RyanE

I just heard release day was moved to next week on Tuesday (2/27/2024), but everything is signed off so I would expect it to be live that day and shouldn't be any additional delays.  

@Cranky Oldman I just DM'd you the info to get the beta version, I believe it matches what will be the final release.
 
 

Muj, came to my house, very friendly and informative.  Did not cost the earth and worked perfectly.  I would recommend him definitely. 

HC250 can go straight in the bin.. At chowmain our drivers still mostly support 2.10.X (theoretically, except our new ones), but, without OS3, nobody should be installing HC250's anymore unless they want problems. The cost of labor for OS2.10 was also significantly higher, because drivers like our shelly driver wouldn't have been able to self setup
HC800 MAYBE, but nobody should be installing these either.. They only run OS3.3.0 max, so they're a dead product too. Our drivers will still support them, but because even OS3.3.1 added so many updates for the new color lighting stuff, even our os 3.3.0 drivers realistically need a newer OS then hc800 supports
Core series absolutely slaughters the EA series (we've been doing a lot of performance work, and the performance often is double). HC is older. Friends don't let friends buy HC controllers though..
 
Unrelated, if you're using Chowmain drivers, you're going to notice a few performance improvements in all of our newer drivers rolling out, and our new Related diagnostics and Extended Diagnostics systems
 
 

Your opinion.
Control4's adherence to the dealer installation model is certainly a topic for conjecture and discussion, but, sadly for you, it's not up for a vote.
RyanE

Indeed.
Constant tinkering is a CHOICE. Nothing wrong with wanting to tweak things to a high degree, and yes that will take effort or money (to have someone to do it for you).
 
Also I strongly disagree that 'the bulk of the programming is locked away'. Adding/removing devices: yes, so is changing conections, but that is NOT the 'bulk' of programming on a system. The 'bulk' ARE those personal tweaks and the vast majority of that is 'pure' programming which is not locked but fully available in ComposerHE.
 

One of my regrets is going with Lutron panelized/centralized lighting.  It "works" awesome, but I have found that the only way to get refined simultaneous ramps up/down in scenes with lots of loads is to do the programming on the Lutron side which is a huge pain since, as end user, I can't fiddle with the Lutron programming-- and the need to bulk upload the whole project to make even small changes in annoying and inefficient.  I should have stuck with C4.  

I agree that C4 works well for these 2 groups of people.  But it also works very well for other groups.  I love C4 and don’t fit in either category…

@RyanEMy experience with C4 branded centralized lighting (C4-DIN-8DIM-E, C4-DIN-8REL-E, C4-DIN-8TV-E) and the KCB backlit keypads has been remarkably positive.  The set-up is rock solid.  And, of course, the integration is 100%.  My only deviation from the C4 brand is my addition of BlackNova keypads which are in a league of their own.
Once architects understand the expanded degrees of freedom for design afforded by centralized lighting, they become quick converts.  A large room easily can have 8+ lighting circuits.  With the low-voltage keypads, a single button creates a lighting scene using a combination of contributions from each circuit -- and the end user is unconcerned as to the technical complexities.
The C4 value proposition is that automation "just happens" in a luxury setting; this is not designed to be a low cost offering.

If you want to see a major speed difference I would get a ca-10 to run your project and keep the ea-5 for I/O. 

to add to @cdcllc and @ChzBurger, I would suggest using the CA-10 as the backbone for a large residential project. 

I'm in my 7th year with Control4.  I use it to control AV, lighting, hurricane shades, security, garage doors, ceiling fans, fireplace and HVAC.  I didn't go through a home automation selection process because C4/dealer is who the builder worked with the most and recommended.  And this is my first experience in home automation.  I guess I got pretty lucky because we love the system (including my non-technical wife).  The dealer also did the network, security system w/cameras (and central vac).  We've kept it up to date and added functionality as we've gone along.  Here's a few things that may help:
If you are into technical DIY, you really need to understand the dealer model before going C4.  I am into technical DIY, but I wouldn't want to be without a dealer; the breadth and depth of the home automation space is just too wide and deep for me to want to "go it alone".  Yes, dealers can only do certain work (i.e. you cannot) and get paid to do it, but there is an ROI because of their knowledge and experience.  But C4 also allows you to do a lot on your own too. Get a detail install plan from your dealer prior to construction start and spend time understanding it before approving.  Our dealer used the house CAD drawings to produce a network/security/HVAC plan, AV plan, lighting plan. etc.  I learned a lot about the system through review and discussion of the drawings with the dealer.  And neither I nor my dealer had any surprises! We spent time on planning the rack space - making sure we had adequate space (we moved a wall a couple of feet pre-build), HVAC supply (we needed an additional air duct run added to the HVAC plan) and dedicated circuit to the rack (a new circuit added to the electrical build plan). If you want great integration to C4, you need to select components that have great C4 integration capabilities already built.  C4 has a very wide range of robust product integrations, but it is impossible for anyone to integrate well with everything.  You basically find you have a new requirement when selecting a TV, AV receiver, HVAC system, etc. etc. etc. - how good is the C4 integration. This forum has great people that know what they are doing and want to help.  I'm really happy I found it early on and have received great help.  The folks on here have been a great supplement to my dealer.  I haven't had a dealer truck-roll in years!  Good for both of us. Good luck with your process and home build.  C4 does a great job and coupled with the right dealer, builder, architect and planning, you will be very happy with your choice!

