Prodigy?

[pac1234]

Im just finishing a 3500 sf remodel and trying to decide what system to install.
Structured wiring went in 5yrs ago (yes very long remodel!)
Has audio / coax / cat5 / and wires to every light switch / wiring for control panels / wiring for motion and cameras.
When wired, was looking at Aegis (now HAI Omni ProII) and Russound CAM6 systems.
My installer is stating the HAI Omni ProII is no longer a reliable product and trying to get me to switch to Crestron Prodigy - looks like a very slick product. But for me, some of the fun of having a system like this is tinkering with it. I'm told Crestron Prodigy will not let me do either of these options below:
- Change macros for light / motion / security / AV sequence, etc?
- Add new hardware, (blue ray player, ipad, etc) and allow me to set it up?
With Prodigy, anyone know of a way the homeowner can, at least, change setting or macros for light / motion / security / AV sequence, etc?

Which systems would be recommend that would give me the ability to do the options above?
What do most of you think of Prodigy - is the slick integration worth the loss of homeowner control to manipulate it?
System preferences:
-Would like to incorporate ipad / iphone / RF / Mac, as the main control options. (instead of elaborate wall panels)
-Iphone and remote computer able to view cameras, turn lights, etc, on and off.
-Audio sources - itunes, pandors, interner radio mostly (also cd, fios music)
-Video sources - fios, apple tv, netflix, cameras.

Thanks! (Skill levels - Mechanically I can handle just about anything, with instructions / reading up on something. I'm decent figuring things out on a computer, but I do not have any programing background)

 

[AnthonyZ]

My installer is stating the HAI Omni ProII is no longer a reliable product and trying to get me to switch to Crestron Prodigy - looks like a very slick product.

The Prodigy line is very cool. However, you will be married to your dealer and in this case, the guy is a liar. I would tell him to pound sand.

 

[DerekG]

My installer is stating the HAI Omni ProII is no longer a reliable product and trying to get me to switch to Crestron Prodigy - looks like a very slick product.

The Prodigy line is very cool. However, you will be married to your dealer and in this case, the guy is a liar. I would tell him to pound sand.

It is a cool product, and it could be programmed to do just about anything, including allowing some basic homeowner manipulation. However, you would have to seek out a more advanced Crestron dealer to discuss a feature like that, which will add more cost. I have a prodigy system at my house running off an iPAD and an iPhone and it works great.

-Derek G
Casaplex

 

[fcwilt]

My installer is stating the HAI Omni ProII is no longer a reliable product

That statement is not correct.

However, the HAI OmniProII (like the ELK M1) is a security system first and a automation system second. If the HAI does what you need and you are happy with it, there is no need to change - but some of the newer systems are very good and very slick. Do some research and make your own decision rather then take the world of the installer, who naturally has a vested interest in pushing his own product line.

 

[pac1234]

My installer is stating the HAI Omni ProII is no longer a reliable product and trying to get me to switch to Crestron Prodigy - looks like a very slick product.

The Prodigy line is very cool. However, you will be married to your dealer and in this case, the guy is a liar. I would tell him to pound sand.

It is a cool product, and it could be programmed to do just about anything, including allowing some basic homeowner manipulation. However, you would have to seek out a more advanced Crestron dealer to discuss a feature like that, which will add more cost. I have a prodigy system at my house running off an iPAD and an iPhone and it works great.

-Derek G
Casaplex

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Derek or anyone else with a Prodigy system. The product as is, (without specialized programming), besides, of course, being able to viewing status, turning on/off items, initiating prebuilt macros, etc, - what ability does the homeowner have to set up any basic, on the fly, rules: for example wanting or not wanting a light to go on automatically, on a particular night because you have a guest in the house? Want a light to stay on longer when activate? etc?