having someone come out on Monday to price a DSC panel install. DSC actually gave me a username and password login for their tech library so I will be doing some research on that this weekend.
Depending on your model it may be possible to wire your camera into your alarm system and then wire your alarm system into Vera.
I don’t even own a Vera yet but it is on my list… it might be the easiest and cheapest way to build event handling and email / SMS functionality into the system.
David
[quote=“davidsmoot, post:6, topic:167124”]Txpatriot, thanks for your comments. I’m down in Pearland, just south of Houston. You would not happen to be close? Would love to see the system in action.
After a little digging I have found some info on the DSC line of alarms. They have both serial and TCP/IP interfaces and I am having someone come out on Monday to price a DSC panel install. DSC actually gave me a username and password login for their tech library so I will be doing some research on that this weekend.
Depending on your model it may be possible to wire your camera into your alarm system and then wire your alarm system into Vera.
I don’t even own a Vera yet but it is on my list… it might be the easiest and cheapest way to build event handling and email / SMS functionality into the system.
David[/quote]I’m currently installing a DSC system at the moment (KIT16-QP63)…
Turned out to not be as simple as I thought! My house is pre-wired for an alarm, but everything apart from the panel and the pin pad locations are hidden behind drywall! Currently I’m playing a game of hide and seek with the wiring and am losing
To integrate it with Vera I’m using the IT-100 and a wiznet ethernet to serial device, and will most likely add the TL-150 IP adapter later on I guess.
I actually got access to the DSC library and have been reading through their documentation. The TL150 and the IT100 are very different things that can accomplish the same goal.
The TL150 presents a web interface for event viewing and ARM/disarm but it also sends an encrypted data string to an IP of your specification. But it appears that you can control the IP and the AES encryption key. So it may be possible to “self monitor”.
There is a higher end model that will send to two destination IP’s that would be fun…
David
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My house is pre-wired for an alarm, but everything apart from the panel and the pin pad locations are hidden behind drywall! Currently I’m playing a game of hide and seek with the wiring and am losing