Control4 system

[source1]

I'm looking at control systems for my house that allows entertainment system operation for the lounge and audio throughout the house. Came across this sitw www.control4-uk.com, looked cool has anyone tried this gear

[charris cy]

There is a lot about Control 4 and its capabilities in the custom installers lounge in the remote central forum. Personally I would not go for it but for someone else needs it might be fine. Crestron is suppose to offer through the new Adagio system much more at the same price. What specifically are you trying to do?

[source1]

Originally Posted by charris cy

There is a lot about Control 4 and its capabilities in the custom installers lounge in the remote central forum. Personally I would not go for it but for someone else needs it might be fine. Crestron is suppose to offer through the new Adagio system much more at the same price. What specifically are you trying to do?

Crestron is far more expensive. I want to plug my ipod into a unit and stream it around my house. C4 seem to offer this wirelessly. Also I want to control my gear in the lounge plasma,sky etc.... I didn't think of it at the time but they also offer wireless dimmers so I could control my lighting as well

I am looking at a multiroom system and in the end have gone with Control 4. I visited quite a few specialist shops and not many had heard of Control 4 but the systems they recommended instead - Opus, Russound, Living Control - all seemed inferior to Control 4 capabilities and Control 4 did not seem that expensive compared to them. The only thing I am worrying about is the lack of track record for Control 4 and they have had a few delays with getting approval for some of their products. The Control 4 system I am going for has 11 independent zones. Apparently, the 80gb server (easily enough for my music collection) can stream seperately to 7 independent zones. Like you, I am intested in the wireless dimmers and wirless switch to control lighting and curtains - although, I think Control 4 may not have introduced these to the UK yet. Control 4 seem to be doing very well in the US and introducing new products (video streaming) so I am hoping these will be rolled out into the UK which will mean a system I can add to over time.

[Techpigmy]

I am also looking at Control 4.
Does anyone have any real experience with using them? Who did you use as an integrator?

[ntslik]

We decided to not go down the Control-4 route, as personnaly I felt the design was not very UK friendly, with its typical Plastic looks etc.

Also we found that a lot of people were having install issues and on-going technical issues.

If you check out the Livingcontrol or even the new Crestron Adagio range you may be surprised at the pricing and capabilities.

[pmworthy]

i can catagorically say teh Control 4 is substantially more scost effective than Crestron.

For Hardrive / IPod users it is absolutely ideal for streaming audio!

The light switches are currently very US looking ...UK style is due Qtr4 2006.

[source1]

Thanks. They seem to have a lot of UK dealers now, who did you use and is it true that they are adding HDMI at the end of the year. I have also spoeken to them and they said that they had a UK dimmer @ CEDIA. Crestron is definately more expensive and it is difficult getting infor from them. C4 team seemed happy to talk to me but pointed me through dealer network.

I used James Morrow in Edinburgh. The person to speak to is Rupert James.

Hi Source 1,

You seem to be a massive Control 4 fan!?!

I would have to disagree on some of your statements about Crestron above. Whilst the soltions are quite different with the Crestron solution being much more flexable from an intergration point of view, the Adagio solution is not far more expensive! I would also suggest that the two products are aiming at different market places whilst being cost effective to users Adagio is still from what I can see a Crestron system at heart.

Also it is not difficlut to gain information from Crestron. I have actually been to the Kingston office where they were more than happy to speak to me and discuss my needs. They also put in touch with a selection of local dealers that I could contact as needed. I was also impressed with there proven track record that they have and with the selection of different parts. I also hear from my supplier they now have an office etc in the north.

Of course the choice is down to us as users at the end of the day but I don't think that talking about another supplier that has been making products for a great number of years in a negative fashion is helpful to us.

I also heard that Crestron too have some HDMI products coming to market!

Good Luck

Blaze (A massive Crestron fan)

[source1]

Thanks for your comments, I can only report on personal experiences, the product set is good but I can find other solutions to suit my budget.

Question for you, I don't want to stick an IR bud on my new Bravia, can I use an IR blaster, and if so do you have any recommendations ?

Also I'm fitting LED lighting however it needs DMX - are there any RS232 to D MX converters.

[laserdave]

Try http://www.pulsarlight.com/PMX2DMX.htm . The RS232 Protocol/Dataset etc can be found at the back of the Masterpiece control desk manuals on the same website

hope this helps

Dave

[Pop up Dragon]

How about Speakercraft?
I have in total 4 pairs of thier speakers and am very happy with them.They now do a multiroom system that is 6 source 6 zone.On the Speakercraft web site they have pictures of the new keypad that lets you pull info from ipod's.This looks to be well priced in the states and might be another thing to look at.
I think that they are now part of a group that includes Imerge and Russound so i wonder how long a sound server will be to go with it?

[jfinnie]

Speakercraft do now offer an audio server based on Imerge XiVA technology. It was on show at the CEDIA UK show, and is called the Mode Jukebox

You can see it in the Mode product range brochure here:
http://www.speakercraft.com/download...es.file&id=142

Please note Russound is not part of the Linear group that Imerge and Speakercraft belong to. You can see the list of companies that are in the Linear group here:
http://www.nortek-inc.com/companys.htm

Regards
James

Hi Source 1

I'm not sure if Control 4 have any DMX interface's or IR blasters,

The IR probe is quite often a problem. Crestron have a product called an ST-MB this is an IR Master Blaster this connects to the IR output of the processor, the ST-MB can then be placed in the room and this will blast out the IR. As an alternative you could out the IR probe inside the unit.

Does your Screen not have RS232 Control? This would make things alot easier.

In reference to the DMX Crestron have a product called a CG-DMX that will allow control of DMX lighting desks or dimmers.

Hope that this helps.

Jamie