xLobby can communicate with virtually any lighting protocol on the planet but this does not mean some technologies are perfect.

Insteon provides a simple and low cost retrofit solution for lighting, users need to understand its limitations and drawbacks, Insteon can have its flaws. It is strongly advised that potential xLobby customers be made aware of some of the issues below, thus adding to the cost and labor required to troubleshoot them.

Realistic facts about insteon:

1. Subjective to new high frequency energy saving lighting ballasts that will require a low pass filter otherwise these type of products can wipe out your complete home automation system. Calrad rescently upgraded hundreds of new energy saving flourescent light fixtures that used new high frequency ballasts, these ballasts emit so much electrical noise that it completely wiped out the communication links between the PLC\PLM to all the insteon products in the xLobby demo room. We had to install several filters in the electrical sub panel to isolate the xLobby room completely from the rest of the buildings. This was the most logical solution otherwise we would of had to install almost over 200 filters at every lighting fixture. Granted this is not the normal lighting setup for the average home owner but as we use more modern products that use high frequency switch mode power supplies the AC electrical noise issues become more prevelant.

2. Use of only a few devices can become a challenge and difficult task to setup, if the PLC\PLM are on a different phase then the Insteon wall dimmers or switches it will be difficult for them to communicate withn each other, requiring wired or even wireless phase couplers.

3. Calrad has spent lots of R & D time to optimize our code to minimze common issues with the insteon hardware and its different protocols. Special features have been added to insure proper updates and polling of the system.

4. Noise on the electrical system is Insteons and other AC carrier based systems worst enemy.

5. Never Plug a PLC\PLM or other Insteon device into a surge protected outlet strip or a AC- UPS  or battery backup system this will definately impede its ability to communicate properly with other insteon products. Even computer sitchmode power supplies can cause electrical noise that effects insteon devices. So in some cases its better to use a filtered AC strip for your AV gear and computer or locate the PLC away from the other equipment causing interference.

Image of xLobby room sub panel with Low pass filters.

xLobby equipment room showing 6 ft. Power strip with 6 x Insteon Appliance modules (2456S3), 1 x PLM (2412M),  1 x wireless access point (2443). UPB 1 x PIM modules.

Common uses for Insteon.

• Scene and remote-control lighting
• Security alarm interfaces and sensors
• Home sensors (e.g. water, humidity, temperature)
• Access control (e.g. door locks)
• Heating and cooling (HVAC) control and management
• Audio-video control
• Appliance management
• Energy savings

Insteon how it works: http://www.insteon.net/about-howitworks.html

Technical Information: http://www.insteon.net/about-technicalinfo.html

Insteon Whitepapers: http://www.insteon.net/pdf/insteondetails.pdf

Screenshot of Insteon 2 phase setup

PDF Link of Insteon 2 phase setup: insteon-fact-sheet

Insteon products have served our xLobby customers well but the technolgy requires careful planning and a good understanding of its limitations compared to other technologies or hard wired lighting control systems. A side note is that when we ran several UPB lighting products in the same room they seemed un-effected by the noise, this does not mean that UPB technology does not have issues with noise or other products that may cause noise in a different frequency range but can offer additional solutions when one technology will not perform.

This news post is subject to frequent changes or updates.

Wes Black

xLobby V3 – 3.0.9242.15
=======================
– 0000641: [skin editor] ctrl+a, select all items added (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000642: [skin editor] crash changing opacity on an item (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000643: [skin editor] even editor “paste to top” button added (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000644: [skin editor] “auto expand” check box added to event editor (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000645: [skin editor] new variables “%xlobby>speaking%” and “%xlobby>speechenabled%” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000647: [generic] hvac screen updated and menu item added to main menu screen (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000648: [skin editor] copy/paste button style added to right click context menu (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000649: [generic] when using speech feedback, lower music until speech is finished (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000650: [content playback] zone audio scale not very accurate, mutes around 80% mark (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

Screenshot showing new right click commands, copy and paste a style from one button to another. Also new featues in the Event Editor.

1. Auto Expand checkbox, when checked the events list will automatically expand to show event settings for each command.

2. Paste Top, pastes copied event to the top of the Event list instead of the bottom using the Paste command. This helps minimize the use of the events Up\Down buttons to place the pasted event closer to the top.

This news post is subject to change.

Wes Black

The next V3 release will include some new features and bug fixes.

Event Editor Screenshot

New Features:

1. The (Paste top) button will past any events that are copied and put them at the top of the event list, the paste button by default will paste  new events at the bottom of the event editor list.

2. The (Auto Expand) check box when selected automatically expands any new commands that are added to the event list, such as the set screen password.

