Jim,

Hope I am not asking too much but I was wondering if there was a way you could find it in your busy schedule to have yourself or someone within Control4 to actually support the dealers on Control4 dealer forums? It is pretty embarassing to say the least having to come to AVS forums to get quick answers

Hey Dog,

We are revamping our forum sites so we can support you better.

It is a pain to use and that's why I don't log on that often.

I will work on getting someone on there more often.

Also, you can always call me

Jim

The CC thing is a joke. Soon the resale price of a home theater controller at CC will be less than what my company can buy it for, just like TVs and everything else.

There's nothing custom about the products sold at BB, CC, and the like. So now it's a mass market product that will be dummied down to make it easy for everyone and lose any of the capabilities that were originally thought about.

Or...

I'll have people call me from all over the state wanting me to program their system for them and all they're going to have are TOAD products that look like $^%! and sound like $^%! and think that I'm going to spend 8 hours at their house and charge them $49.99

A joke. A BIG FAT JOKE.

This will not be good for CI's who are Control4 dealers, IMHO. It will be more headaches with TOAD devices and people wanting things done half ass "just to make it work". Then, if the CI doesn't take the work or quotes a legitimate amount for installation the "big box store" customer (not client) will tell everyone he knows... Oh, I think I'll stop.

Or, the CI will do the installs for them (after the customer has installed everything else) and since they were the last one to touch it the customer will tell everyone that the CI did the install. So, the DIY's quality of work will reflect on the CI.

Control4 vs. Adagio... With CC in play I believe 1 may have lapped the other, at least from the installer's POV. Do I see swirling images in my head???

In case you can't tell, I'm VERY disappointed.


I'm sorry you feel this way.

CC or any other retailer has to be trained and will do their own installations.

We have said all along that some of our products will sell to the broad market and this will give us the volume to continue to innovate and bring products to markets in all channels.

Also remember that Tweeter is Crestrons and Lutrons largest customer.

At CC, we are targeting the Pronto and Harmony.

These are one and two room system installs.

In addition we will not offer rebates and support below MSRP advertising.

Our products are attachments to Digital TV's.

Please call me to discuss further at 559-250-3405.

Thanks for the input!

Jim

Hey Dog,

We are revamping our forum sites so we can support you better.

It is a pain to use and that's why I don't log on that often.

I will work on getting someone on there more often.

Also, you can always call me

Jim

Jim,

We've been hearing about the revamping of the C4 Forums for some time now, but we don't see anything changing. Do you have a time frame for when this will happen?

Rob

Jim,

We've been hearing about the revamping of the C4 Forums for some time now, but we don't see anything changing. Do you have a time frame for when this will happen?

Rob

The should have forums for both dealers and consumers on their own site. They need a dedicated Control 4 forum to be setup asap. Wading thru 42 pages of posts to find stuff for people just finding this forum (AVS) and just finding out about C4 is crazy. If C4 had a dedicated forum on their site (www.control4.com) they could break down the categories a little bit and have a dealer/rep only section and so on....

Jim,

I really hope I did not read that correctly. You one of the VP's of Control4 state that "It is a pain to use and that's why I don't log on that often." Yet you expect your dealers to get answers from you or other Control4 employees on those very control4 forums. I have been hearing for months that the forum would be fixed, shared drivers would be released etc. What I have come to the conclusion is the following

If you want drivers go to remotecentral

If you want tech support goto avsforum

If you don't like those answers then please call Jim Gist because why? Just to bitch about something that is not going to be dealt with? Are you too busy inking a deal with Costco?

Please tell me I am missing something here.

Dog

Jim,

A dealer, installer, and owner forum provided by Control4 would be very useful.

I suggest using vBulletin forum hosting software, same as used by AVS.



Cheers,
Max

Well today is the day.

My dealer will be installing the control 4 equipment today. Here's the phase I plan:

Media Controller
20 Dimmers
3 6-button keypads
Home Theatre Controller
Contact-Relay Extender

Phase II will be the thermostat (timing? Q2) and security. Will post and let you know my experiences. This forum has been a great info resource! Thanks to everyone for contributing.

Jim,

We've been hearing about the revamping of the C4 Forums for some time now, but we don't see anything changing. Do you have a time frame for when this will happen?

Rob

Not soon enough is the answer.

It will be in early 2006.

Sorry that department doesn't report to me.

Jim

Jim,

I really hope I did not read that correctly. You one of the VP's of Control4 state that "It is a pain to use and that's why I don't log on that often." Yet you expect your dealers to get answers from you or other Control4 employees on those very control4 forums. I have been hearing for months that the forum would be fixed, shared drivers would be released etc. What I have come to the conclusion is the following

If you want drivers go to remotecentral

If you want tech support goto avsforum

If you don't like those answers then please call Jim Gist because why? Just to bitch about something that is not going to be dealt with? Are you too busy inking a deal with Costco?

Please tell me I am missing something here.

Dog

Dog-

I'm stright woth people and agree with you.

We will fix the forums and I'm not going to tell you something is good when it's not.

We are working on it and yes I like talking to people to get their input.

WE will get their together.

Thansk!

Jim

Brent Huskins and I have put together a dedicated forum for Control4. The length of this thread is making it difficult to find info - and we need some room to expand.

The forum is located at:
http://mdaoe.com/smf

This is still being designed and we are open to suggestions on what is needed. The goal is to use this for specific tips, tricks and usage - not rants.

Anyone intersted in moderating with us?

Great idea Guys! I'm registered and awaiting the first post. :)

I'd be happy to help moderate if you need it.

I'd be interested in helping out. Just signed up for the forum as well, same username.

Tom

Brent Huskins and I have put together a dedicated forum for Control4. The length of this thread is making it difficult to find info - and we need some room to expand.


Yes!!!

You guys rock.

I'll be happy to help moderate.


A few stats about this thread:

* It was started on 5/20/05, exactly 7 months ago today.
* It's had 1262 posts (including this one)
* It's had 54,300+ views
* It's been in the top 10 threads in "Integration and Distribution" AVS section for its duration
* It has on average about 1 flame war a month
* QQQ still reads it (I think)
* Eric Smith, founder of Control4 has posted a couple of time
* Jim Gist, VP of Bus Dev at Control4 has been a regular and very welcome contributor
* When the thread started the product line was still *mostly* vaporware. Most of us haven't received our product at that time. Since then almost the whole product line shipped (we're still waiting on thermostats, LCD keypads, outlet dimmers, and a few others that I forget). Many of us are happily using our hear.

Cheers,
Max

The wifi speakerpoint and wifi mini touch panels are ready to ship!

Composer 1.2.3 was released today as well.

Eric

I asked this question on an earlier post - but maybe it was too broad...

I have 4 devices that use HDMI or DVI... I purchased a Gefen 4X2 HDMI switch - but the installers are having difficulty getting the HTC to recognize the switch...

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3099

They are telling me just to go with component - because the quality is the same...

1) Has anyone used any type of HDMI/DVI switch and been able to control everything through an HTC or Media Controller.
2) Does anyone know if there is any quality loss between HDMI/ DVI and component.

Thanks in advance...
TL

Todd,

I don't understand your HDMI/DVI switch issues. The Gefen product is just controlled via IR. Are you saying that the Controllers can't read the IR codes from the Gefen remote?

Eric

Hi all,

I'm writing from Spain, so I apologize for my English.

I have been reading for a long time the AVS forum. We are a specialized company in Spain in home automation and new exclusive products for the digital home.

I saw Control4 last year at CES and I believe the concept they are developing is really what home builders are waiting for here in Spain.

I do not really know what is the status of the product range, that is, which ones are really beeing shipped...

but my doubt, which I would like you to please answer, is if it is currently possible to control something via internet, that is, if any of the controllers has the broadband-gateway functionality. Regarding home automation and video-surveillance it would be great to be able to remotely control your house.

Many thanks.

Hey guys, that latest software update for Composer finally fixed the "Join Session" from the remote. Seems like the commands are also almost instantaneously executed now rather than the 1 second delay originally.

Hey guys, that latest software update for Composer finally fixed the "Join Session" from the remote. Seems like the commands are also almost instantaneously executed now rather than the 1 second delay originally.

Thanks, Jim! Keep up the good work!

Pamungar for Video Surveilance try here (http://www.dedicatedmicrosus.com/) . Look at the small business and Medium business solutions.

Hello Everyone,

We've been waiting months for authorization from Control4 to enable our Control4 Forum to go online, but since others are now popping up we've decided to turn them on.

Come take a look at www.c4dealers.com (http://www.c4dealers.com), our site is going to be tailored towards dealers/installers of Home Automation systems utilizing Control4 Control equipment.

We have already begun talks with Hardware Sponsors so we will definitely be having many giveaways coming. Make sure you signup and try to post any questions you have. There is a group of us already dedicated to answering any questions and more coming.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Dan
CYTEXONE

Dan,

It feels a little like the HD-DVD / Blueray debate... :)

2 public forums dedicated to C4 is not as good as one unified public forum. It was also my understanding that your forum is set up only for dealers and any new users will have to be validated on the C4 site as a current dealer. At least that's what I read on the C4 site. Most of the discussion here is with end users, DIY'ers, some dealers like myself as well as some C4 contacts like Jim. That's the target group for the C4 forum on my site. Our forum definitely has momentum. In just a couple days we've established over 60 members, 61 threads with over 175 posts and close to 1000 hits a day (even on Christmas). It took this thread a full year to hit 1,250 posts with 55,000 views, where as we'll hit those numbers in 2 months at this pace...if not earlier.

I just want to reiterate that our forum is open to anyone, and in addition to that I don't want to take anything away from AVS...without them we would have very little in the way of C4 discussion.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

I think I've figured out that Control4 is basically a central command post for using other equipment, which in some cases could be Control4's own offerings. What are people using to in combination with C4 for Audio and the separate video? Then, how do you select/wire the separate audio and video together to come out through the same speaker set?

