Does anyone have any idea what Crestron is upto with their touch panels?

www.crestron.com

I got some inside sources, and they all say no one knows.?

Did I hear this right? You are asking us but Crestron does not know? Or do you mean not THAT inside.

Have you called Crestron?

Maybe they are going to make a Working iPronto!

Seems like a lot of hype right now to me..... Everything I've managed to learn about the new panels so far has been available from AMX for a while now.

If its really that revolutionary, you'd think theyd leak a few details..... I think they doing this to get a feel for what they NEED to do to catch up with AMX.

That's exactly why they are doing it. They are aware that AMX has brought out some cool touchpanels and they are addressing it. But they will not be releasing any details - why would they want to - that would be poor marketing. They are generating excitement over what I predict will be VERY COOL touchpanels.

It's about time Crestron did something about their touchpanels...they look like their straight out of 1991.

I asked about the new panels, specifically if they would allow internet access from the panel and the response I got was "", so it was not confirmed or denied. In the past, this has usually meant a yes. Past that we will have to wait for Infocomm.

Guys,
After being somewhat curious about the whole AMX makes better touchpanel thing, I had to take a look at them myself..If I insert my foot in mouth please forgive me..I will agree that the current AMX panels do look great..Of course I refer to their Large panels. I also know that Crestron has taken away a large share of the market in recent years..So one would ask why? Does AMX offer a surround processor,multi-room,t-stats,lighting,amplifiers,and various other products? If the awnser is no..then we know why Crestron is moving ahead..So if all that Crestron has left is to make a cool, affordable, internet touchpanel in various sizes that price competes with AMX..What then ?? We all agree I am sure that the Crestron small panels look better..ST-1700 series..So what does the future hold ?? I know just like me that we are all (pro the products we sell)..But one would wonder that a company that has all the other bases covered quite well will do when the only product they have left behind on, meets or exceeds their only real competitor..


THXRick

THXRick:

In reference/agreement with your comments - I consider it an established fact that Crestron has decimated AMX in the residential market. I'm talking about units sold, forget the debate about who makes the better product. AMX *seems* to be doing the right things again lately (they were a ship afloat for quite a few years) and they are making money again (publicly traded so it's public info). But they have a LOT of catching up to do as far as residential market share goes.

Although no one at Crestron is saying anything since their big "countdown" announcement, when I was at CEDIA in September, one of their techs told me they were working on a touchpanel that could access the internet directly...

Cool and Afordable should really not be used in the same sentence with Crestron...(I'll give ya cool... I've never had a problem with Crestrons Cool Factor) These are the guys charging $2000 for a ProntoPro w/ RF Receiver.

Its no secret that Crestron is Outselling AMX right now... Expecialy on the Residential side.... This is a REALLY HORRIBLE analagy, but Bose Outsells almost all other speaker manufactuers combined.... DOesnt make them better.... AMX Had some major issues a few years back. The know that, and they have now righted the ship. Concentrating now on what made them the Number 1 Automation company to begin with.

As for your ST-1700 argument.... OK, I'l give you that if your comparing it to the standard Viewpoint.... However, the Viewpoint is significantly less expensive than the ST-1700..... Now... If you go into the Realm of 2-WAY - ST-1700CNX (I think thats the model now) The Crestron is Annialated. A MVP-7500 has a Retail of $3200, 7.5" Sreen, 12 bit color depth, and a 640x480 resolution..... And it communicated via 802.11b... So the gateway will run you $300 if you buy a really good one.

Not good enough? The 8400 adds 16Bit color, Active screen, A Mic and Speaker for $5k STILL in the ballbark with the Crestron when you add the price of their 2-way gateway.

As for the other things you mentions....

HVAC... YES definatly
Lighting: Yes Definatly, Radia RPM System and also Partnered with Lutron.

Multi-Room: Absolutely. 8x8 and 16x16 versions.

Amps: Sure....

Microphone Hub for Intercomming: Yup.....

Surround Processor??????? Um... No.......

The Major difference between Crestron and AMX when it comes to periferal componants is that amx acknowledges that they may not make the best of everything. The DO make the best touchsreens and control processors. so if a dealer wants to sell ADA, Extron, Autopatch, B&K, or any other Audio system, they play very nice... ANd even encourage it when the application arises.

I always enjoy a nice AMX/Crestron debate.......

I hope they[Crestron] do add Internet browsing to the next generation of panels...... Might get AMX to update the firmware on the Modero Panels to do the same.... We can already Control a Desktop PC through VNC and Pull Dynamic images off the Web with no problem... Adding a browser interface wouldnt be a major problem.
OK... Enough for now....

Im not looking forward to the whole 802.11b revoltuion if thats the route Crestron is heading. I would much rather deal with its 2.4 or 5Gig spread spec technology. I have enough problems with clients trying to walk around there 15K sqf with there laptops. Even with 10 WAP's, the shit still doesnt always work.!

Crestron new 1700 have a 150' range now, and have been working nicely.

I dont think this thread was ment to be a whos better than who. Obviously Crestron has been doing something right to be where they are at. And im all for them creating new HARDWARE like the XM radio tuner, and T-stats, lighting, ect... Easier sell than trying to peicemean a 20K sqf home.

Thanks for the input Impaqt,
Of course as I am sure you figured out..We sell Crestron.So I really don't know enough about AMX to get into a debate about who is better.I will say however that Crestron has the best training courses and tech. assistance I have ever seen in my 13 years in the industry.I have never gone to any course and said to myself..what a waste of time, I could have taught this course..Like some of the classes I have attended (after getting experienced of course). I have always left Crestron having learned something or left with my brain killing me after a week of essentials training.That being said I have never been to any AMX training so I can not compare them in that way either.I guess my whole point was in the begining( my last post ).Is that Cretron is dominating because of all the cool stuff they offer. If all thay have left is to at least meet or exceed the AMX large panels( I'm betting thay are out to show them up)then I would not want to be employed at AMX..I know I am exaggerating, I am sure AMX will retaliate with something better as well..Which in the end is what all we real ubergeek av guys want..better stuff..competitive pricing so we could sell and install it in every customers home,not just the wealthy ones...



THXRick

I AM NOT A DEALER FOR EITHER OF THESE SYSTEMS

AMX-Industry standards based "Control Systems" company that is publicly traded. There OS is the industry standard used by government, insustry.

CRESTRON-Internally created OS, "Home Systems", they keep expanding there product base to gain market share(av rcvrs, decoders, etc..) Love there renamed "pronto". Privetly held company.
Does anybody, other than CRESTRON dealers, think that this approach fo putting all of your systems "eggs" into one "crestron" basket is a good idea?

That explains it! I usually have to give my stuff 20 "WAP's" to make it work right.

Even numbers are the problem! Cancel each other out!