If your dealer charged $4800 for speaker wire and cat5 ONLY, then that does seem extreme. I suspect though, that much more was included. Is that correct? A thorough prewire can definitely add up to this amount if not much more. Its the best money you can spend in your new home.

It is now time to do the final

Now this seems fair. Connecting and troubleshooting six sources and programming remotes can certainly eat up two days.

My | local dealer claims they will need two men and

The ACTUAL programming, etc. took a couple hours for the systems I've done so far. Like others have said here2 days is probably not unreasonable seeing as how they will be programming remotes, programming the system, and the inevitable troubleshooting that comes with it. Also, we don't know the "whole story". What all is being done? I have been lucky in the fact that most of my systems have been pretty simple (sources, IR system, doorbell interface, etc.) I haven't used HALF of what this thing is capable of. Also, this is with 2 guys who have BOTH learned a LOT about this system before going to a customer's house. Our first one was in my partner's house and we spent all weekend. Of course, we were playing and learning so that when we walk into a customer's house we will know exactly what's going on.

You WON'T be disappointed in the MZC.

I agree with what others have said here. I've lost chances at many jobs because I wouldn't go as low as the local "specialty retailer / car audio store" or the phone system guys that happen to have access to product through a distributor. We as home systems integrators are selling our capabilities and knowledge to you, the product is just an extension of that. Most of the jobs I get the customer isn't worried about the equipment because the biggest part of my being a "professional" is my knowledge whether this is about product, how long it will take to install such as system, etc. Hopefully you did your homework concerning your dealer in the first place. I have customers who VOLUNTEER to be references for me if a potential customer would like to hear from previous clients and have even offered to let us bring potential clients into their homes to showcase our capabilities.

How do you guys compare this to the new Sonance controller - I think the DAB-1?

I know.

Everything that you quoted from my post had to do with programming a remote for zones that had to be controlled without a keypad present at all.

jritch

I was just stating that if you can wire for an IR receiver in the room why not put a keypad in there? That's all. No offense meant

First off thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I did not pay much attention to the "Installers forum" untill after I posted . I apoligize for "home owners " post ..

None taken, it was an old block house with no way to get down the walls. I put IR receivers in/on the speakers. Pulled a cat-5 with the speaker wire.

John

This is in conjunction to the last post (hit the post reply button to soon)

As far as someone needing to pay the people ,bills,insurance etc as a person who has over 100 employes and who's workers comp bills exceed 6 figures I understand. I was simply looking for some outside "professional " opinions . As for doing my homework on the 66 I have, I can't tell you how many bathrooms I have in the house but as far as the A/V I know it in and out. Thank all of you for responding and I look forward to reading all of your posts about the 66 and will let you know the out come... PS. I did my homework on the dealer and they are top notch. I just like to see things from both sides of the fence.