Got this from Dan on another forum and tried it on my 3 button pad (using the middle button). It is meant to turn on the bathroom lights with one tap or turn off the bed desk lamps with 2 taps of the same middle button

please see the attachement...not sure why this is not working

one tap only toggles the bathroom lights... two taps just turns the bathroom light off and on

thanks

GM

Here are some back door code settings I'm sure some of you will appreciate.

Beginning with Build 1.1.0.59 the following settings are available.

You can either create a section in your /etc/navigator.conf file that has the “CustomConfig” heading shown below and add the settings (1 for enabled, 0 to disable). Or you can go to the Info -> Config view, choose Disable View, and in the passcode dialog box that comes up, type in the code shown in brackets below – including the colons – and press OK. Where there is an underscore, use a ‘1’ to enable or a ‘0’ to disable. These settings are persistent as long as you keep your navigator.conf file.

[CustomConfig]

AlwaysRepeat – [:9621_:] Anytime MP3’s are added to the Now Playing list the list is set to Repeat.

AlwaysShuffle – [:5105_:] Same as above but with Shuffle set.

HideTVReceiver – [:7926_:] Hides the TV and Receiver control pages from touchpanels. You must reconnect to the Director or change rooms for the setting to take effect.

DisableSwitchToSatView – [:3063_:] After a satellite channel is chosen (radio or TV) the Navigator will not automatically-switch to the satellite control page.

As I come across more custom settings I'll let you guys know.

See more C4 tips and tricks like this over at www.mdaoe.com/smf

Brent Huskins
Media Design

GM, Here's how I do a single button scroll. Works very well for lighting scenes. Each press scrolls through the scenes. First should be All On and last should be all off.

http://tinypic.com/j8egrm.jpg

And Here's how I do the discrete pressing program. Its a little different than your picture and works reliably for me. Note that for clients I would never have more than two discrete pushes available as it would get too confusing. In this case Press once to turn the lights off. Press twice in quick succession to turn off the room (includes lights and TV system)

http://tinypic.com/j8ehdy.jpg

Good luck.

E. J.

Got this from Dan on another forum and tried it on my 3 button pad (using the middle button). It is meant to turn on the bathroom lights with one tap or turn off the bed desk lamps with 2 taps of the same middle button

please see the attachement...not sure why this is not working

one tap only toggles the bathroom lights... two taps just turns the bathroom light off and on

thanks

GM

Notice in E.J.'s post that some of the arrows are indented inside of the variables? This is called a container and the way you do this is by dragging the command (the arrow) onto the question mark.

Another way to use this for keypads is to make them into music control keypads like you may have with a typical multiroom controller/amplifier. The container can be used to check whether the source needs to be turned on or not and then send the command if needed.

Another way to use this for keypads is to make them into music control keypads like you may have with a typical multiroom controller/amplifier. The container can be used to check whether the source needs to be turned on or not and then send the command if needed.

C4 will be on their way to a compelling product once they allow control of their hardware with programming. But as of right now you can't use transport controls for the system. So yes, you can select and play a playlist at the press of a button, but you can't skip or replay or pause or any of the other millions of things you can do with the lowest level niles/sonance/speakercraft system. Until that happens, I think functionality is severly limited.

Whacha' think ATOH?

Oh, and all you DIY guys better take me off you ignore lists to see the programming bone I threw you above. You now have the power too..... LOL! JK.

That's incorrect information premierht...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Another way to use this for keypads is to make them into music control keypads like you may have with a typical multiroom controller/amplifier.

Is it possible to have the same button do volume up with one push at a time as well as push and 'hold' the button for consecutive volume up?

Chris

I hope this is the right venue - so please direct me if not. Otherwise: I have installed a large Control4 system and have a couple really ugly issues that Control4 is unwilling/unable to help with:

1 - Since Control4 only emits IR, I can't control the TV2 output from a DISH 942.
2 - HTCs won't identify when connected via WIFI bridges.
3 - There doesn't appear to be a good way to interface to existing Lutron RadioRA systems. THis home has two maxed out RadioRA systems (linked with a Chronos bridge) and 9 graphic Eyes already installed and working - it is not an option to rip them all out to install Control4's limited assortment of lighting controls.

I'm really at the end of my rope - I don't want to rip out all this control4 stuff - the install includes a media controller, 4 HTCs, an audio matrix switch, 4 LCD touch screens - a bunch of stuff!

Any ideas or suggestions? BTW - the 942 is a really big issue - even if I could just use the RF remotes to control it (kind of a drag with the Control4 system, but possible) the house is way too big for RF PRO to work.

Thanks.. :(

C4 will be on their way to a compelling product once they allow control of their hardware with programming. But as of right now you can't use transport controls for the system. So yes, you can select and play a playlist at the press of a button, but you can't skip or replay or pause or any of the other millions of things you can do with the lowest level niles/sonance/speakercraft system. Until that happens, I think functionality is severly limited.

Whacha' think ATOH?

Oh, and all you DIY guys better take me off you ignore lists to see the programming bone I threw you above. You now have the power too..... LOL! JK.

Keypad capabilities do seem a bit limited but we've been able to make them do a couple things we originally were told weren't possible. I do wish it was as easy as linking to a button on the remote or the ability to get a little more feedback from the amp...

The new update did make some good improvements on response times on volume, etc. from the remote and the other Zigbee devices though.

I still DO LOVE programming and SpeakerCraft MZC though! You can put any command for a button. Once they give us more control over the hardware itself it will be great. E.J., I bet if we had been a dealer 2 years ago like Brent we would probably know a WHOLE lot more than we do. It seems as though he's had quite a bit of time to work with the hardware...

Brent, were you a beta site before product shipment? You sure do seem to know a lot more than the rest of us. Why not teach us what you know that we seem to misunderstand? We're not anywhere close to you so we're not a threat to your business. I prefer all of my homes to be local. We would appreciate it!

1 - Since Control4 only emits IR, I can't control the TV2 output from a DISH 942.


The problem is NOT that C4 only sends IR, the problem is that with all of the Dish dual tuner DVR's, TV2 can ONLY be controlled using Dish UHF remotes (really stupid IMO) . The only way around this is to run the 942 in Single Mode . Then you can control it using IR .

That's incorrect information premierht...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Thanks for the help Brent. I have talked to practically every person at C4 about this. I have posted on their web boards and here. I have emailed other dealers who also can't figure it out. So its not just me. Perhaps you can enlighten us lowly dealers as well as you do everybody else here?

E. J.

Hi guys

I really appreciate the guidance. I made some modifications as you suggested and
still not getting the desired result....please see the attachment

I am not sure what I am doing wrong ... this really shouldn't be that difficult, or I am more dense than I thought....which is entirely possible

thanks again

GM

I really appreciate the guidance. I made some modifications as you suggested and
still not getting the desired result....please see the attachment


GM, where are you incrementing keypad_1_tap? If you use it to keep track of number of key presses, you need to do that explicitly.

Max

Brent

Why isn't there a "aspect" or "format" button on the C4 remote. I mean are we in the 50's or almost 2006. Who in the right mind would not put some kind of button to toggle the aspect modes.

Brent- How many 4x3 main TVs are you installing with C4 systems. Even my parents have a Sony 50" LCD for 2 grand. Even the simple things have been over looked from the start IMO.

Dave

Perhaps you can enlighten us lowly dealers as well as you do everybody else here?

E. J.

Let's see here...hmmm...why don't you try and hit the pause button on the remote to pause the playlist. Works for me.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Brent

Why isn't there a "aspect" or "format" button on the C4 remote. I mean are we in the 50's or almost 2006. Who in the right mind would not put some kind of button to toggle the aspect modes.

Brent- How many 4x3 main TVs are you installing with C4 systems. Even my parents have a Sony 50" LCD for 2 grand. Even the simple things have been over looked from the start IMO.

Dave

I wouldn't consider the lack of an aspect button a bad thing. I typically don't want my custom install clients jacking with the aspect anyway. They'll end up watching movies squashed for 2 months until I come out to tweak something else and notice the aspect ratio being off. Good equipment should actually handle this automatically. There are exceptions but it usually is very adequate. Now, I know what you're saying though...what about users like you and me...that's where a configurable screen on the remote makes a lot of sense.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Let's see here...hmmm...why don't you try and hit the pause button on the remote to pause the playlist. Works for me.

Thanks Brent, that's helpful.

Short of duct taping a system remote control to the wall, how do you propose our clients do that from a keypad (which was what ATOH and I were talking about)?

But that's my whole point...why spec a system if you don't understand the limitations of each piece of gear? Just like your tag line says...don't come crying to me when you spec the wrong piece of gear for the job... :D :D :D

Brent Huskins
Media Design

But that's my whole point...why spec a system if you don't understand the limitations of each piece of gear? Just like your tag line says...don't come crying to me when you spec the wrong piece of gear for the job... :D :D :D

Brent Huskins
Media Design

You really are a piece of work Brent. Following your logic C4 shouldn't be sold yet because it doesn't have the most basic features that even the cheapest whole house audio systems have. Believe me, I understand the limitations of each piece of C4 gear. I guess I have higher standards since I actually service my clients and don't transship product all over the country? :D :D :D

And for the record, we were clearly discussing keypads and not remote controls before you told me I was dispensing incorrect information. I guess you were the one who was wrong after all.

C4 will be on their way to a compelling product once they allow control of their hardware with programming. But as of right now you can't use transport controls for the system. So yes, you can select and play a playlist at the press of a button, but you can't skip or replay or pause or any of the other millions of things you can do with the lowest level niles/sonance/speakercraft system. Until that happens, I think functionality is severly limited.

Whacha' think ATOH?

Oh, and all you DIY guys better take me off you ignore lists to see the programming bone I threw you above. You now have the power too..... LOL! JK.


Guys,

You can send out any IR code for any device that you have created or we have a driver for.

Please, if you haven't used our software don't make claims and if you'd like a hands on tour, contact me.

