Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Custom Installers' Lounge Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
Caavo... Sub $100 control system. End of our industry or garbage?
This thread has 11 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 20:52
Richie Rich
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2002
1,150
So this thing showed up as an ad before a Youtube video.
http://caavo.com

Did a little reading on the (mostly positive) Amazon reviews, people talking about it being a replacement for Harmony and some of the entry level URC stuff.

While I see the inherent limitations of it, I kinda wonder if this will do to single room/location control systems what Sonos did to house audio?

Thoughts?
I am a trained professional..... Do not attempt this stunt at home.
Post 2 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 22:08
3PedalMINI
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2009
7,860
I think if you don’t have a strategy to adapt to the changing market your hosed. The writing is on the wall, it’s clear as day. There will always be the 1% that will still need us, but that 1% isn’t big enough for all of us to play in.

Where I see the majority of industry going is a full support and network services.
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 3 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 22:33
tomciara
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2002
7,958
So you somehow think that a company has magically figured out how to incorporate reliable universal remote control functions plus HDMI switching at however many resolutions and they can do it all for $59? Now I am questioning your sanity.

Quit looking at this stuff as the end of the world for you and your business. Keep taking care of your clients and ask for recommendations to their friends. Stay busy.

Can you imagine how much less hair I would have if I worried about every new, cheaper thing that has come out over the last 40 years of my electronics career? The sky is not falling.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 4 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 22:42
3PedalMINI
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2009
7,860
I don’t think he’s thinking that. Chances are this one will fail too, just like others before it. But to think the time won’t come where a product like that could work then you are no better then an ostrich sticking its head in the sand.

It’s nothing more then being aware of what’s going on in this atmosphere.

My client that has a house full of C4 switches and has enough money to fund anything he wants on earth just asked me about Caseta for one of his properties. It’s time to be aware, and tread carefully. Now more then ever we need to be vigilant and have the ability to adapt. Don’t think our millionaire/billionaire clients don’t have the time to see what’s going on. These devices have agresive marketing and a cool factor that our products just don’t have and never will.

Remember what everyone said when Sonos came out?
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 5 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 23:10
King of typos
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2002
5,275
Surprised that you all missed it...

Not only does one have to buy the remote. But there’s a subscription to it as well. $1.99 per month, $19.99 per year or $59.99 for lifetime. There again a lot of companies are going towards subscribtion based.

I remember when something like this came out in Pioneer AVRs back in the late 90’s or early 2000’s. It was very crude and I regretted purchasing a product such as that. Solely because the tv needed to be on in order for me to do some basic functions. As I had to select the function on the tv.

Adding the voice, awesome... just one more product that won’t understand me.

KOT
Post 6 made on Monday November 26, 2018 at 23:56
buzz
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2003
4,366
It's interesting that the unit is already available at Best Buy.

I'm not so keen on the looks of the handheld remote and I would need to see the on screen UI. It seems that they are relying heavily on voice control.

One does need a subscription.

I don't how multi-room is handled. Possibly it would be one single room system per room.

If you read through the FAQ, search results have a priority based on setup order and input port. It was not clear to me, for example, if one searches for an actor and the cable box is has a higher priority than a ROKU, that search would find the actor on ROKU. And there could be confusion over which device has priority. One FAQ entry indicates priority is associated with input port (HDMI1 is higher than HDMI2), but another FAQ indicates priority is associated with order of setup and one would need to setup again after a new input device was added.

Sonos integration seems limited to Volume and Mute, but this is probably not a major limitation since Sonos can also be controlled with Alexa or (soon) Google.

Post 7 made on Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 09:53
Rob Grabon
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2001
1,392
Within 3 years 80% of homes will be TV's with just built in apps, and a bunch of wireless speakers. All the smart remote only type companies will go the way of Kodak.

Control systems are more than smart remotes. More than an app. It's an integration of systems. You can do all the same actions with a dozen apps and brands. But if you want them to interact with each other, a common easy interface, and whole home macros, then you're going to need a control system.

The big guys think a 'control system' is a talking box on your counter, phone or wrist. For many that may be enough. Drink their koolaid, click on the I agree give away your privacy, and commit to an eco system, cause lord knows they're not going to play well with each other.

Or, spend lots more money, and have flexibility, interbrand operation, better sound quality, integration, upgrades, choices, and maintain your privacy.

Pick a pill Nero.
Technology is cheap, Time is expensive.
Post 8 made on Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 10:02
Trunk-Slammer -Supreme
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2003
7,454
Maybe this won't make it. Then again, maybe it will.


You think there won't eventually be one of these things that will make it? If so, you are brain dead.

FYI, Sonos IS a DIY product and you mister custom installer/integrator jumped right on that bandwagon, even though the company crapped on you almost immediately.



Think I'll go sit in a dark corned so I can dream up the next great thing. LOL
Post 9 made on Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 10:45
tomciara
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2002
7,958
Just as soon as we are out of one market, a new one emerges. Are you doing the same stuff you did 5, 10 years ago? You naturally keep your eyes open and are looking for new gadgets.

My head is not in the sand. All I’m saying is there will always be something new, and there will always be clients that don’t want to do it themselves.

Do you want a list of things I once did that are gone? How about repairing 17” CRT monitors and reselling them on eBay. How about repairing tape decks, turntables, reconing speakers? How about selling zone 2 systems?

I repeat, take great care of your clients, ask for them to recommend you, stay in touch with them, and you will be busy. Meanwhile, you are doing the right thing by being here and always watching for new products, new technologies.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 10 made on Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 11:09
highfigh
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2004
8,311
They show a small box with a few devices connected to it, a USB port, one IR port, the remote and that's all. I suspect it uses CEC which, for a really simple system, works OK. I guess. Add any complexity and this thing is going into a drawer. For some people, it will be 'good enough' and it's probably better than juggling a bunch of OEM remotes.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 11 made on Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 15:15
MTJ39TSU
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2015
36
We actually had a client ask us to install one of these in his home in an office as he just wanted to try it out and I will say - it was pretty neat for what it does. This client has a Savant system throughout the other zones of his home and enjoys it. He just loves tech and was curious after seeing a presentation on it.

This was for the original Caavo system that was much pricer with a wood finish - but NO support for Dolby Atmos or HDR. How it works aside from CEC control is by actively monitoring what you watch so it gives you seamless voice control regardless of what device or service you use to watch your streaming services on etc. Its in the infancy stages imo - but shows promise. I certainly don't think it spells " the end of days" for us, but could see others implementing similar technology soon. It is worth watching a video showing how it works though...
Post 12 made on Wednesday November 28, 2018 at 12:15
Mac Burks (39)
Elite Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2007
17,515
Whats the life expectancy of this thing? I already ditched my BD player and Cable box. I have a Roku connected to my AVR and nothing else. Why do i need a "source merging" box when the industry is pushing towards eliminating source boxes?

Seems like something that will die a quick death once AVRs/TVs have reliable voice control built in. Maybe someone will buy them for the technology.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse