First, I'm not a Crestron dealer and I'm working with a system that was installed by a now defunct local dealer. I would think that this is a medium sized system that includes two Kaleidescape KPLAYER-5000's and a KSERVER-1500, ReQuest F.series media server and ARQIVE media server, telephone interface, intercom keypads, LUTRON shades, audio matrix, COMPONENT --> CAT-5 matrix, hand held controllers, in-wall controllers and counter top controllers.
Second, I'm sure that it was a nice $ale for the dealer and a $tatement for the original owner, but it is completely over the top for the current inhabitants who can't figure out how to operate the stuff. I have no qualms about the installation execution, it's well laid out in racks and wall boxes (for the LUTRON), mostly labeled, includes a UPS, extra cooling, Pakedge and Cisco networking, and lots of high end power protection, but I disagree with the controller programming. In my opinion, the system is not very user friendly.
There is one surround room, serviced by an Arcam AVR280 and here is where things get sticky. Before I was called a 4K TV arrived, destined for the "media room" which has very distorted sound. Customer's diagnosis -- Must be the TV, hence the 4K TV purchase. It's really the AVR280's DSP processor causing the distortion -- the display speakers (if any) are not used.
And, the customer will be moving from this location in the next year or so and does not want to get into a heavy investment updating the system. (Otherwise I'd pass them on to a Crestron dealer)
All things considered, I propose pulling the media room off of the Crestron system and replacing the Arcam with a more modern receiver. All the customer wants in that room is to watch cable TV and content from the Kaleidescape. (And we need to find a way to utilize that shiny new 4K TV)
With that groundwork under our belt -- here are my questions.
I'll be replacing the Crestron CAT-5 to Component/IR box at the TV with a 3rd party CAT-5 to HDMI. This implies removing the Crestron box from the Crestron network. Plus, I'll be removing the AVR280 (currently attached to the Crestron system via RS-232), replacing it with a 3rd party receiver. Will the Crestron system go into a tantrum about not being able to discover the missing CAT-5 box and AVR280?
Can this era of Kaleidescape be controlled with an iPhone or iPad App? If not, (and this will probably get into programming style) do you think that the Crestron system will choke while attempting control the Kaleidescape after the CAT-5 box and AVR280 are removed?
By the way, the Crestron controller in the media room is a hand held "wand" style controller (with a touch screen) that does not show any obvious feedback. One reason I suspect 2nd rate programming is because the controller is sluggish when controlling the cable box and AVR280 and prompt when operating the Kaleidescape and ReQuest. Response is so slow that the user feels that a command has been lost. This is especially problematic for Volume +/- and Mute. (I know, it's a Samsung FIOS cable box, but I also know that it could respond faster.) Even though there is a Pakedge access point stuck on the back of the TV, the controller seems to have difficulty acquiring the WiFi after a long sleep. (This could be a battery issue)
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