Control4 and ELAN opinions

[LeonPhelps]

Hello everyone, Im new here so please go easy on me.

I am currently waiting for ground to be broken on my new house and I need some help for getting wired and suggestions for hardware.

I stopped by a couple of audio stores (which also do home automation) on my way home the other day. One of which dealt with Control4 and the Other was ELAN. both of them seemed pretty interesting. And along the lines of something I may want. Is it possible to expand in the future with these systems ?
I am open to suggestions for other systems, and I like to tinker with electronics, so would any of you suggest I go a different rourte ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Control 4 is more of a "all in one" package and is very expensive. Most of us here prefer the DIY method of selecting hardware we want and avoid packages such as this.

Make sure you review our Wiring Guide also.

 

[Ranger Digital]

I dont use control4, but its expensive? I thought they had a $699 box that can pretty much do it all? I prefer hardwired/control panel control of course like On-q or Elk as opposed to software like control4.

 

[opie]

I am not a Control 4 dealer but have taken a close look at what they have to offer.

Control 4 is more of a "all in one" package and is very expensive. Most of us here prefer the DIY method of selecting hardware we want and avoid packages such as this.

Make sure you review our Wiring Guide also.

"Expensive" is a very subjective term. If Control 4 is compared to Crestron or AMX it starts to look cheap. h34r:

It is a somewhat closed system and can not be customized to the extent of many DIY solutions. It really depends on what you are looking for and how far you wan to go down the rabbit hole. If your not technically inclined and just want a system that works and has a nice interface then Control 4 might be a good solution for you. I am not as familiar with Elan's automation solutions but from what I have heard, they are not as capable as Control 4.

If you are technically inclined, you can do way more for a lot less money using many of the products you will find people here using the only real limit is your time, imagination and budget in that order (IMHO).

I dont use control4, but its expensive? I thought they had a $699 box that can pretty much do it all? I prefer hardwired/control panel control of course like On-q or Elk as opposed to software like control4.

I think you are thinking of the Home Theater Controller which can do a lot but is really only a starting point. Not sure what you mean by Control 4 being software, it is hardware with it's own firmware.

 

[LeonPhelps]

Thanks for all the input from everyone, guess I have alot of reading to do, I guess my best bet for now is to get the wiring sorted out.

 

[thewireguy]

DO you have a budget? Also what do you what this system to do?

 

[AnthonyZ]

Sorry to be contrary, Opie but, Elan is a far more capable product than C4. Both have closed GUI's that CANNOT be customized. Elan has some rudimentary custom scripting that can be "played with".Both look great compared to Elk or HAI but terrible compared to AMX, Crestron and others. Both have come a long way in the last year. Elan also has a great many more SKU's (up to and including capable DA amps). Elan has a much more stable pedigree (C4's checkered past is well documented and there's no need to rehash here) and will also have many advances in the next two years as they have purchased HomeLogic and intend to leverage the IP end of things. The OLED KP's are a nice touch as well. I am a dealer for neither company and have no vested interest in them but I do believe that Elan is the superior of the two.

 

[opie]

Sorry to be contrary, Opie but, Elan is a far more capable product than C4. Both have closed GUI's that CANNOT be customized. Elan has some rudimentary custom scripting that can be "played with".Both look great compared to Elk or HAI but terrible compared to AMX, Crestron and others. Both have come a long way in the last year. Elan also has a great many more SKU's (up to and including capable DA amps). Elan has a much more stable pedigree (C4's checkered past is well documented and there's no need to rehash here) and will also have many advances in the next two years as they have purchased HomeLogic and intend to leverage the IP end of things. The OLED KP's are a nice touch as well. I am a dealer for neither company and have no vested interest in them but I do believe that Elan is the superior of the two.

I don't see this as contrary at all Anthony. As I said I'm not as familiar with Elan and should have left it at that; excuse my poor choice of words. The comment I have heard from Elan dealers is that they have been all over the place with their control agenda but many expect this to change with the Home Logic purchase.

I am currently considering Home Logic for my own needs so I will likely become very familiar with Elan's product line. I think the purchase by Elan will be a very good thing for Home Logic.

Thanks for the additional information.