rf9000

Guys, I have a quick questions on integrating the alarm system with C4. Lets say a DSC system. For example, say at night we use the C4 interface to arm the alarm system and want the system to check for any open doors or windows where we have sensors. Is this response time fast or is there a bit of delay because we are accessing these sensors through the alarm system and not directly through C4?

Guys, Working on a new construction project and wanted to get some ideas from you guys and innovative ways to use relays and contacts? So far the only ones we are using are for the garage doors (5). So using 5 relays and 5 contacts there. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

My Pella rep just informed me that they will install the sensors in the windows from the factory for $60 per window. Do you guys think this is worth it to have done? It would just be on all the functioning windows that open. Then I have to buy a bridge for about $300

Yessir. Will do

Thanks. Yeah, usually basements are done here too. We still have to pour 4' of foundation for every home hear because of the frost. So most just pour another 4-5' and have a full basement. We decided to eliminate a basement this time for many reasons but still had to the pour the 4' foundation because of frost. So we decided to pour it six feet instead, then set our 2' floor joists inside the concrete walls flush with the top. This way we have 4' of space left underneath for a crawlspace and on top we have no steps. We will be concreting the floor of the whole crawlspace too so it ends up being a huge storage area!

Quick question, is Cat6E still the best cable to run?

It actually is better yet, we paid extra to have crawlspace under the entire home so have access to everything, except ceilings of course

Yeah, I would just go for the "prep" option, but if they just prep them for their proprietary sensors, that wont work. Knowing Pella, I assume they will want $100 per window to put in their $5 sensor. I'm actually a little surprised that it was only $10 to prep it.

I agree, but love hardwired vs wifi, etc. So do I just skip it on a new construction because I assume something better will come out? Its kind of a tough thing to do. Maybe a smart thing thing to do too is run a Cat6 cable to each of those installed locations in the ceiling just for some back up. Then I would have an outlet, Cat 6, and 3.5mm at each location. If someday all of this goes wireless, etc. then these items would just become dead items in the ceiling that I would not use. Good thing is, I'm planning on using dummy 6.5" speakers in these locations. So if a new and better item then the Echo Dot comes out, I will be prepared as having a 6' dummy speaker cover can pretty much hide anything or allow anything behind it to be modified to accommodate. That was sort of my plan

Thanks. I'm actually going to see what the cost is today. They have an option to "prep" the windows for security or to have them installed by Pella. The prep option is only $10 per window. But then do they just prep it for there own sensor where no other sensor will work? I just dont like seeing visible security sensors on windows and doors. I like the flush mount ones, which usually means you have to bore out the doors and windows. Kinda scary with brand new windows. I'm going to check it out

Yes, but i want everyone to be able to access and not everyone has their phones with them at all times. I want it to be a hidden and unique experience where Alexa can just be communicated with at any time. IS there any other option then what I have suggested? I know its alot of work and infastructure to set it up, but I'm hoping it should be future proof? I mean would they ever do away with the 3.5MM outputs so that everyone that has Echos now could never upgrade to something new? I'm very open to other suggestions, just dont know what else to do. To me, in a new construction, it kinda seems pointless just to have a few installed in certain rooms. Why not just have access to Alexa everywhere in the home since really the Echos and cables are pretty cheap. Or am I looking at this wrong? I have never had Alexa before but knew that I definitely wanted to integrate in my new home

Yes, I'm going to have four in this house. One in bar'rec area, one in kitchen area, one in master bedroom, and one up in kids' rec room. Since all my C4 Tstats (3) are going to be located in the underhouse utility room, I'm going to use these Tscreens as sort of my onwall tstats too for each area. A tscreen on the wall looks much better then a tstat! I'm just confused a bit on using echos for Alexa. Am I overthinking how many I will need? I'm kinda of an overkill guy. For instance I will have 32 zones of audio (26 speakers zones and 6 subwoofer zones). but just wondering do I provide echos for the same amount of coverage as my speakers have? So that in every area of the home we will be able to utilize Alexa? I figure I need about 17-18 Echo Dots then. But does this mean 17-18 3.5mm to RCA cables running back to the control room and these will count as 17-18 sources? Its ok if they do as I will have 32 source options (24 switch + 8 switch), just want to make sure I understand this

All my Tstats will be located in the utility room with remote sensors

Yeah but isn't the general rule nowadays, less touchscreen the better? This would just mean I have to put touchscreen everywhere, right?