Options Menu Screenshot

Speech Options:

1. (Test) Selecting the test button will produce speech

2. (Toggle) The toggle button turns the speech engine on or off

3. (Speaking Variable to toggle a graphic image on\off)  %xlobby>speaking%

4. (Speech Enabled Variable) Speech enabled: %xlobby>speechenabled%

5. Speaking variable for (Text toggle on\off) : Speaking: %xlobby>speaking%

6. Speaking variable for (Image toggle on\off) : %xlobby>speaking%

MCE Remote

7. (MCE Remote) Enables or disables MCE Remote conrols

Wireless Keyboard

8. (Keyboard Shorcuts) Enable and disable Keyboard Shortcuts

This page is subject to changes and updates.

Wes Black

Calrads 40-40AN2420\2440 USB Video Display Adapter works with all xLobby systems (XP and Vista).

pdf brochure file link: 40-40an2420-product-sheet

This news post is subject to updates and changes.

Wes Black

Current xLobby home installation with 10 Zones of  HVAC control using Insteon products.

Parts List:

1 – Insteon PLC, Part # 2414U

1 – Insteon wireless access point, Item# 2443

1 – Venstar Thermostat – INSTEON Remote Control Thermostat 7-Day Programmable, Item# 2491T7

Wes Black

Calrads new small surface mount IR receiver can recieve IR signals from one location and re-distribute signals to multiple ir emitters. Works with all xLobby systems.

pdf brochure file link: 92-165

Wes Black

xLobby V3 – 3.0.9212.46
=======================
– 0000622: [generic] service data update speed tweak (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000624: [content playback] when using clone mode, mediaplayer screen shows transport controls for playback (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000623: [skin editor] visibility can be set to “default false” for dynamic variables (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000621: [skin editor] command order for ir command is ordered now (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000620: [content playback] movies with single subtitles could not enable subtitles (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000619: [generic] hit close the on system tray closes cloned display now (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000618: [skin editor] don’t save and close added (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000617: [content playback] bluray logo and overlay added to media player (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000616: [content playback] when movie is playing don’t play navigation sounds (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000496: [content playback] when display is on secondary monitor, i cannot access the dvd menu (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000633: [services] russound speed fixes and tweaks (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000632: [services] russounds with more then one controller did not function correctly (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000634: [services] display cover art for a russound zone, “zone>%xservice>russound>zone 1>name%>image” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000635: [services] plm insteon enrollment fix (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000636: [generic] touchscreen lockout had multithreded commmands should have been non threaded (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000325: [generic] X10 Remote, Vol up down are switched (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000637: [client/server] client remote zone image not refresh on clear playlist (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000631: [services] russound keypad “stop” now clears the playlist and set it to “no track” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000630: [skin editor] combo boxes can now be edited to all for the use of variables (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000629: [services] new russound variable added “name” can be used instead of “source” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000628: [skin editor] combo box for commands are sorted now (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000627: [skin editor] screen enter and exit events can now be local events (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000626: [skin editor] copy/paste buttons would cause new buttons not to be selected in some cases (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000625: [services] service variables on an overlay are not updated correctly when overlay is open (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000434: [content playback] Delay between progress-bar presses (10 seconds) is WAY too long. (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000638: [generic] renaming a movie causing thumbnail to go missing (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

This news post is subject to change.

Wes Black

xLobby room with crown molding L.E.D lighting set to red as well as rescently installed white L.E.D shelf lighting on each side of the equipment rack. Also shown is the white L.E.D lighting above the equipment rack.

xLobby room with crown molding L.E.D lighting set to blue and white L.E.D shelf lighting on each side of the equipment rack.

xLobby room with a close up shot of the white L.E.D shelf lighting on the right side of the equipment rack.

xLobby room with a close up shot of the white L.E.D shelf lighting on the left side of the equipment rack.

xLobby recessed display soffet with added frame and new L.E.D backlighting effect set to Red.

xLobby recessed display soffet with with L.E.D backlighting effect set to Blue.

Shot of the soffet, ceiling, floor lighting with L.E.D backlighting set to Red.

Shot of the soffet, ceiling, floor lighting with L.E.D backlighting set to Blue. Coffee table and european style couch has been added to the room.

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Closeup of the soffet + frame

 xLobby room with a close up shot of the white L.E.D shelf lighting.

xLobby room L.E.D floor lighting on the top edge of the baseboard.

xLobby room L.E.D floor lighting set to white. EZI040 Insteon 4 output relay load controller shown.

Link: http://www.smarthome.com/31283/EZIO40-INSTEON-4-Output-Relay-Load-Controller/p.aspx

xLobby room L.E.D floor lighting set to green.

xLobby .47 inch wide RGB, L.E.D lighting strip will be sold on 15 meter rolls with RF based controller and optional RS232 interface module. Sealed in clear PVC protective jacket.

We have added the insteon 2486PBK, 6 button keypadlinc and programed the six buttons as follows.

