istreich

Thanks everyone. Super useful. Is there somewhere a side-by-side comparison between Core 3 and Core 5. I am using Lutron Ra2 for lighting (integrated with Control4) and don't care about OSD. However, I use Control4 native audio (Deezer, Spotify, Pandora) and have a number of integrations such as alarm, cameras (via Blue Iris), TV controls (IP),... My HC800 has been working great until now and I am still debating between used EA5 v2, and new Core 3 and Core 5. Feedback on differences between EA5 and Core 5 has been very helpful. Adding EA3 in loop would be very useful. Thanks again.

With the release of 3.3.1, the question of replacing an older HC800 is becoming more timely. Can someone simply articulate what both an EA5 and a Core 5 would add (or lose) vs current HC800 (beyond of course the ability to upgrade SW to 3.3.1 and later). In this specific case, I also have an IO extender and a Control4 audio matrix switch. I understand that Core is more recent and will give you more years… and let’s not reopen the can of worms on EOL or Control4 business model… Just trying to make an educated and pragmatic decision on the need to replace working HC800 and options to do so (with ideally some indications of price range). Thanks in advance!

Can someone expand on how to protect low voltage circuits. and do LV surge protections slow down network speeds? Thanks

Do we have an idea of the price of the touch one? Looks like availability in Q1.

dw886 is absolutely correct. No issue when turning off 3 or 4 lights from Control4. But becomes an issue when you have more as they will shut down (or turn off) in a slow sequence. You can avoid that by using phantom buttons on main repeater and associating a Lutron scene. As a result, Control4 will send only one command to Lutron repeater which will execute command efficiently and immediately. this is for ra2 and I’m not sure if this is possible in Select.

I have happily used a Control4 and Lutron systems together. Works great and Lutron systems are very reliable. Ari can. help you with the integration work and there is a lot you can do. Be aware that you can program and maintain your Lutron system yourself. You need to be Level 1 certified and it will give you access to the Essential software to cover most of your needs. For advanced needs and larger configurations (over 100 devices), you need Lutron Inclusive and be Level 2 certified. While Level 1 is a pretty quick online class and certification process, Level 2 is a little more intense as it is either a F2F or online 3-day class with an "exam" at the end. At a minimum, take a look at the Level 1 certification and take control of your installation. There are a few tricks to know when you integrate both systems to avoid "popcorn effect" for example. Feel free to reach out directly via DM or ask questions here if you need any help. Good luck and enjoy your new apartment

Similar feed-back for me. Very happy with the Moen Flo. I bought the Flo sensors as well as they were not overly expensive but they are not necessary. They give you an additional piece of mind for areas that could be higher risk (water heater catastrophic leak, washing machine overflowing...) but abnormal patterns will be picked by the valve/flow monitoring device. Like you, I have started adding a few Resideo/Honeywell Flood sensors connected to my alarm system. I did it before buying the Flo system. Check with your insurance but you may qualify for some rebates with Flo installed. I have not integrated with Control4 yet as I am not sure it is worth the cost (driver). But your call. The Flo app is really well done and as Don explained, works well and gives you immediate feed-back before taking action. And if you have a family, there is a good chance that in the first few weeks, someone will complain that the water got shut off... after a 25' minute shower! You can request professional install but I did it myself. Not difficult to do if you have a reasonably easy access to main water line and manual shut-off valve. Highly recommend - every house should have something like this, whether it is the Flo by Moen or another one. Water damages are very expensive, painful and one of the easiest things to prevent... Feel free to reach via DM if you need more details.

Does the Annex 4 Vizio SmartCast driver allow the control of a Vizio soundbar connected to a Vizio TV (via eARC HDMI)? Or maybe the TV does it automatically as the C4 remote controls TV volume. The Annex4 driver is working fine to control the TV right now (via wireless SDDP as no ethernet/IR available) but I am adding a new Vizio soundbar and want to make sure I won't have to use its remote control. Thanks.

Can't comment on Ra3 obviously but I have been very happy with my Lutron Ra2/Control4 mixed set-up. Lutron lighting control is bulletproof and very reliable. Integration between both systems is seamless (there are a few best practices to be aware such as the use of phantom buttons to avoid popcorn effect for ex) and you can easily mix and match keypads and other controlling devices depending on what you are looking for. With online (free and premium) training (depending on the version of the software, at least for Ra2), homeowners can program their system themselves and have full control. If I had to do it again, I would not hesitate! The quality and flexibility of Lutron for lighting control combined with Control4 broad capability is a perfect fit. I have nothing against Control4 lighting capability (except personal preference for Lutron dimmers design) and I can see both options being acceptable. One advantage though going Lutron is that you can have consistent dimmers look across the house even if you don't automate every single one on day one. You can buy "basic" maestro dimmers for $15 for areas that don't necessarily need to be controlled as often. They will look identical to your Ra2 ones. And you can pick any color you want! Big budget impact... By the way, any company can go under... but I think the odds of either Lutron or Control4 doing so are slim. Lutron is pretty established and has a solid business in traditional lighting control. Control4 is now part of SnapOne which went public last summer and was owned by a top Private Equity firm that diversified and grew its business. Don't hesitate to ask for help or experience sharing as you move forward. Enjoy!

