ESP8266 has become so popular that a beginner can choose from multitude of projects/firmwares and then – just start using them. Advanced IoT adopters will praise it’s quick implementation and stability. Today we will check out the Richard Ten Klooster’s project ESPEasy – https://github.com/ESP8266nu/ESPEasy. Basically ESPEasy is a firmware that can be flashed onto ESP8266 – preferably ESP-12E or ESP-12F and right after boot – we can join it’s WiFi access point (AP) to configure it via web interface. No console needed. Then, it is as easy as adding sensors (can be multiple) and ESPEasy starts to upload the data to Domoticz. The WiFi networks to connect to is named ESP_01XYZW, we should use “configesp” as WPA password and point our browser to 192.168.4.1
Last time we installed Domoticz, and soon we will move to Z-Wave, but first – let’s take a look at fantastic little gadget: ESP8266
Would you like to connect from any place, usually using open WiFi network in town, at friends or airport – with your’re own home network? Virtual Private Network (VPN) is here to allow you to log-in securely to your home network, with additional perk of using it to get secure Internet access.
This entry was initially about single and simple purpose: how to quickly develop a solution that would open gate or garadge door by simulating the remote’s operation mode – pressing a button – but using smartphone, tablet, web browser, app. Domoticz is such an overkill and also blessing for such project – that it evolved into a lot of small sub-projects – more or less andvanced.
Direct inspiration was another entry by colleague on MalinowePi Facebook group – Roman Kubat, who showed ImperiHome. This application has great interface but does not support press-type (dorbell) buttons. Hence the whole idea!
“Good news, everyone!”. If you succeeded in creating light effect using the previous entry: https://blog.jokielowie.com/en/2014/02/efekt-swietlny-dla-media-playera-operatego-o-raspberty-pi/ you must’ve noticed that it’s limited to the content being played by raspbmc or OpenELEC. Luckily thanks to...
Raspberry Pi can be easily used as media player. We can choose from many variations, but the one I’d like to focus on is Raspbmc based on XBMC. Raspbmc with hyperion has ability to drive RGB LED strip or daisychain using Raspberry Pi. The important part is that it will lit the RGB LEDs accordingly to the screen borders in realtime. It’s used to make the visible part of the picture more vivid and extend it beyond the display, and it’s simply quite cool: