skyjack Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Finally I got a HC300 from eBay..... As I used to be network technician and administrator, I believe I can make simple setup for this devices, but there are few questions need guys here to help:the instruction said I need composer software for setup use, is that mean Composer HE/ME? I can't find it in the disc come with, can I download it from somewhere? Can I use Composer HE/ME to add devices? Or still need dealer's version composer software for these actions?The HC300 will be installed in sitting room for the AV devices, as most devices are located in front of the TV wall, the controller will also be located here and use IR emitter wire to connect with the AMP, players and TV. BUT at the same time the projector will be installed far from the TV wall which say about 5m away from the controller, the IR emitter wire seems can't reach the projector, what can I do?I will have 2 -3 set light in sitting room, but seems each C4 light switch/dimmers can only control 1 set lighting, The 3/6 button pads can be used to control the lighting directly? are there any wall mount/panels can combine 2 or 3 light switch/dimmers into 1 pad?Thanks a lot:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodeman Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 You need a dealer to set it up with composer pro. You cannot use composer Home edition or media edition to add devices. Compose media edition is free and only allows you to manage media. Composer Home Edition is $149 and is only available for purchase from a dealer.You can use cat5 cable to extend IR.The 2/3/6 button keypads cannot control a light directly, they must be programmed with a dimmer or switch.Control4 is not designed to be DIY. While it may not be rocket surgery, there are pitfalls and traps that will cause you to waste time and money if you dont know how to properly design the system. I've said it before. You can do a lot with composer Home Edition after your dealer does the initial setup and configuration and there are lots of users here who can help you with tweaking and programming. You can probably find someone who will be willing to program it remotely for a price. If you don't like the dealer model, then Control4 isn't for you at this time and you should look at Cinemar, CQC, or X10 with which you have complete control and are not forced to buy from a dealer or wait for someone to sell something on ebay (which voids the warranty).My background is network admin/tech like you, and I thought I was big cheese in 2007 when I first started working with Control4. I'm still learning today. Just my .02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I respect codeman as one of the smarter guys on this forum and he cetainly brings a lot of valuable knowledge to the table, yet dispite him being 100% correct in everything above, there are users that DIY with similar backgrounds to you, and as a result get better results than using dealers that often have been tv sales guys, network cablers or worse and as a result do not understand fundamental networking beyond layer 1 if that.The main hurdle is versions above 1.8.2 of composer pro are locked creating a bit of a road block for capable DIY users.Warning this message may self distruct in 24 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleMoon Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Warning this message may self distruct in 24 hoursTo OP, be sure to double-check the throw distance of your projector at some place like Projector Central. Five meters is a long way for most projectors. Yours may do that, but for best picture, I think you want to avoid either extreme end of its zoom range. One end might be better than the other, it's never been clear to me which one that is and it might vary between projectors anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodeman Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I respect codeman as one of the smarter guys on this forum and he cetainly brings a lot of valuable knowledge to the table, yet dispite him being 100% correct in everything above, there are users that DIY with similar backgrounds to you, and as a result get better results than using dealers that often have been tv sales guys, network cablers or worse and as a result do not understand fundamental networking beyond layer 1 if that.The main hurdle is versions above 1.8.2 of composer pro are locked creating a bit of a road block for capable DIY users.Warning this message may self distruct in 24 hoursThis is true. Didn't say it couldn't be done just letting him know it wouldn't be easy and the best way to save some cash and heartburn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mensub Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 How can u extend IR using Cat5 Cable?Can u please eelaborate on that?Also,I believe u always need dimmer or switch physically connected to the lights if u want to control them even using the keypads.Please clarify?If so, u will have a two way control for your lights? In that can we set the priority(Keypads or switch)You need a dealer to set it up with composer pro. You cannot use composer Home edition or media edition to add devices. Compose media edition is free and only allows you to manage media. Composer Home Edition is $149 and is only available for purchase from a dealer.You can use cat5 cable to extend IR.The 2/3/6 button keypads cannot control a light directly, they must be programmed with a dimmer or switch.Control4 is not designed to be DIY. While it may not be rocket surgery, there are pitfalls and traps that will cause you to waste time and money if you dont know how to properly design the system. I've said it before. You can do a lot with composer Home Edition after your dealer does the initial setup and configuration and there are lots of users here who can help you with tweaking and programming. You can probably find someone who will be willing to program it remotely for a price. If you don't like the dealer model, then Control4 isn't for you at this time and you should look at Cinemar, CQC, or X10 with which you have complete control and are not forced to buy from a dealer or wait for someone to sell something on ebay (which voids the warranty).My background is network admin/tech like you, and I thought I was big cheese in 2007 when I first started working with Control4. I'm still learning today. Just my .02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Extending ir cables is very easy. Cut a IR lead in half. Join one end to a pair of wires from a cat 5 cable for example, then join the other end of your IR cable the far end of you cat 5. I use scotch lock electrical connectors as used by phone cablers.In terms of the switches and keypads. The switch is connected to the light load. The keypad is just connected to power, not the light load. The keypad is programmed to control the switch via zigbee. Ie the single switch controls the light on or off, but the control can be from keypads, remotes, iPads, iPhones, touchscreens, preprogrammed schedules etc.Hope this makes sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mensub Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 yes thanks:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjack Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks for all guys advice Dannyboy, how does the DIYer overcome the "little road block"? still need help from dealers at the beginning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanE Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I think he's likely referring to the fact that pre 2.0, ComposerPro didn't have any licensing, so you could download a torrent of ComposerPro for those versions.After 2.0, Control4 has added licensing to ComposerPro, and it's much more difficult to obtain.RyanE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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