| Author |
|
MrGibbage
Super User
Joined: October 23 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 513
|
| Posted: May 19 2007 at 07:46 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would like to know if there is a simple DIY USB "controller" that I can build that PH would somehow be able to control. Even if PH doesn't control it directly, so long as I can use a simple program that PH can run, perhaps through a command line interface, that would be fine. But if there is software that PH already directly supports, that all the better. The controller would be nothing more that a switch or 12 volts (ultimately, I need a switch, but I can hook a relay up to the 12 volts). The controller would be controlled by software which would either turn the output on or off. What I plan to do is when I use my computer to play DVDs, I want to change my speaker selection. So, the way it would work is, Powerhome launches ZoomPlayer, then PH send some signal to this USB device which in turn selects the correct speakers. I have the final step down, which I do manually now, but I would like PH to do it for me.
So, to summarize, I want a USB device that will close a switch, or provide 12 volts as controlled by a simple program. That's it. :)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TonyNo
Moderator Group
Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2889
|
| Posted: May 19 2007 at 09:22 | IP Logged
|
|
|
USB devices require drivers, but as you state, if it has a command-line app for control, it will work.
As an alternate idea, what about one of these?
Another option is this, which PH supports currently.
Yet another is this. They also have a DOS program you can use for control.
You may also be able to use an RS-232 device with a USB adapter.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MrGibbage
Super User
Joined: October 23 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 513
|
| Posted: May 19 2007 at 09:54 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Those look like some interesting products. I guess it doesn't have to be USB. I am still interested in a DIY solution, which probably means going the serial port route. I'll also probably have to brush off my computer programming books, but for what I am looking for, I'll bet there's plenty of free software out there.
Also, it looks like the Velleman IO card has been dicontinued.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MrGibbage
Super User
Joined: October 23 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 513
|
| Posted: May 19 2007 at 10:03 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Btw, what is the status of 1-wire support? I think I could work up a very easy solution with their stuff.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
dhoward
Admin Group
Joined: June 29 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4447
|
| Posted: May 19 2007 at 20:47 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Ughh!! That is terrible news about the Velleman. I really liked the card since it was quite fast.
1-wire support is still on the list. Im hoping to start working on it soon, but it's down a little ways (PLM support, UPB) would most likely be first.
The easiest DIY switch control would most likely be through the parallel port. You can get parallel port add-in cards reasonably cheap and the designs Ive seen for switching relays are extremely simple.
If you were to tackle building a parallel port type of circuit, it would probably take only about 10 lines of code to support the control of the device. Let me know if you go this route and I can create the necessary code for you.
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Tomcat7194
Newbie
Joined: November 05 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: May 23 2007 at 10:53 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Any idea where one could get one of the Vellemen cards before their dissappear?
Tom
__________________
Do It Yourself Home Automation--My Home Automation site
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MrGibbage
Super User
Joined: October 23 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 513
|
| Posted: May 25 2007 at 10:27 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I found this relay board, which looked pretty reasonable.
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1601.htm
Dave, thanks for the offer. It's support like that that makes PH so great! I'll probably keep things simple and probably end up using the one from the link in this post. It will be easy enough to just control it with the DOS commands, but integrated into PH wouldn't be bad either.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: Computer outputs