Recommendation for a new fireplace gas solution that would be controllable by Control4? And it is right behind where controller is making it easy to wire to a relay connector on it. not sure which model/specs to look for when buying logs/gas system. Thanks

I don't know what is going on at the Intrinsic Group and I agree that it would be great to hear from them. But let's not discourage developers and entrepreneurs to build cool, useful and reasonably priced drivers by bashing them when something goes wrong, especially when it is most likely outside of their control (thank you Apple...). As a happy user of this driver, I hope they are doing ok and we hear from them soon with some encouraging news. But there is a good chance that their problems are bigger than the ones we are facing. If these guys read us, I hope they take a minute to give us an update on what is going on and what we can expect, even if no definitive answer. I know they have a lot of fans on this forum who want to see them succeed, if only because they have enjoyed using their drivers

Another option is using Dakota Alert driveway sensors in particular their new unit https://dakotaalert.com/product/dual-4k-plus/. It obviously won't tell you which car but it can tell you if it is an arriving or departing vehicle. It is very reliable and integrates easily with Control4. Detection range is solid and in most cases, it would allow you to install the receiver right next to your Control4 receiver for wired connection. That would provide a nice addition for non WiFi vehicles as well as guests/visitors. And if you use outdoor cameras, and want to track people (in addition to cars), you can use Blue Iris with DeepStack and generate alerts that will specify vehicle, person, object... The AI works quite well and is constantly getting better. This could be an interesting solution in a garage or front door for example. I know some people are using LPR (license plate reader) with Blue Iris but I don't have personal experience with it.

Absolutely option 2. Have all devices visible in Control4 but use Lutron phantom buttons to do scenes. Otherwise you will have popcorn effect. At least for « larger » scenes (more than 2 or 3 loads controlled at the time). Bit of work but worth it.

Ankuse, this is a common problem and has been covered a few times on the forum. Best is to find a good friendly remote dealer/programmer who will help you transfer the system and make it yours. I suggest you do a quick search on the forum. A few options will be available to you and several of them will come highly recommended by other folks like you (and me...). There are some great installers on this forum and they will help you in no time. A good practice is always to contact 2-3 and share your situation/need with them. You can decide from there the best fit for you. 99% of the work does not require a local programmer and usually you will find much better service at better cost on this forum than via a local company... At least, it has been my personal experience. Good luck and don't shy away from asking the most basic questions on the site as you start "playing" with your system (once you have access to it of course...). It can do pretty much anything you want!

+1 on the sticky idea. I made a similar suggestion a couple of days ago. Helping new Control4 owners navigate their new system is a no brainer. It would be good for everyone (Control4, installers, users and of course new owner!). I am sure it will be controversial but maybe reference a few (vetted) online programmers who would commit to a one-time fixed fee to transfer ownership of the system and offer basic training. Most people, when they buy a house with a Control4 system, have zero clue what to expect (features, cost, programing....). Having a place where you can get access to a few honest and reliable pros who can help them start could be priceless. That first impression with Control4 stays with you for a long time. Now, for the negative comments about Control4, nothing is perfect. But some people will use their time to make constructive comments to improve things and help other. Others will use it to be negative without offering constructive solutions. I keep on going back to this forum as most members and visitors are in the former category - help (each other) make things better and have a great experience. I am grateful for all the advice I have received and allowed me to go from a skeptic to a happy user who constantly improves my family experience

Personally been using a Honeywell (now called Resideo) Vista system for years with my Control4 system. Works perfectly well. Both standalone with Honeywell keypads and iPhone TC2.0 app, and within Control4. A lot of alarm companies install those and they are extensively monitored. I don't remember precisely (was some time ago) but you may need to add a module to communicate with Control4 and I can't remember if driver was free/native Control4 or premium. It has worked very well for me and additional sensors are cheap and quite easy to install.

