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Topic:
Adding to an existing Crestron system
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 10:22
cmo
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2002
295
Hi all,

I have an existing customer wanting to upgrade their 8 yr old Crestron system to a newer spec and some more toys.

I'll admit I'm a bit rusty on the latest Crestron as I haven't been involved with one for 3 or 4 years although I did originally do this one.

Customer has:

A loft hub with
CP2E processor
PAD8A + Sonance power amp
2 FM tuners
Connector bits and Accessories...

Boot room directly below which houses an Imerge 2 zone soundserver (to be removed)

1 cinema with CNX-RMC, one STXi-1700C wireless panel with STRFGWXI RF receiver (also controls a second room with a second STRGWXI)
(local Sat, Dvd, Av Receiver etc.)

2 rooms with CT1000

1 simple Tv room with CT1000, CNX-RMC and 1-way IR remote. (local Sat, Dvd, Av Receiver etc)

1 kitchen with TPS2000
1 Swimming pool complex with TPS2000 (speakers round pool etc)

A few other rooms with just Tvs.

There are various CAT5E cables distributed through out the building as well as the Crestnet.

After assessing what the client would like i.e. kids have ipods, Dvd server would be better, can we have a more stylish, easier to hold remote in the cinema room etc, add an outdoor zone next to kitchen.

My thoughts are:

Kaleidescape server in the loft or boot room with M500 player in the cinema room and M300 players at other key Tv rooms.

Add 3 Ipod docks - one to cinema, one to Boot room (next to kitchen) and one to somewhere in the pool complex.

Then comes the issue of remotes?

I was thinking of using TPMC-4XG or the larger TPMC-8X remotes in the TV and cinema room / second room, whilst retaining as much of the original in-wall touchpanels as possible.
The swimming pool complex currently suffers with too much direct sunlight - I haven't thought of a solution for that yet (there is CAT5E nearby).

My questions are:

Will these new remotes simply drop in place without too many issues?
Will the new remotes make use of the CNXRMC processors to control local rooms?
Can I use Pakedge WAPs?
Will all the old CT1000s and TPS2000 be ok with the new crestron ipod docks and possibly Kaleidescape (has to be local as there is no CAT5E video distribution in place at TV points).

Will the STRFGWXI RF receivers now be redundant and therefore should I be considering anything else to make use of them?

Any thoughts / questions or general flaws in design much appreciated,

Thanks,

Chris.
Post 2 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 13:54
doopid
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2004
559
Stay away from the TPMC-8X and very far away from the TPMC-4XG.

Look in to the TPS-6X & TPMC-3x. You'll be disappointed to learn the CP2E is not compatible with the iPAD because the processor does not have a compact flash drive to expand the memory. I did hear, though, that Crestron is working on a new concept of sending the majority of the program to reside on the iPad to overcome the memory issue... I figure several months away.
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
Post 3 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 14:49
BMaxey
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2009
413
I think (although not certain) adding the Kaleidescape will force an upgrade to a Pro2 processor.
Post 4 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 15:28
djsmallz
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2009
406
On September 18, 2010 at 13:54, doopid said...
Stay away from the TPMC-8X and very far away from the TPMC-4XG.


why such an advice without a reason?
Post 5 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 15:32
39 Cent Stamp
Elite Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2007
17,515
On September 18, 2010 at 10:22, cmo said...
Hi all,

I have an existing customer wanting to upgrade their 8 yr old Crestron system to a newer spec and some more toys.

I'll admit I'm a bit rusty on the latest Crestron as I haven't been involved with one for 3 or 4 years although I did originally do this one.

Customer has:

A loft hub with
CP2E processor
PAD8A + Sonance power amp
2 FM tuners
Connector bits and Accessories...

Boot room directly below which houses an Imerge 2 zone soundserver (to be removed)

1 cinema with CNX-RMC, one STXi-1700C wireless panel with STRFGWXI RF receiver (also controls a second room with a second STRGWXI)
(local Sat, Dvd, Av Receiver etc.)

