There is nothing that a Crestron or AMX system
can do in terms of bulletproof control of A/V
gear, that a Niles Intellicontrol, an RTI TheaterTouch,
or a Pronto/MX800 or similar macro capable remote
combined with a Xantech Gatekeeper (or a Niles
IntelliControl MSU) can't do.

All these combinations provide the installer with
simple ways to program an IF/Else statement. For
Example:

IF the component is already powered on, do nothing.
ELSE IF the component is off, issue the toggle
power IR command.

Crestron and AMX have the advantage of lovely
huge touchscreens, and the ability to display
status of RS232 components, but in essence, most
real world installations of AMX/Crestron systems
simply duplicate the capabilities of the systems
I've mentioned above WITHOUT further internet/RS232
displays of status or TV Guides etc.

My personal feeling is that huge touchscreens
may be impressive, easy to understand and profitable,
but in actual use with a Home Theater offer some
extreme ergonomic DISADVANTAGES compared to the
original remote controls provided by manufacturers
of PVR's like Tivo and Replay, DVD players, HDTV
set top boxes, Satellite receivers and other devices
that present ON-SCREEN Guides and Menus that must
be navigated with care by the client. They produce
the confusing "touch-screen nodding" when the
client must look at the TV to see where the cursor
is, then look at the touch screen to see which
button to press.

Only the most advanced and imaginative Crestron
and AMX systems are providing Guide and Menu interfaces
for these devices on the TOUCH SCREEN itself!
99% of the Touch Screen systems I see in the field
provide the customer with an experience that is
much LESS satisfying than using the original remote
control when operating menus and guides.

Many remote control manufacturers (Marantz, RTI,
Niles, Home Theater Master, Xantech) make models
that incorporate hard button navigation controls
(thumbpads and joysticks) that are easy to find
by feel and far more fun for the client. They
truely allow the original remote controls to be
put away.

Couple a remote control like that with the IF/ELSE
power sensing capabilities easily installed via
the IntelliControl, the RTI, the Xantech Gatekeeper,
and you present your client with a satisfying
fun experience and bullet proof macros even when
the components are a huge motly collection of
TOADS!

I would remind those who say that a $50,000 system
MUST have AMX or Crestron that referrals happen
because the CLIENT IS HAPPY with the installation.
Sometimes that happiness can be created through
expending more of the budget on additional subwoofers
in a large room, sometimes on a more capable video
processor or projector, RATHER than a control
system that is nothing more than an awkward heavy
and unwieldy touchscreen with no more capability
than a Pronto installed with a Niles Intellicontrol...

In my opinion, custom installation is defined
by customizing the system to the real needs, desires
and situation of the client. You cannot make rules
about what HAS to be installed at any price.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Phone 1-800-247-7001