Welcome to the Control4 journey! You will enjoy the flexibility of the system and make your own opinion about the interface I am sure a number of the forum members (who are installers/dealers) have already reached out to you (via DM) to offer their help. Also check the "Looking for an Integrator" section. Some names will pop up with stellar reviews from end users. Don't be shy about creating a post where you explain your situation and what you are looking for. It will help installers get an idea of what you are looking for and timeframe, leading hopefully to compelling pricing for you. Most of them become long term partners to the end users, getting involved once or twice a year to go through list of upgrades and changes as you have a better idea of what the system can do. No need to have everything nailed on day one - this is one of the benefits of the virtual model. I think it would be fantastic if you can share with the forum members your "journey" on this process over the coming weeks/months. I am sure a lot of new members will find it helpful. Share what worked well (and not as well), your cost to take over the system and making it yours, upgrading it over time... And maybe kudos to the best installers you have worked with. By the way the forum is a fantastic source of information about anything directly (or even loosely) connected to Control4. It will make your discussions with your installer more productive, saving time and cost for everyone. Also learn to use Home Edition too as it will give you more control that you think. It takes a little bit of time to do but it is quite intuitive. And you can even find online video training courses. Don't be shy asking for help, either posting in the forum or reaching out directly via DM. Most people will be delighted to help and compare notes with you. I have done this with a number of people (both ways) and did learn as much (if not more) as I shared. Have fun with your new system... and home!

Coookie, as you can see, there are some incredible members on this forum, especially honest and knowledgeable dealers that will make you do things with your system you never suspected and at very affordable costs. By the way, (and I don't want to start another endless discussion about the dealer/install model), there is no doubt that having local dealers asking $600 to set an account for someone not familiar with Control4 is what leads to bad rep, systems pulled... Dealers have to make a living and best ones are priceless! But is it really good for anyone when a new Control4 user (typically house buyer) has that first experience with the system? How many of them decide to ditch their system? Shouldn't Control4 reach out directly to all users to share some best practices when selling a house for example including connecting buyer to an installer with a set one-time transfer fee that would include basic training? End users typically have a learning curve on the system and c4forums is an incredible resource. Maybe we can go one step further and create a sticky for new Control4 user who have inherited a new system. A step by step approach to taking ownership of their system and maybe some programmers on the site offering an "orientation package". I am sure it would lead to some long term productive and economically viable relationships... By the way, as my signature indicates, I am not a dealer but end user.

gmilt, I suggest you post a list of all the Control4 equipment you have and would like to get rid of. There is even a section on this site for Buy/Sell. Unless your equipment is really obsolete (and even that should not necessarily be an issue), forum members will reach out to buy it from you. Make a quick list with item types/reference and number of units. It is very likely (if not certain) that all your dimmers, switches, locks, ... are Control4 specific and can't be reused with other systems. At least not easily/out of the box and not cost effectively. Your best bet is to sell them all and use the proceeds to buy either dumb or smart devices compatible with the system you want. The good news is that you don't need an electrician to replace a Control4 dimmer/switch/outlet by a dumb one. It takes a few minutes. Take a picture of your wiring and replicate. Make sure you turn the power to the circuit off... Ditto for locks - there is a good chance there will be a similar non Control4 model available. Depending on the brand, you could even simply replace the communication card inside the unit. Tell us what brand/lock you have and we can help. If you start by listing what you have in your Control4 install, I am sure a lot of members (including myself) will be happy to help you and tell you options you have and most likely offer to buy some parts at a fair price. This site has great members, always happy to help others especially those who have had unfortunate initial experiences with Control4. You will find help both to help you persist with Control4 or if you have made your mind, transition away from it. Just ask. Good luck and you will find help on the site.

I think I read somewhere that Control4 and Total Connect (TC2.0) can't work at the same time. In my case, I can control my alarm from either the Control4 app or the TC2.0 app. Did I miss something? Any change with the new driver replacing the "obsolete" one?

Is there such a receiver that could process Bluetooth, Airplay/Airplay 2 and HDMI (out from TV) and connect back to matrix. I am finishing a home gym that will include a TV and a Peloton. I am thinking of adding ceiling speakers wired back to central/C4 matrix. Based on above, I would ideally have a small receiver/switcher that would connect to the TV, Peloton, streamer (Roku or Nvidia) and iPad used in the gym and send signal back to Control4 matrix (as feed) which would then redistribute to chosen speakers (especially gym ones). Maybe I am overthinking this and should just add a couple of Bluetooth speakers or a Sonos soundbar. Thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Looking to buy Venetian bronze Kwikset Smartcode 910 traditional reference C4-KSDB-Z-VB (99100-003). Feel free to DM if you can help. Thanks.

Thanks Eric. Very helpful to know that. Surprising that the native driver does not include those. They seem to be as important features to have, not really nice to have. Is long press in both drivers? Working well?

Eric, can you share with is better on Videostorm than native Control4. Would be great as it is unclear what functionality differences are. Thanks

Thanks. Great to hear. Anything missing vs the Videostorm one? Seems like a no-brainer but curious if any negative to adopting/switching to this new one.