New build question

[Northern33]

Hello everyone. I’ve been lurking on here for quite awhile now trying to stay abreast of what’s possible and what’s new with C4. This is a great forum for guys like me!

I am in the middle of a significant renovation (more of a new build actually) and am really trying to nail down a home automation plan. Prior to the reno we had Nest t-stats, nest cameras, Lutron switches, Alexa, Google home (was trying to decide which one) and Sonos equipment (amps, connect, subs, play bars, play 1’s and 3’s). We loved the ability to tell Alexa to turn on and off the lights. Also having music streamed all over the house from Apple Music and Spotify was great.

The downside was that everything was an APP. And a busy kitchen had 5 gang, 4 gang and 3 gang boxes to control the lighting. We had to put labels on the switches to figure out what switch did what!

Now I have the opportunity to fix all that. However, the more that I read, the more I find compatibility issues. For example: I can not seamlessly use my Apple or Spotify music and I can not really integrate the NEST gear into C4.

I like the lighting solution using keypads to consolidate switches.  My concern is that once I go down the road of panel mounted controllers, there’s no turning back as technology evolves.  Do you see panel control as the trend?

Do you guys feel that Google, Amazon or Google are quickly taking over C4’s ability to provide a cutting edge whole home automation solution?

[Crustyloafer]

Where are you based? US, UK, other?

Happy to discuss all or your questions.

[Northern33]

Sorry about that!  I am in Western CANADA. 

[SMHarman]

Do you guys feel that Google, Amazon or Google are quickly taking over C4’s ability to provide a cutting edge whole home automation solution?

This plan, with Zigbee being a major Control4 strong point should keep C4 relevant in the long run.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=https://www.c4forums.com/topic/33477-amazon-apple-google-zigbee-alliance-to-develop-open-standard-for-smart-home-devices/&share_tid=33477&share_fid=76380&share_type=t&link_source=app

[SMHarman]

Sorry about that!  I am in Western CANADA. 

So are you gutting the current wiring?

[Northern33]

Yes, it’s only a shell now. 

 

[Northern33]

I don’t see the potential alliance as a definite strong future for C4. The alliance really only promises to offerer a common platform though doesn’t it?  And wouldn’t that mean that it may or may not have the necessary drivers/support to allow C4 to integrate?  

[RyanE]

10 minutes ago, Northern33 said:

I don’t see the potential alliance as a definite strong future for C4. The alliance really only promises to offerer a common platform though doesn’t it?  And wouldn’t that mean that it may or may not have the necessary drivers/support to allow C4 to integrate?  

I think it's too early to know how any standards released by this alliance will affect Control4.

I'm hopeful that some useful open standards will come from the project, but have seen many of these alliances over the past 20 years in Home Automation, and few if any of them have produced anything useful 'out the other end'.

The one thing I would say is that Control4 is committed more than any other Home Automation company to supporting and integrating with 3rd party products.  If you look at nearly any tech products (Nest, Dish, Samsung TVs, Sony TVs / Receivers, Panasonic TVs, many others), Control4 in almost all cases had the first driver to support the product, and usually has the most functionality exposed in those drivers.

I can't imagine that changing in the future.

RyanE

[RAV]

You don't have to go panelized to have lighting keypads.

Distributed Control4 Wireless or Lutron RA can both solve wall clutter, provide keypads, and integrate with voice, apps and others. Strategically place a keypad dimmer by each entry, connect to the main lights in the room, and see how many other light circuits are left. Those can be concealed in closet dimmers, panelized, or just wall dimmer depending on cosmetics.

Ecobee is an affordable replacement that plays well with others, or go all native.

As to panelized and the future, tough to tell. We're certainly moving towards addressable fixtures, DMX or similar who knows. Which would be similar to panelized in that the load isn't going through the wall switch. Where the wall control is just a control point, not physically attached to the load.

[RyanE]

Neither Control4 nor Lutron recommend putting gangs of dimmers in hidden locations such as closets.

If you want panelized lighting (and it's benefits of less wall clutter, etc.), do panelized lighting.

Don't try and use wireless dimmers as panelized lighting.

RyanE

[thegreatheed]

If I had a nickel for every time a major player was going to take over the home automation industry... I'd have at least a few nickels. But Control4 is still the value leader in delivering a full automation experience.

[zaphod]

1 hour ago, RyanE said:

Neither Control4 nor Lutron recommend putting gangs of dimmers in hidden locations such as closets.

It is funny that you mention that as my first dealer did this when my system was installed about 13 years ago.  I have a sort of closet with a door that closes - behind that door is over a dozen dimmers.

@Northern33 - Control4 is not perfect but it is a very good solution.  The  more that you want to do in the system the more that it shines.  Initially I used C4 for lighting, blinds, HVAC and fireplace automation.  In recent years I added AV control and (almost) whole home audio and it really shines in this sort of environment, especially since you can use voice controls - in my case Alexa.  But some of the advantages are negated if you have a family that is less geeky than you are, or if they have a different schedule - having a Wakeup agent is less beneficial if your wife is staying in bed for a while.