I had a chance to attend an informational/Training session with Matt Lust from RTI (He's the guy most of us talk to when we call for tech support).

Some of the things in the works:

RP1 - Smaller version of the RP6. No relay controls, Single (High output) IR out (Use a connect block to control more devices), Antenna is onboard. About half the price of the RP6. Set for release in a few months.

Inwall T3 - An inwall panel with the capabilities of the T3. Smaller, less capable version of the K4.

Tablet version of T3 (Two handed version of T3).

Also got to see the U1 and K4... SpecFreakentacular!


Andy

Is the RP-1 going to be RS-232 capable as well?

Real competition with Crestron and AMX can only be acheived with 2 way RS232. I hope the hard wired units have this. True automation needs both networking and 2 way RS232.

95 percent of all of the customers I have ever met, could care less about bi-direction communication, as they just want their system to work and not cost incredibly stupid amounts of money to perform rudimentary tasks like: controlling their home theater, the lights, the blinds, the security system, the waterfall, the driveway gate and the security system, all of which can be done simply and reliably with RTI products interfaced with a few other lower cost off the shelf products. AMX and Creston can have the 5 percent and more power to them, but I am frankly only interested in the other 95 percent.

I am not at liberty to tell you the specifics of why, but if you have stock in AMX or Creston, I would seriously consider selling it before the end of 2006.

There is a new big dog in town, just wait till he starts barkin.

Come on David, at least tell us who you are talking about.

RTI? Control4? Netstreams? HTM? NEVO SL?

Do Tell.

I'm glad to see it only took two posts for the thread to go off in another direction...



I'm going to say it is not... but I don't remember for sure.

I'm do know that it will not be compatible with the sensing modules (Video/Power) and it has no relay controls. It is a single High Output IR jack. I know we will sell alot of them for use with the basic HT setups i.e. Plasma/LCD Rearpro, Cable Box, DvD, VCR.

Andy

95 percent of all of the customers I have ever met, don't understand bi-direction communication. Why does it have to cost incredibly stupid amounts of money. The T3/RP6/RM433 is just under $2000.00 and the K4 will be $2500.00, seems to be getting close to Crestron $$$.

Crestron $$$ ????

I will start this off by saying that I'm a big RTI fan and I use their products in most of our systems. But to claim that RTI is better for 95% of people because of price is simply crazy or misinformed.

As stated above a T3/RP6/RM433 retails for about 2 grand. A MC2W and a ML-500 retails for about $2100.

Not a big difference in price, of course there is a few differences between these packages, the RTI setup gives you a much slicker interface, but the Crestron has a much more powerful processor.

One you move to the K4 type product, RTI is giving you less functionality for more money. At $1900 retail the TPS2000 is a much better deal.

The RP-1 is basically the new version of the IRF-6. All of the modules that worked with the IRF-6 will work with the RP-1.


Correct me if I am wrong but as I remember it The TPS2000L requires you to purchase an external cresnet control system for IR or any other control function to be performed.


The K4 does not really need anything else besides a power supply to be fully functional, just like the sales pitch says as follows:
.

"The K4 has it all - it's the first stand-alone touch panel with infrared control, video monitoring, and Ethernet connectivity. With a TFT LCD, full VGA resolution, powerful 400MHz 32-bit MCU, 32MB of Flash memory, stereo speakers, microphone, and an infrared receiver, the K4 takes touch panel control to new heights." All in one box.


You see that’s what drives me crazy about AMX and Creston and a few others, is that you end up having to buy all that extra stuff. The RTI approach allows you to adapt to the surroundings without having to get stuck with someone’s proprietary vision of how the world should be.


Creston makes some great stuff, but hey, I really don’t like companies that try to corner you with the once your in you cant buy anything else philosophy. Further, I really don’t like the good old boy clubs that a lot of these companies have become. Almost any installer can buy and service RTI products, which I think is great for everyone in this business, rather than having business competition based upon only a select few whom can purchase certain exclusive products. I prefer a system where competition is based upon how good a job you do for the customer.


The companies that are going to survive are the ones that are the most cross platform friendly, with the ever growing list of software products like DVD lobby and a whole slew of over the counter hardware that any end user can buy and install on their own to control a great many things in their homes, is an inevitability that can not be denied. Wherefore to survive we need products that are reliable, cross platform adaptable and lower cost, from a complete system perspective.


The K4 as it stands, I am sure will evolve into something much more powerful in the near future, while requiring fewer accessories to accomplish the desired tasks, and at a lower market driven cost.

As you seem to have taken a stance different from what I would guess to be most on here, Im curious to see the responses. (Alan?)

It seems that most on here would PREFER to be "exclusive" with the "good ol' boys" club. I would prefer to carry a line that is not "shoppable" or installed by the rest of the competition. (Not so much the competition, as much as being able to get it at BB, CC, E-bay, etc) That said however, you make some interesting points on the Crestron line, the requirements to cary the line, and the proprietary issues surrounding it. Will be interesting to see the replies.

many Crestron dealers I speak to are looking for a simpler alternative:

many installs can be done better, faster, and cheaper with RTI products: those dealers that check out the new RTI product line like it better than Crestron

for really high end, complicated jobs, Crestron type products still rule: they are more powerful, more profitable for the installer, and ensure the installer will get to return to tweak the system or when components are upgraded

Exactly,

This is where the exclusivity fits in for however long it lasts,

My prior argument is over the other 95 percent of the price driven market. Further, I don't want to see RTI type product being sold over the counter, Notwithstanding, I just want everyone to focus on the fact that over the counter consumer level products that are equally as powerful are nipping at our heals, and since a great portion of all of this will be wireless, the only selling point we will have as contractors is our experience with such products. Just look at this forum for example, a great many of those reading this are end users who have self taught themselves everything they need to know about programming, upgrading and maintaining their own RTI products. There are also Crestron & AMX blog's and such where people go for inside tricks and tips, people who have simply bought what they needed off ebay or through some other means. I have a few exclusive lines my self, but I know from experience that exclusivity will only be as good as the product line can maintain a competitive edge, and when they do lose their competitive edge, the exclusivity will be worthless.

This message was edited by RTI Installer on 06/06/05 13:28 ET.

I use RTI with Crestron, the best handheld remote with the best control system.

I'm going to guess that I'm the only one posting in this thread that also does security, climate, and lighting control. With the exception of music servers most audio/video gear can be controled fairly well without advanced logic or two way communication, but when you move into the systems integration stuff, it's a must have.

From my standpoint...

Considering my market, I'm happy to see RTI developing these fine products.

The issue with crestron, from my standpoint, is the dealer requirements. I dont ever forsee my market expanding enough for me to support the line, yet alone charge mega$$$ just for programming.

When I spoke with the Crestron rep, just to get a feel for the line, he said the margins are good, which i agree they are, but the real money comes in the programming.

I really would like to be in a position to be able to attend the numerous trainings and programming classes Crestrom requires... unfortunately that is a long ways off.

Until then, I have a product like RTI, which allows me to program it's products without taking numerous code classes, and learn at my own needs (like RS232, completely new to me but I'm gonna set up some pieces and play with it )

Selling my customers on a control system is difficult already, considering many of them will cost more thanthe client "thought" they could their entire system for. (Wal-Mart mentality is my term for this illness)

I do lighting , drape & blind as well as motorized sky light control with RTI, though I do not install security I have used RTI to control security systems on several jobs