Subject: From: Date:

Re: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions Daniel Dubay Wed, 26 Aug 1998 19:47:36 -0400

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Hello Terry,

The Serial analyzer software you have sounds pretty good.  I've
recently heard some good things about this DSC system.  When you figure
out the comand set can you attach a copy to the email?

What do these intercoms look like.  sounds like a nice way to give ECS
voice.  Where are you buying your equipment from?  Thanks for the info.

Dan Dubay

>>> Martin Terry <Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com> 08/25 11:42 PM >>>
Well, since it connects to the PC's serial port, I am guessing it is
using ASCII to communicate.

I've already ordered the unit, and I have the software provided by
DSC.
I plan on connecting a serial port analyzer, using the software to get
status, see what ASCII codes are sent to the device, and what ASCII
codes are returned and how these codes translate (armed, alarm, etc.).
I
do this for all the functions I'm interested in controlling via ECS.

So far things look promising. It appears there is an initial
"handshake"
between the software and the unit, but the docs state that once that
has
occured there is no timeout of the serial link, meaning once you've
logged in, you don't have to do it again unless you log out.

One of the cool things about this unit is that everything is software
controllable, including all the ancillary cards like the intercom card
I'm interested in. Using a "broadcast mask" function, I can pick the
stations I want to receive an announce, send the announcement via ECS,
then turn on all the stations again.

You can even answer the phone directly from the intercom. You can also
send text to the 32 chararcter LCD keypads.  Lots of cool stuff.

Unless there's some incredibly tricky timing involved in the protocol,
this should be a piece of cake to reverse engineer.


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Daniel Dubay [SMTP:ddubay@umich.edu] 
> Sent:	Tuesday, August 25, 1998 1:39 PM
> To:	ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org 
> Subject:	Re: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions
> 
> Terry,  I have easy access to Gemini and it has the features I want.
> I
> can get a good price through Home Controls dealer program.  I would
be
> interested in looking at the DSC system.  Is it available through
ADI?
> 
> Either way we need a protocol to work with these systems.  ECS needs
> to
> know the commands to send to the system.  I don't know if your
serial
> analyzer can monitor commands sent by proprietary software?
> 
> Dan Dubay
> 
> 
> 
> >>> Martin Terry <Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com> 08/24 1:25 PM >>>
> Thanks for the Input Dan. Why are you going with the Gemini may I
ask?
> The DSC unit supports a serial link to PC and although I haven't
found
> the protocol, I do have their software and an serial analyzer :)
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	Daniel Dubay [SMTP:ddubay@umich.edu] 
> > Sent:	Monday, August 24, 1998 7:35 AM
> > To:	ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org 
> > Subject:	Re: RE: [ECS] Final CID questions
> > 
> > Hello Martin,
> > 
> > I prefer a stand alone system.  One of the principals of
> > professionally
> > integrated systems is to use stand alone subsystems.  Although ECS
> is
> > very stable, I sometimes cause instability with my own changes.
> > 
> > I am considering the inovonics hardwired system (only six inputs)
vs
> a
> > Napco Gemini system (not directly supported by ECS).  I am trying
to
> > obtain their protocol.
> > 
> > Dan Dubay
> > 
> > >>> "Michael David" <michael@michaeldavid.com> 08/23 9:48 PM >>>
> > Hi Martin!
> > 
> > I use ECS as my alarm system, with hardwired sensors connected to
my
> > digital
> > inputs, and Inovonics wireless transmitters sending signals to the
> > Inovonics
> > receiver that's supported by ECS.  Works great.  I have yet to
think
> > of
> > any
> > reason to go with a stand-alone system.
> > 
> > Cheers!
> > 
> > Michael David
> > michael@michaeldavid.com 
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	Martin Terry [mailto:Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com] 
> > Sent:	Sunday, August 23, 1998 1:35 PM
> > To:	'ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org' 
> > Subject:	RE: [ECS] Final CID questions
> > 
> > Hi All,
> > 
> > I'm thinking of buying a DSC 832 alarm system and it's optional
> > intercom. Anyone out there have experience with this unit? I'm
> > currently
> > thinking of ways to interface the alarm status with ECS, but it
> looks
> > difficult at best.
> > 
> > I do think interfacing with the intercom should be easy enough.
> > 
> > What are you folks doing in this reguard? I realize there's a
brand
> of
> > alarm already supported by ECS but how's it compare in price to
the
> > DSC
> > unit (which I consider dirt cheap, <$200 for the panel and 1
> keypad).
> > 

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