Jim Gist

Jim for reiterating my point...

premierht - My record and service speaks for itself...being an installer that works nationwide gives me a lot of flexibility in my business model. I would suggest that if you have issues directed at me that you PM me, email me or call me at 817.300.1223. I represent myself and my company of 13 years every time I post online and would appreciate keeping this discussion to the thread topic at hand.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Guys,

You can send out any IR code for any device that you have created or we have a driver for.

Please, if you haven't used our software don't make claims and if you'd like a hands on tour, contact me.

Jim Gist

Jim, I sat across from you at dinner in SLC about 6 months ago. I know how the system works as I have systems installed in client's homes. I have been a proponent of your system since training.

But both you and Brent are missing my (and others) question here. The question is this (and believe me when I tell you I have gone all the way up the support and tech food chain on this): how can you assign a keypad button (not a remote control) to control the music server and digital audio playback on the system? There are no transport keys in the software to map the buttons to. So right now we can do lots with the keypads and custom buttons, but not control the actual component controls.

If me and many others are missing something, we would be grateful if you let us all know.

Thanks.

PS- this has been discussed a ton on your dealer forums without any input from C4.

Brent, I was simply responding to your sarcasm in kind. I'm sure everybody else sees that.

I wouldn't consider the lack of an aspect button a bad thing. I typically don't want my custom install clients jacking with the aspect anyway. They'll end up watching movies squashed for 2 months until I come out to tweak something else and notice the aspect ratio being off. Good equipment should actually handle this automatically. There are exceptions but it usually is very adequate. Now, I know what you're saying though...what about users like you and me...that's where a configurable screen on the remote makes a lot of sense.

Brent Huskins
Media Design


OK Brent

I have a Fujitsu plasma like C4 has in the training room. I have mutiple DVDs in the changer as would most people who would use the C4 system. Now I go from satellite to DVD. How do I change aspects from one DVD type to another. How do I change the 'full' to 'panel' on the Directv HR10-250s TIVO? as this would be a different command. Remember some plasmas will strech HD material so that would need to be in the macro for source selection. Many people want to change these things. Husband wants this, wife wants that. Please tell me how the C4 controller will handle this.

I have a 84" 4X3 screen with a Sony 1252 proj. I have two video memories for aspects. One for 4x3 on satellite material and one for 16x9 material. How does the C4 controller handle this.?

Jim??

Dave

[QUOTE=premierht]
But both you and Brent are missing my (and others) question here. The question is this (and believe me when I tell you I have gone all the way up the support and tech food chain on this): how can you assign a keypad button (not a remote control) to control the music server and digital audio playback on the system? There are no transport keys in the software to map the buttons to. So right now we can do lots with the keypads and custom buttons, but not control the actual component controls.QUOTE]


I never used a KP for anything other that lighting. The fact that they would leave this out is just one more example of their lack of engineering. For me there are 2 major questions.

1. When will Cedia actually protect its members from rainmakers?

2. When will C4 sell out to RadioShack?

The problem is NOT that C4 only sends IR, the problem is that with all of the Dish dual tuner DVR's, TV2 can ONLY be controlled using Dish UHF remotes (really stupid IMO) . The only way around this is to run the 942 in Single Mode . Then you can control it using IR .

Well, I guess it is a perspective. I think a system that intends to integrate various AV and home systems together should have the flexibility to deal with the RF PRO only devices. I mean, DISH 942s are pretty typical for the kind of install that control4 is going for. Regardless of which vendor is at fault, are there any other ways to get around this?

- THe single mode displays the same content on both outputs, right? SO the dual tuner approach is not fully utilizable in single mode.

- I really wish there was an IR to RF PRO converter somewhere.

Well, I guess it is a perspective. I think a system that intends to integrate various AV and home systems together should have the flexibility to deal with the RF PRO only devices. I mean, DISH 942s are pretty typical for the kind of install that control4 is going for. Regardless of which vendor is at fault, are there any other ways to get around this?

- THe single mode displays the same content on both outputs, right? SO the dual tuner approach is not fully utilizable in single mode.

- I really wish there was an IR to RF PRO converter somewhere.

You would have this same problem no matter what system you are using, even Crestron or AMX . The problem is with Dish not C4 . I would explain this to your client . It actually a bit of a joke over at Remotecentral that at least a few times each month someone asks if there is a universal/programmable remote that can directly control a Dish receiver using UHF .

And yes, in single mode both outputs display the same program . It sounds like a large system, why not add another 942 ?

You would have this same problem no matter what system you are using, even Crestron or AMX . The problem is with Dish not C4 . I would explain this to your client . It actually a bit of a joke over at Remotecentral that at least a few times each month someone asks if there is a universal/programmable remote that can directly control a Dish receiver using UHF .

And yes, in single mode both outputs display the same program . It sounds like a large system, why not add another 942 ?

Yes, that is probably the only good choice. I could add back a 721 PVR that was being taken out of service to do the whole house distribution. It needs a stereo modulator to work, but the big kicker is the extra monthly PVR fee. Dish will charge the 942 as two receivers and the 721 as a third even though it will be acting like two. Now THAT is a Dish problem.

Hello Everyone,

We have setup a forum dedicated to Control4 systems at www.c4forums.com. On this site you can discuss any problems, questions, ideas or even showcase your Control4 systems.

We have received full support from Control4 so when they are available they will respond on the forum as well.

The community has been growing tremendously each day and we would love to see you there.

Come visit www.c4forums.com

All Are Welcome, See you there!

Dan
c4forums.com

Hello Everyone,

We have setup a forum dedicated to Control4 systems at www.c4forums.com. On this site you can discuss any problems, questions, ideas or even showcase your Control4 systems.

We have received full support from Control4 so when they are available they will respond on the forum as well.

The community has been growing tremendously each day and we would love to see you there.

Come visit www.c4forums.com

All Are Welcome, See you there!

Dan
c4forums.com

So...........................

Is this with Brent or another forum???
What about the c4dealer site?

Too many forums, too little time. I think that you could all merge together or something. PLEASE!

This is a separate forum. We planned and setup this site months ago. It has been ready to deploy we have just been waiting for authorization from Control4 before we did anything.

I've spoken to Brent, he wants to keep things separate the way they are so we are going to continue to move as planned. He also wants to discuss other Control systems in the future besides Control4 which we do not plan upon.

Our initial plan was to allow only dealers on the forum because of a request by an exec at C4. Since then we have spoken to other execs directly at C4 and they have given us the go-ahead without restrictions.

We are really excited and prepared for this community, and would love to see everyone there :)

Dan
c4forums.com

OK Brent

I have a Fujitsu plasma like C4 has in the training room. I have mutiple DVDs in the changer as would most people who would use the C4 system. Now I go from satellite to DVD. How do I change aspects from one DVD type to another. How do I change the 'full' to 'panel' on the Directv HR10-250s TIVO? as this would be a different command. Remember some plasmas will strech HD material so that would need to be in the macro for source selection. Many people want to change these things. Husband wants this, wife wants that. Please tell me how the C4 controller will handle this.

I have a 84" 4X3 screen with a Sony 1252 proj. I have two video memories for aspects. One for 4x3 on satellite material and one for 16x9 material. How does the C4 controller handle this.?

Jim??

Dave


Dave,

Currently you could do the following:

1) Remap one of the button for the remote in DVD mode to the TV Aspect IR code toggle
2) Create custom buttons that can be accessed from 'House' on the LCD Navigation screen on the remote

or 3) when 1.3 comes out you will be able to program preference buttons on the new handheld remote and most liely be able to program any button on th eremote.

hope that helps!

Jim

[QUOTE=premierht]
But both you and Brent are missing my (and others) question here. The question is this (and believe me when I tell you I have gone all the way up the support and tech food chain on this): how can you assign a keypad button (not a remote control) to control the music server and digital audio playback on the system? There are no transport keys in the software to map the buttons to. So right now we can do lots with the keypads and custom buttons, but not control the actual component controls.QUOTE]


I never used a KP for anything other that lighting. The fact that they would leave this out is just one more example of their lack of engineering. For me there are 2 major questions.

1. When will Cedia actually protect its members from rainmakers?

2. When will C4 sell out to RadioShack?


We are working on the issue in 1.3

answer to 1. is never and 2. not RS but Sams Club ;)

Jim

This is a separate forum. We planned and setup this site months ago. It has been ready to deploy we have just been waiting for authorization from Control4 before we did anything.

I've spoken to Brent, he wants to keep things separate the way they are so we are going to continue to move as planned. He also wants to discuss other Control systems in the future besides Control4 which we do not plan upon.

Our initial plan was to allow only dealers on the forum because of a request by an exec at C4. Since then we have spoken to other execs directly at C4 and they have given us the go-ahead without restrictions.

We are really excited and prepared for this community, and would love to see everyone there :)

Dan
c4forums.com

Dan,

Thanks for the enthusiasm but I have to agree with others that one active forum would be better than 2 or 3.

Dan, we all know bhuskins, oregun and max spivak. They have been very active members of this thread and others on AVS but I don't know you. Do you work for C4? Are you an installer or a DYI?

My name is Jim. I am just a end client who loves gadgets and reading AVS. I don't have enough time to do DYI myself but I am having a C4 system installed.

Let us know.

Thanks
Jim

I've spoken to Brent, he wants to keep things separate the way they are so we are going to continue to move as planned. He also wants to discuss other Control systems in the future besides Control4 which we do not plan upon.

That's news to me...I received one email through a 3rd party that you were trying to reach me, but we have never spoken with one another. I sent a basic email to you stating that I was open to ideas, but wasn't sure if our directions are the same. So, needless to say, the idea that I want to keep things separate is just incorrect. I do want to expand into other control systems later, like Lutron, AMX and Crestron (all of which hit a completely different market.)

