Anybody got any comments or observations or experiences with the new Crestron touchpanel especially on how it compares to the TPMC-10? It looks like they've fixed some of the problems with the 10.

When I get one in my hands, I will be glad to tell you, but the stuff is either way behind in shipping or not available yet. I don't know of anyone else that has one yet.

I believe the first units have either just shipped or are about to ship. But I doubt anyone but beta testers with signed NDA's has touched one. It will be faster, smaller, superior resolution, accept video and have better wifi performance than the TPMC-10 but more than quoting from the specifications one can make no real world judgements as few if any of us has had his mits on one. Other than suggesting that the units have or are about to ship I cannot add much to the earlier post, save that I will have one of the TPMC-8 in my system but I would never have put a TPMC-10 in that system. True, the latter judgement was based upon experience and I haven't any with the TPMC-8 but let's just say that my guesstimate about its performance based upon converstations with folks in Rockleigh informs that opinion--and the desire to have one.

Alan

Thanks for the replies.

The reason for the post is that we're hoping the TPMC-8X has much improved wireless range versus the TPMC-10. The range on the 10 is so limited it has stopped us in our tracks from deploying it in one particular system because a number of additional access points would be needed so all the 10s were in range. The access points on the campus already provide complete coverage for all the other wireless 802.11b and g clients in use, just not the 10. We looked at replacing the wireless card in the 10 with an Atheros based unit which has a much better radio in it but there is no easy way to add the proper drivers to Windows CE on the 10.

An interesting note is that the specs say the range on the 10 is 328 feet, depending on conditions but the specs for the 8X say 30 feet. I sure hope that's a misprint on the 8X.

The addition of Flash, Java and video on the 8X will be very welcome as well. So will the larger memory.

Alan, you said that you would use an 8X in your system but not a 10. What performance factors do you look to be better in the 8X than the 10 that will make it a candidate for your system where the 10 wouldn't?

Tom

As a touch panel the TPMC-10 was fine. But as soon as you began to attempt to use its computing features it fell on its face. I know of only one person, and he had a T4 in his home/office, that did not complain about its speed. There were persistant and annyoying connection issues and WAP interface problems. Some of these could be canceled out by using the few approved versions that seemed to work and not permitting it to roam. While the graphics capabilities of the TPMC-10 were not bad the TPMC-8's are even better. It will accept far more USB drives, play far better with WAPs, it will play Flash, Havor and video, and not just converted widowns media files. I also like its shape more than the TPMC-10. Put simply CE was a pain and while stripped down XP may not prove perfect it cerainly canrnot be worse.

I also need to add that wireless touch panels are not as popular in my home/office. I have 2 wall mounted panels and 2 ML-600s which I find a better UI for watching TV than a wireless panel largely becuase panels require two hands to use them. I have not paid attention to the wireless specification but I am told it is much better. If they permit you to add a wireless PCMCIA wireless card that will be a certanty. So cooler graphics, (hopefully what I am told is correct ) better wi-fi performance, more drivers so a wider aray of USB drives will be acceptable video without having to go to windows media player and finally much better speed when using Window's applications. Like you I'm excited about this puppy but we shall have to wait and see if it meets expectations.

Alan

Alan, I agree completely with your assessment of the 10. That is what we have observed as well.

Tom

Bump!

Anyone get their hands on one yet?

Put in two 8x's this week. One loses contact and the other's on life support. not a great start for me...on site at midnight. Don't go to site without A-A USB cable.

Yikes :eek:

That ain't good. I'm still in the investigation phase but have heard pretty good things. Wonder why the issues?

Please keep us posted.

Thanks and good luck!

Jay

The TPMC-10 is a pig when it comes to wi-fi performance, Im using one on my current install and have basically forced the IT admin to look for another Cisco AP as his 1010 does not like the panel AT ALL.

AMX has much better and reliable performance when it comes to WiFi panels.

Two panels:

One as a last resort TS told me to let power drain overnight and start again: no life: RMA, 2-weeks, company president's boardroom, ouch!