Thanks guys. its my thinking on this correct though? having them installed through out and then running 3.5mm to RCA back to the matrix? Wish the NEST smoke detectors had Alexa as that would save me on some areas

I think so too. I'm deciding whether or not to add this feature to my windows that open but wondering if its worth it. Should work seamlessly I;m guessing?

These look cool, but I wonder what kind of quality they are. Those roller shades in the video look pretty thin and cheap, but maybe they are not

Thanks. Forgive me but a bit confused on your response. What do you mean local in the rack? The Echos? The reason I specified so many is because I dont want dead areas in the house where Alexa cant hear me. My main level is pretty spread out (5700 square feet), so was figuring like one in kitchen, one in great room, one in master bedroom, one in master bath, one in bar area, one in garage, one in each of the bedrooms, etc. Maybe I got this all wrong, if installing them in the ceiling I was planning on having an outlet wired in the ceiling at each location (or could power them via POE) and then a 3.5mm wire ran back to the control room for each one. IS this not the correct way to do it?

Do you have the option to do burial subwoofers or are you just looking for an option for the covered patio as an in-ceiling or inwall?

To All, I'm looking to have Alexa communication throughout my home. New Construction. I want whichever interface I use to be hidden or concealed. I originally was thinking Echo Dot 3s (or maybe Echo Dot 4s by the time I need them) placed in the ceiling. I found a couple different options for this like the Origin Valet Echo mounts that look like a Dummy 6" ceiling speaker or also Mount Genie has some slick little mounts that have covers on them that look like a speaker. Do you all have any suggestions? Doesn't have to be Echos either, just looking for something that I can hide. I know that there are light switches now too that have build in Alexa, but dont know if that is a good option to intermix so many different kinds of switches in the home. I'm already doing some C4 light switches and everything non-C4 I was doing Lutron. I did notice too that First Alert makes a smoke detector that has Alexa, but dont really think it has an audio output to run back to the matrix. I figure I would need about 17 interfaces and run those back as 17 sources to the matrix. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

Good morning, I'm building a new home and have pretty much decided on the Pella Architect windows throughout. I notice that they have an option for a built in sensor on whichever windows I want. There are two options, prep window for the sensor, or to have the window prepped and the sensor installed by Pella. Does anyone have any knowledge of these sensors and how this would work with security system and C4? Any input would help. Thanks

Guys, I have for sale the following in Almond and brand new in the box: (6) C4 LSZ-101-A switches (2) KPZ-3B1-A three button keypads (3) KPZ-6B1-A six button keypads (16) LSZ-3W1-A two button keypads

Guys, I thought it would be cool to add some biometric finger scanners to my system. Do you guys know of some ideas of where these can be implemented? It seems like kind of a waste to have it setup where you scan your finger and then thereafter it tells a Control4 lock mechanism to unlock/lock. But I suppose that is the only way to lock and unlock a door as the scanner itself is more like a standalone unit that just sends messages to the C4 controller?

Those look great but are $1200+ per amp and I would need four. I know that some people here don't like Dayton Audio, but it is tempting to try. Seems like the amp is built well. Anyone had any experience with Dayton MA1260? 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms: MA1260 Multi-Zone 12 Channel Amplifier 60WPC Quick Overview The Dayton Audio MA1260 is a freestanding, twelve channel, Class-D amplifier designed for custom multi-room sound distribution. Its intelligently engineered and versatile design integrates easily into high-end whole house audio systems. Product Highlights • 12 channels (6 stereo zones) in one convenient enclosure • Efficient Class D design delivers superior audiophile sound quality and performance • Independent and bus inputs provides unparalleled flexibility • Bridgeable channel outputs provide additional power when needed • Independent channel gain controls allow the output of each speaker to be perfectly matched • Can be converted easily between rack-mount and tabletop configurations • Installer-friendly setup and connections

That amp is only 50 watts per channel at 8ohms. I assume your speakers are 8 ohms: EA-AMP-8D-70A EA-AMP-12D-70A 8 12 20,000 ohm 20,000 ohm 70W @ 4 ohms 70W @ 4 ohms 50W @ 8 ohms 50W @ 8 ohms