I suggest you come spend time on our forum where all the action is and all will be good.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[QUOTE=jmj52]


We are working on the issue in 1.3

answer to 1. is never and 2. not RS but Sams Club ;)

Jim


Nice to see you taking my comments with more of a sense of humor. I love Sam's. Can't wiat to pick up my first pallet of HTCs.

Dan,

Thanks for the enthusiasm but I have to agree with others that one active forum would be better than 2 or 3.

Dan, we all know bhuskins, oregun and max spivak. They have been very active members of this thread and others on AVS but I don't know you. Do you work for C4? Are you an installer or a DYI?

My name is Jim. I am just a end client who loves gadgets and reading AVS. I don't have enough time to do DYI myself but I am having a C4 system installed.

Let us know.

Thanks
Jim

Hey Jim,

I agree one active forum would be better then 2 or 3... I actually agree 100%... Unfortunately it didn't work out that way, Control4 is so new anyway it's going to take a tremendous amount of work to get a community built..... We are now a few days in and the site is already getting over 5000 hits a day...

We are an Authorized Control4 dealer... Our company CYTEXONE (www.cytexone.com) does a lot of different technology integration, and we absolutely love Control4 equipment.. We have installed Control4 equipment in apartments and companies in Manhattan, and we are spec-ing out new Control4 systems for potential customers almost daily...

We just built out a very extensive Control4 showroom where we are really testing the equipment, learning it's strengths and weaknesses and integrating many other technologies directly into the system, because to be honest Control4 is only about 25% of the equation with Smart Homes...

Our original plan was to make the site for Control4 dealers only because we wanted the site to be authorized by Control4. We definitely didn't want to do anything we weren't supposed to do because we are an Authorized Dealer. Fortunately we were able to get the support even with opening the site to the public so here we are :)

Our whole motivation of this site is to build the absolute best resource for Control4 information available. There is absolutely no doubt Control4 is the future. We want to help bring everyone together to make the system that much better for all of us...

We are committed 100% to doing anything this community needs so that everyone has all the resources available when they need them.

If anyone has any questions you can contact me anytime, post here or email me directly at dan@cytexone.com

I'm really hoping all of you will join...

Dan
c4forums.com (http://www.c4forums.com)

Hi all,

Although I have read a lot about Control4 system, I'm not very sure about a couple of things that seem very important to me, from the point of view of a home auomation installer in Spain.

knowing the reasons why home builders are installing this systems in the developments here:

1) SECURITY: I would like to know why there are no Control4 wireless (zigbee) sensors for motion, humindity, somke, fire, lighting level... I know sensors from other companies can be used, but I would prefer to have all Control4 products, I suppose there must be a reason...

Are there any zigbee sensors in the market, from a different company? If so, would they be compatible with Control4 controllers?

2) REMOTE ACCESS: Remote access via internet is essential for holiday houses here, owned by foreigners who wouls like to have a look at their houses when they are at the everyday home.

3) VIDEO-MONITORING: is it possible to integrate any video-surveillance camera systema with the Control4 system? Can IP cameras be connected currently to Control4?

Many thanks for your attention and congratulations for this forum!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hi all,

Although I have read a lot about Control4 system, I'm not very sure about a couple of things that seem very important to me, from the point of view of a home auomation installer in Spain.

knowing the reasons why home builders are installing this systems in the developments here:

1) SECURITY: I would like to know why there are no Control4 wireless (zigbee) sensors for motion, humindity, somke, fire, lighting level... I know sensors from other companies can be used, but I would prefer to have all Control4 products, I suppose there must be a reason...

Are there any zigbee sensors in the market, from a different company? If so, would they be compatible with Control4 controllers?

2) REMOTE ACCESS: Remote access via internet is essential for holiday houses here, owned by foreigners who wouls like to have a look at their houses when they are at the everyday home.

3) VIDEO-MONITORING: is it possible to integrate any video-surveillance camera systema with the Control4 system? Can IP cameras be connected currently to Control4?

Many thanks for your attention and congratulations for this forum!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hi Pamungar,

In response to your questions.

1) Security, I'm sure eventually Control4 will be releasing more products that perform these functions, but right now just the huge amount of products they released in such a short period of time require a tremendous amount of development and perfection. I'm sure in the years to come they will be releasing a more diverse Zigbee Line, but right now they are focusing on the core system. I know it sounds good to want to integrate all Control4 products, but I would let them stick to what they do best (Control) and let the companies that create for example the Sensors (GE, etc) make the sensors.

2) Remote Access. There is already remote access for dealers to program the system and in the next month or so they are releasing an edition of Composer that the home owner can access the house remotely as well as within the home. They are also releasing a web based version of the software so no software installation is required on the machine.

3) IP Cameras are not presently available to integrate directly within Control4 Equipment. The existing hardware definately has the ability to support this functionality and I'm sure a software upgrade will allow for this in the future.

You can integrate cameras into a Computer terminal and have the C4 switch the screens to that display but right now having it integrated into the Mini-Touch for example is not possible.

Truthfully I don't think it's that far away because it seems to be something that many people want and I know Control4 has definately been listening.

Dan
c4forums.com (http://www.c4forums.com)

There are also stand-alone security camera systems that are Ethernet TCP/IP based . They are available in 1,4,6,9 or 16 camera versions, have built in DVR's, act as a switcher, can be programmed to record when motion is detected and even output a contact closure .

http://www.nuvico.com/index.html
http://www.everfocus.com/dvrs.htm

I'm trying to gather a little more info on the C4 amp and how it does it's internal workings. Is it a digitally-controlled amp or an analog-controlled amp?

Chris

I'm trying to gather a little more info on the C4 amp and how it does it's internal workings. Is it a digitally-controlled amp or an analog-controlled amp?

Chris

Digital via IP or Zigbee

Dan
c4forums.com (http://www.c4forums.com)

Hi all,

Although I have read a lot about Control4 system, I'm not very sure about a couple of things that seem very important to me, from the point of view of a home auomation installer in Spain.


I don't know what timeframe you looking for - but right now Control4 support for CD titles with anything but English chracters is buggy. But they promised to fix it.

Check this out http://mdaoe.com/smf/index.php?topic=35.0

Jim - Is there any update on where C4 is in supporting a lossless format? I seem to remember you commented about 3 months ago that C4 was looking at Apple lossless but nothing had been decided yet.

Hey Jim,

I agree one active forum would be better then 2 or 3... I actually agree 100%... Unfortunately it didn't work out that way, Control4 is so new anyway it's going to take a tremendous amount of work to get a community built..... We are now a few days in and the site is already getting over 5000 hits a day...

We are an Authorized Control4 dealer... Our company CYTEXONE (www.cytexone.com) does a lot of different technology integration, and we absolutely love Control4 equipment.. We have installed Control4 equipment in apartments and companies in Manhattan, and we are spec-ing out new Control4 systems for potential customers almost daily...

We just built out a very extensive Control4 showroom where we are really testing the equipment, learning it's strengths and weaknesses and integrating many other technologies directly into the system, because to be honest Control4 is only about 25% of the equation with Smart Homes...

Our original plan was to make the site for Control4 dealers only because we wanted the site to be authorized by Control4. We definitely didn't want to do anything we weren't supposed to do because we are an Authorized Dealer. Fortunately we were able to get the support even with opening the site to the public so here we are :)

Our whole motivation of this site is to build the absolute best resource for Control4 information available. There is absolutely no doubt Control4 is the future. We want to help bring everyone together to make the system that much better for all of us...

We are committed 100% to doing anything this community needs so that everyone has all the resources available when they need them.

If anyone has any questions you can contact me anytime, post here or email me directly at dan@cytexone.com

I'm really hoping all of you will join...

Dan
c4forums.com (http://www.c4forums.com)


Suck up.

... They are also releasing a web based version of the software so no software installation is required on the machine.


Dan, can you elaborate on this please?

By web based version do you mean that the MC/director will run a web server allowing control from any web browser?

Thx,
Max

That's correct...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

And what's the ETA on the web-based version? Anyone got screenshots? ;)

Suck up.

Lol.... We love their stuff...

I am in the process of setting up a theater system in my basement. I am working with a retailer in Illinois to sell me and install a Control 4 system. I am putting in three plasma's in the basement (seperate rooms) with lighting and potentially HVAC control from C4.

I am not good with this stuff. I just purchased a couple ipods too. I was wondering this first. I am loading all my CD's- hundreds- onto the ipod's and computer. I want to use the itunes librarary to play into my system at home. I was shown a Roku ($159) and a Mirra server ($499 for 250gb) to store the music. Seeing as my computer systems will need help storing all the music.

For the people in the know can you discuss how the Control 4 media server may or may not help? An 80G hard drive doesn't seem like alot and my computer system needs additional space. So I thought using the Mirra server (250gb backup) with the Roku might be multipurpose.

I am a rookie in all areas so go easy on me. Thanks in advance.

Wow, I would lean on the dealer to help you out yet here are some ideas. While the 80Gig built-in HDD in the media controller is more tyhan enough for most people, some people have music collections that faqr exceed that space and there are solutions:

1.) An additional HDD can be added. The media controller has USB ports and it was designed to allow an IDE HDD in a USB external case to be plugged in and it will recognize that as additional HDD space. You can also add one to the HTC and turn it into a music server as well. So with this method you can add 250gig for about $140 -$200. The music must be MP-3's since that is the only format that C4 currentlt recognizes. I-tunes songs with Apple's DRM will not be able to be played since this is proprietary to Apple and by virtue of their DRM they have blocked access.

2.) You can plug one I-pod directly into the USB port and it will recognize all MP-3 songs, title etc just as an extension drive. This is pretty cool.

Mirra is not a NAS. Its a backup only hardrive that mirrors exactly the data on a computer or two on the network. So if you want off-computer storage of all your music, you better look elsewhere. I successfully use the Buffalo Terastations and highly recommend them.

While the idea of plugging in a USB HD to a C4 piece sounds good, just make sure you can access the drive from the network so that you can add and subtract songs to/from the harddrive without having to move it from the rack to the computer for a direct connection.

