A simple task, or so I thought: in a Jinja template keep track of the number of items in a loop. And then use that count afterwards.
Disclaimer: the number of items is not equal the number of times the loop runs, so I can't use the loop variables.
Turns out that Jinja has other opinions, and variables inside a loop are all local. When a variable is changed inside the loop, the scoop of the variable stays local, and once the loop ends the original value of the variable is restored. That's even true for variables which are created outside the loop.
Continue reading "Use namespace as global variable in Ansible Jinja templates"
By default, openHAB only starts 5 threads to deal with execution of Rules. That's not a lot, and if all threads are busy, rules have to wait until a slot is free. This results in slow Rule response time.
This can be improved.
Continue reading "Improve openHAB Rules response time"
After figuring out if a ChromeCast is currently used, it was time to fix a long-standing problem. At home we don't have TVs, just "dumb" displays, and stream content using ChromeCasts. However a video ChromeCast never really turns off, but keeps the display running, using a "Backdrop" app. This app keeps showing pictures on the display when the ChromeCast is not used otherwise, effectively preventing any powersafe mode.
That's both annoying (who wants to have pictures shown in the living room or working room all night), and consumes energy. It's also intentional by Google. So far we had to turn the display on and off manually, which is inconvenient.
Continue reading "openHAB: Turn display on and off for a Video ChromeCast"
We have a couple of Audio and Video ChromeCasts in use. For an upcoming project I need to figure out if any of them is currently used. That is different for the Audio and the Video devices: the Audio just goes idle=ON, the Video devices however load the "Backdrop" app and show pictures when idling. Google for whatever reason does not want the attached monitor to go in powersafe mode. So much for saving energy ...
All of the action needs between a few milliseconds and 2-3 seconds once you start/stop using the ChromeCast.
A previous blog post explains how I add the ChromeCast devices. And I have monitoring in place.
Continue reading "openHAB: detect if a ChromeCast is currently used or idle"