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Topic:
Swtich from Crestron to Control4
This thread has 22 replies. Displaying posts 16 through 23.
Post 16 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 01:17
Mac Burks (39)
Elite Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2007
17,515
On October 29, 2015 at 22:24, rad doc said...
True but not as fun!
Very dated.
We do have a few iPads around. There are only 3 LC1000's so not too bad to replace.

Really just local control in the home theater with the basics-AVR, DTV, bluray, apple tv and gaming system. Whole home audio with 8 zones (have a PAD8a now)

You got it. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Have to use the iPad to turn on lights, not terrible but not super convenient either.

Yes but I would probably need to add infinet receiver, though not expensive.

No, it does control theater currently. Yes, the pool is controlled via rs-232 adapter.

Nothing more complicated. No video distribution.

True but I would assume much less than Crestron.

Okay so sounds like you have/want...

Home Theater with typical sources AVR or separates & a few lighting loads with at least 1 keypad to control them.

8 zones of audio with a Sonos or similar for streaming music.

3 in-wall locations for controlling audio and subsystems (pool/security & might as well do HVAC)

This is definitely an in-the-box control4 system. Here are a couple of things to think about in terms of cost difference.

1. If the Pad8a is working i think you can continue using it with 3 Series processors. Dont quote me on that :)

2. If you stick with Crestron you don't need to replace the lighting hardware you already have.

You would need to buy: (assuming the PAD8A can stay)

1 MC3 Processor
3 In-wall Touchpanels (or a mix of touchpanels and keypads to lower cost)
1 Wired lighting keypad if you can get cresnet wire to it or a wireless keypad
1 Autonomics Mirage MMS-2A

With hardware and programming and labor i think you are looking at a $15-20k Crestron upgrade assuming you have wire everywhere or can get wire everywhere and there are no surprises. A firm with their act together should need a day for discovery, a day to pull any wire and remove old hardware, 2 days for installation and 2 days to configure and load/test programming. I have a big jump there ($5000) because i don't know how much work it will actually take to do the installation. They may only spend 1 day doing discover and rewiring. They may need to have 2 guys on site for programming & testing. Who knows. Doesn't hurt to get quotes from two companies.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
OP | Post 17 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 09:38
rad doc
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2012
17
On October 30, 2015 at 01:17, Mac Burks (39) said...
Okay so sounds like you have/want...

Home Theater with typical sources AVR or separates & a few lighting loads with at least 1 keypad to control them.

8 zones of audio with a Sonos or similar for streaming music.

3 in-wall locations for controlling audio and subsystems (pool/security & might as well do HVAC)

This is definitely an in-the-box control4 system. Here are a couple of things to think about in terms of cost difference.

1. If the Pad8a is working i think you can continue using it with 3 Series processors. Dont quote me on that :)

2. If you stick with Crestron you don't need to replace the lighting hardware you already have.

You would need to buy: (assuming the PAD8A can stay)

1 MC3 Processor
3 In-wall Touchpanels (or a mix of touchpanels and keypads to lower cost)
1 Wired lighting keypad if you can get cresnet wire to it or a wireless keypad
1 Autonomics Mirage MMS-2A

With hardware and programming and labor i think you are looking at a $15-20k Crestron upgrade assuming you have wire everywhere or can get wire everywhere and there are no surprises. A firm with their act together should need a day for discovery, a day to pull any wire and remove old hardware, 2 days for installation and 2 days to configure and load/test programming. I have a big jump there ($5000) because i don't know how much work it will actually take to do the installation. They may only spend 1 day doing discover and rewiring. They may need to have 2 guys on site for programming & testing. Who knows. Doesn't hurt to get quotes from two companies.

Thanks, I really appreciate your time and the info. I have my C4 bids out. I think I will go ahead and dig deeper into staying with Crestron and upgrading. It may just come down to which dealer I am most comfortable with. The overwhelming majority of Crestron dealers local to me are commercial.
Post 18 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 11:59
Sinistar
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
October 2004
18
I think you can get this done even cheaper if you wait a little bit longer - Pyng is going to support Panelized Lighting in the near future (like a couple of weeks if they release the firmware in Early November as planned)

Replace the LC1000's with TSW752 and the retrobracket
Install a Pyng Hub, SWAMP and NSP
You can add a wireless light switch in your theater, make it a keypad.

Now you have a Pyng system, iPad control and can make programming changes on your own if you want.
Post 19 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 13:07
oprahthehutt.
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2011
624
Your dealer is more important then whatever widget you go with.

I think the main thing people dont understand is when you do a custom AV system you are in a way entering a marriage. Its not like putting a $1.13 light switch and saying ok see you in 50 years.

The company you choose will probably be in your house at least once a year to...

Reboot something

Hold Comcast hand because they are switching something out

Replacing a battery in your security system, remote controls etc

reinstall everything again because your brother in law decided you didnt need all this "stuff" and you could just do it all with a windows pc and an xbox.

etc etc etc
OP | Post 20 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 13:38
rad doc
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2012
17
On October 30, 2015 at 11:59, Sinistar said...
I think you can get this done even cheaper if you wait a little bit longer - Pyng is going to support Panelized Lighting in the near future (like a couple of weeks if they release the firmware in Early November as planned)

Replace the LC1000's with TSW752 and the retrobracket
Install a Pyng Hub, SWAMP and NSP
You can add a wireless light switch in your theater, make it a keypad.

Now you have a Pyng system, iPad control and can make programming changes on your own if you want.

Sounds like a good solution but is there any AV control with Pyng? Wouldn't I still need a processor for serial and IR control of local devices in theater?
OP | Post 21 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 13:40
rad doc
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2012
17
On October 30, 2015 at 13:07, oprahthehutt. said...
Your dealer is more important then whatever widget you go with.

I think the main thing people dont understand is when you do a custom AV system you are in a way entering a marriage. Its not like putting a $1.13 light switch and saying ok see you in 50 years.

The company you choose will probably be in your house at least once a year to...

Reboot something

Hold Comcast hand because they are switching something out

Replacing a battery in your security system, remote controls etc

reinstall everything again because your brother in law decided you didnt need all this "stuff" and you could just do it all with a windows pc and an xbox.

etc etc etc

Oh, yes I completely agree. Unfortunately, there are a lot of hacks out there selling both Crestron and C4. It can be difficult to really discern who is credible and you can trust, even for an enthusiast.
Post 22 made on Friday October 30, 2015 at 19:31
goldenzrule
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2007
8,470
On October 30, 2015 at 13:40, rad doc said...
Oh, yes I completely agree. Unfortunately, there are a lot of hacks out there selling both Crestron and C4. It can be difficult to really discern who is credible and you can trust, even for an enthusiast.

Ask the dealers if you can see some of their work. I have various clients who not only offer their words for reference, but offer to open their homes up for us to bring potential clients to. I know some other dealers have the similar situations with their clients. It can't hurt to ask the dealers. You will be spending good money with them and more importantly getting into a long term relationship with them. Good luck whichever way you go.
Post 23 made on Tuesday November 3, 2015 at 02:15
sofa_king_CI
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2009
4,230
Yes, Cresteon should be cheaper here. Depending on how much existing gear can keep being used. Cresteon and Control 4 aren't THAT far off in pricing. I just can't see how replacing everything with a slightly cheaper solution will actually be cheaper than replaced a few things with a Crestron.

I would have said Pyng as well but not if you already have radio ra. Do you have your original programming code? Even though it likely wouldn't be used since you would be doing a major update to your UI's losing the old panels.
do wino hue?
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