Be very careful how you rip your CDs to your ITunes. This is a huge issue with clients. Make sure you are ripping to MP3 format and not ITunes format. Otherwise no worky on the C4 stuffs.

Good luck.

Has the quality of MP3 got any better in the last few years? I haven't heard much MP3 audio but from what I can remember, the quality wasn't very good. Are there different means of compressions when recording or ripping?

Chris

I use Exact Audio Copy to rip and LAME to encode and the quality is pretty good. There is a online guide I used to get the best possible quality for MP3 due to the Control 4 limitations of not being able to use FLAC or other lossless formats. Since I also have an ipod the MP3 format is the least common denominator.

Mirra is not a NAS. Its a backup only hardrive that mirrors exactly the data on a computer or two on the network. So if you want off-computer storage of all your music, you better look elsewhere. I successfully use the Buffalo Terastations and highly recommend them.

While the idea of plugging in a USB HD to a C4 piece sounds good, just make sure you can access the drive from the network so that you can add and subtract songs to/from the harddrive without having to move it from the rack to the computer for a direct connection.

Be very careful how you rip your CDs to your ITunes. This is a huge issue with clients. Make sure you are ripping to MP3 format and not ITunes format. Otherwise no worky on the C4 stuffs.

Good luck.

You can convert non-DRM protected Apple codec files to mp3 if they accidently rip to the wrong format. PITA but it is possible. Select the music in the library, right click, and choose "Convert selection to mp3".

Everbody says that the conversion is possible.
If you have actual experience with this please share the knowledge.
What utility works. The process. etc.

For digital music, take a look at the Media Server forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=39

you can easily convert from .m4a (non-DRM protected) to .mp3 within iTunes itself.

To convert .m4p (DRM protected), to clean the files of any digital rights management and then convert them to .mp3, is a different issue. There are ways to do it but there are a couple things that need to fall into place.

Google for jHymn. There's a start to whatever you may want to do.

I take no responsibility for what you do with jHymn or similar products. I'm only suggesting that they are out there if you look. I would never suggest that someone do something illegal such as removing DRM from iTunes files.

Question for Media Controller owners/dealers:

I've had mine for about 2 weeks and cannot get MP3's to "copy" from my pc to the device. I've checked and double checked several CD's worth of MP3's, ripped and re-ripped them, with WMP10 and FreeRIP, but no luck.

When I use ComposerME (1.2.2.6 and 1.2.3) to "Scan" the media, each song comes up as a new album and incorrect track info...looks like it's not reading the ID3 tags properly. I've also tried moving the MP3's to the MC as a network drive...same thing...

What does the db lookup? the ComposerME or the MC? Is it possible I have a bad MC? My dealer here in GA is looking into it, but I'm getting a little anxious.

Robert

Robert,

Have you tried putting a CD into the MC and letting it rip? If so, is it properly recognized by the system?

Eric

Robert,

Have you tried putting a CD into the MC and letting it rip? If so, is it properly recognized by the system?

Eric

Sorry, forget to say that...

YES, ripping from the MC directly works fine...for almost all of the CD's I've tried so far.

BUT, I have about 3GB of MP3's that could be easily moved, instead it will take weeks to rip all the discs.

Robert

Perhaps someone from C4, jgist?, can reply with home the tag information is extracted. I asked the same question and got no reply a few weeks ago...

Maybe it's related to MP3's that have both ID3v1, and ID3v2 version of the info? I know that I have the same issue as you, yet have perfect meta-data in various Windows Based MP3 players/jukebox applications....

Dave C

Yep...I've inspected the MP3's in detail.

My dealer said he was able to do this using the full Composer, so I'm wondering if there is a problem with the ComposerME...

I'm really dissapointed with the digital audio capabilities...And not being able to get support from Control4 hasn't helped much either.

I know that I have the same issue as you, yet have perfect meta-data in various Windows Based MP3 players/jukebox applications....

Dave C

Check this thread - http://www.mdaoe.com/smf/index.php?topic=93.msg332#msg332 - may be you have the same problem

Well, my dealer came by last night to finish some programming and saw that the MC was not updating automatically...He applied the 1.2.3 update to the MC itself, and now everythings seems to be OK!!!

The device seems to run much faster as well!

No new posts for three+ days. Those other sites must be rockin'.

I use Exact Audio Copy to rip and LAME to encode and the quality is pretty good. There is a online guide I used to get the best possible quality for MP3 due to the Control 4 limitations of not being able to use FLAC or other lossless formats. Since I also have an ipod the MP3 format is the least common denominator.

I went online and saw info for Exact Audio Copy. It refers to "Freedb database" for retrieval of album tag info. Does this interrupt or over-ride the data searching that the MC does, or vice versa?

I've noticed a small bug with using the handheld remote and the music sessions. I seem to have no trouble adding rooms to the current session or to the party, but I occasionally have trouble getting a room to leave a session. I end up having to either turn the volume all the way down in that room or start a new session for that room and then press stop.

Well, my dealer came by last night to finish some programming and saw that the MC was not updating automatically...He applied the 1.2.3 update to the MC itself, and now everythings seems to be OK!!!

The device seems to run much faster as well!

Hi,

I'm glad to see everything running good.

With the 1.3 release coming the system will see 5-10x speed increases.

Jim

1) I know you have previously commented on the speed increase of zone change on MTS. Will the speed of recognition of other commands through both the MTS and the remote also increase in this speed range?

2) timing -- Q1 has been reported. Anything more specific?

So then of course the question on everyone's mind is....

When will 1.3 be available? and also will IR control of the MC be in 1.3?

Thanks,
Dave C

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the pin configuration was for the RS-232 port on the Sony DVP-CX777ES? I would like to add it to my Home Theater Controller but am unclear on what type of RS-232 cable it would need. Thanks in advance!

Just use a 9-pin null modem cable to connect the DVP-CX777ES and the Media Controller. They will communicate perfectly.

Correct me if I am wrong but The Home Theater Controller doesn't have a place for the modem cable to plug in, right? It has a spot for three wires to go on the same terminal block as the relays would be. Which three pins would I need to use?

Never mind, I got it. Just needed to dig a little a deeper. Thanks!

Anybody setup C4 to control Lutron shades?

Not Lutron shades, but I'm wiring my house currently for electric Hunter-Douglas shades.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but what I'm seeing is that each shade will need 2 dry contact switches, 1 for up and 1 for down. My 8 shades would mean 16 contacs if I want to operate them all individually, which would mean 4 relay extenders.

Chris

Hey Everyone

Just wanted to give everyone an update, we are doing extremely well over here at c4forums.com... Over 10,000 hits a day and over 110 users... There is a great exchange of information happening.... Our Best Practices section and Drivers section is growing, and we are getting ready to deploy the Knowledge Base and Wiki...

Come check it out www.c4forums.com (http://www.c4forums.com)

Dan
c4forums.com

Anybody setup C4 to control Lutron shades?

Yes and it worked out great...

Lutron has an input module that pairs well with the output module from C4.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

Thanks Brent.

What input module did you use? I am currently installing 5 sets of shades, 1 main power panel, and a contact control from Lutron. Any tips?

So then of course the question on everyone's mind is....

When will 1.3 be available? and also will IR control of the MC be in 1.3?

Thanks,
Dave C

Hey Dave,

!.3 is rocking and looks to be on schedule for end of Q1.

and yes, IR input will be enabled on the MC!!!!!

Also programmable buttons on the remote and the new remote.

There are some many new cool features I can't list them all.

It will rock!

Jim

Is 1.3 in beta yet? Seems like a long wait for an interim software release.. but what do I know.

Jim,
Sweet, thanks for the update...can't wait!

Dave C

Also programmable buttons on the remote and the new remote.


What else is new about the remote?

Thanks Brent.

What input module did you use? I am currently installing 5 sets of shades, 1 main power panel, and a contact control from Lutron. Any tips?


The SVQ-CCI-8 is used to tie the C4 contact closure with the shades. At minimum, you'll need 4 of the 8 available contacts on the SVQ-CCI-8 for each group of shades for open, close, up and down. If you want presets they'll eat up contacts as well.

On another note you guys be sure to check out www.forum4control.com ... the original forum dedicated to C4 discussion. We've had over 385,000 hits in just 25 days - that's over 15,000 hits a day. AVS is great for general discussion, but www.forum4control.com is the place for C4 technical talk.

thanks,

Brent Huskins
Media Design
817.300.1223

I posted this on the other C4 "focused" forums to no avail...

Simply looking to know what cables I should use to control various devices (Halo C2, T3, Direct HDTivo) via IR. I know the Media Controller doc mention a 3 wire 3.5mm cable but I want to ensure I am using the correct cable. Mono, stereo or something else? To be clear, I don't wish to use the IR flashers included with C4.

Thanks for any advice or links to solutions.

Elmer

Hey Dave,

Also programmable buttons on the remote and the new remote.


Was that a typo? New remote??

I posted this on the other C4 "focused" forums to no avail...

Simply looking to know what cables I should use to control various devices (Halo C2, T3, Direct HDTivo) via IR. I know the Media Controller doc mention a 3 wire 3.5mm cable but I want to ensure I am using the correct cable. Mono, stereo or something else? To be clear, I don't wish to use the IR flashers included with C4.

Thanks for any advice or links to solutions.

Elmer

Answered over at www.forum4control.com

Brent Huskins
Media Design

I am in the process of building a home. I would like to use C4 for automation and distributed audio.
Will those interested in selling to a DIY please send a PM

Thanks
AC
Any luck finding a dealer who will sell to a DIYer?

I am in DC area renovating my home and want to do some of this myself...

Send me a private message if anyone out there can help.

