Can I setup Control4 by myself?

[thecodeman]

Linksys RV042, Linksys RV4000, use a seperate wirless access point if needed...

[rchawla80]

I would go with Apple giga bit the new one ... works great!

[jdc2673]

What about using the apple time capsule? It has airport extreme + built in 2tb nas to put all my movies on. will this integrate well with control4?

[Paddy]

apple airport extreme

hands down

[thecodeman]

What about using the apple time capsule? It has airport extreme + built in 2tb nas to put all my movies on. will this integrate well with control4?

Too many eggs in one basket, IMO.

[dgbrown]

Linksys RV042, Linksys RV4000, use a seperate wirless access point if needed...

+1

I like some of the Apple products and their networking components may in fact work. IMHO, they're extremely basic and offer no real tuning options - in short useless.

[jwhitaker@revit]

Can I setup Control4 by myself?

no

But Chuck Norris can

[dogdvr]

Yes but Chuck Norris just stares at the equiptment and tells it to make its own bindings.

[alanchow]

Chuck Norris has Control5

[Jack1233]

Very old topic but looks like nothing change. It's really sad that still there is no way to set it up the system myself. As a geek and software dev I would be so interested in doing it myself. Control4 looks like the system I would like to use (even though the UI looks like old WPF from 2007) but I will have to find the way to set it up with play-fi or other new coming devices (maybe Alexa can help).

Getting the guys from BestBuy to come, scheduled them at home, charge me for all that 'advises' and at the end, they will do bad job anyway, it's just destroying the whole experience. Earn money on hardware, one time license pay for software (I can pay for updates, I am fine with that), but don't ask people to pay for some dealers wasting my time. Give me a way to have fun with the setup and your business will be better.

//and seriously, your app looks ugly, hire a designer

 

[d1amund]

Thanks for sharing. As a software developer you should team up with a hardware engineer and build a better system from the ground up. Keep us posted on your progress...

[CanesFan]

10 hours ago, Jack1233 said:

Very old topic but looks like nothing change. It's really sad that still there is no way to set it up the system myself. As a geek and software dev I would be so interested in doing it myself. Control4 looks like the system I would like to use (even though the UI looks like old WPF from 2007) but I will have to find the way to set it up with play-fi or other new coming devices (maybe Alexa can help).

Getting the guys from BestBuy to come, scheduled them at home, charge me for all that 'advises' and at the end, they will do bad job anyway, it's just destroying the whole experience. Earn money on hardware, one time license pay for software (I can pay for updates, I am fine with that), but don't ask people to pay for some dealers wasting my time. Give me a way to have fun with the setup and your business will be better.

//and seriously, your app looks ugly, hire a designer

 

Can I ask how much the Best Buy techs charged you (just advice or install/configuration also)?

I moved into a new home last year and the previous owner left their Control4 system in the home. From what I can tell, it is a 4 zone matrix amplifier, the HC300, and 4 remote controls. I'm not sure what they were controlling with the Control4 system, but I just want to be able to listen to music through the speakers in the ceiling and outside. Is this something that I can do on my own if it was already being controlled before? When I moved in, most of the (many) cables were not plugged in and Comcast starting unplugging and snipping coaxial cables when they came to install their cable. I know the coaxial cables have nothing to do with the speakers but I'm not sure what else they did in the A/V panel, the speaker wires do look to still be connected to the back of the amplifier though (nothing else is connected).

Stumbled upon this forum when searching for answers, thanks in advance.

[msgreenf]

1 minute ago, CanesFan said:

Can I ask how much the Best Buy techs charged you (just advice or install/configuration also)?

I moved into a new home last year and the previous owner left their Control4 system in the home. From what I can tell, it is a 4 zone matrix amplifier, the HC300, and 4 remote controls. I'm not sure what they were controlling with the Control4 system, but I just want to be able to listen to music through the speakers in the ceiling and outside. Is this something that I can do on my own if it was already being controlled before? When I moved in, most of the (many) cables were not plugged in and Comcast starting unplugging and snipping coaxial cables when they came to install their cable. I know the coaxial cables have nothing to do with the speakers but I'm not sure what else they did in the A/V panel, the speaker wires do look to still be connected to the back of the amplifier though (nothing else is connected).

Stumbled upon this forum when searching for answers, thanks in advance.

no, you will need to work with a dealer

[SMHarman]

no, you will need to work with a dealer

Though now you are here you can work with a remote dealer.

 

That's if you are good to figure out the physical connections.

[CanesFan]

2 hours ago, msgreenf said:

no, you will need to work with a dealer

Thanks, I will have to look into that then (if I want to use the system left by the previous owner. I had an A/V guy come out and tell me he did not work with Control4, was trying to steer me to Sonos. I just don't want to spend $2k to be able to listen to music through the speakers already installed throughout the house for maybe 2 times out of the year that we'd probably use it (if we have a get together).

47 minutes ago, SMHarman said:

Though now you are here you can work with a remote dealer.

 

That's if you are good to figure out the physical connections.

