Guys.., great forum and first time poster.

I'm reaching out to those who can throw some advice my way. I have a basic home theater and had an audio company come in and setup a C4 system. The installed flashers on all my components but can't turn on the TV, can't control the TV volume, turning the BR player on turns my projector on, can't control receiver HDMI outs, can't control audio... I feel like I'm screwed.

Wondering if the flasher thingy was the best way to go or if I should have networked everything ? i have cat5 to all components so i guess I'm network ready.

The audio company wants to come back and "fix stuff" but not sure if i want them to.

Here's my desired setup.
* 18x20 multi purpose room
* The room will be used for family TV viewing and conversation as well as a theater for movie night.
* Across the 20' span we will have a projector, then across the 18' span normal TV viewing.
* Audio will be TV output for the living room configuration, but custom 5.1 for the theater configuration.

Components.
* JVC X3 3D projector
* SI 100" black diamond 1.4 screen.
* Denon AVR3311Ci
* Samsung 60" plazma
* Samsung Bluray player
* PC based custom media server.
* Direct TV HD receiver
* JVC CD/DVD player (Existing)
* Pioneer AM/FM Receiver (existing)
* 2 light switches / dimmer.
* BW front, rear, center speakers (not confirmed yet).

The audio contractor states that the reason I can not control the TV is the the Denon will not allow switching between HDMI 1/2 and audio outputs Amp/TV. They say the Denon does not have discrete codes for these functions. from what I've learned this is total BS.

What do you guys think? Right now I've put the C4 contractor on hold until I look at my options. But personally like the C4 system with ipad touch screen.

Thanks.

Philo.

You might have more responses posting this under the "custom installers" area.

You will also likely hear "hire a pro". Setting up a reliable, customized, user friendly interface for all this "stuff" is exactly what we do. Not sure what happened on the first install. I'm a little confused because you reference an audio company that did the C4, but you also have a C4 contractor on hold. I'm just a sales guy, so I will leave the technical responses to those more capable. Your profile says you are in LA. I'm sure there are some members in the CI lounge that would be glad to look into your project.

Without knowing all the details, I don't want to assume and slam the original company. I can say that with the right company, you will end up with the best possible experience. If there are control limitations, they will point those out up front.

Give these guys in the CI lounge a chance.

Not sure what you mean it will not switch audio/tv inputs, but to my knowledge the hdmi 1/2 are a mirrored output only, no independent images like zone 2 out of HDMI. (Only component with allow independent video sources)

Crestron Prodigy will be the only thing that comes close to the features and control that C4 will deliver if you are dead-set on iPad control.

In response to your concern of IR flashers, some equipment can only be controlled IR, others can be IP or RS-232. IR should work regardless if set up properly. Bottomline, you will be stuck with IR on some items, but no big deal. Second, sounds like your "installer" didnt know what he was doing.

I agree. Seems like an easy system from a control standpoint. You have a lot of choices, that's for sure.

To vbova27 who said crestron is your only other option....

With all due respect I think he is WRONG. Savant will easily control the system with any iOS device. The savant system runs on a mac! More money than C4? yea but....we wont go there.

I know, don't come down on me too hard I am a new member but Crestron is NOT your only option!!! In fact the Savant system is the ONLY system that runs 100% on apple...very solid.

Easy to do ir or rs-232 or ip control... and have remote access so we can log in to help!!

You could do bitwise as well if iPad is the main focus. However I think that the problem is that the original AV contractor could have done a better job. Yes, there are discrete commands for Denon Hdmi out 1 and 2, at lease with the 4311, I just did this twice in the last two months with URC IP control.

If the system isn't turning on and off correctly and the original contractor doesn't know how to set up the AVR, it may be that they aren't that good. I'd let them try to fix it, I wouldn't pay more for it, especially if they are new to C4 and are learning on your house.

Or you could put in a Prodigy system, and make them take the C4 back if they can't deliver a functioning system.

When the original company finished the installation did they sit down with you and perform a system training/demonstration with you? If so did the system work then?

sounds like a court claim if someone installed a c4 system that doesnt work.

If you want to do it urself and run it from an iPad than rule is the way to go
With some time and patience I've got it running al of my equip and love it
Sb