Thanks

cwhite76,

Poke around here long enough and you will find what you seek. Are you a true DIY'er or dealer trying to hone in on dealer that might do this? First post from you makes alarms go off in my head.

cwhite76,

Poke around here long enough and you will find what you seek. Are you a true DIY'er or dealer trying to hone in on dealer that might do this? First post from you makes alarms go off in my head.
Trying to do it myself... remodeling my home and want to do some automation/audio/video distribution.
In my last home 2 years ago I spent days and weeks in showrooms of several of the 3 or 4 major home automation/home theater stores in my area trying to get what I wanted, and ended up purchasing a rigged together audio video distribution system controlled by a Pronto from BB, and after paying them a huge amount of money ended up rewiring and reprogramming the whole thing from scratch myself.
I contacted a couple local dealers for Control4 over the past month but none of them seem willing to work with me or get me equipment in less than 3-6 months or for less than 50K total. When I tell them my budget is lower than that they shut down on me (I already have the high def plasma's, Hi Def Tivo, DVD Changers etc.) So... I figure why pay someone to do a crappy job when I can do it myself. I am an IT director for a large company so I have some experience... I considered applying to be a dealer just to get into training and get the equipment directly but I dont think that would work. (i have some interest in working into that at some point in the future - I mean I cannot be the only person in my area that wants to get this stuff installed and not spend 50K doing it)

I was ready to purchase the Escient online just to get the DVD cataloging capability but then I saw the Control 4 does the same thing AND does so much else...

Anyway hopefully that puts someone at ease enough to contact me.

Do you really think C4 ought to be a product that people commit to, go to training for, invest time in, invest money in, etc., and then be sold to the average do-it-yer-self-er? I don't think it should.

You almost have to look at this as similar to Crestron. Do you think you could find a dealer that would sell you the gear and give you the software to program it? If he did, I doubt he'd be a dealer for long. My opinion, of course.

Trying to do it myself... remodeling my home and want to do some automation/audio/video distribution.
In my last home 2 years ago I spent days and weeks in showrooms of several of the 3 or 4 major home automation/home theater stores in my area trying to get what I wanted, and ended up purchasing a rigged together audio video distribution system controlled by a Pronto from BB, and after paying them a huge amount of money ended up rewiring and reprogramming the whole thing from scratch myself.
I contacted a couple local dealers for Control4 over the past month but none of them seem willing to work with me or get me equipment in less than 3-6 months or for less than 50K total. When I tell them my budget is lower than that they shut down on me (I already have the high def plasma's, Hi Def Tivo, DVD Changers etc.) So... I figure why pay someone to do a crappy job when I can do it myself. I am an IT director for a large company so I have some experience... I considered applying to be a dealer just to get into training and get the equipment directly but I dont think that would work. (i have some interest in working into that at some point in the future - I mean I cannot be the only person in my area that wants to get this stuff installed and not spend 50K doing it)

I was ready to purchase the Escient online just to get the DVD cataloging capability but then I saw the Control 4 does the same thing AND does so much else...

Anyway hopefully that puts someone at ease enough to contact me.

Tell us more about what you've been quoted. How does C4 system end up being 50k unless you're doing all the lights, multiple controllers, interfacing with a lot of hardware than typical, etc.

Tell us more, maybe we can point you in the right direction. Maybe I'll drive to DC to sell and install it for 40k :D

No offense, but IT does not make A/V. I've known IT directors that I had to fix their internet for them at their house becaue they couldn't troubleshoot their wireless on thier own.

Hmm, plug computer into router, get IP address. Try wireless, no IP address. Hmmmm.... Call for help!

On the flip side I am sure many of us IT Directors could show some AV pros a thing or two about their craft. :)

Thanks for the response...
I definitely know some IT people myself who cant plug in their VCR so I know what you mean. I dont want to get into a discussion of whether end users should be able to buy this and work on it themselves or not... I would say I am not the typical end user but I am sure most people would say the same.
I have done quite a bit of programming on the Pronto and iPronto, along with setting up several friends' Sony and Harmony remotes... and like I said before, I wired an entire house 2 years ago for Hi Def Audio Video distribution after paying BB 10K to do it and them being completely unable to deliver what they promised.

Anyway, long story short.. I cannot even get a quote from a Control 4 Dealer around here. Much like the same experience I had last summer when looking at Russound, Elan and other dealers. When they ask my budget and I say anything less than 50k, their eyes glaze over and they promise they will call me later and I never hear back. Control4 referred me to 4 separate dealers and all of them did the same thing. They seem to only be interested in selling to people who want to buy a whole system - multiple displays, wiring, speakers, amplifiers, DVD players, etc.

Basically I want to be able to watch my 2 HD TIVO DIrectv boxes, my Sony DVD changer, and possibly a HTPC in at least 4 locations (Theater, family room, master bedroom, and office) and listen to music in the same rooms and possibly 1-2 more (outdoors and kitchen). I have Dell Plasma TV's for all the locations and am looking for a projector - trying to decide whether the difference in the 3500 and 10K price range is worth it.

So I know I need to work out the video distribution part - but other than that the Control4 seems perfect to me, and the retail pricing is a lot better than the other products I have seen. I also like the idea that if I can program it myself I can purchase just the base parts for now, and add on additional pieces (touchscreens, dimmers, etc.) later as budget allows.

Anyway - I did try the Dealer route, hoping the Control4 dealers would be different from the dealers for the pricier system, but it doesnt look like they are... at least not in DC!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I am not an audiophile - I am more concerned about functionality (being able to watch in all rooms, being able to select DVD's on screen, etc) than having the absolute best theater sound...

Try Brent, very active in this thread...

Just to counter the point that all dealers want $50K for a system, here's a dealer that sells the HTC installed for $660. Granted, installation is not that difficult -- just plug it in -- but you still have to configure all the devices' drivers and make it work. http://www.hehq.com/wst_page7.html

My dealer is Brent Huskins. A couple of forums you'll want to visit:

http://forum4control.com/ <-- start here
http://c4forums.com/

If only they were in the DC area...
The real estate market out here is still sizzling hot, and it is difficult to impossible to get almost any type of home improvement contractor to even get a price quote on anything. I had a neighbor who's house was flooded and even with the insurance company's assistance it took 3.5 months just to get 3 QUOTES to repair the damage...
THanks for the assistance - I will see if they can help with doing the install remotely or something!

I am an IT director for a large company so I have some experience... I considered applying to be a dealer just to get into training and get the equipment directly but I dont think that would work. (i have some interest in working into that at some point in the future - I mean I cannot be the only person in my area that wants to get this stuff installed and not spend 50K doing it)

This is a good way to get dealers to help you. Sounds like a pretty big disconnect or conversation issues between you and the dealers you have talked to. BTW - good luck with Kevin the Rep getting you signed up as a dealer and going to training. Make sure you have your opening order ready and your showroom looking nice when he stops by. Oh, and don't forget the IRS FIN number, VA Business license, Fed and state tax id numbers, business insurance, local county taxes and licenses and whatever else you'll need that those of us with 'real' CI businesses have.

Basically I want to be able to watch my 2 HD TIVO DIrectv boxes, my Sony DVD changer, and possibly a HTPC in at least 4 locations (Theater, family room, master bedroom, and office) and listen to music in the same rooms and possibly 1-2 more (outdoors and kitchen). I have Dell Plasma TV's for all the locations and am looking for a projector - trying to decide whether the difference in the 3500 and 10K price range is worth it.

So I know I need to work out the video distribution part - but other than that the Control4 seems perfect to me, and the retail pricing is a lot better than the other products I have seen. I also like the idea that if I can program it myself I can purchase just the base parts for now, and add on additional pieces (touchscreens, dimmers, etc.) later as budget allows.

You know C4 doesn't do any video distribution, right? So what you are asking for is an HD video distribution system that is anything but simple and not possible with off the shelf stuff from parts express or radio shack - or any of your IT suppliers.

I am genuinely surprised that you can't find a company to do the C4 and video distribution local to you. I was in Alexandria for 3 years and know lots of CI guys down there. I am in Philly now and a C4 dealer. Your problem as I see it is you want to pay less than list price, not pay for programming, and probably not pay for labor either. I wonder why no CI firms want to work with you? There are other products out there that cater to the DIY market, maybe you should look at those?

Good luck.

Just to counter the point that all dealers want $50K for a system, here's a dealer that sells the HTC installed for $660. Granted, installation is not that difficult -- just plug it in -- but you still have to configure all the devices' drivers and make it work. http://www.hehq.com/wst_page7.html]

This is a freakin' riot. They are getting $60 for labor to install the HTC? Does that include installing the remote emitters? Does that include programming the system? Does that include hooking up the components? Driver creation for the devices that aren't in the database? network configuration? serial cables? troubleshooting? mounting harddrives with music?

There are going to be a lot of unhappy C4 customers posting here who thought they were getting an installed system that now have to try to get their fancy new systems working right.

$60 in labor. There's no way they install it in less than an hour so how are they staying in business??? Seriously! Service contracts? Extended warranties?

This is a freakin' riot. They are getting $60 for labor to install the HTC? Does that include installing the remote emitters? Does that include programming the system? Does that include hooking up the components? Driver creation for the devices that aren't in the database? network configuration? serial cables? troubleshooting? mounting harddrives with music?

Yeah, I thought it was quite low too. The other products on that dealer's site say that installation is extra. I wonder if the HTC is just a loss-leader type of a thing to get you starter/hooked.

Not that I'm defending that kind of business but the average BB or CC shopper might be happy with that entry level unit. Some people just don't know any better.

This is a freakin' riot. They are getting $60 for labor to install the HTC? Does that include installing the remote emitters? Does that include programming the system? Does that include hooking up the components? Driver creation for the devices that aren't in the database? network configuration? serial cables? troubleshooting? mounting harddrives with music?

There are going to be a lot of unhappy C4 customers posting here who thought they were getting an installed system that now have to try to get their fancy new systems working right.

It's called getting a new customer.

Plus they are getting the profit from the hardware to offset any labor losses.

Plus they are getting the profit from the hardware to offset any labor losses.