(On) Button = Toggles thru xLobbys Music Playlist

(A) Button = Music Stop, Uses xLobbys text to speech to say Stop

(B) Button = Music Play, Uses xLobbys text to speech to say Play with Artist and Track information

(C) Button = Previous Track, Uses xLobbys text to speech to say Previous Track

(D) Button = Next Track, Uses xLobbys text to speech to say Next Track 

Smarthome link:

http://www.smarthome.com/2486PBK/KeypadLinc-Dimmer-INSTEON-6-Button-Scene-Control-Keypad-with-Tabletop-Enclosure-Black/p.aspx

This type of keypad allows xLobby users to move the keypad around anywhere in a home to control music playback. Just plug it into any electrical outlet and control xLobbys music. Multiple keypads in 8 or 6 button configurations can be used and programmed for anything the user wants from lighting, audio video switching, volume controls, anything from the xLobby sytem or anything else that xLobby controls.

More images and videos to follow soon.

Wes Black

Here is the latest news on the xLobby room. Three xLobby systems are now working in the room to provide customers and end users with the ability to see how each system works by itself or together as if installed in a home setting. The first standard xLobby client with 4 zones of audio that can be controlled using 2 x  15″ touchscreens and a 12″ wi-fi tablet running xLobby xNet client server,  a standard xLobby remote and a xLobby 95-1074TSR  touchscreen Zigbee remote. The second xLobby client is a xLobby Blu-Ray machine for demontrating xLobbys ability to store and playback Blu-Ray dvd’s. The third xLobby is a xLobby mini client that is an in-expensive alternative for users that are just interested in simple content management and want a small quiet xLobby system with the ability to unlock features as needed.

Basic Equipment List, I will update the list later with model numbers, etc.:

1 – LG 50 Inch LCD 1080P Display.

1 – xLobby Client with 4 zones of audio, 5 RS232 ports, S3 dual Video graphics card.

1- x xLobby Client with Blu-Ray storage and playback, S3 HDMI -VGA dual video card.

1 – xLobby Mini Client.

1 -Yamaha 7.1 Channel Stereo Receiver

1 – 2TB Maxtor  nas  Drive

1 – 1TB USB External Western Digital work book drive

1 – IOMega 1.5TB External USB Drive

1 – Earthquake in-wall speakers and 12″ subwoofer, configured for 7.1.

1 – Insteon \  UPB  Lighting

1 – xLobby L.E.D Ribbon Lighting

1 – 2 x xLobby 15″ Touchscreens, Inwall and desktop

1 – 12″ Wi-Fi Webtablet

1- APC Battery Backup and Power Conditioning

1 – GE Security System

1 – Panasonic IP based PTZ network camera

Images:

The shot below shows the equipment rack and xLobbys inwall 15″, 10.4″ black touchscreens. The 15″ touchscreen has xLobby’s blue L.E.D lighting strip under the frame to provide accent lighting against the wall, this was done only for the xLobby demo room to provide a cool visual effect and is not a normal feature for stock units. Also note he blue accent lighting for the baseboard and crown moulding in the room. xLobby can control the brightness, colors and color changes by mixing L.E.Ds for different visual effects such as color fading flashing, etc.

The shots below shows the xLobby Touchscreens with room accent L.E.D lighting.

Shots of the xLobby room with the ceiling lights off and only the L.E.D accent lighting.

 Videos:

xlobby-room-accent-led-lighting

xlobby-room-video-1

The room is almost finished but is under going constant improvements and minor tweaks here and there. I will post more images and videos when I can. The furniture \ seating and rack dressing will be the last things we do.

This news post will be updated over the next few days.

Wes Black

xLobby V3 – 3.0.9191.90
=======================
– 0000371: [generic] Ipradio play does not honor zones (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000607: [generic] old slideshow images do not fade out (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000203: [skin editor] some kind of history tracking system, undelete ability (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000367: [content playback] mimic mode on client, not getting status of ip radio being displayed (current song) (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000443: [skin editor] Undo ctrl+z (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000609: [setup] display clone mode (xlobby on two displays, resolutions can be different), dvd playback and web browsers remain on main display (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000610: [skin editor] highlight bar becomes hidden after editing a text category (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000366: [content playback] mimic mode, ip radio not playing in zone chozen by client (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000611: [content playback] if in mimic mode and watched a movie, xlobby drags you back to media player (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000613: [setup] service status icon doesn’t line up (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000612: [skin editor] bring trigger to front if edit clicked again (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

xLobby skin editor screenshot with the Points tab menu open, shown with save, delete, load, reload buttons. This new feature allows you to set save points when modifying any part of the xLobby interface make changes and go back to any time during the design process, press the save button to create a save point shown by a time stamp in the list box, press the delete button to delete a saved point or use the load button to load any saved point in the save points list box. Use the reload origional skin to load the skin before any saved points were created.

Wes Black