I currently have a Napco Gemini P816 panel serving as my alarm panel. I also have a GEM-X10 module (which I haven't installed yet) and an always-on PC providing home automation functions. The PC will communicate X10 and Insteon (light fixtures) using a PLC right now, but will eventually support whole-house audio, phone line integration (including voice commands), HVAC tie-in, etc.
All of my doors and windows are wired up to the P816 panel, which, from what I understand supports the GEM-X10 module but does a very poor job of it. The GEM-X10 module seems to appear to the panel as a group of relays, which I believe I can only "trigger" (e.g. send an X10 command to my PC) on EVENT changes. I've viewed the event log (through the serial adaptor add-on and QuickLoader software) and I only see alarm status changes (e.g, Alarm Armed, Alarm Disarmed, Alarm Activated or Deactivated). I don't see any "events" for zone status changes, such as when the front door is opened.
My intent is to be able to monitor each zone to send a command to the PC to make an intelligent HA decision on what to do with it. For example, when the front door is opened, send an insteon command to turn on all the lights on the first floor. Or when a window is opened, turn off the AC unit. Or when the alarm is triggered, blink all the lights in the house (successive commands of "instant on", "instant off").
I believe there are a few ways I can fix this situation, assuming the P816 does not have the capabilities to do what I am trying to do:
1) Replace the panel with a P3200, P9600, or Elk M1G or some other type of panel. Would I need more than a P3200 to do what I am trying to do? I realize a panel like the Elk M1G can automate a lot of the current functions I am planning to do with the PC, but I don't mind having the always-on PC. I believe this would give me more options and capabilities as long as I don't mind having the PC running 24/7/365.If I did decide to change the panel, is it fairly straightforward? Could I simply "download" the configuration from the P816 through the Quickloader software and "upload" it to the P3200? I have the dealer code, but I'm not sure if configurations can be easily "ported" like this from one model to another.
2) Another option might be to somehow split (y-out) the door and windows contact terminals before they get to the P816 panel into a device such as the Smarthome EZIO 4 Input/2 Output Relay ControllerAny help or suggestions you can provide are greatly appreciated! Ken