No need to continue conversation about a company that wont be around in the near future due to their business plan, or lack there of.

[QUOTE=Max Spivak]Just to counter the point that all dealers want $50K for a system, here's a dealer that sells the HTC installed for $660. Granted, installation is not that difficult -- just plug it in -- but you still have to configure all the devices' drivers and make it work. http://www.hehq.com/wst_page7.html

[QUOTE]


I suggest you take advantage of those prices while you can. Might as well be you who benifits from the ignorance of others. :cool:

I gave this company a call a few months back, We're having a house built and they are close by so I thought I'd check them out. They were more than happy to come out and talk to me about my project and I walked away from the initial meeting feeling pretty good about them.

Well it went south form there. After that meeting I couldn't get a call back to save my life, which at the time I just attributed to them being busy. I understand you CIs have to do actual work. :) So when I finally go ahold of them I gave them the benefit of the doubt and scheduled another meeting.

That day came and went and they were a no show. So I called again and am still waiting for the call back.

Which is fine, I've since talked to 2 companies that are a bit further away, but have been on top of call backs and meetings with me.

Your mileage may vary with this company but that's been my experience with them.

No need to continue conversation about a company that wont be around in the near future due to their business plan, or lack there of.

That's exactly what I'm thinking... :D

I gave this company a call a few months back, We're having a house built and they are close by so I thought I'd check them out. They were more than happy to come out and talk to me about my project and I walked away from the initial meeting feeling pretty good about them.

Well it went south form there. After that meeting I couldn't get a call back to save my life, which at the time I just attributed to them being busy. I understand you CIs have to do actual work. :) So when I finally go ahold of them I gave them the benefit of the doubt and scheduled another meeting.

That day came and went and they were a no show. So I called again and am still waiting for the call back.

Which is fine, I've since talked to 2 companies that are a bit further away, but have been on top of call backs and meetings with me.

Your mileage may vary with this company but that's been my experience with them.

Havok1327,

Could you clarify for me what company you are talking about in the above quoted post? Thanks.

Actually, I hope he doesn't. Short of when someone gets ripped off and wants to warn others or whatever, I really don't think this is a good place to air dirty laundry. Not for consumers OR dealers.

Not to keep this thread OT, but I think I had one worse than Havok1327. I had structured wiring put into my home by a AV company that went out of business while they were working on my home (that was being built). I called another local AV company and the guy came out, looked around the house, said he needed to know what wiring was in the house already and would get me a bid. We talked for a while, got excited about the prospects of the project and parted company. Well, 4 weeks later I get a bill in the mail for 4300.00! Apparently he sent two guys out to my house (they spent two days there I'm told), had them check the wires and supposedly do a schematic of my structured wiring. When I told him I thought the bill was crazy, especially when he was supposedly just getting me a bid, his defense was he had told my architect he would have to charge us to do this and then claimed to have mentioned this to me as well. Neither one of us remember this conversation ever taking place. Even if it did, it would seem to be common sense to warn someone who doesn't do AV install for a living that this little exercise would cost 4k! Anyway I kept requesting to see what he had actually done, he only sent me a scope of work(which took him 2 months to deliver), which basically said where they would like to put TVs and speakers, didn't even list the equipment by name or anything. So after a year he is still sending me the invoice for 4k (to give me a bid). He even had his poor office girl call me. He can keep sending me a bill till hell freezes over, I'm never going to pay him.

I know this was OT, but it sure was good to vent.Sorry.... :)

Q, you're right. One bad experience doesn't always mean that the dealer or end user are bad or anything. I was just confused as to who he was referring too.

Must have been that separation between page 46 and 47 that got me confused. :rolleyes:

Not to keep this thread OT, but I think I had one worse than Havok1327. I had structured wiring put into my home by a AV company that went out of business while they were working on my home (that was being built). I called another local AV company and the guy came out, looked around the house, said he needed to know what wiring was in the house already and would get me a bid. We talked for a while, got excited about the prospects of the project and parted company. Well, 4 weeks later I get a bill in the mail for 4300.00! Apparently he sent two guys out to my house (they spent two days there I'm told), had them check the wires and supposedly do a schematic of my structured wiring. When I told him I thought the bill was crazy, especially when he was supposedly just getting me a bid, his defense was he had told my architect he would have to charge us to do this and then claimed to have mentioned this to me as well. Neither one of us remember this conversation ever taking place. Even if it did, it would seem to be common sense to warn someone who doesn't do AV install for a living that this little exercise would cost 4k! Anyway I kept requesting to see what he had actually done, he only sent me a scope of work(which took him 2 months to deliver), which basically said where they would like to put TVs and speakers, didn't even list the equipment by name or anything. So after a year he is still sending me the invoice for 4k (to give me a bid). He even had his poor office girl call me. He can keep sending me a bill till hell freezes over, I'm never going to pay him.

I know this was OT, but it sure was good to vent.Sorry.... :)

Be careful and get this settled as he can put a lien on your house...

Get it settled how (since he obviously has no intention of paying it, for good reason)? Seems he'd have to spend money to try to prevent a scenario would likely have taken place long ago if it was going to happen. I believe that in most states a lien has to be placed within a certain period of time (1 year for example) but am certainly no expert.

Get it settled how (since he obviously has no intention of paying it, for good reason)? Seems he'd have to spend money to try to prevent a scenario would likely have taken place long ago if it was going to happen. I believe that in most states a lien has to be placed within a certain period of time (1 year for example) but am certainly no expert.

I think he's fine, and the AV guy is just playing chicken with him. I'd tell him to go pound sand. FWIW, I had two AV contractors disappear after very long (and seemingly very pleasant) meetings. Never a word afterwards- no bid, no returned phone calls, nothing. Weird!

As to the lien issue, the way I understand it is that if they want to be able to file a lien on your property, they have to notify you in very specific ways within certain very strict time periods or they lose their rights to file.

Example (Calfiornia): http://library.findlaw.com/2000/May/1/129375.html

All states: http://www.lienlawonline.com/lienlaw.asp

Ah man, all this talk about my company and me in the field earning a living!

The $660 initial offer has ended. We have resumed our two hour minimum and included tweaking your system's video display and audio if time allows. However, the $660 offer was a simple one remote solution install without internet or network sharing. Our average time on those is about 1-1 1/2 hours. While a few dealers here have questioned our ability to do a quality installation in that time, we would in turn question their skills if they cannot.

If Havok1327 was referring to our company in his post I wouldn't be completely surprised. My wife, who I hijacked after our first born to run my office, was hunted down and lured back into her chosen field with an offer she couldn't refuse. In my attempt to take over her duties I screwed up by sorting our database with a field check-marked that only showed customers who had already paid for services or were referred by already paid customers. If I had not yet charged you or the person who referred you for anything you wouldn't show on our schedule. If it was us, I humbly offer my apologies and assure you that should you run into any trouble with your current installation companies, we would gladly make up for any inconvenience we may have caused you. Have you heard that we offer $660 Installed Home Theater Controllers!

No posts in over a week. Is the thread that never dies, dying?

Everybody moved over to the dedicated forums for Control 4 discussion...

www.forum4control.com

and

www.c4forums.com

Much more content has accumulated in those locations in the last month and a half than this thread has in over a year.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

what about streeming mpeg/avi/ and ripped DVDs? I know this is a big issue for many HTPC users and I think it would be fantastic to be able to streem my 1000 music videos that I have over the network as well. What a cool feature for parties and get togethers. The IPod is really getting into the music video arena and I forsee many others doing the same. Has anyone integrated a HTPC for the use of DVD archiving and MPEG archiving to integrate with the C4? Any word on this option coming in the future? I love the C4 product guys!

OK guys, I am a DIY'er and dont like the idea of going through a custom installer for the Control4 setup. I went to one this last weekend and was quote $65,000! Can i buy this direct from a dealer here in teh forum or from some website? Thoughts? I really want to use the C4 components.

Why don't you PM BHuskins. Seems he's made it clear he will work with DIYers.

I have started moving forward on a c4 system. I just bought the media controller, audio matrix switch and a bunch of dimmers. I was going to use their amp until hearing a few bad remarks on another forum. I have an all Classe/ B&W HT setup and 6 pairs of ccm80 in ceilings and a couple pairs of B&W outdoor speakers.

My question is whether the c4 amp is very good, or should I just get the Rotel 1077 (7x100 digital)?
Any input is appreciated.
Stew

Stew, there have been some who have been unhappy with sounds quality of C4 amp. Many have been quite happy. If you do get a separate amp, the audio matrix switch is very capable and hasn't given me any grief.

For the record, I use B&K AV1260 12 zone amp which I bought off ebay for $200 before I even heard of C4. I use it with the matrix switch & media controller -- works great.

OK, I have gone the direction of media controller, Matrix, Rotel 1077. Do you have any thoughts about equalization?? Is there any thoughts about the ability to control treble/bass/loudness in this setup. In another forum it was suggested that my system may sound "Thin" without equalization.
Stew

hey i have some equipment for sale... email me at trivee@hotmail.com

what about streeming mpeg/avi/ and ripped DVDs? I know this is a big issue for many HTPC users and I think it would be fantastic to be able to streem my 1000 music videos that I have over the network as well. What a cool feature for parties and get togethers.

nrk7001, Im going to be doing exactly that......when my damn house finishes!! Freaking contractors are so slow :(


anyways, here is my config......

needed 7 zones of video/audio (4 are HD)

I have.....
- 5000+ MP3s and 200+ DVDs ripped on a 1.2 TB disk array (4 300 Gig SATA drives on a cheap computer NOT MIRRORED for better performance).
- 2 XM radios
- DVD player for rentals
- 2 HD cable Boxes to supply any 2 rooms in the house concurrently.

