Subject: From: Date:

RE: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions Martin Terry Thu, 27 Aug 1998 09:11:36 -0700

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The analyzer is coming from my work, on a dedicated Compaq "portable".
Old but reliable, it gets the job done.

I'm getting my equipment from Baran-Harper, but there's several good
suppliers on the net with what I thought was good pricing, as low as
$140 for the alarm panel and led keypad (8 zone).  The intercom units
are a tad biiger than a dollar bill standing vertically, with two
buttons. Very clean lines.

I expect to get the unit by Saturday and I'll post what I find about the
protocol it uses.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Daniel Dubay [SMTP:ddubay@umich.edu]
> Sent:	Wednesday, August 26, 1998 4:48 PM
> To:	ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org
> Subject:	Re: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions
> 
> 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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