therockhr

I believe the IO extender is technically a controller. It runs an OS and controls IO devices. You can do the same for the HC250 and HC800 as well. Have the new OS disable everything but the IO ports so that it is the same as the IO extender and then keep it at that version. The IO extender is at like version 2.10 or something if I remember. I am still interested to know what processor is in the IO extender(v1 and v2). In the end it doesnt matter. Just talking. Its their right to EOL whatever they want. It also makes sense sometimes to do things that helps out the customers who have spent heavily into the Control4 ecosystem. A dealer could have a customer who doesnt want to pay to move from a HC800 to CORE 5 but they would pay the cost to add a CORE 1/3. The dealer could keep the HC800 controlling all the IO and just add the CORE 1/3. I like alot the things Control4 are doing. They have one of the most affordable home automation systems out there (Pro or DIY). Just because I dont like one decision they have made doesnt mean i think they are doing good stuff. Also, as I have said, I think the HC800 had a good run as being a main controller. 10 years is a good time frame for a home automation controller. I think that should be their aim for every controller; 10 years. That said, I come from an industry where there are controllers (Siemens, Honeywell, Allen Bradley) that are 30 years old or more still running 24/7. Just because in the last 20 years the silicon valley companies make disposable garbage doesnt mean everyone has to.

Be specific on what hardware in the HC800 controller cant be supported. The original IO extender is older than the HC800 and is still supported. i need to just stop. The answer is they dont see value extending the life of those controllers anymore. Technical wise, it can be done.

These are valid arguments. I would disagree on how much time and effort it would take to support the controllers once they are downgraded and stuck on a old version but it still work with new controllers. as the question to supporting old hardware I wonder if control4 views themselves more in line with Apple, Samsung, google, etc or Siemens, ABB, Honeywell or Allen Bradley? Or maybe somewhere in between.

No one is forced to do anything with control4 so why is the response of “if you don’t want to upgrade don’t” an actual argument to make on why control4 would or would not decide to repurpose hardware so it doesn’t have to be trashed? There is precedence for them leaving hardware on an old revision and it still functioning in new systems. I have said I think the hc800 has been supported as a main controller for plenty of time but if there is a way to help customers/dealers and not have something end up in a landfill when it can be repurposed it might be worth Control4 doing everyone a favor.

What kind of response is this? What does it provide to this conversation?

Then what processor is in an IO extender. Generally curious.

The Sonos port is the new version. I haven’t upgraded to it because my Sonos connect actually feeds the Russound matrix as I mentioned via stereo and also feeds a denon receiver via optical and another via digital coax (they all output the same audio stream). The Sonos port doesn’t have the optical I need.

I personally have a single Sonos connect that feeds a Russound MCA-C5. Works perfect for my family as we are good all listening to the same streaming music in different zones. I guess I don’t see the need to have 5 different network audio streams. Not saying some don’t I just don’t personally. If I needed more audio stream then I would probably look at adding a Sonos connect for each zone or get something like a CI 580 from NAD.

I’m always surprised how many people use the audio of the controllers. I know I shouldn’t be as that is the way Control4 has designed the system to be used but with so many good audio systems out there I just like the idea of separating that subsystem out. I think there would be a decent market for a triad matrix with streaming zones.

Yeah i am guessing the audio piece would take quiet a bit of effort to keep supporting. Lots of different things there with streaming audio and other services that would need to be supported. The IO is a different story. The HC800 and HC250 probably could have been converted to glorified IO extenders with not much work. Give them the same firmware as on the IO extender. I would be interested to know what processor the IO extender is running on.

I actually think the passthrough makes more sense. Just use the existing voice controls out there. I wonder if there will be a "default" voice control that would be used if there isnt a voice controlled device currently being controlled by the remote.

not yet. there is a Voice Coordinator Agent and its only available for Xfinity Voice and Siri.

Unless you just find a steal somewhere on an EA controller get the latest CORE.

