Look at page 12/13 of the document you attached.
COMMAND_CLASS_SCREEN_META_DATA Version 1
The Screen Meta Data command is used to write custom text to the screen.
Hey guys,
If you look at the manual you will see that on pages 12/13 under the SET command it displays N/A, only the GET command is supported. This led me to believe that it might not support that feature, but I cannot be 100% sure about this. We will need to discuss it with the guys at Evolve.
I see N/A on the Attributes one but not the Meta Data:
COMMAND_CLASS_SCREEN_ATTRIBUTES Version 1
The Screen Attributes command is used to retrieve the screen attributes from the EVLCD1.
SET:
N/A
Looks like you can select any of the pre-defined label sets through parameter #17. I would expect this to work on Vera.
My guess is that if you set parameter #17 to value 17 ([tt]Custom MetaData[/tt]) it will show custom strings. Custom strings are programmed through the [tt]COMMAND_CLASS_SCREEN_META_DATA[/tt]. This is potentially not currently supported in Vera.
I also got a response back for MVC.
It also confirms what SIG has said:
"
Currently the labels can be changed using the predefined labels already on the
device, by using some configuration parameters provided in the specs. I just
got the confirmation from Evolve that we should also be able to modify the
labels with some custom ones and I’ll discuss with our developers to see when
can we expect to see some improvements.
I will give you an update asap, but I just wanted to let you know that the
preset labels can already be used.
"
I think I will order this unit.
I’m encouraged. Unfortunately, I’ve looked at all the pre-defined label sets available, and none of them give me what I need, so until we can actually define our own custom labels, this won’t work for me.
Kermit88 - please do keep us posted if you end up buying/installing one of these. It really is a cool product and I’d love to use one (or more) in my installation.
Does anyone have one of these at home? How big are they? Do they need to be in a single standalone gang box? Or can they go in a 2-gang box (or larger)?
The description says “Fits onto a standard single gang wall box” but it looks a little wider than a single switch, so I was thinking it would have to go in its own switch location and not next to anything.
@PurdueGuy - from what I’ve determined from my own research, the actual switch plate/frame is part of the unit itself (meaning you cannot put a standard Decora switchplate over it). The actual dimensions seem to match those of a standard single-gang switch. But as you surmise, if you have an existing multi-gang wall-box in place, and want to put this controller into one of the open gangs, it won’t fit properly with the other switches. The link to Evolve’s product page for the LCD-1 is http://www.eguestcontrols.com/products/director-series-controllers/lcd-1/.
However, Evolve makes another model called the LCD-2 which is the same, single 5-button controller but configured to fit into a 2-gang wallbox with an open slot on the right side for another decora-style switch. I haven’t been able to find a retailer selling this model (ASI seems to only sell the LCD-1 and the table-top version of it). Here is the link to the LCD-2 product page… http://www.eguestcontrols.com/products/director-series-controllers/lcd-2/.
They also make an LCD-3 model, but it appears to be a table-top configuration only, not intended to be mounted in a 3-gang wall box.
Bummer! None of the distributors list the LCD-2.
I only have places for an LCD-2, no place is suitable for the LCD-1 (all my current scene controllers are in multigang boxes, or have a switch built into them). I did just expand one single-gang box toa 2-gang yesterday, so I know I can handle that!!
@ASIHome: can you get/order the LCD-2 (assuming MCV gets the LCD-1 working?
Also, does anyone know if the backlight stays on forever? Can it be commanded off via z-wave? The manual has “backlight on level” and “backlight off level” but doesn’t explain them. Hmmm. I was thinking these would be nice in guest rooms (since they can change to say meaningful things), but not if the backlight stays on forever.
Hmm, I also see a [tt]Display Timeout[/tt], so perhaps the backlight stays on at the [tt]Backlight ON Level[/tt] for [tt]Display Timeout[/tt] seconds after the last key press and then goes to the [tt]Backlight OFF Level[/tt]?
Looks like you may even be able to set the color of the backlight.
LCD-2 and LCD-3 are not yet available through distribution.
I think I may order the tabletop version just to “play” with it. I’m definitely not the most technical of Vera users/configurators in this community, but if I can figure out how to configure this controller and customize the button labels, I’ll obviously let everyone know what I came up with. If anyone beats me to the punch, please do the same.
Well that’s a total bummer 
did they give you any idea when they might be?
Just ordered the tabletop version from ASI. Might turn out to be an expensive experiment, but I figured playing around with the tabletop version would be easier than an in-wall installed version.
I’m much less technical than most in this community, but I’ll do my best to figure out first, if the thing simply works with Vera or not (I suspect it probably will) and second, whether or not the LCD screen can be programmed with custom labels through Vera. I may call on members for some coding help. But I’ll make sure to share my results.
