subterFUSE Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I have had two Control4 systems now for a few years. One at home, and the other at my office. We are relocating to a new state, and I therefore now have two HC-300 director units available to me.We are planning to use Control4 in our new home but have not yet installed anything. My primary question is whether or not I should consider upgrading to a newer director like the HC-250 or HC-800?Or will the HC-300 do an adequate job for running my new home? I have not yet updated to the latest firmware, but I would plan do so when we install. I already have some light switches and a thermostat from the previous home, and I plan to add more to the new home.The new house has 3 thermostats currently. I would like to put the C4 thermostat I have upstairs, but then get 2 more thermostats for downstairs. I would prefer to have something a little more advanced than the C4 thermostat downstairs, perhaps something which has humidity control. Are there any C4 compatible T-Stats which offer humidity control? The new home has the following Audio/Video components which will need to be controlled: 1 Samsung LED TV set1 DirecTV Genie box1 Anthem AVM-50v processor1 Samsung Blu-Ray player1 Apple TV I spoke with 2 different Control 4 dealers in my area about getting price quotes on the installation.One dealer told me to ABSOLUTELY NOT consider using the HC-300 for my install. He said I really needed to get one of the new directors in order to have good performance with the latest firmware.The other dealer said the HC-300 would be fine. I'm not sure who to trust? Thanks in advance for any guidance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokead Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 The HC300 is EOL. If I recall, it can't run the new version as the director. Pick up a HC250 at least. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Indeed latest software won't run on the HC300 as a main.I think the HC300 (and 200) were no longer advised as a main controller since 2.4 or 2.3 although you weren't blocked from running it. As a delaer I'd probably not want to setup any system on anything other than HC250/800/1000 since 2013 - I would agree with needing an upgraded controller.If it's more of a DIY system, I might say you COULD run at 2.5.3 OK with a one room system - though if you're reinstalling..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subterFUSE Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 Thank you very much.Could an HC-300 serve a second room if I had a newer controller as the main?What about thermostats? Are there any compatible models that offer humidity control?Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Yes it's fine as a second controller.There are thermostats with humidity, but the system proxy can't properly display it. If that would be your only reason for changing, I'd hold off a bit ont he t-stats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 And you can get a measure I'd humidity from many other devices like the axxes motion sensor. Program a dehumidification off that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subterFUSE Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Thank you again. Lastly, how do I decide whether I need an HC-250 or an HC-800? Keep in mind that I will have two HC-300 units leftover from old systems which could be added on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Lowe Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 the hc 250 is an awesome piece and will be great for your application. However if you can budget there is noticeable difference in the speed and power of the 800. If not you can always easily upgrade at a later time and keep on the hc250 in another location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 A single room plus some heat and light will run on a HC250 just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subterFUSE Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 At what point does the HC-800 become a necessity?Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 It is more a necessity from a 1) zigbee radio increased radius additional external antenna kit. 2) 4 vs 2 audio out. 3) 4 vs 1 contact4) 4 vs 1 relay5) 6 vs 4 IR6) easier more elegant to rack mount. Vs wedge behind the tv.Than a performance measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanE Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Also: Dedicated 9-pin serial port vs. 3-pin serial ports shared with the first two IR ports. RyanE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subterFUSE Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 Thanks everyone. We installed an HC-250 and one of my HC-300 units. I'm using all 4 IR ports on the HC-250, plus another one on the HC-300 and the alarm system is using one of the Serial ports on the HC-300. If I decide to add another room, I might use the second HC-300 for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Lowe Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 hc-300 are really good fo IO always handy to have around in case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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