question about doorbell, camera, e-mail/sms function

[I-1]

Hi,

Now my Harrisson curtains can be controlled with Homeseer i.c.m. with the RFXmitter I want to start another project and I want to ask some advise about this.

In my next mini project I want to achieve the following:
- Place a camera and monitor the front door
- Take a picture if the doorbell is pressed
- Take picture if mail is delivered
- Send an SMS to my phone (using voipbuster)when the doorbell is pressed
- Send an email with the picture when the doorbell is pressed
- I want to use Homeseer and my Iphone to turn on/off these functions
- I want to use my Iphone to view the live camera feed
- I want to see the live feed on my TV when the doorbell is pressed and my TV is on

Now I know this is a lot and I should take 1 step at the time ...
But how do I start and what do I need?

I know i need the following:
- IP camera with videoserver (or normal camera with videoserver)
- mailserver
- Homeseer
- Iphone Homeseer frontend
- Voipbuster account with money on the account

But is this list complete and what brands do I use ...?

I hope some of you cab answer some of my questions ...

[Snelvuur]

you need a "device" to trigger when someone presses the button, and a device which detects "mail delivered" in the mailbox.

Take a look at http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?T ... ms=mailbox to get a idea.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

[Esteban]

Hi I-1,

You could start by:
<ul>
<li>buying Homeseer (you already have that)</li>
<li>buying a network camera (something like a Axis 207 for example) (for more cameras have a look here http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2482)</li>
<li>choose and buy a technology to connect the mailbox and doorbell to. (KAKU, X10 RF, Visonic, IPpower)</li></ul>

Then slowly learn about how to use Homeseer and familiarize yourself with scripting by reading up on it. There is plenty of information to be found about these things in the helpfiles of Homeseer and on this forum. And by the end you should be able to realize all you list.

Also have a look at Netcam plugin for HS. For the TV aspect you'll need something to control your TV (an IRtrans for example or a TV with RS232) and something to show the camera on it. (don't know of a solution off the top of my head to show a network cam on tv)

Good luck,
Esteban

[Esteban]

For the TV another option is to use cameras with an analog connection connected to a central videoserver. That way you can loop the signal from the videoserver to the TV using the normal video-in inputs of the TV. That way you don't require a special device for connecting it to the TV, but a dedicated videoserver can be expensive.

Ciao,
Esteban

[I-1]

Ok lets start with the doorbell ...
I see that Bwired is using the MCT-100
http://www.waakzaamwonen.nl/catalog/pro ... ame/mct100

Let me first do some more investigation how this is going to work ...

[Snelvuur]

there are more option though, the mct-302 i think also can be used, depends on your needs.. i am also in the middle of wanting this automated.. i ordered one of those to check it out.. (can always use it for something else) things i want to try out.. i want to be sure it works for something else now too. Got to much stuff laying around.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

[I-1]

ok so if we have a mct-302 or a MCT-100 how does it work with the rest?
I mean ... is this working with X10 ... or with the RFXmitter device ... or do I need another device to accomplish this mailbox/doorbell thing?

[Snelvuur]

rfxcom can receive this signal, i only believe that this is visionic..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

[drmacchi]

Esteban, my camera are connected to a DVR that has a TV output (analogical) and in fact i see them on TV, but how can i trigger the changement of TV channel from let's say from movie to cameras? I use Homeseer. Thanks

[Esteban]

doorbell > MCT100/MCT302 > RFXCOM Visonic receiver > Homeseer > Event

Yes, if you go the visonic route you'll need a receiver like the RFXCOM or something like Digit's new endeavour: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=51

Same goes for X10 RF or KAKU for which you'll need a 433MHz receiver.

@drmacchi: with a IRtrans (there is also a homeseer plugin for the irtrans) using infrared or by buying a TV with a RS232 port.

Ciao,
Esteban

[DJF3]

Here's some info on how I did this:
http://www.domoticaworld.com

-Project Doorbell
-Project Doorcam
-Script Webcams

The Doorcam page has an overview of how the camera signal runs through the house.
I have written a script that can be called from HS and it grabs the image from a webcam. The image will be saved:
-with fixed filename (DoorCam.jpg)
-numbered (Doorcamera\DoorCam00322.jpg)
It's very easy to email the fixed file based on a doorbell press.
For the doorbell I used a Marmitek SM10.

Cheers
DJ