@Windthrow Given your use case, I would suggest 10 areas of focus:
access control the DoorStations (the 2N devices) have a nice finish and permit keyless entry, event logging and efficient key management for staff and guests integration with the C4 programming is seamless security C4 integrates with a conventional security panel (consider IQ Pro) you can use Luna X20 cameras to trigger events in the C4 programming (line cross, motion detection) and extend you security perimeter well beyond the exterior walls of your house set push notifications to be activated whenever a fenced portion of the yard is breached this gives piece of mind when traveling check out Pulsor from Sure Action for precise interior monitoring HVAC you did not mention in what geography your property is located reduces risk of pipe freeze or damage due to high humidity general comfort Lighting whole house, panelized lighting (either C4 or Lutron) C4 KCB keypads for back-of-house or Black Nova for front-of-house reduces wall clutter hands-free lighting, scenes etc. Water monitoring / flood prevention reduce chances of water damage by mounting water monitors near toilets, hot water heater, irrigation system components, slop sinks, etc. we have prevented at least 4 incidents in the last 10 years that would have caused $25k+ of damage and inconvenience whole house water turn-off / on to automate flood prevention Irrigation Hunter Commercial line of irrigation controllers integrates well with C4 Key accessory integration exterior: pool, boat lift, dock, etc... interior: sauna, hot tub, etc. mission critical: generator (Generac tie-in) driveway gates landscape lighting Power management Shelly makes a Pro version of its PM (power management) line great for refrigerator, main power line, power line supported by the generator dishwasher, washer / dryer, floor heat, pool pump, sauna, hot tub, air handlers, etc. goal here is not so much to measure consumption but to make certain that devices are on when they should be and off when not equipment usage by hour for preventative maintenance Whole house audio We use a Autonomic MMS system (fully integrates with C4) this is likely the most visible (pun intended) feature to guests.  Having music in each room from a centralized source is fantastic Remote controls for TV lastly, the Halo (Neeo) remotes and the more recent additions to the line-up are very convenient and a nice upgrade from those supplied by the cable company One consideration:  C4 permits you, the homeowner, the option of directly accessing and adding / modifying the programming yourself using Composer HE.  Although Composer HE is somewhat rudimentary, the functionality permits you to make changes and experiment directly -- no waiting for a dealer or contractor.  This ability is a huge advantage over other competing systems.  Use your dealer of record to add equipment (bindings) and spend a moment getting YOUR system to perform exactly the way YOU want.
I hope the above provides a useful starting point.  Good luck with your build.

Control4 works perfectly but depends on:
-A good C4 dealer to design it and set it up
-On large new builds a builder and architect that are willing to cooperate
-A GOOD network (usually done by dealer)
 
All too often a builder or architect has existing working relationships (if not contracts) with:
-Electricians that refuse to do wiring differently (or charge an arm and a leg, especially true with centralized lighting) because they don't want to......and because they don't want to make less money (again, especially central lighting wiring should be CHEAPER than standard lighting with 3 and 4 ways everywhere) - or these days they'll refuse to accept that a whole house can simply be done with low voltage lighting (you know, it takes away their jobs.....)
-Blind providers (that don't integrate well). Architects and interior designers especially on this one. Hunter Douglas comes to mind. There's a good DRIVER for it, but the API has it's limits and more importantly, all too often the 'smart' design portion doesn't get set up well by the blind company (so even the HD app is finicky, and if that is finicky so will integration)
-HVAC contractors - in these scenarios very often it's carrier (which is a pain) or it's infloor heating from some sort of third party control system (if they just used Tekmar for these....)
Many builders, architects and interior designers (and for that matter specialty contractors, including some C4 dealers) are stuck in their ways, and not open to changes of how they do things, which will cause friction. It takes a skilled dealer/salesman/general contractor to overcome that to ensure whatever is chosen.

So just a heads up. Even with stuff like HVAC, you'll want to engage installers early to ensure that drivers and such exist

Driver has been updated with automatic email and push notifications (note 4sight is required).
Supports email and push notifications for
Garage Door Close Garage Door Open Garage Door Left Open (with a definable time period)

It's certainly an issue, but it's hardly mission critical, and only tangentially user facing, since a pretty small percentage of installed users purchased HE.
On this forum, yeah, a much larger percentage, and certain, it's something that needs to be addressed, but it's not as if Navigators are borked in all installs that use them, or even if ComposerPro were having the same issue...  Either of those I would define as mission critical.
Sorry for your inconvenience.  Hopefully it'll release in the next couple of weeks, and all will be well again.
RyanE

I’d rather them get it right, and release it 100%. Better than rushing it out and making it worse.


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I think you're missing the point of what I'm asking for.
I want to be able to make the Roku driver work like the AppleTV and/or Comcast Xfinity X1 drivers, to allow the Control4 remote to be used in place of the native remote.
I'm not looking for a hacked hardware solution for a single system, I want a legitimate software solution for *every* system.
RyanE

I think you're missing the point of what I'm asking for.
I want to be able to make the Roku driver work like the AppleTV and/or Comcast Xfinity X1 drivers, to allow the Control4 remote to be used in place of the native remote.
I'm not looking for a hacked hardware solution for a single system, I want a legitimate software solution for *every* system.
RyanE

Once a driver implements the complete public API, it's done.  Cooked.
Now, if you guys know someone at Roku who can open up a voice API that would let me send a voice stream to the Roku like it's remote can, let me know...

RyanE

Once a driver implements the complete public API, it's done.  Cooked.
Now, if you guys know someone at Roku who can open up a voice API that would let me send a voice stream to the Roku like it's remote can, let me know...

RyanE

Uhm. The Control4 one?

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A couple additional issues surfaced during the beta, so those are being addressed now with a new HE build that should go out for testing soon. We'll be rolling the HE update out once testing and validation pass successfully. We have also identified the gap in testing that allowed this to slip out in an unfunctional state and have updated our testing/release process for HE to ensure this shouldn't happen again in the future.