Flatnate's Theater Build

[roar]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Isn't that the truth. My "real job" just barely pays more (well now this year a bit more). However, they were at risk at shutting its doors two years ago and doing design and install work was my "plan B".

Aerodude got me wondering what kind of product support you find on the used gear. So I asked my buddy, and honestly he was a little unsure. He said "I don't see the issue at creating an account and setting up something on used gear someone acquires on their own, but I should probably ask my rep to be sure". He would probably a little iffy on how to bill it... general shop hourly labor rate for setting it up? Still going to do a little homework on that.

We talked a bit and both agreed it makes sense for these manufacturers to support used equipment sold second hand. It opens the door for new clients to get a foot in the door. You buy a used controller, next thing they may want to purchase a license to run it with a smart phone or tablet, or then upgrade to a better controller or more dimmers, etc. Support that old controller and you could easily open the door for sales and upgrades later. Used HC300 on eBay is low as $60 bucks, say $100 bucks for a used touchpad, then $80 bucks for the dealers time and you got $240 bucks in to a really really good universal remote that opens the door to other smart home features and upgrades later on.

On a side note that used touchpad I got is finicky as heck on trying to get it to connect to wifi. I can see why his rep would be leery of making any guarantees on certain types of support with that stuff. In the end, Control4 will probably get me for that smartphone/tablet license yet.

I agree with you entirely... I really think there is an opportunity in the used market. Right now with just about everything going IP based the need for Control4, Crestron and the likes is becoming less and less in my mind. Gone are the days that you need to blast discrete IR codes to individual components or to communicate with devices via RS232/serial to get feedback.

Even products they had the market cornered on like HVAC and lighting can be IP controlled... albeit the experience is a little disjointed in that you are primarily restricted to the vendors apps... but even those vendors are starting to offer API's... see Nest as a prime example.

I've kind of lost my way with this post What's my point? I'm not sure anymore, perhaps my point is the cost of entry into these automation systems really is completely out of wack, I think the more people they can get their hardware into the hands of the better off they are.

Something makes me think that isn't their business model at all though. The real money I suppose is on the commercial side and in high end residential installs. Where the people spending the money just want everything to work flawlessly... and that is what these companies continue to offer... why chase the little guy when they stay busy with the big guys with the money

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by roar

I agree with you entirely... I really think there is an opportunity in the used market. Right now with just about everything going IP based the need for Control4, Crestron and the likes is becoming less and less in my mind. Gone are the days that you need to blast discrete IR codes to individual components or to communicate with devices via RS232/serial to get feedback.

Even products they had the market cornered on like HVAC and lighting can be IP controlled... albeit the experience is a little disjointed in that you are primarily restricted to the vendors apps... but even those vendors are starting to offer API's... see Nest as a prime example.

I've kind of lost my way with this post What's my point? I'm not sure anymore, perhaps my point is the cost of entry into these automation systems really is completely out of wack, I think the more people they can get their hardware into the hands of the better off they are.

Something makes me think that isn't their business model at all though. The real money I suppose is on the commercial side and in high end residential installs. Where the people spending the money just want everything to work flawlessly... and that is what these companies continue to offer... why chase the little guy when they stay busy with the big guys with the money

Along that line of thinking...

Read this a couple weeks ago:
http://www.cepro.com/article/why_see...me_automation/

It raises the interesting point in that there is a divide between companies doing whole home automation, and others that offer more "A/V oriented solutions". Control4 and Crestron are two of a few that seems to have both the A/V side of things and home automation side thoroughly covered and I think that puts them in a good position.

I haven't seen a DIY solution that is all encompassing in terms of functionality come along and really take market share yet. RedEye remote folded. Logitech Harmony focus seems more narrowly focused on the A/V side of things. I would say iRule would do it but it offers only the most basic template and after a whole weekend farting with it, I just lost steam (good stuff if you nerd out on that).

[Mr.Twinks]

Cool new gear!


I have heard good things about Golden ear and I even heard some of their floor standing speakers and they sound great!

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by Mr.Twinks

Cool new gear!


I have heard good things about Golden ear and I even heard some of their floor standing speakers and they sound great!

Well if you make it to Minnesota, there is a shop in Bloomington where you can demo them.

I picked up their sub as well. They use a passive radiator and although it may not hit quite as low as some sealed large box designs I really like it.

[Flatnate]

Hey guys, any ideas on where on the web I could get this made in to a kind of plastic or lexan type sign to go above my low stair case in to the theater? I think the design almost needs to be modified so it fits all in one shape as well.