Those things would be valid reasons if not for the existence and continued support of the IO Extender. I am guessing that controller has a similar architecture as the HC800 and was also pre android. it just seems to me to be a way to help dealers/end users by being able to upgrade a customer that might not want to upgrade to a CORE 5 just to get the number of IO they need. A dealer could upgrade them to a CORE 1 or CORE 3 instead and not have to redo any wiring or connections.

I am hearing that it is a passthrough to whatever system you are controlling from the remote. If you are watching AppleTV it will pass to Siri. If watching Xfinity it will pass it to their system. Right now those are the only 2 options. Hopefully others like Roku and Dish will become available.

those are nice looking remotes. well done.

I totally understand having to finally EOL the HC800 from being a primary controller. It's had a very long life. That said, just like when the HC-250 went EOL, I cant understand (especially with chip shortages) why they couldnt create a way to continue to have the HC800 act as a glorified IO-Extender. Disable Audio/Video and controller functions. Just let it do IO and maybe zigbee (disable that if its too much trouble). Give the option to flash/update the HC800 to become a dumb IO extender.

your question is too open ended to give specifics but Ill throw some stuff out there: a minimum of 2 Cat6 (1 for data and 1 for control) and 1 RG6 at each TV location. more if you plan on putting streaming devices or other equipment in there (could place a small switch there as well though). if mounting TV on wall put a small low voltage panel at each location behind th TV a conduit to your low voltage panel or rack from each TV location cat 6 to each window where you might want automated blinds security wire to every window and door wiring to each garage door for the relay and for the sensor at least 1 cat6 in each bedroom for data place outlets outdoor for landscape lighting speaker wire in common rooms and outdoor areas cat6 where you think you might want to place a tablet or touchscreen The lighting is a totally different thing. If you want panelized lighting you are going to have to contact a pro.

https://www.dish.com/features/hopper-plus/ now that the hardware has been released can you say whether or not you all will be updating the dish hopper driver to support it or if it uses the same api?

Rumor is they bought the discontinued Harmony line from Logitech and will be re-releasing it as Harmony Remote for Control4. And by rumor I mean me trying to be funny. Although honestly the last Harmony remotes looked pretty nice.

in most cases you will not need a Lutron dealer. you only need a dealer on homeworks and certain functions of ra. most of which users who want to DIY probably arent going to need.

the usual suspects are going to come in here and do the usual comparisons about cars or luxury items instead of actually giving you the reasons. To make things simple there are really 2 user groups for control4: 1 - the people with more money than time: they hired an integrator because they wanted to have some cool technology in their home and be able to control it all from 1 place. if control4 is being used in their home it probably wasnt their choice, it was the integrators. the technology in the background is irrelevant. its the integrator that matters. if the integrator thinks there is another product than could do what they want better or easier then they would have it. the customer doesnt care if the solution is open or closed (C4). they just want it to work. 2 - people with some money and some time - this is the group who if there was a DIY (open) solution that out there that could do all they want they would probably use it instead of C4. The fact is though if you want to have a hard button remote that can control all of your audio and video together easily there is just not anything on the DIY side that comes close (and on the custom side there isnt anything with the user base and price point of C4). And even if there was a product, the price of an EA-1 and SR-260 is not that much different than what logitech's last solution was going for. Yes there is the cost of an integrator but there are varying levels of what involvement you need from them if you have the time and knowledge. C4 has a great product at a great price for these types of users.

i absolutely hate when someone installs banks of hidden switches like this. its not how its supposed to be. RF smart switches are supposed to be installed in the same places you would install a regular switch/dimmer. if someone wanted to reduce wall clutter then they should go with panelized wiring. Seems to be a market to make a module to dim 4 or so loads of lighting.

I use the Honeywell Wifi driver. It works I guess although you cant do scheduling and stuff with it and it needs reauthenticated every once in awhile. Honestly though, I rarely ever touch it. Unless you had a massive house with a thermostat in each room I dont think having robust integration matters.

https://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2022/06/23/leviton-intros-most-exciting-diy-smart-home-scene-controller-switch/ Relates to earlier convos. A keypad/switch that can be used with smart bulb. Not exactly what some are wanting as it looks like the bottom button is only tied to the load.