HDMI control seems nice in theory. Brent may correct me on this, but the problem I see with it is that it's ability is somewhat limited in our world. I've left it on a few times and tried using the Samsung TV remote to control the Samsung BDP. It works fine until you need the BDP menu. Unless HDMI control evolves to a much more advanced level allowing us to route macro commands to different devices, I don't see it ever being of much use.

Maybe this should be a separate topic all together

HDMI control will be great but thermostats/air conditioners/garage doors/front gates/motorized locks/lifts etc don't have an HDMI port. The only real value i see with it is when if we start using Crestron DM to control displays and surround processors. I wont have to screw around with emitters (because all the damn tv makers are eliminating RS-232 ports). So a single HDMI cable from the room box and done.

Point being that it will just be another thing to add to our list of IR/RS232/IP scenarios. I think ethernet is the way to go. Its (lan gear) in or going into every new job. Wi-Fi gives us some flexibility. Every product should have a built in web interface and a full set of codes for IP control. Then everyone from the DIY app crown to the full blown crestron client gets what they want.

I think you have probably nailed it with DM or other similar matrixes that would let a control system route commands across the HDMI. That actually would be very sweet wouldn't it? If you could route commands to displays and sources and get all video and audio routed where you want with one single cable? It would make for a very clean rack and a much easier install.

We haven't done it on any projects yet but DM can already control devices. The problem is the short list of compatible CE devices. Same old story...trying to get CE manufacturers to follow a standard...any standard. Please? Are any of you Asian CEOs listening?

One of the nice things about HDBaseT is the network capability.
Face it most of a "CI's" HDMI instals now use HDBaseT, so if you use IP products like Global Cache you have a Digital A/V delivery system that is also your contol highway.

Lots of Wifi to IR adapters -- Global Cache being one of them.
[Link: cepro.com]

And Xantech
[Link: cepro.com]

A few Z-wave-to-IR adapters
[Link: zwaveproducts.com]

and some ZigBee to IR (CardAccess)
[Link: cardaccess-inc.com]

Co. called Nyce (C4 partner) is coming out with ZigBee to CEC HDMI stick ...