rkmossm@PacBell.COM (Richard Mossman) (04/19/91)
I just realized that this may not strictly be about HOME control, which is
the reason for the cross post between the Mac and Video newsgroups.
Can anyone give me (or point me toward) information about controlling
external devices via the MAC? I know about the X-10 stuff, but all the
Mac is used for there is to program the controller. Then the controller
is removed and it controls the modules. I want to directly control devices
(such as motors, switches, timers, etc.) getting input from the environment
and controlling something in response. I realize this is kind of vague, but
I hope you're getting my drift.
This question was caused by the editorial letter that I just read in this
month's Audio/Video Interiors magazine where the proliferation of remote
control devices for audio and video units is discussed. So, my thought is
to be able to control my TV, A/V components, lights, etc. via the Mac, maybe
even to the point of using a Voice Navigator unit to be able to simply speak
the phrase "It's showtime!" and have the Mac respond by closing the drapes,
dimming the lights, turning on the TV, laser video, surround sound, sub-woofer,
etc.
I know this kind of stuff is being done on the (excuse my language) IBM, so
why can't it be done on a real productivity machine. (Just kidding, to each
their own) Can enough signals be generated via the Modem/Printer port to
control some devices or could the SCSI port be used (maybe the external disk
drive port??)?
Maybe enough discrete signals could be generated to be used to simply tell
another device (like the smart controllers from ADA, Audioaccess, AudioEase,
etc.) what you want done and then they could actually talk to the devices.
This would be more expensive. Maybe the good old (cheap) X-10 stuff could
be adapted.
I don't know enough about the Mac hardware or software development to handle
this (I'm just an idea man). 8-) But, if anyone wants to build this, I'd
sell them the idea. 8-) 8-) Actually, this might be another great little
project like the Sound Input Device (SID) stuff from a while back. Real
grass roots stuff.
One of the reasons for this letter is to be able to do something relatively
inexpensively. I already own and am familiar with using the Mac (as a matter
of fact, I have a spare Mac + being totally underutilized). It would be nice
to be able to start small and expand it without having to use a professional
installer.
Thanks in advance for any information.
--
Richard K. Mossman {att,bellcore,sun,ames,decwrl}!pacbell!rkmossm
415/823-0974
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"I need to put some distance between overkill and me!" -- E. John (1988)