Multiple TV Sources

[EdenComputers]

Hi everyone;

I am consulting on a home automation project, and we are nearing completion. The system we chose is the Elan G! system (yes, I know I'm on a Control4 Forum - bear with me)

The house has about 10 TVs, and 5 TV sources (Motorolla DCX3400 cable boxes). Any TV can connect to any of the 5 sources.

We were trying it out the other day and we realized that if someone is watching TV on source 1, and then someone in another room starts watching on Source 1 as well, but then decides to change the channel - it changes for the first user as well! The reason we set it up with 5 TV input sources is that we wanted everyone to be able to watch what they want. The Elan installer is telling us too bad, that's how it is. But, I think there should be a way for the system to not let anyone else change the channel if the first user has already powered on. Any thoughts?

Does Control4 have the same issue?

thanks,

Jonathan

[dgbrown]

Yes.

Name each of the five sources for each member of the family. Dad's Cable, Mom's Cable, Little Johnny's Cable, etc

It's not about the TV it's about the viewer.

[EdenComputers]

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if there is any way to lock out other users from one source? (no, I guess not - we don't want to go down a path of using passwords or anything... )

thanks again.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Stormwatch]

One option that's been discussed before is to make the cable boxes turn on to a default channel. When a user turns on a input and the box isn't on the default channel they know it's being used by another user and can select a different input.

[EdenComputers]

Thank you Stormwatch, that is a great idea. I'll see if we can do something like that. I hate workarounds, but sometimes you just gotta do it.

cheers,

Jonathan

[CFUG]

I would call it a "good" idea. I do announcements. A guest flicks-on the monitor in the suite, this comes over the speakers: "Parents Cable Box is in use in Family Room"