2 rooms with CT1000

1 simple Tv room with CT1000, CNX-RMC and 1-way IR remote. (local Sat, Dvd, Av Receiver etc)

1 kitchen with TPS2000
1 Swimming pool complex with TPS2000 (speakers round pool etc)

A few other rooms with just Tvs.

There are various CAT5E cables distributed through out the building as well as the Crestnet.

After assessing what the client would like i.e. kids have ipods, Dvd server would be better, can we have a more stylish, easier to hold remote in the cinema room etc, add an outdoor zone next to kitchen.

My thoughts are:

Kaleidescape server in the loft or boot room with M500 player in the cinema room and M300 players at other key Tv rooms.

Add 3 Ipod docks - one to cinema, one to Boot room (next to kitchen) and one to somewhere in the pool complex.

Then comes the issue of remotes?

I was thinking of using TPMC-4XG or the larger TPMC-8X remotes in the TV and cinema room / second room, whilst retaining as much of the original in-wall touchpanels as possible.
The swimming pool complex currently suffers with too much direct sunlight - I haven't thought of a solution for that yet (there is CAT5E nearby).

My questions are:

Will these new remotes simply drop in place without too many issues?

Depeds on what remotes you decide to use. If you get a TPMC-3X or tpmc-8x then you use wi-fi so it doesnt matter what rf gateway you have. If you are fine with 1way remotes you could get a URC MX-900 that will communicate over the current rf gateway. I have had good luck with the tpmc-8x when using proper wi-fi gear.

The cost of 1 tpmc-8x would cover a new PRO2. I would do this and use iPad's instead of the tpmc-8x.

Will the new remotes make use of the CNXRMC processors to control local rooms?

CNXRMC's are still current room solution products and they will work fine.

Can I use Pakedge WAPs?

You can use any access points you want Pakedge and Ruckus are great choices when wi-fi touchscreens and remotes are involved.

Will all the old CT1000s and TPS2000 be ok with the new crestron ipod docks and possibly Kaleidescape (has to be local as there is no CAT5E video distribution in place at TV points).

The CT-1000's will work fine with the ipod docks and the kscape but your interface will be super tiny. Have your programmer handle kscape as a music player that functions similarly to the iPod and you should be fine.

Will the STRFGWXI RF receivers now be redundant and therefore should I be considering anything else to make use of them?

You could use 418 remotes from URC like the MX-900. This is an inexpensive way to add nice 1way remotes using the existing gateway.

Any thoughts / questions or general flaws in design much appreciated,

Thanks,

Chris.

Not sure about the kscape working with the CP2E. I am not a programmer and i dont know what the requirements are for kscape. You should call up crestron and kscape and ask some questions.

Finally.. based on your questions it sounds like your in need of a good programmer/consultant. Find someone to help you design this system so that it works and works well without wasted $ going the wrong direction. An example of inefficiency is having multiple remote/touchpanel models. This is something that a knowledgeable programmer/consultant will be able to help you with. It will save you and your client money and the finishes system will be twice as good at the end.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
Post 6 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 21:33
Vincent Delpino
Select Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2004
1,818
On September 18, 2010 at 13:54, doopid said...
Stay away from the TPMC-8X and very far away from the TPMC-4XG.

Your ass is hanging off about the tpmc8x. Sure they have issues but what remote doesnt? If you dont use crap for access points you wont have problems. 

 There is nothing wrong with Kaleidescape and a CP2E.

Post 7 made on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 22:15
motech
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2008
3,374
I have an iPad working with a cp2e. Am I crazy?
Post 8 made on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 01:12
39 Cent Stamp
Elite Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2007
17,515
On September 18, 2010 at 22:15, motech said...
I have an iPad working with a cp2e. Am I crazy?

The issue is with having multiple ipads and not enough onboard storage for them, I think.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
Post 9 made on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 10:42
doopid
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2004
559
It's always battery issues with the TPMC-8x. I've had no luck with them for this reason.

