Hi,
I have a Crestron 1500 system which was installed and programmed by a not so great home theater company. When I last was able to get them to answer the phone they informed me that they had a hard drive crash and had lost all the programming for my unit (they never gave me a copy). I now would like to make some changes to the system but they want to charge me several thousand dollars to do so. I really think I can handle the programming myself, but it appears that Crestron won't sell me the programming cable kit. Is there anyway I can purchase the kit and the software to do the programming?
Mostly, I want to add my Audio Request system and clean up some of the bugs in their programming starting with just spelling our name right on the main screen :)
Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to send my way.

There is no way to get Crestron programming "back out of" a touchpanel or processor for editing. You will need to hire someone to program it from scratch, which will neatly take care of the old bugs. :-) You should contact a Crestron dealer in your area, or ask around here.

On the programming cable, Crestron's documentation will tell you how to make one. Their software is downloadable for free, but getting the right IR drivers may be a problem depending on your equipment. You may be able to program it yourself, but it's a steeeep learning curve there. You need to ask yourself if it is worth your time.

This message was edited by Theaterworks on 06/08/04 08:28.

TW is right. You'll need to hire a programmer.

Doug @ HomeWorks

This message was edited by deb1919 on 06/08/04 07:37.

Thank you for taking the time to respond...and so quickly!

I understand there's no way to get the programming back out of the unit. It's why I'm upset that my dealer "lost" the programming I paid for earlier. I was planning on doing it all over again. Is there a library of IR drivers available?
I've written programs in many languages and different environments...I'm sure I can handle Crestrons. I'm sure it won't be easy but at worst it will be a fun challenge.

I have looked on the Crestron site and there's very, very little information available on the ST 1500 any longer. I looked pretty extensively and couldn't find the manual in their library. I know they have had more than one programming environment over the past few years....I'd like to be sure I'm using one that the units I own can run. As for making the cables...I assume that would be in the manual.

Given a choice between having to go back and pay a couple of thousand dollars to program the unit correctly and add one device...and then be on the hook for going back to them for a minimum of $1,000 anytime I want to switch or upgrade an item...I think I'll just have to look at a more open remote system.

BTW, I'm not talking about an entire home automation system running off the Crestron. It's a TV and a few pretty standard A/V devices.

Anyway, thank you again for your assistance.


This message was edited by kschoenberg on 06/08/04 09:19.

There are a number of end-users that have programmed thier own Crestron systems. There is even an online support group on Yahoo for the DIY Crestron crowd. The programming can be a little bit involved, but if you have what I think you do (an STS system), there is an older utility, called the STS Wizard, that may get you where you need without much trouble. Unfortunately, Crestron no longer supports the STS Wizard, but that doesn't mean you can't use it. There is no better control system than a properly set up Crestron, it may be worth your while to keep at it.

jcmitch

[Link: groups.yahoo.com]

Just a thought here...
Try and find an independent programmer for Crestron and ask if he will provide consultation via the web, phone or in person. Hire him to create a basic touchpanel layout and control program for you to get started. You may then be charged by the hour for consultation or upgrades that you cannot handle. The most important part of this to get the source code.
My guess is you have a one-way 1500 panel. The control code and panel layout (premade template) is not going to be near that expensive.
I think you will get more out of the project this way, rather than spending thousands attending Crestron classes. I'm not saying you couldn't do this from scratch, but why waste a hundred or more hours trying?
Your time has to be worth something, as well as getting the Creston system working quickly.
Another thought (brain babble)is to sell the crestron 1500 panel and system and purchase a MX3000, which you can get working in a weekend.

What processor do you have? You should get rid of the ST1500 and get the STX1700. It works great with the ReQuest since it is a bidirectional device. The other guys are right though, you will have to start the program over from the beginning. As far as manuals go look on their site for either the ST1550, ST1700 or STX1700, they all use the same programming cable.

First, sorry I should have been more specific. Yes, I have an STS-1500 system.
I have subscribed to the Yahoo group and will give it a shot. Where can I find the STS Wizard?
If I get stuck I'll certainly consider working with a consultant, but if I'm to keep the system I really have to be able to make changes. Adding a $200 Tivo unit shouldn't also require an additional $1,000 in programming.
Yes, my time is worth quite a bit, but the programming of the Crestron would be fun/hobby type stuff.
Thank you all again for your help and suggestions.

Ken

I am a crestron programmer, will be going to the certification class in the next month or so, and have been programming as a career for almost 2 years, if you send me a list of devices an what you want it to do, Im sure I can work a reasonable deal with you.

If your interested email me back at [email protected]

If you go on the Crestron site you can get all the software available. Download the Cable Database and you can get the cable configurations for programming as well.

A pretty comprehensive programming job for a one-way panel for a one-room system might cost a couple of grand. Adding a single device to an existing remote program for another $1000 seems high.

It's really high when you already paid it once and THEY lost the code.

That's a question that I have never seen come up here; who is responsible for keeping the code safe? Do dealers leave the code with the client?

We do not, unless the client asks for it. The remote control projects are kept on a RAID 5 hard drive array, backed up nightly, backed up offsite weekly. I've lost two remote projects in 8 years that could not be recovered in other ways, and I rewrote these for the clients based on the thinking that I am the steward of what I am keeping for them.

Agreed, but that would involve adding a 2-way Gateway since the ST-CP is one-way only.

Crestron programming falls under the heading of software development, which means the customer had a licence to use it. They do not get the original uncompiled program. Try telling Bill Gates you spent $100 for Windows and you want the source code.

If you close up shop or move, it's up to you how to handle it. But you are not ever required to give out your SMW or VTP programs.

Ken, aside from the Request, this sounds like the perfect system to learn on. The Request may pose a problem... the ST-CP can't handle Simpl+, which Request RS-232 macros use a lot of. You could control it with basic IR with the TV providing the on-screen, and then work on emulating IR commands with serial strings. Would be a good exercise.

Doug @ HomeWorks

I don't sell the Crestron anymore but I do have a demo STS-1500 and if it will help you I could email you a copy of the manual. I am not really sure the manual is going to help that much but you tell me.