A question for Pro Installers - SkyQ
Discussion
A question for the Pro Installers - is there any widget you need for SkyQ control that's not currently available?
We are looking at producing:
a) RS232 to SkyQ. RS232 command would be received by our widget, our widget is cabled to the router and the SkyQ box responds accordingly. One widget could control an unlimited number of SkyQ boxes in the installation as the IP for the SkyQ concerned would form part of the RS232 command.
b) IR to SkyQ cabled widget meaning you wouldn't need to stick an emitter to the front of the box. Control would be by pointing your remote at the widget receiver and the widget controls the SkyQ via the LAN. The widget would also be able to receive the direct cabled blaster output from any other extender system/matrix etc. This would require one widget for each SkyQ. The widget could be some considerable distance from the SkyQ as long as its connected to the same LAN.
If you could let me have your thoughts on whether a) or b) would be useful or just not needed at all, or if you have some other SkyQ control issue that needs sorting I'd be most grateful.
Thanks
Alan
We are looking at producing:
a) RS232 to SkyQ. RS232 command would be received by our widget, our widget is cabled to the router and the SkyQ box responds accordingly. One widget could control an unlimited number of SkyQ boxes in the installation as the IP for the SkyQ concerned would form part of the RS232 command.
b) IR to SkyQ cabled widget meaning you wouldn't need to stick an emitter to the front of the box. Control would be by pointing your remote at the widget receiver and the widget controls the SkyQ via the LAN. The widget would also be able to receive the direct cabled blaster output from any other extender system/matrix etc. This would require one widget for each SkyQ. The widget could be some considerable distance from the SkyQ as long as its connected to the same LAN.
If you could let me have your thoughts on whether a) or b) would be useful or just not needed at all, or if you have some other SkyQ control issue that needs sorting I'd be most grateful.
Thanks
Alan
AlanQ said:
A question for the Pro Installers - is there any widget you need for SkyQ control that's not currently available?
We are looking at producing:
a) RS232 to SkyQ. RS232 command would be received by our widget, our widget is cabled to the router and the SkyQ box responds accordingly. One widget could control an unlimited number of SkyQ boxes in the installation as the IP for the SkyQ concerned would form part of the RS232 command.
b) IR to SkyQ cabled widget meaning you wouldn't need to stick an emitter to the front of the box. Control would be by pointing your remote at the widget receiver and the widget controls the SkyQ via the LAN. The widget would also be able to receive the direct cabled blaster output from any other extender system/matrix etc. This would require one widget for each SkyQ. The widget could be some considerable distance from the SkyQ as long as its connected to the same LAN.
If you could let me have your thoughts on whether a) or b) would be useful or just not needed at all, or if you have some other SkyQ control issue that needs sorting I'd be most grateful.
Thanks
Alan
We would use option a if it were available. We used to use Dusky controls on the old boxes which was RS232 to RF out on the back of the Sky box. Something for the Sky Q would be great. I'd like it to have ethernet too preferably as we quite often max out the RS232 connections on our installs.
Please do keep me updated and if you need a beta tester then please do get in touch.
We are looking at producing:
a) RS232 to SkyQ. RS232 command would be received by our widget, our widget is cabled to the router and the SkyQ box responds accordingly. One widget could control an unlimited number of SkyQ boxes in the installation as the IP for the SkyQ concerned would form part of the RS232 command.
b) IR to SkyQ cabled widget meaning you wouldn't need to stick an emitter to the front of the box. Control would be by pointing your remote at the widget receiver and the widget controls the SkyQ via the LAN. The widget would also be able to receive the direct cabled blaster output from any other extender system/matrix etc. This would require one widget for each SkyQ. The widget could be some considerable distance from the SkyQ as long as its connected to the same LAN.
If you could let me have your thoughts on whether a) or b) would be useful or just not needed at all, or if you have some other SkyQ control issue that needs sorting I'd be most grateful.
Thanks
Alan
We would use option a if it were available. We used to use Dusky controls on the old boxes which was RS232 to RF out on the back of the Sky box. Something for the Sky Q would be great. I'd like it to have ethernet too preferably as we quite often max out the RS232 connections on our installs.
Please do keep me updated and if you need a beta tester then please do get in touch.
IP to SkyQ would certainly be awesome and very useable.
Make sure you include the major intelligent remote manufacturers in your plans so we dont have to build the commands, they are just there already for us.
RTI,
URC,
Savant,
Crestron,
Control4,
Demopad
(any other installers care to add to the list.)
V
Make sure you include the major intelligent remote manufacturers in your plans so we dont have to build the commands, they are just there already for us.
RTI,
URC,
Savant,
Crestron,
Control4,
Demopad
(any other installers care to add to the list.)
V
Our Sky Q main box is cabled to the mini box in the other side of the house. The Main box is Wifi to our TP Link router but the mini box will not work - it will not find another Sky Q product even though the cable is connected. Any advice?
We've signed up to Sky Broadband but not installed yet.
We've signed up to Sky Broadband but not installed yet.
@Jinkster
Sorry I'm not best placed to help you with that myself but if you repost under its own heading I'm sure someone will be able to assist.