Yes, I can figure out connections pretty good. How does one go about working with a remote dealer? I'm assuming they either do it over the phone/chat/e-mail, but do they need information like wireless passwords, etc. (maybe other things someone will be hesitant to give to a complete stranger). Also, would this be a bit more cost conscious that dealing with an in person dealer/tech? I did search and found some local companies that are Control4 dealers and I'm assuming they would come out.

 

Sorry, edited post...hit enter a little too soon.

[Cyknight]

6 minutes ago, CanesFan said:

for maybe 2 times out of the year that we'd probably use it

If setup right, you'll likely find you'll use it far more often than that.

[Elvis]

13 hours ago, Jack1233 said:

Getting the guys from BestBuy

Well there's your problem right there. I speak from experience. Don't make the same mistake I made. Get a reputable dealer to get you up and running. You can DIY it after that and you can often save money using the remote dealers that frequent this forum. @StroTek LLC @AK1 @Matt Lowe @funnyfarm299 -- the list is long and reputable.

[Elvis]

2 hours ago, CanesFan said:

previous owner left their Control4 system in the home.

Consider yourself lucky and get a local dealer to get you up to speed. You saved a  bundle getting it with the house. You'll use it every day if you do.

[SMHarman]

Consider yourself lucky and get a local dealer to get you up to speed. You saved a  bundle getting it with the house. You'll use it every day if you do.

The controller you have is end of life. The amp, speakers and remotes are not.

 

The advice above to get a local dealer to hook you up with a new controller an ea3 or a 250 or 800 and connect up the music services you use or put your own music on a disc this can access will be a good investment

 

Yes, I can figure out connections pretty good. How does one go about working with a remote dealer? I'm assuming they either do it over the phone/chat/e-mail, but do they need information like wireless passwords, etc. (maybe other things someone will be hesitant to give to a complete stranger). Also, would this be a bit more cost conscious that dealing with an in person dealer/tech? I did search and found some local companies that are Control4 dealers and I'm assuming they would come out.

 

Sorry, edited post...hit enter a little too soon.

Once that is done remote tweaks are great.

[CanesFan]

23 hours ago, Cyknight said:

If setup right, you'll likely find you'll use it far more often than that.

I don't really listen to music much, except for when I'm driving or when going out for a run. Music at home is not really my thing or my wife's. The few times we have listened to music at home, I've just had the Amazon Echo play a few tunes (maybe 6 times in the 2 years I've owned the Amazon Echo). I know it's not the biggest sound to fill a room, but I'm not an audiophile or anything close to it. The wife just really wants music to be played from the speakers already installed throughout the house whenever we have company over for a get together. I don't see myself spending too much money for this feature alone and the few times that it will happen.

We don't really have anything else that I need (or want) to be controlled with this I think. 

21 hours ago, SMHarman said:

The controller you have is end of life. The amp, speakers and remotes are not.

 

The advice above to get a local dealer to hook you up with a new controller an ea3 or a 250 or 800 and connect up the music services you use or put your own music on a disc this can access will be a good investment

 

 

Once that is done remote tweaks are great.

If I have to buy a new controller I will most definitely not be going this route and figure out another way to play music. If I would have another use for this system, I would possibly think about it, but the fact that once you buy something (even though, I did not purchase and just inherited it) you still need someone else to make any changes is a big turnoff.

My thought, which may be incorrect, was that if it was up an running before I moved in (not sure if it ever was), can't I just plug the system back in and things be working again? Or does a dealer need to still do something to your system in order for it to work?

[SMHarman]

 

My thought, which may be incorrect, was that if it was up an running before I moved in (not sure if it ever was), can't I just plug the system back in and things be working again? Or does a dealer need to still do something to your system in order for it to work?

 

 

 

That's a tough one to answer, your prior owners will know better. Can you ask them.

 

They may have some streaming apps they used embedded in the controller.

 

They may have had a SONOS connect attached for music.

 

They may have had a local hard disc or media stick attached to the controller.

 

 

What you seem to be missing right now is something to play. Depending on how that something to play needs to be set up is where a dealer comes in.

 

 

You also don't know the name of the system, or have a visual display on the system. Both will hinder a remote dealers access.

 

 

A remote dealer here could tell you what media is configured and what you can add.

 

 

Do you have digital media stored somewhere? ITunes MP4 won't play on the HC300. They need to be converted to Mp3

The HC250 resolves this problem. Further, most 250s give access to the C4 app on your phone / device to more easily drive the music system. Oh and that echo. You can add that to the system to drive it by voice. See how components you already have are joining the connected party.

 

 

Don't underestimate how much more music may be listened to at home if you can just press a button.

 

 

 

[Cyknight]

1 hour ago, CanesFan said:

I don't really listen to music much, except for when I'm driving or when going out for a run. Music at home is not really my thing or my wife's.

 

51 minutes ago, SMHarman said:

Don't underestimate how much more music may be listened to at home if you can just press a button.

 

Hey, everyone's different, but I've heard 'i don't listen to music much anyway' more times than I can count. And for every one of those that skimped on music sources (controller feeds) because of that, their system got upgraded because ... they started listening to music more

[CanesFan]

1 hour ago, SMHarman said:

 

 

 

 

That's a tough one to answer, your prior owners will know better. Can you ask them.

