Subject: From: Date:

Re: RE: RE: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions Daniel Dubay Wed, 02 Sep 1998 16:44:09 -0400

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Terry,  I called DSC at 1.800.387.3630.  Apparently the panels can send
info on status changes but you cannot change status with ECS.  You might
want to call them if you haven't allready.  They were very helpful.  I
think I want something that I can disarm with ECS so I am still checking
 on the Gemini panels.  I may have to ask you about your serial monitor
in the future.

Dan Dubay

>>> Martin Terry <Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com> 09/01 2:09 PM >>>
Hi Dan. I'm still waiting on UPS, but it should be here any day. The
serial interface requires an adapter, available from dsc.  From the
documentation it looks like a 4 pin header or possibly an RJ45
connector
on the panel itself. The cable terminates to a DB 25.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Daniel Dubay [SMTP:ddubay@umich.edu] 
> Sent:	Tuesday, September 01, 1998 10:14 AM
> To:	ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org 
> Subject:	Re: RE: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions
> 
> Hello Terry,
> 
> Any more info on the DSC alarm?  I went to a local supplier to look
at
> one.  I notice they have a connection for phone interface but I
didn't
> 
> see anything for serial interface.  How are you doing this?  Thanks
> for
> the info.
> 
> Dan Dubay
> 
> >>> Martin Terry <Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com> 08/27 12:11 PM >>>
> 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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