TW,
The answer lies in your contract with the customer. It can go several ways. With one party owning the code and the other having limited or unlimited rights. You should be very clear about this when you start a project. Just as you folks have been very helpful to me...I'd be happy to help you out with suggestions as to what to look for or put in a software development agreement.

In my case I didn't understand how much programming was involved with the Crestron when I purchased it. My dealer told me I would get a disk with the code and they would keep it as well. They never gave me the disk and when I called to get it and to ask about some modifications...I was told the programmer had dropped the laptop that they stored the code on and the harddrive had crashed.

They also told me Crestron had changed the tool that they were using to program the unit now and since I was going to have the whole thing rewritten I might as well get it done in the new tool.

Doug,

I was just planning on doing the simple IR commands for the Request and using the TV for the display. Basically, it's the kind of project I'd take on to learn the thing and get a feel for other mods down the road.

I still need to figure out how to get the cables and exactly which programming environment I need. Also, are the Crestron IR Libraries available...or are they dealer only as well?

STS Wizard was bad bad bad. TP Layout was interesting, and programmming was pretty limitied. The "Wizard" was an option though, Ever since the STS-1500 days, SimpleWindows/VTPro has been around and the more suitible programing suite. SOme dealers got taken in by the "Easy Programming" of the wizzard and VtPro based programming method. Very unfortunatly for people purchasing these systems.

Anyway... The Company I work for now did several of these system with the Wizard and VTPro based programming. When Crestron updated the software and dropped the Wizard style programming interface the new version there were lots of problems importing projects to the new programming suites....

I have several of these old programs that I have to go back to the old old old software to do updates on. and over time several of these files have become corrupted and unusable.

Even with 3-4 redundant backups, I've lost files.

These situations are NOT the fault of the end consumer though. When I get calls for updates on these old panels, I attempt to salvage the file, and if I cant, I explain the situation to the client and attempt to work something out to share the costs of reprograming the system.

I have reprogrammed entire systems for the price of the upgraded componets though.....

Ahh cable problem solved. I've now got a full set. So, my next question is what development environment should I be using for the 1500? Also, are the IR libraries off limits to the consumer?

Last I checked, as long as you "Accepted the Licensing agreement" you could download anything available on the crestron site. Technicaly, your not supposed to use the software unless your Crestron Authorized.... so your on your own on that one....

Crestron IR files are in the "Crestron Database" I think current version is 16.1.4

You need SimplWindows to program the ST-CP and VTPro-E to Program the ST-1500

So those 3 programs will get yous started.

Whoever keeps all their clients programs on one laptop is nuts. All the crestron related files on my laptop sync up every day when I log into the office to our compnay server, and to my boss's laptop once he logs in. Every one of our clients programs are in all 3 computers. Works out great.

Exactly. With how cheap hard drives and cd/dvd-r devices are, there's not much of an excuse for losing programs.