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July 24, 2007

Starting out with Control4

OK, so I am a bit of a gadget geek and I would like to get back to those roots here on the blog. I have consumed a large number of gadgets lately and will be writing a few more reviews. The most top of mind is my recent installation of Zigbee based Control4 system at home. I have a VERY light and very large room upstairs. the IR based universal remote I had before had a hard time with the interference and would not work most of the time. Downstairs, in the bedroom, the IR receiver was mounted just below the 60 inch Runco flatpanel that was pumping out so much interference that the remote only worked half the time as well. I am going to put those old suckers on e-bay. I picked Control4 because it is Zigbee (no light interference) and because it came standard with a web interface.

The good:
1. It worked right out of the custom installers hands. All the integration with my existing AV system and the blinds worked. The blinds were not on the previous system.
2. No interference, works every push of the button.
3. integration of the blinds was quick and easy

The Bad:
1. Control4 couldn't get onto my Wifi network so we had to create a new one just for it. The installer used the same SSID name as my existing one, thinking to be cute, but didn't connect the new WAP correctly to request DHCP addresses from my SonicWall, so when my laptop connects to this new newtork, it doesn't get an IP address. I had to rename that network to not confuse my laptop.
2. My system is still not visable to the outside world, probably due to configuration of the SonicWall. We have configured them to use only the SonicWall VPN client for increased security at work. Control4 servers in the cloud only speak OpenVPN, so I suspect it is going to be a challenge getting my system connected to the Mycontrol4 in the cloud.
3. I thought I could connect to my home system directly. NO way. Every individual system is configured as a node on the Control4 master network, requiring access thorugh their ($149/yr) server. They say it is for security, but I really know it is just to gouge us for more fees. I wonder if someone has hacked the local device to allow direct connection to the IP address rather than going through the Control4 cloud proxy.
4. Their media software doesn't come standard and I had to install myself. They have a hardware limit of 256mb in the local server device limiting them to 12,000 albums. I have 52,000 tracks and counting. My music won't fit. The solution, a hardware upgrade to a $5K server from Control 4 of course.
5. Thier music software can't deal with more than one master director of music. I have five. Ok, so I should organize better, but I do. They should deal.
6. Their software can't deal with AAC files produced by Itunes, only MP3 files. Stupid.
7. Their ComposerME music management software is not registered with Vista and has problems running. Stupid.
8. The system has thermostats which should be able to "auto connect" but I got them and they don't. I have to have the installer come out.

The UGLY.
1. The hand held standard TV style remotes are fine, but do not have all the keys I need to emulate the DVR functions and cable remote functions. They are missing a page up and down key for example.
2. The touch screen remotes are basically complete touch screen computers 10 inches wide costing $3,500. ouch! I sent them back.
3. IT still doesn't really work and is NOT an install your self system.

Basically $10K later my system is half working, and I am hopeful, but this is still the bleeding edge. If you have a light room and lots of IR interference, this is the only way to go though.

Posted by Martin at July 24, 2007 8:11 PM

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