For many years people in this undustry have tried to come up with a repeatable "system" . Get in, get out, get paid.
When you combine the various new products that are out there, we are getting very close to this.
Just because something can be DIY, does not mean everyone out there can or will.
We have lots of clients that come to us because they do not wish to DIY, they are willing to pay us to install whatever new gadget they want.
I still see a lot of money to be made out there as our client base continues to grow.

To keep everything together and provide a technology partner going forward. The big 3 as mentioned are all building their own sandboxes.

Customers will buy this product from A, that from G, and then will eventually want the next level of A to trigger something from G or vise versa.

The path forward is not just Audio guy. Its Everything Partner guy. Mr Client your network is shit, your TV setup has so many wires draping over the mantle Bald Eagles are nesting in it, your music setup is at least 4 different things you have purchased over 3 years, your light switches are a disaster, your surveillance cameras look like your TV setup etc etc.

On top of all of that when something goes wrong who are you going to call? Google? Good luck.

So why do we provide a control system? To make your life better by allowing us to control it.

Personally, I think we are seeing the effects of automation trickle down.

Market penetration for full home automation systems has traditionally been incredibly low. less than 5% of homes have what we would consider "Home Automation"

What I believe we're seeing a new category emerge in DIY Automation Millenimation maybe? they live on their phones and flipping back and forth between half a dozen apps or so is how they operate.

I firmly believe that this is largely "In addition to" the market that still appreciates real home automation. We will also see a trickle up effect as well. That being as these people age and have more disposable income, they will be able to appreciate combining things down to one app.

In the mean time, I think both markets can coexist just fine.

Nowadays when I see DIY or IoT it makes me think of that old term ID10T.

Didn’t bring up the thread, shoot!

I quoted both your responses in this single reply because they are related.


I agree that for most small homes or condos etc that Crestron or Control4 isn't necessary...Assuming every user is tech savvy and okay with updating logging into multiple IOT device apps. With Crestron you can use your system for 15 years and never have to update an app or login unless you use an iPad. I cant even imaging dealing with a dozen apps and logins every other week when an update gets pushed.

Playing devils advocate how many of those small homes and condos need a nest thermostat? Or Sonos?


How many "small condos" need lighting control?


Any home that "needs" current surround sound offerings needs at least an AVR. Any home that wants to hide surround speakers in-wall or in-ceiling needs an AVR.

Obviously if your client doesn't care about atmos and is fine with seeing sonos speakers hanging on the wall or sitting on tables and a big sound bar under the TV then they dont need an AVR.


I guess i dont see how an AVR complicated the job. If anything it helps avoid the need for video distribution because you have your sources local.

This is exactly what is happening...and what has been happening since the Pronto TS1000 and X10 hit the street.

Agreed, more affluent users are concerned!

in Control4 Programmers Group posted Nov 25. Sorry, not seeing a way to link to a thread in FB....

Fins noted this as well. I can't even keep track of all of my usernames and passwords!

Well we don’t not for a condo, small home or a apt. But when you have a large house or a mansion then there is no real other way.

Ah, I see- Control4 Programmers & Control4 Programmers Group are two different pages... Doh!

IMO, the days of big, involved home automation systems in all but ultra high end residential are drawing to a close.

Many people are happy with a big box store tv, Sonos soundbar, Appletv (or other streaming box), and small directv or cable box stuck behind the display.
Sat box remote handles 90% of their needs, grab the ATV remote (or app) for when you want to use that.

That same job years ago was a plasma, 5.1 speaker system, AVR, Cable/sat box, DVD player, CD Changer or hdd based music player, programmable remote, gateway, pull out rack, power management, quality cabling and a fan system. Maybe throw in an XM tuner if they wanted a bit more audio diversity. I did probably hundreds of this setup in tract houses, condos etc.

We are left with a bunch of products we make little to no margin on coupled with 100% network dependence, odd intermittent HDMI issues, logins and firmware.

Yes, there is still work to be done as most clients won't want to tackle the 2018 version of a living room system but we are left with very little meat on the bone and a lot more annoying phone calls.

Ha ha so true.

I think you have it backwards. Most people have had no idea our industry exists. With DIY “automation” products people are finally learning this tech is real and not sci-fi. But as time goes on the current level of nonsmart smart home products will not be good enough. People will want their devices to really integrate. The question will be if google and apple can make that happen.