Wap!

So the general feeling I get is that you all feel that in the residential application...crestron beats out AMX with the exception of their panels - which is the whole interface! Who cares about the amps and pre's and all that stuff...don't you want a control system that focuses on control - I do. We are deciding currently which route to take and right now I think I'm leaning toward AMX...

can anyone who has dealt with both systems comment on which is better for the residential side...anps and pre's aside. I need lighting - security - hvac - whole house audio - shading control...I got the theater covered!

I'm a Level II Crestron programmer(Or to put it correctly.... I Was a Crestron level II Programmer... I just never went to Jersey to get the Full Certification... But I could of.....

Regardless...............

I'm now ACE certified as well, and can tell you this....

The AMX Programmig language is significantly more robust than Crestron. You can do a whole lot of cool things with SIMPL+, but at the end of the day, you have to integrate it all within the simplistic SIMPLWindows programming Interface... It limits the system a lot. If I could program a PRO2 in entierly SIMPL+. it would be a much better system....

The best way to describe the differneces in programming is this...........

Experienced Line code programmers will prefer AMX. Pronto programmers will prefer Crestron (And may not even be able to handle Netlinx) Now dont get me wrong... There NOTHING wrong with Pronto Programmers.... I'm one of those too.... But I also can code C++, Java, HTML/XML, anseveral other less common Languages, so Netlinx is much more familiar for myself... Even after doing Crestron exclsively for almost 8 years.

As far as whats better for the residential client... Well There are very few things that one system can do and the other cannot.

But as far as Aesticics, AMX is kicking crestrons butt right now. Just visit both web sites and see for yourself. TPS vs. Modero.... Not even close... And things you cant see from a picture are there too... AMX has a excellent anti-glare coating/screen, and the hard buttons just feel better....

Crestron may have some super duper panels or whatever on the horizon... Who knows.... But I can tell you this... AMX is not just sitting around waiting for Crestron to catch up..... InfoComm and CEDIA this year are going to show some awesome new products from AMX.

I've already expressed my views on the AMX MVP's vs. the Crestron 2-way panels in the same price range in this thread so I wont go over that again....

Regardless of your decision, you will serve your customers better by beng able to offer them a control solution to their complex project.

When it comes down to it, when properly programmed, neither system is going to let anyone down.

John, if I may ask... I see you're an accomplished programmer. Maybe you or anyone else can help this lowly electrician/installer? (I emailed this to you also, in case you'd rather respond there)

Where can I find some simple SmartLinc for Dummies instructions? I bought the 4-part package new from an individual a while back; the touchpad (w/power supply and X-10 interface), the break-out box, A/V sensors, etc. I managed to get it running a little, but I can't understand how to integrate it with my HT. When it was connected, lights and electronics seemed to affect each other.

I consider myself intelligent, but I go crosseyed when I try to follow the instructions. It's a combination of vocabulary and not knowing what the capabilities of this system are. For example, is the touchpad a complete X-10 transmitter, or is that in the other boxes? How do I decide how to set up house and unit codes? How do I activate my HT gear?

If you aren't familiar enough with SmartLinc, can you direct me to a "knowledge base" of some sort?

Thanx for any help,

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Larry:

It's been quite a few years but going from memory the TouchLinc is just a transmitter. If you list the parts you got with it, it would help. Do you have the HouseLinc? IR Linc?

Edit: Larry, I responded to the post at AVS. Let's discuss there.

This message was edited by QQQ on 03/06/04 02:57.

Impaqt:

Did you become such a fan of AMX before or after they:

1.Jumped on the Internet bandwagon, tried to sign up cable companies as dealers and their stock dropped to a dollar.

2.Changed their name from AMX to Panja and then back to AMX.

3.Bought AudioEase and then discontinued the product and basically told all their AudioEase dealers to go f**k themselves, leaving dealers with 6 figure systems in the field that can’t be serviced. To add a little bit of specifics:

a.They won’t even learn an IR code for a Monaco system (a system that ONLY came with pre-packaged IR codes). Ever have the pleasure of explaining to a customer how they can’t add a new component to their state of the art system because the company that manufactured it refuses to learn any more IR codes OR provide dealers with a means to do it?

b.Can’t repair the systems.

c.Etc…

4.Routinely shipped defective product and then wanted to fix the defective product instead of replace it, often replacing if with more defective product.

