I need to double check my math on something. I looked at a very nice system (in its day) for a prospect a few weeks ago. The existing basics are a component matrix, 4 DTV boxes, URC MSC-400 and (I believe) MX-900 remotes in 6-8 locations. He also has two old pioneer receivers in the rack for 2 TV audio zones.

Of course he wants to stream Netflix/Hulu et al, but he cant do it with his current gear. After thinking on it (and reading up on the MSC), I quoted him a new matrix and new C4 to the tune of 15-20k area to redo most everything. Of course he didn't want to do that.

With an old centralized system like that it seemed it was do nothing or do everthing... am I crazy, or did I miss an in between?

Why can't he stream Netflix, etc, etc?

I'm doing just that with a component video matrix. and it works just fine.

My reason is: We will be selling within a couple years and I see so reason to do an expensive upgrade.

Well, his TVs are old and won't do it. Wouldn't he need an equally old streaming device with component out? What are you using?

How many inputs on the component matrix? If you have available inputs i would get HDMI to Component converters off amazon (buy them by the dozen because they fail often) and get him a couple of rokus. Add the rokus to his program and done.

Tell him that the converters are cheap crap from amazon and they fail constantly. Show him how to replace them himself.

[Link: amazon.com]

Cool, gotcha, that could work.

If I went that route, making extremely clear that it's kind of a jerry rigged, how do i program an MSC-400 at this point? (The original install company was very unresponsive.) From what I read I would have the 32/64 bit issue with the processor.? And of course there's nothing more infuriating than trying to communicate with old systems...

I wasn't aware that you couldn't reprogram the existing equipment. I would drop it then. You don't want to waste your time learning to program an old system just to sell a couple rokus and converters from amazon.

Clients best bet is to find a company that does URC.

On second thought...he might be interested in paying you to learn on the job. A $5k (mostly labor) invoice vs the $15-20k invoice? Really depends on how busy you are right now.

Right, just billable hours and a couple Rokus. I have no problem with doing the small, gap-filling jobs.

I've done URC, but not in years. I have no problem taking a stab at it, but, my biggest concern is downloading to the MSC. My assumption is a newer laptop will not communicate with the processor... (I'm not going to go through deleting drivers and all that crap from the MX-850 days.)

I did a upgrade on a similar system. I put Apple TV’s at each tv and programmed the remotes to just control the Apple TV and tv locally with ir. I uploaded the remote programming to my computer and just added a Apple TV and programmed it to switch the inputs when they chose the different sources. I didn’t have to do any programming to the msc400, I couldn’t even if I needed to because you can’t download to it without a 32bit computer.

Upgrade his system. Replace the component matrix with an hdmi matrix stick with your quote. Stick with the system you know and live by Unless he bought the house at a fire sale he can afford it. Do not scab together some bullshit whe you have already put together the “right” way to do it

This is the way

MSC-400's need to be programmed in a 32bit WinXP/Win7 environment.

Have fun with that.

Couldn’t you just upgrade the TVs, place an Apple TV or something like it at each tv, as well as the smaller cable boxes and send the audio back where needed?

You’ll still make some money and the customer will get what they want. Lately this is the new normal.

If the customer refuses to spend the money to update the whole system properly, then as always, you are left with 2 choices.

1) Drop the customer. If you don't need the work and don't want your name attached to the whole thing (because customers always blame everything on the last person to touch the system). Then just decline to do anything but a full upgrade.

2) As mentioned above, cobble something together.
Mac may not be aware but Roku still makes the Express+ : [Link: roku.com]
$30 each TV. No need for an HDMI adapter, just plug the A/V cables into the old TVs. Then a quick program change on each MX900 as suggested above (no need to mess with the MSC400) and they are done.