Vera 2>Control4 Integration

Community Playground General Discussions
1

Has anyone seriously looked into the z-wave driver Extra Vegetables has created for the Control4 Platform? In my evaluation of my next Home Automation controller, I am considering a Control4 setup; since I can now integrate the majority of my z-wave network.

I’m concerned about Vera 2 performance in relaying the Control4 commands. (I had been an original Vera user and switched to HomeSeer due to performance issues on UI2) I’m curious to get some feedback from you all with Vera 2 now that we are on UI4. Has the performance/stability improved since Vera 1? Shold I wait until Vera 3 is released next month, and if so, what would I gain if I wait?

(I have a rather small z-wave network, due to a small Loft I live in, so we are talking nor more than 20 z-wave devices.)

I would appreciate any information you guys could offer! Thanks in advance!

2

If its written well then it should be fast! Example…

Have you used SQ remote or one of the other CPs? They actually feel quicker to use than Vera’s browser interface with absolutely no perceivable lag.

3

I’m the guy who wrote the driver; I can confidently say that it’s as quick to control Z-wave as using the native Control4 lighting system. It uses the Vera web API and is also quick at responding to changes on the Z-wave network; this is obviously dependent on the Z-wave device reporting its status promptly.

4

WiLLEV Thanks for responding! I’m contemplating the addition of Control4 for my home theater/Automation needs, and the ability to integrate a new C4 controller with my existing z-wave network is VERY appealing! (I’m looking at the WMC as well as the z-wave C4 EV Plugins you guys are offering for my new C4 install) I am hoping to use in-homeautomation.com services for remote programming/support and So far, them seem open to the idea of using and supporting the EV z-wave plugin.

Since they focus on C4 programming, I assume that they are going to rely pretty heavily upon my knowledge of Mios/Vera2 configuration. Are there some release notes/configuration guidelines that come along with the plugin from a Mios/Vera2 standpoint? (IE the EV website only lists requirements for the C4 controller and software version, and nothing about the Mios FW/UI versions etc.)

Also, I have a question about scene controllers: Currently I do not have any in-wall Scene Controllers for my z-wave setup. I noticed on your website that there is a note on limitations of the scene controllers. Would there be limitations if I simply bought ZigBee scene controllers, and then had the C4 programmer associate Vera Scenes to the Buttons on say a 6 button ZigBee In-wall Scene controller?

What about Door Locks? I know that there are ZigBee alternatives to z-wave door locks, but I am wondering the logic behind not including them in the C4 Driver? Is it due to the security encryption requirements or maybe a lack of this capability in the Vera web API?

Future development: I have been considering keeping up with the latest Vera hardware and purchasing Vera 3, are there plans to update the driver for official support of future Vera or Mios hardware versions?

On a more general note, how has the reception of this new driver offering been post CEDIA? There was A LOT of press coverage, but has there been a strong sales interest in the driver?

Looking forward to your reply!