5.Sold lighting systems, which they discontinued and won’t repair.

I could add a few more points but I think I'll leave it there.

Now my post isn’t really directed at Impaqt, I’m just having a little bit of fun with him. And I don't dispute they also have good stuff and are headed in the right direction again. But I think there’s MANY other factors to consider other than which company happens to have a slight advantage on *some* touchscreens ***for the next 2 months***.

p.s. Impaqt, I visited a store when I was in the Chicago area last year named ABT. Do you guys compete againt them? HUGE outfit but they impressed me as more of a warehouse discounter than a high-end A/V store. The sales people couldn't figure out how to operate the theater WITH an AMX touchscreen!

This message was edited by QQQ on 03/06/04 04:36.

Abt is in our Market..... They do a Ton of business... We bump into them on quotes every once in a while... I wouldnt consider them Competition....

As for the AMX comments..... In response...

Many Moons ago I was an AMX dealer.....I had the Joy of being an AMX/PHAST Beta field tester.... It soured me on the company for many years...... All that is in the past now....... They've convinced me of that... And I'm a hard sell....

As for Audioease..... They were on the verge of Bankrupcy.... It was sell out to AMX or Dissapear.. I've replaced a few Monaco systems....I've also replaced A/D/S, Soundtream, Frax, and many other Dead companies products....

Shipping broken product... That was back in the Days of PHAST..... I was there.... Yeah, the lighting broke.... The Keypads broke, the Processors broke.... they finally completely gave up on the Lighting, but did compenate dealers and end users very well considering....The rest of the PHAST gear have evolved into some great products.

Impaqt,

This is a question, not a retort. Aren't they still selling the Landmark/PHAST crap with the exception of the lighting? Have they ever fixed the problems with the DMS keypads? How about the crap card frames?

Or do you stay away from that stuff and only sell the NetLinx?

Frox, man that is a name I have not heard in a while..Impaqt, you are showing your age in the biz..I put in a few of those..Love the special gold disc all day reboot's with the NSM 100 Disc player..Remember when people said "What, 100 cd's,I will never have that many"..And Soudstream,,I worked for one of the largest dealers in the country for 6 years..I was on a first name basis with Roy Choyvoya..Dont know if I spelled that right..He went to Runco after Soundstream Home died..Its good to hear about the good ole days sometimes..You know when you did not have to fight so hard at it..We should start a thread some day about just the old stuff..When the old installers had to work at real custom..Guys today are a little spoiled in comparison..God I sound like my old man..


THXRick

Just to be clear though, we aren't talking about that many moons ago. We are talking about a few years.

I hope so.

Even assuming that's the case, that sounds like sort of an excuse for AMX's reprehensible actions and it's not. Let's clarify for those familiar with the situation. AMX bought AudioEase to gain their market share and establish a strong residential presence.

They continued to sell the AudioEase brand for years under the PHAST name and then just totally abandoned it and sent out letters saying they could no longer service it. Even ASSUMING that was somehow acceptable, to this day they refuse to learn a set of IR codes for dealers, something they could easily charge for. But the powers that be just don't give a damn.


This message was edited by QQQ on 03/06/04 15:57.

Right, but all those companies are out of business. AMX isn't and we AREN'T talking about 10 year old systems.

And well into the days of AMX and then Panja and then AMX.

My purpose is not to debate you personally on this and I think you’re providing a fair viewpoint. But I just want to put some of this stuff out there as I obviously am not a fan of this company.

In the mean time, I’ve never encountered a single product I can’t ship back to Crestron and get repaired, even a 10 year old original version SmarTouch.

p.s. Have they improved the tech support that ROUTINELY knew nothing about the product and had to be talked through operation over the phone like an end user :-)? You know, the same tech support that lied through their teeth and always insisted they had never before heard of the problem you were reporting. Then, 6 months later they announce a bug fix for it after they sent you on wild goose chases trying to track down the cause of the problem. NOT an isolated instance.

Yes, I do have some issues with this company :-).

All the old PHAST stuff is now under Landmark... I do a lot of the AS8 and AS16 audio switchers and a few DMS keypads here and there.

The stuff is very stable now and runs as close to perfect as you can get.

DMS is going away soon...... (Bout Time) but it IS a functional inexpensive keypad... Reliability has been good on them as of late.......