Control 4, Savant, and Prodigy are all nice systems, provided you "toe the line." The minute you need to get creative or want to do something out of the ordinary, is the minute you're going to run into problems. Several of these companies want to do your thinking for you, in other words, they want you to use their logic. I guess that's fine for some, but not me. If I can't program the control system that I sell, then I probably shouldn't be selling it.

For those of you looking for a some open architecture (or total control) in a control system, look at Vantage Controls. I use their Infusion controller on a lot of a/v systems that don't include Vantage Lighting. If you really want to get custom and do it your way, Vantage gives you the tools to do it. BTW, their lighting system, albeit expensive, kicks ass!