Once pmc3 is released I'm getting a prodigy system installed in my new house. I currently have a htpc with xbmc for media storage - mainly blueray rips

Two questions

1. Is there anything stopping me having the htpc distributed using the new prodigy matrix as a poor mans kaleidoscope? Control could be over wifi on iPad/iPhone

2. Can the prodigy remotes be set up to control xbmc?

Thks

I don't see why not.


I'm pretty sure you can use the standard media center IR receiver and IR codes

Acamp
You can do all of this with the current PMC2+ Prodigy system. You'll have to wait for the Matrix but there are other options available today that work (4X4 Matrix).

GUI on current generation prodigy looks awful though. At least the new one is adms-esque as they call it.

Crestron needs to realise the game has changed in the last couple of years with increasingly cost effective networking of devices, iPads etc

While prodigy is clearly nowhere near the cost of full Crestron, they need to offer a slick interface. Look no further than xbmc for what is available for free...

It will become increasingly cheap and easy to cobble together a similar control from different sources, that while not truly integrated, people are happy with

Eg sonos for multiroom audio (which has spotify- another game changer), rako lighting control, xbmc distributed via a matrix system, all controlled via iPads or iPhones.

True, you will need to move between different apps, but is it really that big a deal? And is the user experience worse than current generation prodigy? - i don't think so

I'm still getting a prodigy system , but as I said I'll have xbmc as an av source and I'll have a sonos zp90 as an audio source (mainly for spotify).

if you are talking about the prodigy hdmi distribution, my unsteranding is it will require the 8G wire that their big hdmi switchers and baluns use.

Dont quote me on it, but thats what the crestron trainer told me a few weeks ago when i was at their headquarters...

So why use prodigy if you have those otherbsolutions at hand. See command fusion and bitwise. Make the interface you want and boom.

I like to idea of overengineering & Crestron bullet proofness...

I don't know the pricing yet, but I imagine that HDMI matrix is going to be PRICEY, and it will use the 8g wire which is very pricey as well.

 

What are you talking about? The current Prodigy line doesn't have a GUI. Sure most systems have the Destiny template being used, but you can customize or buy or do whatever you want with the GUI.

The new PMC3 will have an on-screen GUI that is similiar to ADMS, but the current doesn't have on screen at all. If you just need a nice GUI on your PTX3 handhelds, make it however you want.

As for hacking freeware buggy systems together, yes they will get better and so will truly integrated systems. While they will work, they will also be buggy and likely never be much good to the average person out there.

Sonos is one of the easiest solutions out there to setup, yet clients still hire and pay us to make it not only look good installed, but also work properly. Mostly, people need help with their networks and media storage.

This is really a whole other discussion that I'll refrain from to avoid derailing the thread.

My rough, premature prcing was that the 6x4 with 3 HDMI receivers would be around $3k-$4k msrp.

Sofa, I'm an end user, not a CI and I started this thread to discuss exactly this topic. As I said I'm going to go with a new Prodigy system but after recently starting to use XBMC its opened my eyes to what could be "cobbled together" and I began to question whether I am making the right decision.. Am I getting a massive amount more for the extra spend on Prodigy?

I'm fully aware that PMC2 doesn't have an OSD, I didn't say that it did. Your definition of what a Graphical User Interface is and mine must be different. To me using the graphical icons on a PTX3, PTL4 or the iphone/Ipad app is utilising a GUI?

I am aware that you pay to have these modified, but my point is why not make them look better to start with - it will sell more units for them (Crestron can clearly produce good looking interfaces eg Mobile Pro G - although this may be a conscious decision to stop Prodigy canabilising their upper ranges..)

Sonos is perfect example. The Ipad app looks great and will sell itself. You don't have to go and buy a skin so that it doesn't look like a Commodore 64 graphically. XBMC looks fantastic,is free and isn't buggy in my experience although it takes some work to set up, so isn't going to appeal to less tech savvy or time poor/cash rich consumers.

I agree that most people will still pay a CI to set everything up. I'm pretty tech savvy myself but will happily pay an expert to do his thing in the same way I will pay an accountant, mechanic etc.

My point is that access to the key features of these types of systems are becoming more and more main stream, reliable and cost effective. Crestron should be putting its best foot forward right now as one of the pioneers of the industry rather than intentionally hobbling (eg cant take music from a NAS, basic looking GUI) its "mass market" range..

What do you mean "make them look better to start with?" There isn't ANYTHING to start with, its a blank slate. There are templates you can use, but the icons, graphics, gui is completely blank and open for you to have whatever you want. As the end user, you need to find a dealer that can provide you with a GUI (icons, backgrounds etc) that you like. Or find one that you like and can have them implement for you.

I didn't realise that. As all of the brochures, websites, demos and test systems that I have seen used the same template I presumed that this was the standard default option.

eg:

[Link: cinenow.co.uk]

Does what you are suggesting mean additional programming?

No, crestron just only has a one template that they provide for free as most dealers develop, design or buy their own templates or graphic files to use.

So, I guess Yes & No. If the dealer has a graphic set already developed that they use and you like, then no extra programming. If you want your own developed or maybe one from one of the graphic designers to be implemented, it may.

Examples of Gui's:

[Link: guifx.com]

[Link: ntdesignsonline.com]

[Link: blackmancustoms.com]

[Link: guijaboard.com]

These are all third party GUI's that don't "come with" the Prodigy system though...

Separate question - I'm going to have Silentgliss electric blinds in the main room. There's a lot of glass t different angles so it will probably be ten individual blinds. Can PMC2 handle this or do I need a PMC3 that can take a crestron blind module?

I've had conflicting advice

Thks

Andrew