I should have the device by Tuesday.
[quote=“Sig, post:34, topic:170798”]Just ordered the tabletop version from ASI. Might turn out to be an expensive experiment, but I figured playing around with the tabletop version would be easier than an in-wall installed version.
I’m much less technical than most in this community, but I’ll do my best to figure out first, if the thing simply works with Vera or not (I suspect it probably will) and second, whether or not the LCD screen can be programmed with custom labels through Vera. I may call on members for some coding help. But I’ll make sure to share my results.
I should have the device by Tuesday.[/quote]
The only difference with the wall and tabletop version is: 1) Color, 2) table top come with a plug in power supply and the wall version has a wire in and 3) The tabletop has a stand.
I was going to order a wall mount and just put it in a home made desk stand. You could even run it on batteries but I’m not sure how long they would last before needing to be replaced or recharged.
Thanks @Timon. I was aware of the differences (or non-differences) between the wall-mount and table-top controller. I decided to buy the tabletop controller because, if it works out, it would be a great controller for my master bedroom bedside table. So it won’t be throw-away, assuming I can get it to work the way I want it to. And if it does work out, then I will also order a wall-mount for my entry and maybe another for the guest room.
If I can’t get this Evolve to work, then I’ll drop it in my electronics graveyard junk drawer (at least until it’s fully supported) and go with Cooper Aspire scene controllers. I’ve previously used only Leviton in my other home and while they’re perfectly functional and reliable, I’ve never been thrilled with the “feel” of them. I know they’re well-made, but the buttons always feel kind of flimsy and cheap. The Coopers have a much nicer quality feel to them (my opinion).
Update…7-10 day ordering time from Evolve, according to ASI. So I won’t have an update for the community on this controller for a couple of weeks.
For the price you pay for these scene controllers if one can find a GOOD low cost wall mount for an iPodTouch I think it’s a much better way to go. The problem right now it the best wall mount out there is from iPort and their prices are way too high for just a simple mount. Anytime your paying more than the cost of the iPodTouch you know the company is ripping you off!!
Just say’n!
John
SIG -
Please keep us updated.
I held off on buying the LCD-1 because I did not like the Preset labels.
OK, so I received the Evolve LCD-1 tabletop controller today. My initial reaction/findings…
-
The tabletop version is a bit “chunkier” than I thought it would be. The controller itself is about 3/4" thick, and it’s just glued or double-sided taped onto a metal base. The metal base, in my opinion, is bigger/denser than it needs to be. But that’s just my opinion. I would have preferred something a bit more elegant. In addition, it looks like they got just a bit sloppy when they glued the controller onto the base because mine is not perfectly square, and that’s driving me nuts, so I’ll likely try to pry it off and re-attach it myself.
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It included into my network/Vera without any problem. I then went into the device options and set a few parameters to select the pre-defined keypad type I wanted, as well as some backlight settings. Someone had inquired earlier about the backlight and wanting it to stay on - there’s actually a couple of parameters I found that control the “Backlight Off Level” (separately for the buttons and the LCD screen). It defaults to 0, meaning the backlight goes out after the timeout. I simply set it to 5, so it goes to full brightness when a button is pressed, and then dims to the lower level (rather than completely off) after the timeout. Perfect for a bedside table - I can find the controller in the dark, but the light is subtle enough not to disturb.
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I’m able to setup scenes and associate to buttons 1-5 with no problem.
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I’m also able to use configuration parameters to set the button-press/display behavior, so buttons can be toggle-type for Scene-on/Scene-off, like a typical scene controller with LEDs (the LCD button label will invert when on). Or you can set them to be momentary action when you just want to trigger a scene. The button-press/label behaviors default based upon which pre-defined keypad type you configure, but they can be overridden.
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I tried a few of the different pre-defined keypad types. The one that would be most useful now (in lieu of figuring out how to customize the labels) would be the Bedroom 1GangTable Type 8 (temp in the middle with up/down arrows, all On + all off). However, even after associating the controller with my thermostat, the controller is not displaying the current temperature nor adjusting the setpoints when I use the up/down buttons. The documentation implied this would happen automatically if I setup an association with my thermostat, but maybe I misinterpreted that too simply, and I need to write some code to do it. Any ideas on this?
All in all, I like the controller itself and definitely want to get a couple of the wall-mounted versions for my other rooms. But before I’ll do that, I want to figure out if we can customize the button labels, which would be the true value of this controller given its price.
So now I’d like to ask for some help from the coding experts out there. With the information in the Evolve manual (attached to a posting earlier in this thread) and knowing the command class, can someone help me write LUA code to send custom labels to the controller?
I’m prepared to put the code where it needs to be and test it and report back to the group. I’m available up through this coming Monday morning, but won’t be able to do any testing the remainder of next week.