After years of programming remotes (Marantz, Pronto, Lexicon, RTI) myself...with marginal to moderate success, I have finally decided that I need a more robust control system. Although my system is reasonably complicated the real need is for reliable operation and durability. The CFO (spouse) demands (and rightly so) that the remote work every time the same way. The CDO (chief destruction officer...aka my 3 year old boy) requires durability.

I am currently using RTI gear and have been for 3.5 years. Although the reliability has been an issue (I have replaced 4 units)…the real drawback is my inability to properly weave RF and RS232 programming together into a workable program. Some of my gear (Escient DVD100 and Fireball) are very finicky with the RF to IR and scream for 232 programming.

Although I have a reasonably complicated system my needs for remotes are not that laborate… For example, I do not require 2 way communication (would be nice but not critical) and touch screen size is not a real selling point as most of the control is currently done via on-screen display. In fact the CFO would balk at anything too large (ergonomics) so I am concerned about the Creston gear.

Any thoughts? I know this is sketchy information and I can certainly provide a much more detailed picture of my gear and set-up…but I didn’t want to waste your time.

1. Any suggestions for a MFG? Creston, AMX, ????

2. If am running the following components: HD Sat, DVD, the two Escient units, Tivo, VCR, Outside music system (Sonance Navigator/T2 pad),whole house distribution (4 sources) through modulator (Channel Plus SVM 24)plus Lutron lighting (one location) what might I expect to pay for gear and programming?

I know you guys are hesitant to provide figures as most requests like this are from “internet shoppers”. I can assure you that is not the case (read #3 below). I am simply trying to establish a budget and cost is a factor. Any ballpark estimates would be helpful.

3. Can anyone suggest a reliable, experienced installer/gear source in the SF Bay Area?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

For you and your wife a Crestron ST-1700 Panel. For you 3 year old a Crestron 30 button (No LCD) remote.

[Link: crestron.com]

[Link: crestron.com]

And a processor as simple as a MC2W. The IR ports can be configured to be one way RS-232.

[Link: crestron.com]

Starter kit!

On the AMX side, a Viewpoint Express kit would fit the bill nicely. The New kit Couldnt findit onthe website) has an NI-2000 Controller (Ethernet, 4 IR, 3 Com, 4 I/O, 4 Relays) RF Receiver, VTP-CP Viewpoint Remote and a Charging station. Retails around $4000 complete. Add a TXC16+(or 32+)for Little one.

Fireball/DVDM works great with IP control, so geting a processor without IP seems kinda Silly.

TXC's are reletively innexpensive, and expect in the neighborhood of 2-3k for setup and programming.