Crestron

PaulD

Active Member
I have always considered Crestron to be a expensive but good high end system that is not considered a DIY project. Seldom see it even mentioned on this forum and I would think that most installs are done by pro installers which would also provide the equipment. However, I always see tons of Crestron equipment listed on eBay which suggests there is a DIY market out there for this stuff. I am not interested in any Crestron equipment myself but I am very curious about the Crestron story and why so much stuff is on eBay.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
 
As you see, the hardware isn't that hard to find. However, the software is extemely hard to find and therefore the system is very difficult to DIY. I've never seen any Crestron programming code (nor would I really know what I was looking at), but I understand it is more of a true programming language. So if someone has extensive programming experience, they could probably handle the coding reasonably well.

But the biggest hinderance is gaining access to the programming software.
 
All of the information, and misinformation, that I know of Crestron I've learned online.

Programming Crestron, I understand, is not brain surgery, it's just protected information. Crestron does a good job of protecting the line.

Not many people talk about it much, but it appears to me that dealers sell and install the equipment, and Crestron Certified Independent Programmers (CAIPs) do the programming. And, I've heard that you can't be a dealer AND a CAIP. The programming is farmed out to another company. There are many CAIP firms around the country who would be very happy to do the programming for your equipment.

There were 8-10 CAIP firms set up at CEDIA, showing their stuff. Really nice work, first rate. Of course, some better than others.

Some large universities and colleges employ their own CAIPs, and buy their own equipment, for lecture halls and such. I believe this may be a good source for Crestron software, if you're affiliated with a university.

Hard to become a Crestron-certified dealer, lots of hoops. I think it's relatively straigtforward to become a CAIP - I think you have to show programming experience, and attend some expensive courses. The courses may be free/cheap if you're affiliated with a university.

If I really wanted to DIY Crestron, I'd try to become a CAIP. Or join the university AV club. ;)

Edit - keep in mind that Crestron is behind a great deal of commercial work. Many Crestron dealers/installers/programmers out there.

There is a Yahoo Groups for Crestron, and it seems many DIYers, I've heard, end up there.

Edit #2 - Daddy_Warbucks on AVS is having some DIY Crestron success, interesting thread.
 
I have both a personal and a corporate vendor who are dealers and both retain programmers on staff.

Basically, you have to be a dealer or a CAIP to legally acquire the programming software to program the equipment.

I've checked into the CAIP and you have to have a dealer sponsor in order to start and it looks like you have to take at least 3 classes with associated tests.

Through my corp contact, I've been able to gain exposure and it is, in general, pretty easy programming. I have a manufacturing automation background and their SIMPL language is akin to PLC programming at some level - i.e. it's not procedural. While SIMPL+ is a procedural language that allows you to build modules to add into the SIMPL control scheme.

One thing about it, it is pretty bulletproof and if you've got the money to spend on it, can make for a highly reliable automation platform. Since it's roots are commercial, much of the older equipment is still viable today.

Here's the link to the crestron CAIP, if you e-mail them, they are pretty friendly in describing what your options are.
Crestron CAIP site

As noted, larger universities with a lot of A/V could be a possible resource.

W
 
As one who has acquired the software and programmed my own system, once you get a handle on what you need to do, then it became no more difficult than programming anything else. Crestron has some great manuals available as well.

As for acquiring the software, its not super easy, but its one of those things if you really want it, you can get it. I got it buy buying a piece of equipment off ebay that included "a disc with some files". Since the Crestorn software has an update function, getting current versions was easy.

It can be done, but it will take some time and work.
 
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