Equipment purchased....
2 PCs so that I can have 3 independant zones of music or video (already had the PC above for a video server) - Under $500 each
- autopatch 4YDM (best video/audio matrix switching device period!! Cheap on Ebay) Mine currently does 8 sources to 8 zones (HD video/digital audio) - $1000 so far in parts and extra cards but you can find them cheap on ebay again.
- 1 Denon, 2 Yahama, 2 Techniques receivers to serve the audio to all zones (7.1 to 3 zones) Digital in, surround and higher powered amps for loud music was the reason I choose these instead of a Russound CAV type device.

Software,
- CQC
- Zoomplayer


Remote control of system
- 3 Ipaq Pocket PCs
- Im undecided about fixed mounted touch screens yet, I like portability but I might mount one touch screen in the HT room just because it will add the "cool" and "wow" factor :D

where can one download composer to program this stuff.

Last I saw you need to log onto the Control4 site, for which you need to be a dealer, or obtain the s/w from a dealer. Many dealers are nice enough to let you poke at stuff yourself.

I have had the composer software and I am not a dealer. I dont know how I would survive with out it. Damn dealers are slow to get back to you if they get back to you at all. Once they sell you the equip and set up, customer service is out the door. empower the people C4!

PS. I do love my set up, wish it had more PC integration. I find myself using my networked Xbox360 for video file and mp3 playlists.

I have had the composer software and I am not a dealer. I dont know how I would survive with out it. Damn dealers are slow to get back to you if they get back to you at all. Once they sell you the equip and set up, customer service is out the door. empower the people C4!

PS. I do love my set up, wish it had more PC integration. I find myself using my networked Xbox360 for video file and mp3 playlists.


Is there no way to integrate an htpc or xbox360 with the control4 system?

(I'm also looking at buying one, but I've got a movie collection via my xbox360 as a windows media extender I don't want to lose.)

Yes, you can use the xbox360 with a video distribution box. basically, C4 will sendIR signals to the xbox360 but you will have to have a video distribution system set up. I have my xbox360 in my basement and I just select the xbox on the C4 system and the TV in my upstairs living room turns on and away I go. the controllers even work from my basement all the way up stairs. the range those things have make it easy to have the Xbox in a remote location. works perfect.

now, my question to you is....what format are your movie files in? I have a DVD changer that distributes my movies but would like to also view movies I have on my PC. I only have been using the media extender for my music video files. I know the Xbox360 is tricky when it comes to protected content and DVD files on the PC.

Yes, you can use the xbox360 with a video distribution box. basically, C4 will sendIR signals to the xbox360 but you will have to have a video distribution system set up. I have my xbox360 in my basement and I just select the xbox on the C4 system and the TV in my upstairs living room turns on and away I go. the controllers even work from my basement all the way up stairs. the range those things have make it easy to have the Xbox in a remote location. works perfect.

now, my question to you is....what format are your movie files in? I have a DVD changer that distributes my movies but would like to also view movies I have on my PC. I only have been using the media extender for my music video files. I know the Xbox360 is tricky when it comes to protected content and DVD files on the PC.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes the xbxo360 is tricky when it comes to vob files from dvds.

I refer you to this forum post at mymovies.name:
My Movies » Other topics, English » Ripping and converting movies » Xbox 360 My Movie Guidebook and Walkthrough

That is pretty much what I do, except I use DVD Decrypter instead of dvdshrink. If you are viewing through the xbox360, don't worry about ffdshow. Just make show you have codecs installed on your pc (I have a "vista codec" pack installed on mine.) Extender via Vista seems a bit more picky than extender via XP. (one of the most frustrating things is being able to watch a movie on your media center PC, but not being able to watch the same movie file with an extender connected to that PC). When using an extender with XP, I could use videoredo and save files as .ts. On an extender with Vista, I have to save the files from videoredo as .mpg instead of ts. It works well this way. I believe there is absolutely no image quality loss (although on occasion I've noticed very subtle step artifact), and I've confirmed that 5 channel dolby digital remains intact.

Anyway, once you get it all up and going it is really quite nice. And the kids especially love it (although if I hear the music from Barbie: Princess and Pauper one more time, I think I'm going to lose it).

Could you please describe the video distribution system that you use? (Could you point me to the control4 device that you use to do this?) Does this allow component connections or only composites?

Oh and I wasn't sure what controllers you were referring to in this sentence: "the controllers even work from my basement all the way up stairs." Could you please clarify?

Thanks.

Thanks for the video file help. I'll follow these ideas.

as far as the control4, I am using an Audiopatch 4x6 component video distribution box. Control4 does not distribute video, only audio, but it can control a video distribution box and audiopatch seems to work well. they are not cheap......but well worth it. basically, the control4 media controller tells the audiopatch component video switch what tv and input to turn on and play what video source.

The controllers I was referring to was the XBOX360 controllers. they have long range and I actually have my Xbox360 in my basement and I have a 360 controller up in my living room. So when I want to use my xbox to play a game, or watch a video file on my MCE extender.....I just press "Xbox360" on my control4 controller.....grab my 360 controller sitting in my living room.....and play my xbox.

Does this make sense?

Yes that makes sense, thank you.

In terms of the video distribution, I guess you could also conceivably control an htpc the same way you are controlling your xbox360.

can anyone help me add a multi tuner?
I am looking for a manual or at least help with any bindings I would have to set up to be able to access the tuners in all rooms
Thanks in advance

Call your dealer ;)

No seriously, what is your setup? amp, speaker point, controler, connections?

I thought I'd resurrect this thread with a quick question I've not been able to find the answer to. Much obliged if anyone can help....

Is there a way to get multiple zones of 5.1 audio via Control4? Currently, I want to send (via a Matrix Switcher) Component 720p video to a total of seven zones. The video isn't the issue, but the audio is two-channel, via the runs (which have yet to be installed).

Usually, you'd convert one of the two channel set ups to optical, right?

However, the Control4 dealer told me this isn't possible, and all audio outside the basement HT area (which is 7.1) would be stereo-only.

That can't be right, can it?

Many thanks for anyone's help!

SY

multiple 5.1 zones controlled via Control4? yes...that's not a problem.

you need to get a new dealer that knows how to properly design systems that can meet your needs.

I set up multiple 5.1/7.1 zones all the time along with stereo zones all utilizing the same sources...you just need the right type of switcher. PM me if you want more info.

thanks,

Brent

I set up multiple 5.1/7.1 zones all the time along with stereo zones all utilizing the same sources...you just need the right type of switcher. PM me if you want more info.

thanks,

Brent

Unless it's top secret, please share?! ;)

what do you want to know? there are a lot of variables...everyone's system is different. that's why it takes a good designer to set up a proper solution. there's not 1 solution, but many, based on the client's needs.

thanks,

Brent

bhuskins --

Thank you for confirming what I had suspected -- my instinct was correct, and my dealer was less than competent.

Remember folks: Gold dealers are likely the ones that sell the most!

Does anyone have a recommended dealer in the Portland OR area? If you're anywhere near there bhuskins, I'd love to check out the options you offer!

Cheers

SY

Hi Brent,

I usually set up my HT seperate from C4 (since I sell HT equipment also), I never had to design a 5.1 or 7.1 with C4 so I'm just curious.

Cheers!

Does anyone have a copy of Composer Pro? I would like to add some dimmer switches I purchased of eBay and I don't want to have to call a dealer to do it. If so, please PM me.

Thanks!

Remember folks: Gold dealers are likely the ones that sell the most!
I am not sure of your intent with this statement - if you are saying the gold dealers sell the most and therefore are the most likely to know what they are doing or just the opposite, that they sell the most but it does not mean they know the most. I just want to mention that while I'd often want to know if a company I am buying a system from has at least some experience with a product, especially if it is sophisticated, I would not for a second let the fact that a company does a lot of business with the product lead me to assume they are competent with it. Sadly the opposite is all too common. So while I think it's IS a valid criteria, I'd hate to have people think it is the primary one. Sorry for going OT.

Does anyone have a copy of Composer Pro? I would like to add some dimmer switches I purchased of eBay and I don't want to have to call a dealer to do it. If so, please PM me.

Thanks!


Did you ever get help with this? I am in the same boat, but I have a copy of Composer Pro?

Did you ever get help with this? I am in the same boat, but I have a copy of Composer Pro?

The whole point is to have your dealer do the work, They will not give you access to pro.. which is a major tipping point on me not purchasing control4. I want to add/remove as I please not have to go through a dealer pays god knows what rates on inflated time to "program" something.

What is the latest version of Composer? Director?:cool:

1.6

Still looking for a copy of Composer Pro if anyone has one... If you do, please PM me.

Thanks!

I too would be appreciative to get a copy of director as well. I have a C4 system in my home and I am continuously changing PC's, operating systems etc. Each time I do I have to call back the installer to repoint the config file to find my new songs etc. Real disappointment of the enitire system.
In any case if any one could point to a torrent or share the s/w it would be great.

You're looking for Composer Pro. It's copyrighted product from Control4. Posting it on torrent or other software d/l site would be a violation of that copyright. (You do believe in ownership rights, don't you?)

Talk to your dealer. Explain the situation and see what he recommends. You can also purchase a copy of Composer HE (Home Edition) that allows you to do a subset of what Pro allows.

Max

Hi, has anybody had luck declaring in Composer pro a PC (or Laptop) as a VGA Signal to be switched?

I had a client with 6 RGB stations in the meeting table and couldn't find any driver that would give me something to control it on the touchpanels so had to create Custom Buttons but that doesn't look as good.

Right now I playing with my TV (which has a PC input) and Composer knows this because the PC Input appears on the connection section of the TV but cannot declare that my PC is connected to that Input.

Is there a driver for a PC/Laptop/VGA Signal?

Thanks for the help.

Are you an authorized dealer? Have C4 Tech II or Tech III certification?

Create a new driver (I use a DVD player template) and give it a VGA video output & a stereo audio output.

The correct Baud rate for the KnoxRS8X8 is 9600 for unbalanced audio.
This is according to John Garrison with Knox Audio/Video Inc.