As for iPad and CP2e.... I suppose if you draw the graphics with VTPro and not use the template graphics, the memory will be greatly reduced. I happened to have a modest Simpl program with a loaded Xpanel and I apparently ran out of memory when I programmed the iPad with the graphics. Crestron also suggested to remove any excess graphics that reside in the program as they all get compiled whether they are used or not.

And for the record... As much as I'd like to hang around these forums all day, I try make every effort to earn a living, so I cannot immediately respond or debate over some topics.

Regards
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
Post 10 made on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 16:50
Audible Solutions
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2004
3,246
There are ZERO issues adding Kaleidescape to a CP2e.

8x is a nice remote. It works best when placed on a WiFi "A" network.

Battery is not the best and it will need to be replaced more often than you or your client might expect.

The 3x is also a nice remote, particularly if the primary use is video. It has a lot of hard buttons and it has a screen size like the CT-1000--longer than wide--which is far better than any other in the sku.

I am not a fan of the 6x because I do not like its size. I do not like 2-handed remotes. It works perfectly well and it's hard buttons are a plus. I prefer one -handed remotes or a remote the size and shape of the 8x or iPad.

If you are going to use an iPad with a processor that does not permit a memory card to be installed you will need to use a low resoluton template. It will probably have to be based on a scrolling text GUI, much like systembuilder.

In my experience only png graphics work with an iPad. The jpg and bmp I've attempted to use had all sorts of edge artifacts. It may be possible to fix these in Photoshop--I'm not nearly expert enough at graphics utilities to speak to this issue. I have not looked at a size comparison between bmp and png but this is going to be the ultimate factor if you can load an iPad on to the CP2e. Of course, you can forget the Creston app and use the app from Command Fusion that loads the graphics file on to the iPad.

There really is nothing you could not add to the CP2E. Kaleidescape, AppleTv control, Squeezebox control, DM, PVID, and so on. The limitation will not be the processor in most real world jobs. I have a CP2E controlling 60 lighting loads, 2 TSTATs, 1 surround zone, 4 displays, 4 Blurays, 4 zone ARQ, DAT, CD, 4 cable boxes, 14 bidirectional shades, 7 touch panels so it's certainly possible to do what ever you want with one.

Alan
"This is a Christian Country,Charlie,founded on Christian values...when you can't put a nativiy scene in front fire house at Christmas time in Nacogdoches Township, something's gone terribly wrong"
OP | Post 11 made on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 17:54
cmo
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2002
295
Thanks guys,

Some really helpful suggestions especially regarding the CP2E processor.

39 Cent - I will pull in my programmer / Crestron guy to check over the whole solution, he'll do an in depth visit to the site and make sure it can't be done better.
I just like to get a feel for it first given the customers requirements and come up with my own solution first then he can correct me if I've got something wrong - harder work for me but I feel it's the best way to learn.

Chris.
Post 12 made on Monday September 20, 2010 at 21:13
brucewayne
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2006
895
we used very expensive access points and could never get the range that we wanted with the 8x and 4x's .
brucewayne
Post 13 made on Monday September 20, 2010 at 21:16
edizzle
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2005
5,916
just because they were expensive doesnt mean they were good! i love the 8x and have had very good results with it.
I love supporting product that supports me!
Post 14 made on Monday September 20, 2010 at 23:18
roddymcg
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2003
6,796
On September 20, 2010 at 21:16, edizzle said...
just because they were expensive doesnt mean they were good! i love the 8x and have had very good results with it.

I have several 8x's out there with more than acceptable range using the Pakedge AP's.
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 15 made on Saturday January 15, 2011 at 03:54
Marc-Etienne HUNEAU
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2007
80
On September 19, 2010 at 01:12, 39 Cent Stamp said...
The issue is with having multiple ipads and not enough onboard storage for them, I think.

The issue is with Crestron mobile PRO. The default guy for Crestron mobile is small enough to fit on the cp2e.

Check the din-ap2. Sd card slot.
--
Marc-Etienne HUNEAU
http://www.dsr.fr


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