Other Linksys (Cisco) WRT 54Gx4 router. 192.168.4.1, not connected to LAN. Tried both static and DHCP. Clear LOS path 10' away...no spaces or non-letters in SSID.

Gets warm, seems to run worse after a while, maybe too warm?

Docking station with hard Ethernet backordered.

--->>> Didn't bring A-A USB! Don't do this. get one, bring the cable!

10 was bad...this seems worse.

Agree AMX wireless far less problems and I've done more AMX, although most times on client's LAN with pro WAP's, not Walmart WRT54Gx4's. :mad: another lost weekend...

Seems to connecto better after it has cooled off a bit...

Geez, giving me so much confidence in Crestron touch screens and thought these things were meant to be the top of the tree (along with AMX). Am I better off considering RTI?

My initial report on the TPMC-8X is it is the best wireless touchscreen I have ever seen bar none (and yes I have used the AMX, it most closely compete with the MVP-8400). I cannot yet report on it thoroughly other than to say that initial impressions are fantastic.

p.s. it often helps to set up and thoroughly test a brand new product before running out and starting to install them ;) :).

Geez, giving me so much confidence in Crestron touch screens and thought these things were meant to be the top of the tree (along with AMX). Am I better off considering RTI?

I think Crestron's mistake was outsourcing the manufacture of these panels to Viewsonic instead of going inhouse like they always did.

p.s. it often helps to set up and thoroughly test a brand new product before running out and starting to install them ;) :).

in a perfect world this is ideal, the integrators I program for are pretty good and there have some disasters of a company that have crossed my path. The worst is when you have a consultant on a job. Talk about someone trying to justify his existence. Im dealing with one that sold his client a $2 million dollar project and ends up putting an IR driven 70" Sony XBR in the client's office that only has a TOGGLING input control. Yet he wants me to "macro" all the functionality.lol
I've written macros for IR controlled devices before but it usually ends with clients calling asking why its not switching to the right input and me telling them to hide the remote for the unit. you can't win...lol

What Sony can't you get input commands for (they're generally available including those for the KDS-R70XBR2).

jcmitch

I think Crestron's mistake was outsourcing the manufacture of these panels to Viewsonic instead of going inhouse like they always did.
To clarify for others, the TPMC-10 was from Viewsonic. The TPMC-8X is not.

What Sony can't you get input commands for (they're generally available including those for the KDS-R70XBR2).
Agreed, I don't think I've ever seen a Sony TV without them.

in a perfect world this is ideal, the integrators I program for are pretty good and there have some disasters of a company that have crossed my path. The worst is when you have a consultant on a job. Talk about someone trying to justify his existence. Im dealing with one that sold his client a $2 million dollar project and ends up putting an IR driven 70" Sony XBR in the client's office that only has a TOGGLING input control. Yet he wants me to "macro" all the functionality.lol
I've written macros for IR controlled devices before but it usually ends with clients calling asking why its not switching to the right input and me telling them to hide the remote for the unit. you can't win...lol


Whoa - this is the setup I am considering right now(just the TV with Crestron- not even sure about macros yet). Is there a problem with the Crestron system and getting functionality out of the 70" XBR2?

To clarify - I'm guessing that one could not (nor would they) expect to get ALL of the functionality out of say an ML600 or TPMC8x but are there issues that folks should be aware of?

Anyone in the know please clarify if you would :confused: (judging from the last few posts it appears I may be overreacting to this one quote but I want to be sure - lots of $$ - want it to work :p ).

Thanks much!

Jay

Jay,

A quick Google search on the KDS-R70XBR2:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=730010&pp=60

You'll find the relevant quote in the first post:
-The discrete sony IR codes that work for all other Sony sets worked for this one.

What Sony can't you get input commands for (they're generally available including those for the KDS-R70XBR2).

jcmitch

are you talking about commands not available on the remote?

