On July 17, 2007 at 21:07, Fins said...
As far as the windows concern, its a server, which is
way different than a desktop running windows. The sales
pitch from Lifeware is price advantage over AMX and Crestron.
OK, check out the following article..
[Link: gizmodo.com]So you get:
1 LifeWare Media Center
1 XBOX
12 Lightswitches
1 Thermostat
2 IP cameras
= $15,000
No touchpanel or remote control other than what comes with the XBox or PC.
Quote 1 from article:"Perhaps that's why Best Buy sees fit to charge $15,000 for $10,000 worth of equipment. You think that's steep? Try getting an installer to put in a Crestron/AMX system in your house: that'll be $50K please."
Quote 2 from article:"Best Buy's $15,000 price tag sounds like a lot, but it's a step in the right direction—quite a bit better than the $50,000 you'd pay for a Crestron system"
REALITY:
Crestron Retail Prices:
12 Infinet Dimmer Wall Switches @$280ea = $3360
1 Infinet TStat = $500
1 Infinet Gateway = $450
1 Crestron Windows Media Center Interface Software = $400
1 Crestron MC2E processor = $1400
1 Crestron TPMC8 Wifi Touch Screen = $3800
= $9060
Add on $700 for the 2 Panasonic BLc30 cameras (at least that is what they look like in the picture plus they can be found for as little as $200 ea) That leaves $5300 for a Windows Media Center PC, an XBox 360 and installation, plus you get an 8 inch wireless 2 way touchscreen instead of a keyboard or a XBox controller.
Not even close to the $50,000 the author claims you would have to spend to get the same thing.
