HomeGenie Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: tonynelson on July 11, 2014, 01:48:13 PM

Title: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: tonynelson on July 11, 2014, 01:48:13 PM

Hi,

I've searched the forums but can't see any reference to alternatives to Hue.  The names I know of are Limitless LED, MiLight, EasyBulb ... although they might all be different names for the same physical product.  I understand they have an open API.

Has anyone tried integrating these into HG?

Thanks,

Tony.

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: kevin1 on September 05, 2014, 03:12:42 PM

Found some info on the protocol here:
http://www.philippinestuffs.com/milight-wifi-controlled-light-bulbs/ (http://www.philippinestuffs.com/milight-wifi-controlled-light-bulbs/)
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,14471.0.html (http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,14471.0.html)

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: bwoods1 on September 10, 2014, 01:20:23 PM

I would be very interested in this as well if anyone has tried it already.

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: Void on September 21, 2014, 09:40:23 PM

Hue is based in Zigbee standar (Zigbee Light Link).

Hue has two parts, the IP <-> Zigbee bridge, and the lamps (Or bulbs). So, you can use any Zigbee compatible light with hue's bridge if you have one or try another vendor's solution (Like Lightify from Osram), but you will need to code another module to interact with those vendor's bridge ;)

This is one list of alternatives to Hue (To replace hue or mix between them):

http://www.zigbee.org/Products/ByStandard/ZigBeeLightLink.aspx (http://www.zigbee.org/Products/ByStandard/ZigBeeLightLink.aspx)

I'm currently using a Hue bridge with some Hue's and Osram's lamps mixed.

Another solution is to build your own Zigbee bridge with an arduino and Xbee shields, but this solution is more expensive than buying a Hue's bridge.

Or buy a Zigbee USB dongle and add support for Zigbee in HG ;)

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: dutchie on September 21, 2014, 09:48:55 PM

Try zipato led bulbs.
I think Aeon labs is about to have led bulbs too.

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: smeghead on November 09, 2014, 11:17:43 AM

I too am looking in to this.   I haven't tried this and am just in the process of buying some EasyBulb kit but I believe they use the API here
http://www.limitlessled.com/dev/ (http://www.limitlessled.com/dev/)

They use a UDP message with 3 bytes to set the various parameters. 

Gene, I know you have already added a TcpClientHelper interface, would it be possible for you to create a UdpClientHelper interface as well.  The EasyBulb API needs IP address and Port settings and then it simple sends 3 bytes to that port on the EasyBulb control hub.

Thanks
Smeghead

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: Bitcraze on December 18, 2014, 09:34:02 PM

Hi,

I see it is now incorporate in HomeGenie. Yeah!

Title: Re: Support for cheaper alternatives to Hue
Post by: kevin1 on January 26, 2015, 08:39:28 PM

Does HG require the Hue gateway, or using some other Zigbee interface?