@ VEX / chasingracecars / NorthDave
Thanks for the feedback chaps. We think we can combine both the IR & RS232 functions into just one product so you can choose how to deploy when installed. For IR use it would be a case of setting the IP of the relevant Sky box and that's it, either received or cabled IR will give direct control via IP. RS232 should be very straightforward command set too. I doubt we'll have any RTI/Control4 etc drivers ready to go at launch but we'll certainly look at it. We've got an initial batch of boards underway and hope to have some product ready for end of Jan so I'll certainly keep you posted.
Sorry I'm not best placed to help you with that myself but if you repost under its own heading I'm sure someone will be able to assist.
@ VEX / chasingracecars / NorthDave
Thanks for the feedback chaps. We think we can combine both the IR & RS232 functions into just one product so you can choose how to deploy when installed. For IR use it would be a case of setting the IP of the relevant Sky box and that's it, either received or cabled IR will give direct control via IP. RS232 should be very straightforward command set too. I doubt we'll have any RTI/Control4 etc drivers ready to go at launch but we'll certainly look at it. We've got an initial batch of boards underway and hope to have some product ready for end of Jan so I'll certainly keep you posted.
Sorry I see a big hurdle with this if you are trying to control the SkyQ via IP and a third party devices.
Sky could just change protocols, IP strings or anything without a moments thought about you and your product. Just look at the way they have implemented the Q roll out and treatment of HNW clients.
I would rather see something the other way around, IP to Sky IR
HTH
V.
Sky could just change protocols, IP strings or anything without a moments thought about you and your product. Just look at the way they have implemented the Q roll out and treatment of HNW clients.
I would rather see something the other way around, IP to Sky IR
HTH
V.
VEX said:
Sorry I see a big hurdle with this if you are trying to control the SkyQ via IP and a third party devices.
Sky could just change protocols, IP strings or anything without a moments thought about you and your product. Just look at the way they have implemented the Q roll out and treatment of HNW clients.
I would rather see something the other way around, IP to Sky IR
HTH
V.
I kind of agree VEX, however I don't think they are likely to change the protocols as there is little to no point. I can't understand why they are not generally available unless thats because they keep changing them.Sky could just change protocols, IP strings or anything without a moments thought about you and your product. Just look at the way they have implemented the Q roll out and treatment of HNW clients.
I would rather see something the other way around, IP to Sky IR
HTH
V.
It would be good if Sky would release the commands to control over IP but an intermediate box would solve a problem speccing processors etc. There is a major market in Pubs Hotels restaurants etc that have multiple sky boxes that a simple IP command protocol would simplify the process of installation and encourage more systems. The countless times in a pub trying to control one sky box mounted above another!
chasingracecars said:
I kind of agree VEX, however I don't think they are likely to change the protocols as there is little to no point. I can't understand why they are not generally available unless thats because they keep changing them.
It would be good if Sky would release the commands to control over IP but an intermediate box would solve a problem speccing processors etc. There is a major market in Pubs Hotels restaurants etc that have multiple sky boxes that a simple IP command protocol would simplify the process of installation and encourage more systems. The countless times in a pub trying to control one sky box mounted above another!
Although it is a potential issue I dont see it as deal breaker. Control4 have been hacking devices for years via Extra Vegetables and people seem fairly happy.It would be good if Sky would release the commands to control over IP but an intermediate box would solve a problem speccing processors etc. There is a major market in Pubs Hotels restaurants etc that have multiple sky boxes that a simple IP command protocol would simplify the process of installation and encourage more systems. The countless times in a pub trying to control one sky box mounted above another!
Maybe if you wanted belt and braces you could offer IP control of your device to IP control of Sky Q with an IR port too. Should the IP control of SkyQ fail the installer can open up a web page and revert to IR control (or via Telnet so we can automate it). Probably more hassle than it is worth but would be a proper belt and braces approach.
Good luck with the product anyway - sound like it should be good and have a decent market.
TheExcession said:
Good thread, I'm watching this with interest.
It seems strange to me that Sky didn't address the need to individually control multiple Q boxes housed in the same rack.
Because they want to be the controller and source. No really consideration for those that want to be clever or throw lots of money at a system.It seems strange to me that Sky didn't address the need to individually control multiple Q boxes housed in the same rack.
V.
We've got the first batch of boards built up and the IR control side is working fine on our test rig here. So for any system that already has routed IR output you can inject that into our module and have direct LAN control without IR emitters.
We also have RS232 working well testing it via telnet. Looking at Control4 (to start with) we've had a look through the driver editor and it seems fairly straightforward but as we're not dealers we don't have access to the full composer suite, or indeed a system to test with. Does anyone on here get involved in Control4 driver writing? And ideally SkyQ installs
We also have RS232 working well testing it via telnet. Looking at Control4 (to start with) we've had a look through the driver editor and it seems fairly straightforward but as we're not dealers we don't have access to the full composer suite, or indeed a system to test with. Does anyone on here get involved in Control4 driver writing? And ideally SkyQ installs
A quick update on this, we're happy the KIRAQ product is working as intended and its now on sale. Many thanks to Rick (chasingracecars) for the Control4 driver. We're still working on Crestron, Demopad etc, but it will work with anything via IR input and the RS232 command set is pretty straightforward. Any installers interested please drop me a pm for the trade site details.
(@Vex have pm'd you re RTI / URC)
(@Vex have pm'd you re RTI / URC)
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