Want to know more about home automation? Just ask the guy in the orange apron!

Atlanta HD

Many people on here may remember my disgust with C4, and the bad taste has still not dissipated. Luckily I no longer have to deal with the products anymore, nor will I ever. Screwed over by Phast, then the same goofs are running the show at C4...I've had enough.

Please note I don't have anything to say on their current status, just the nightmares from 2005-2007. Maybe they are better now but back then we and our customers were taken for quite a frustrating and costly experimental ride.

And so now you see it at Home Depot. It's bad enough some of the better mid level lines are at BB and CC, but this takes the cake.

I LOVE it!

Hi! I am here to install your new tile and your home automation system.

Homelogic also has DVR functionality. On our shop system we have a PTZ Panasonic IP camera (3 of them actually). We also have a couple of beams in the parking lot. When Beam 1 faults, the Camera swings around to preset 1 and starts recording, then an email and message is sent to the company owner. With a Pocket PC phone you could also then log in and watch the action from wherever.

The messaging tab is also very cool. You can easily setup multiple voice mail boxes, and have voice mail left at the house phone emailed as a .wav file. You can also call into the house and change the House mode from "Away" or "Vacation" to "Home" after being away, get the Lighting and Heating going for a nice entry.

Our typical system has 2 inwall and 1 wireless. With all the software "Tabs" like lighting, audio, theatre, HVAC, Security, Irrigation, DVR, and labor we hit about $18,000. Thats with a few Aprilaire T-Stats, and a global cache.

To me, if I am starting a company, the choice is Homelogic. The Lifeware model is crazy. Remember if you add a dimmer you dont only need to buy that dimmer but you need to buy the software license to operate it. The Media center tie in may be problematic, and at the end of the day you cost as much or more then an AMX or Crestron system. If thats the case just do AMX or Crestron.

C4 now that it seems its more stable could be appealing, but Home depot is a deal breaker. A company that uses its custom dealer base to debug a beta product, only to show up in Home Depot just when the product stabilizes is not a product I would want any custom shop to support.

I also think the C4 product looks "cheap", but thats a personal preference.

I think I'll just say screw it and become a fireman!

As far as Life|Ware, by the time you spec out the hardware, the controllers and panels, and then the licenses... It's really not THAT far off from Crestron or AMX.

Granted Crestron and AMX can be taken into the stratosphere, but feature for reature it is not as uncompetitive as everyone assumes.

Back to the OP... Take a good look at Frox.

I have been on the C4 Ban-d wagon and lived through the Bad Batch of products. New stuff is way way more stable.
I Spec'ed it for my company, Recomended it told them to buy it. That we need something like it or we go away.
So far I/we are still kicking Ive got home after home working and Happy.

Link for e-news
[Link: cbs2.com]

So that said. I was on the phone with my rep and I asked him about H.Depot.
He said and i dont quote. That the H.D. with C4 are in partnership with local A/V companys and are in test markets only.
So I said Can i be the guy in my area?
He said
Once the Test markets are done they may allow us all to do so.
Basicaly opening up an extra showroom/exposure for me when every Contractor and Sub in town walks through the H.D.

If someone else is Linked with H.D. in my area MY Loss.

Lets rememeber URC remotes suck if they arnt programed correctly.
Crestron Suck if not programed correctly.
All other system Suck if not programed correctly.

All programing should be done by an a/v guy who know how each piece of equipment operates and functions. Otherwize it Suck.

Just Cause some Sparky can put in a C4 Dimmer Doesnt mean that they can control the home.

Rant Off.

OP'er Go C4 its fun stuff.


Dave