Crestron - Second hand Basic system requirements

[soundnut]

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking for a control/automation system for my home cinema and possibly one or two functions throughout the house.

Unfortunately my ship has not come in yet and purchasing new is not an option at this stage. I have seen older equipment listed at reasonable prices. Looking at the Cresnet 11 ms controller and VT3500 touchpanel for a start.
I have read about the intricacies relating to software and programming etc.

I would like to know the following:

1 Will this sytem be able to control my equipment listed below
2 What addstional equipment will I have to purchase.
3 Will I be able to acquire software?
4 Is it possible to teach yourself to operate install and program this? Has anybody done this by themselves?

My System:

Home cinema processor
3 x Power amps
DVD player
CD player
Sat receiver
Projector
Lights
Curtain
Remote second stereo system

When I listen to stereo I don't want to power up the PJ. Will I be able to get video feed to the VT 3500 as well?

Thanks

[pemberto]

Soundnut,

The world of Crestron has changed over the last few months for us guys who want to get kit off ebay and program the system themselves.

Crestron have now restricted access to software downloads, so your only hope would be to get an independent programmer to set your system up.

Can Crestron control equipment that you have listed, yes it can. But you would need to look at is how would they control it. IR, RS232 etc

Pemberto

[soundnut]

Hi Pemberto,

Thanks for the response. I am basically looking for a single controller to replace my remote controls which will also show the video output of the processor wihtout the requirement to fire up the projector.

Sorry for the basic question, have no idea how this system works. Could you possibly explain the operation between let's say a touch screen , controller and Krell Showcase processor.

What is the software requirement. I take it there would be some software that is windows comaptible which will be used to build the look of the menu's etc on the screen. Is this readily avaialable? Do you then need operating software for the controller as well?

Regards

[pemberto]

Hi SoundNut,

A Crestron system is made up of several components. The heart of any Crestron system is the control processor. This is where the system programming and logic are located and where all you devices are controlled from.

The next major component is the touch panel. Crestron make several different types of units, 1-way RF, 2-way RF and wired. In your requirements you would need to use a wired touchpanel that is capable of using a plug in video card. Not to sure if the VT3500 touchpanel supports that, best check the Crestron website.

If you are using a wireless touchpanel then you would also have an RF gateway.

All these systems are connected using Crenet, power/control cable. The system is then programmed using two applications. VTPROe is a windows application used to build the graphical UI on the touch panel. At the end of the day the touchpanel is a dumb device, as all the logic is held in the Control processor. When you build UI elements such as buttons to control a dvd player for example you assign an ID number.

This ID number is then used by SIMPL Windows, an application used to build the the system logic and to control the devices attached.

Hope that all makes sense. Crestron offers a lot more than I can type here. your best best is to look at the website.

Paul

[soundnut]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the detailed response. I have researched the VT 3500 and it seems to be able to receive a video feed. It looks like it will only be able to recieve up to s-video through BNC connectors, no component input. I should be able to manage with this.

Is there no way to obtain a copy of VTPROe and Simpl Windows anywhere? I take it there is no crestron priogramming for dummies guide anywhere in the market.

Is the crestnet cable very expensive?

We have two Crestron systems installed in the office - real cool gear. Very, Very expensive!!

Thanks

Nelius

Try here for an independant programmer fullspectrum.co.uk