I thought I may share one of my recent successes here with Indigo. In doing some research at work I ran across a device called NEtv ( https://www.adafruit.com/products/609 ) and ordered one to play with it. I really like the ticker options, but the unit itself was a bit flaky and would lock up every few hours, additionally it maxes out at only 720p. That being said, once I had a taste for Text Alerts on my TV, I just HAD to find a solution!
Fast forward a few weeks, and I ran across the BrightSign XD1132 https://www.brightsign.biz/digital-signage-products/xd-product-line/xd1132/ It allows for full 1080p/60fps; and for Live Text placed on top of an HDMI input, maintaining HDCP. There are other options too including HTML and RTSP streaming... (They also have 4K units available, but I have not taken that plunge yet)
I was able to create a project in BrightSign Author with a full screen HDMI input from my AV Stack and output that to my TV full-screen with a Live text overlay using a UDP Packet for the message.
To accomplish this I created the following items in indigo:
Devices:
- Timer called OSDText (5 seconds)
Variables:
- TVMessage
Triggers:
- When Var "TVMessage" changes - restart timer, and send TVMessage string as UDP Packet to BrightSign
When Timer Expires- Set var "TVMessage" to blank (effectively clearing the display)
- Code: Select all
import socket
UDP_IP = "10x.x.x" #this is the IP of the BrightSign
UDP_PORT = 5000 #BrightSign UDP Receive port.
MESSAGE = indigo.variables[925098441] #IndigoVariable TVMessage
sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.sendto(MESSAGE.value, (UDP_IP, UDP_PORT))
This works fantastically! It's super fast to respond, and I have complete control of text position, font, color, delay time, position, etc. I even have the ability to send UDP Commands which will load different projects of layouts based on what activity I'm doing.
Currently I have it alert me to the following:
- Hourly updates containing of inside/outside/and set-point temperatures (Nest AND Netatmo plugins)
Volume level of Sonos Sound Bar (sonos plugin)
Mute Status of Living Room Sonos (sonos plugin)
Security/motion events related to outside motion sensors (any motion sensor that works with indigo)
When the dishwasher or clothes washer completes (Aeotec Z-Wave modules with load sensing)
Remote client has connected to Plex Server and what they are watching (Plex Plugin)
Alert when the garage opens or closes
Alert when garage door open longer than x minutes
Alert when HVAC set point changes, or state changes. (Nest plugin)
Alert when someone leaves a Voicemail (Ooma VM to Email/Indigo Email scanning)
front door motion detected
Next time I get a chance, I'm going to play with a transparent video zone in the layout, so that if motion is detected at the front door, the camera's RTSP stream will display it on the Television PiP style and optionally pause the TiVo.
I'd be interested to see if anyone else is using a device like this... I'm also open to suggestions to make it cooler/more functional.
JT