Only for the fact you won't really know what you're doing for quite a while. That will be your only "problem" in my experience.

I would say that Prodigy can do anything you want it to, but it only has so many inputs/outputs, etc.

Just like with RTI an XP6 will probably be able to do everything an XP8 can, but on a smaller scale.

Thanks for the feedback!

Anyone have a PT-AMFMXM on order they still haven't received? I see people already have them and we've got one on backorder for the last 6 months. WTF?

Have you called them?

Yeah, they said it should be by the end of the month.

Yep, think the article was wrong when it stated that the system was only $800. More like $1,170. They did offer an upgrade special from the PLX2 to the PLX3 and give a nice credit back when you return the PLX2. We upgraded all of our existing customers and inventory. Everyone loves the new remote.

Crestron's native language is Simpl. If you can program in Simpl you can program Prodigy using Simpl.

Most Prodigy dealers cannot program in Simpl. Therefore they use Systembuilder, which is a configuration coding utility using drivers Crestron has written. There are some ways these macros work that you need to learn so that you code them in Systembuilder efficiently. One of these tricks is that Systembuilder is a feedback driven utility. You trigger the event with source selection. You then base all macros on source_X_fb=true.

The smartest trick is to use Crestron's prodigy products. Then it's to restrain your geek gene and keep it simple. While you are welcome to use a receiver's zone 2 it is going to eat into your programming time, particularly since you're going to have to base a lot of logic on zone2 on=true and zone2_source_X_fb=true.

Use Prodigy dimmers, Prodigy TSTATs, Prodigy amps and Prodigy iPod docks.
Use any DVD/Bluray, display and cable/sat box you'd like. Unless you expect to deliver it in every system you sell, stay away from using AppleTV to control iTunes on your touch panel. Yes, there are macros that do this. If you are not selling this on to every job and you expect your jobs to be profitable don't deploy this feature.

I will say this again, despite the probability it will fall on deaf ears, your geek gene is the enemy of you bank account.

Alan

Have you had any specific issues with a ATV Module & Prodigy? While I haven't put any real time into it. I would rather put in an ATV over the iPod doc every time. I just need to know if I can get metadata and control it reliably without eating up all the resources to where my final system is a slug.

No. This is generic advice about keeping it simple and managing your geek gene. If you are going to use AppleTV on every job then it's worth the investment in time to learn how to implement. If you are thinking about it you deploy this in-house and decide if you want to spend capital on a job. If you think it might be interesting then don't.

Alan

I had this same question. I'm going to do it in my house I guess first, since there's no way I'm spending the $xxx on the ipod dock when I can get the appletv for about half

Keep this idea in mind. There are other reasons to include an iPod dock in a system than for it to act as a CD server. I dislike Apple. I own no Apple products. My daughters both have iPods and so do their friends. It's not unusual for someone to come over and want to listen to their music.

Yours is a mindset you want to think critically about. You sell with your client's wallet not yours. You want to avoid selling inexpensive, low profit equipment that requires you to subsidize the installation with expensive labor.

If the "expensive" IDOC allows you to finish faster and collect the final payment because it's a Crestron device that is naively supported by the software it might still be a good business decision to sell it into your systems.

At the very least you are going to have to manually program all of this and it's a tedious process, to say the least. With the IDOC Systembuilder does all of the work. "Expensive" equipment vs typically unpaid labor to get the "value" system to work.

Using Autonomic Controls just for iTunes integration may not be the best decision. Ultimately it's your call and testing it in-house is the way to go.

Alan

I'd like to point out that the AppleTV is probably a more expensive solution. The hardware is less but the Autonomic module is between $500-$1000 per system. There are others you can get like from Blue Wave Control, however ATV+Module is still more expensive than the iDoc.

I prefer the AppleTV b/c it offers a lot that people love in the Family/media room where there is a big HD tv. It's also very low maintenance, once set up, its constantly kept in-sync and up to date with their music library & playlists. Lastly, there is any hardware that can be carried away by one of the kids.

It sounds like Crestron worked out a couple small kinks with the Sync software that will make keeping an iPod docked on the iDoc in-sync with the iTunes account pretty easy.

BUT, if I can't make money with the ATV modules, then it becomes 2nd in line to an ipod doc, IMO. Many clients will still want it and they can use the free remote app to control it. Not ideal, but thats why there's an iPod doc

Let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with deploying AppleTV control and I'm hardly suggesting you not do this. If it is going to become part of every install and you've learned how to use it in Systembuilder, you understand how to get Systembuilder to "see" it and generate the logic or you understand how much time it takes to code in Systembuilder and price for it, have at it.

I don't care if it's Prodigy, C4 or Home Logic, Wizard code works best when the wizard is left to do its own thing. Sure you can customize. But customization takes time. Time is expensive.

Factor in the labor to get this coded and do what you want. Personally, this is the worst, most boring coding I've ever done. I've done it. I'll do it. I'm never going to like it but if I have to do it I will but I will want to be paid if I'm going to do it. It is time consuming and time is money.

Alan

Is anyone having issues with PTX3's keeping a charge? I left the one in my office off the charger went out for a few hours this morning and came back and it was dead. I have adjusted the LCD settings and wake ups etc. I am rather disappointed if this is the case

Please let me know if this is an issue for anyone else