 

 

They may have some streaming apps they used embedded in the controller.

 

 

They may have had a SONOS connect attached for music.

 

 

They may have had a local hard disc or media stick attached to the controller.

 

 

 

 

What you seem to be missing right now is something to play. Depending on how that something to play needs to be set up is where a dealer comes in.

 

 

 

 

You also don't know the name of the system, or have a visual display on the system. Both will hinder a remote dealers access.

 

 

 

 

A remote dealer here could tell you what media is configured and what you can add.

 

 

 

 

Do you have digital media stored somewhere? ITunes MP4 won't play on the HC300. They need to be converted to Mp3

The HC250 resolves this problem. Further, most 250s give access to the C4 app on your phone / device to more easily drive the music system. Oh and that echo. You can add that to the system to drive it by voice. See how components you already have are joining the connected party.

 

 

 

 

Don't underestimate how much more music may be listened to at home if you can just press a button.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the reply. My plan was to just plug in an iPod to the iPod dock that was left there as well. They had a Control4 iPod dock and another one from another brand, not sure which one they were using. Will an iPod not be able to play on on my current setup with one of those docks connected to the amplifier?

 

Yes, while Googling for answers to my questions, I saw that the Echo was able to be hooked up. One of my other options for music was to connect an Echo Dot via audio cable through one of the audio inputs.

52 minutes ago, Cyknight said:

 

 

Hey, everyone's different, but I've heard 'i don't listen to music much anyway' more times than I can count. And for every one of those that skimped on music sources (controller feeds) because of that, their system got upgraded because ... they started listening to music more

I understand, and if that were to happen to me, I would take full responsibility for not doing it from the get go and fork over the money involved in upgrading. I don't even have an extensive digital music collection (no physical media for music at all).

[Benoît van Osch]

On ‎7‎/‎4‎/‎2010 at 9:09 PM, Paddy said:

I have recently just finished my Control4 setup, and yes I did a huge amount of it myself.

I just set up the structured wiring dropping all speaker wires and cat5e run throughout the house to the

central closet. At this point I bought a C4 8 zone amp an HC-300 a 10 dimmer pack, and a 7 inch touch screen. (all online)

Dimmers were easy to put in. I than cut into the drywall and powered up the 7 inch touch screen.

Now this is as far as I really wanted to go, I than called a local dealer to come over and

basically activate all of the dimmers and equipment with Composer Pro.

It took 4 hours at 90 per hour.

So you can do a lot yourself it depends on your comfort level, However do not underestimate the power of a good intergrator/dealer , some of these guys are great and are worth every penny

But as mentioned in this post, I easily saved myself 20,000 to 30,000

But if the dealer had to do all the wiring work and installing speakers etc...

that hourly rate can run up real fast.

My advice to people who are considering Control4 is to get a budget in mind and work within it,

I personally Love what I have done for under 10,000 including all the hardware I purchased

I currently have

11 - dimmers

1 - 6 button keypad

1 - 8 Zone amp

12 speakers, including two on the patio

1 - netgear media player

1 - 2 terabyte NAS drive

1 - apple airport extreme

1 - cable box

1 - Basic Sony receiver that does HDMI passthrough

So yes you can do it yourself, but don't be afraid to get help at the appropriate time

This is great advice and something that could work for me if I really have to get the initial setup done by a dealer. Until I read this post on this forum I almost rejected the idea of going with Control 4 as I am also an IT Professional, and actually was a programmer for large factory automation projects in the past. I recently set up a KNX system on my own, hardware and software and now would like to add a Control4 layer as the user interface and direct connection with AV. All my cabling is already in place, and have started to look for the Control4 hardware on eBay. I was going to install the hardware myself and ideally would have liked to obtain a Pro license and programme everything myself. Unfortunately I have learned from this post that this is not possible (?) so I guess my next option I to follow your advice and get an engineer in to configure my hardware. Once hardware has been configured I understand everything else can be programmed through the HE license which can be obtained for free? Is it correct that everything else can be done with the HE license, including the programming of network drivers to communicate with KNX via an IP gateway?       

[RyanE]

You probably would be better off having just started a new thread instead of responding to one that's this old, but:

ComposerHE can do *everything* that ComposerPro can do, with the following exceptions:

• Adding new devices
• Changing the 'connections' section of devices, which includes network addressing, and 'bindings' between device drivers (this is normally just a setup-time situation, so related to adding new devices).
• Programming loops.  Programming loops is not a terribly necessary thing in Control4 programming, it's better and easier to use timers for the same functionality.

I can't think of any other things that are missing from ComposerHE.

As far as KNX goes, you should look into using the KNX Routing Gateway driver along with a KNX routing gateway for hardware.  Control4 has 2 different 'network' drivers, the 'KNX Network' driver is the older one that uses a slow and somewhat 'fussy' method to connect, using IP Tunnelling.  The KNX Routing Gateway driver uses KNX's routing protocol, which is much faster and simpler.

RyanE