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Does anybody know how many audio zones Control4 will support on one system?

We havent gone beyond 20 as of yet. They make a great 16 x 16 audio matrix switch with volume properties. List for $1300. Still need at least one C4 controller to add it to the system though.

Its seems that control4 has the capaibility for doing the larger systems for less money because you have to upgrade to adagio to go over the 12 zones. It is also nice to have the extra audio source inputs for those larger jobs with video distribution. I prefer the look and interface of the prodigy.

I understand why said talks could possibly take place. It is a no brainier for Crestron to get involved with the mass market. What I'm worried about is random joe slammer picking up the Crestron name. I do understand that AVAD has protected lines, but hell all I had to do was persistently complain to get Marantz. Just today I had a site survey at a Crestron installation from a company who has won Crestron integration awards, does millions in sales each year, and has a pretty damn good reputation - it was one of the worst residential installs I have seen in a long time in terms of workmanship (granted the old owners had hacked out the displays and some sources but still). I don't care what you sell as long as it works.

The going story is that $5500 gets you lighting control, audio, touchpanels, and remotes. Check the CEpro article.

Limitations are what they are, and understanding the Crestron processor hierarchy I totally agree with the recommendations. The good thing is that there is an upgrade path (via EISC/XSIG?!?) and that the prodigy line is backed by the full faith and credit of Crestron Electronics (just don't bank on the TPMC4XG-DS).

Control 4 is pretty limitless in terms of sheer scale as long as you intimately understand audio, video, control, and networking technology. What C4 CAN NOT do that prodigy CAN do is integrate with ANY third party device via CUSTOM dealer-authored TWO-WAY software modules!

Shake in your boots boys, I'm drinkin' the blue kool-aid and it's tasting mighty fine!

Maybe I'm reading what your saying wrong, but as long as you got the savy to write them, any driver ir, serial, or ethernet can be written for C4 as long as you have the protocol.

But the structure of the module cannot be changed!

There was a C4 hosted webex that talked about the procedure involved with writing your own two way drivers with LUA. I can't remember what site it was on, or what exactly it was titled but I remember that you have to stick to a pre-determined set of ques for each device type. You have device types for DVD players, HVAC controls, Lighting systems, et cetera. Therefore you cannot interface with ANY device, unless EVERY device type is covered by the C4 (larger than the pronto and viable for the mass market) sandbox. In this economy I'm thinking diversity!

What say I have a Tandberg C20 1080p videoconference codec in my Great Room, how are you going to write a module for a component type that doesn't exist???


If you can program Prodigy in SIMPL, you should be able write SIMPL modules and VTpro projects that have cues for System Builder; System builder is an extension of SIMPL, Adagio Composer and iMedia wizard are an extension of System builder. If you have the time/money/initiative to develop the killer UI for a killer cheap system, I want in!

Gotcha. i think you are right, that basic type of device has to be there. The two way etherent drivers are done in driverworks, I dont know if that makes any difference?

DRIVERWORKS

Thank you.

All in all, I know most of you are sitting here saying "So what?". You are correct! We won't see videoconferencing in the living room for at least two more weeks.

Having done Crestron for close to 10 years now, and, having a great relationship with my rep and two somewhat local offices ( Georgia and Florida)- I'm extremly familiar with the line. And, I also looked at Control 4 as a "low cost" alternative a few years ago, and didn't think it was bad solution for "certain customers". The truth of the matter is, Adagio was a great low cost solution that still gives you the capability of a customizable touchscreen, graphics, while also giving you the ability to selct as many lighting scences etc (if you stepped out side their composer software). Control 4 was a "dirt cheap" solution that from what I remember was made in China(?), worked "how it worked" and had only one color light switches, etc. Now, thats fine for certain clients. If you just want a blue screen that turns on a light switch..no problem, not knocking it. But, for more money, you can a have a systems that is completley customizable, expandable to control more items then just their own ( other lighting systems, pool and spas, sprinklers, full video swithing, whatever) then you need a true full control system like Crestron. Again, C4 does what it does.. thats it. That being said, the realm of the super cheap limited capability system- Crestron did need that. So, if the customer wants that, then Prodigy looks to be that answer ( so far- we'll see at CEDIA ).

But i do have to say, as far as C4 being innovatie??? uh, no. Maybe good buisness people capitalizing on an untapped market? I dont see C4 making new solutions for switching HDMI like Crestron with their new Video switchers. Their just continuing to do the same thing. "Oh, you want to switch your new Blue ray player at 1080p throughout the house? sorry." "Oh, you want to control your pool cleaner?..yeah, sorry about that too.

This would make the Prodigy branding and lack of even "by Crestron" make a lot of sense. If it was available at VD I think it is more of a competitor to RTI and URC then C4. I feel like it's in between with the lack of expandability.

while im not going to reply on each post ill comment on the Lua Driverworks

as this current time yes you are correct technically you cant write a driver for say a video conference unit and have it be under a "video conferencing proxy" how ever that doesnt stop you form using any from of current proxy weather it be a cable dvr or dvd player which have video outputs and can still allow you to control and select the device etc. The only difference is you have a DVD icon and its under the video section.. Those ARE current limitations. When the new flash based UI is released you will see the majority of those limitations go away since you can pretty much do anything you want....

As far as the HDMI/Pool Heater comments.. You are correct. the Crestron HDMI Switch is beyond amazing. Its not cheap but nothing amazing is. While Crestron is shipping the video switches Control4 is working on some VERY cool industry changing type products but of course they arent shipping so i wont mention them.. theyd murder me if i did..

but uhh pool control? they have a pool proxy.. i am controlling Jandy Aqulink panels in 95% of my projects..

Control4 does control more than their own brand lighting.. I integrated with an extremely large Lutron homeworks system a few weeks ago.. controls the lights, shades etc. as mentioned above they control many brands of pools as well. Also you can control sprinklers with simple contact closure...

Lifeware already destroyed itself, with no help from Prodigy. i think the Lifeware demo at my @V*D wanted to hang itself to erase the shame.  loading...   loading... 

I never really looked at lifeware but did anyone experience BSODs with that product?

Vinnie, you are the wind beneath my wings.

Prodigy's current limitation of a maximum 18 dimmers/switches and three thermostats is going to hurt them when compared to Control4.