Jay,

A quick Google search on the KDS-R70XBR2:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=730010&pp=60

You'll find the relevant quote in the first post:

Can you name a Sony model with discrete input control?

Whoa - this is the setup I am considering right now(just the TV with Crestron- not even sure about macros yet). Is there a problem with the Crestron system and getting functionality out of the 70" XBR2?

To clarify - I'm guessing that one could not (nor would they) expect to get ALL of the functionality out of say an ML600 or TPMC8x but are there issues that folks should be aware of?

Anyone in the know please clarify if you would :confused: (judging from the last few posts it appears I may be overreacting to this one quote but I want to be sure - lots of $$ - want it to work :p ).

Thanks much!

Jay

my feeling is that if you're gonna spend that amount of money on a display it should at least have a serial port. IR just stinks IMO.

Can you name a Sony model with discrete input control?
I am not sure I understand the question based on what has already been discussed here. ALL of them have discrete input control. Choose any model you like. I am not saying there is not some Sony TV model somewhere someplace that does not have discrete input control, but if there is I have never encountered it.

p.s. The post above gave a model number.

Jay,

A quick Google search on the KDS-R70XBR2:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=730010&pp=60

You'll find the relevant quote in the first post:

Got it! :)

Thanks much!

Jay

my feeling is that if you're gonna spend that amount of money on a display it should at least have a serial port. IR just stinks IMO.

I'd agree with you if there were more options available. However, by limiting yourself to serial, you are greatly limiting the equipment you would be using. Also, unless it's a plasma, it's fairly easy to get bullet-proof IR.

CJ

I'd agree with you if there were more options available. However, by limiting yourself to serial, you are greatly limiting the equipment you would be using. Also, unless it's a plasma, it's fairly easy to get bullet-proof IR.

CJ

You would think so, I did my best Sherlock Holmes and tracked down the discrete codes for the XBR2 and got em in simpl. However when you switch to input 9 it wont switch to another discrete input unless you send it the toggle input to kick it out of input 9 first.

like I said IR is a pig and always has been.

we were using the linksys WRT 54Gx4 with SRX400. I used instead a Belkin and a Linksys WRT54G and the panels have been fine. seems to be something about the more advanced linksys models.

i had my client put in a 54G, after I brought !!!!! MY AMX WAP-200!!!!! and the TPMC-10 worked like a charm with it. LMAO (stability wise)

The performance with the 54g is decent but every so often I see a dropout.

What concerns me more is the serious lag issue I see with this panel. Animations move at a snails pace and it seems to pulse a button push to the Pro2
!!!3 times!!!

do you have any idea the kind of havoc this causes when you are trying to call up a channel on a Direct TV receiver??

I programmed a workaround in simpl that gates the push out of the panel to one instance. It works pretty well but the fact that I had to spend extra programming time to correct the shotty performance of a bad panel is pure BS.

So is the AMX better? How about the 4 incher?

I just finished setting up a wireless home network to work with the Crestron 8x panels.. we had some problems with them because they only have a range of about 20 feet! The network was set up a few months ago by another team, and there was many problems with these panels dropping connections with the crestron control unit anytime it lost a connection. We were using the SRX400 as one access point, and a WRT54GS, and a RV082 Router. The original configuration had the Access Points going through a switch, to one port on the router. I forget the original switch model, because we changed it to a managed switch because we needed storm control on some of the ports. (Kelaidescapes are broadband hogs!)

We completely overhauled the network because we figured that having router units as access points was the problem. The solution was 3 WAP4400N access points, and we got rid of the wireless routers. The only way to get the WAP4400N to work is to have 1 access the router directly, and use the others to find that one as their primary DNS. We configured the primary DNS on the 8x panels (there were 2 of them) to use the router as it's primary DNS.. It works perfectly now, you can carry the touch panels to all the zones, and they find the new SSID's very well.. But again, the range on these babies is very limited, and you must be mindful of environment restrictions (concrete, heavy tiles)

Welcome To The Forum And Thanks For A Most Informative Post.

np.. glad i joined up ;)