Control4 has two "entry-level" controllers that are priced within the realm of someone looking for a universal remote that does WAY more than most remotes.
While they can both function as a stand-alone controller, the differences that really matter are outlined below.
HC200: Must be used with a display- the included remote does not have a OLED screen that tells you what room you are in... Also limited to controlling 4 devices (4 IR outputs) and no contacts/relays for expansion. This would be ideal for someone who is just looking to control a stack of equipment-but probably not expand it later on. $500
HC300: Comes with a nicer remote, 6 IR outputs, 1 contact and relay- If you want the basic home automation package, I would start with this controller. $700
I'll update the HC500 and HC1000 in the next blog...
This is just in response to some recent questions-
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Get 19,530 new twitter followers in 30 days?
Tweetergetter? Not sure what this is all about- but it's worth spending 5 minutes looking into right?
So you go to this site- and similar to a MLM/ pyramid setup, it puts you at the top of a list- and drops the next name down...though I don't know what it does in the background... We shall see...
This is the email it generates automatically.
I just found this site that shows you away of getting 1000's of new followers on twitter, I just started using itmyself and its starting to work already.
http://tweetergetter.com/executive411
Thought it might interest you.
So you go to this site- and similar to a MLM/ pyramid setup, it puts you at the top of a list- and drops the next name down...though I don't know what it does in the background... We shall see...
This is the email it generates automatically.
I just found this site that shows you away of getting 1000's of new followers on twitter, I just started using itmyself and its starting to work already.
http://tweetergetter.com/executive411
Thought it might interest you.
Theater- built to order!
Lights, camera, action! Everything you need to enjoy a theater in your own home. From a basic $5,000 theater in a box package- to a 6-figure custom theater with theater seating built-to-order.
One of my favorite manufacturers to do business with, Fortress seating is certainly pricy when compared to department store or the Roomstore- but the product you get is far different.
Comparing a "theater chair" from the Big Screen Store and a theater chair from Fortress would be like comparing a McDonald's Hamburger to a Ruth's Chris steak. Sure a McDonalds hamburger is tasty once in awhile, but to eat one day after day... ugh.
Fortress allows us to customize a theater chair to your individual needs- If you are taller, shorter, wider, or smaller- the seat back, seat width, leg height, cushion density can all be changed. There are numerous styles to choose from, and they can be made in leather, suede or other fabrics.
Check out their website for more info www.fortresseating.com and we have some picture of our jobs on www.executive411.com
One of my favorite manufacturers to do business with, Fortress seating is certainly pricy when compared to department store or the Roomstore- but the product you get is far different.
Comparing a "theater chair" from the Big Screen Store and a theater chair from Fortress would be like comparing a McDonald's Hamburger to a Ruth's Chris steak. Sure a McDonalds hamburger is tasty once in awhile, but to eat one day after day... ugh.
Fortress allows us to customize a theater chair to your individual needs- If you are taller, shorter, wider, or smaller- the seat back, seat width, leg height, cushion density can all be changed. There are numerous styles to choose from, and they can be made in leather, suede or other fabrics.
Check out their website for more info www.fortresseating.com and we have some picture of our jobs on www.executive411.com
Friday, February 20, 2009
Remote control lights!
Not just a "thing for lazy people..." Remote control lights enable you to easily adjust the lighting to suit your mood and save energy. (including your own)
Control4 lights recently raised their prices, but they are still on par or less than many professional lighting systems.
A retrofit system allows us to easily install dimmers to replace your existing switches without running any new wires. The professional systems we use are very reliable and are easily controlled.
Here are three good retrofittable lighting systems:
www.control4.com
www.centralite.com
http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=157
Control4 lights recently raised their prices, but they are still on par or less than many professional lighting systems.
A retrofit system allows us to easily install dimmers to replace your existing switches without running any new wires. The professional systems we use are very reliable and are easily controlled.
Here are three good retrofittable lighting systems:
www.control4.com
www.centralite.com
http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=157
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Consumer Reports: Best TV's?
In general, I like Consumer reports- they typically know a thing or two, and they're unbiased in their reviews...
Looking through the latest March Issue- the cover story is the Best TV's.
Being in the industry, I find some of their comments and notes amusing... For example, "Panasonic, Pioneer, LG and Samsung have most consistenly been among the best." (Plasma TV's)
There aren't any other name brand tv sets!
Another comparison that i don't understand is between the Samsung 6 series and the 7 series- The 7 series has better sound- that's part of the reason why it's more expensive, yet CR rated the 6 series with better sound....
Then at the 52" size they have the 6,7, 9 series, but at the 46" size they only rate the 8 and 5 series-
Why not be consistent?
At least Sony's aren't at the top of the list...
Looking through the latest March Issue- the cover story is the Best TV's.
Being in the industry, I find some of their comments and notes amusing... For example, "Panasonic, Pioneer, LG and Samsung have most consistenly been among the best." (Plasma TV's)
There aren't any other name brand tv sets!
Another comparison that i don't understand is between the Samsung 6 series and the 7 series- The 7 series has better sound- that's part of the reason why it's more expensive, yet CR rated the 6 series with better sound....
Then at the 52" size they have the 6,7, 9 series, but at the 46" size they only rate the 8 and 5 series-
Why not be consistent?
At least Sony's aren't at the top of the list...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Free Tickets!
To the Capital Home and Garden Show in Chantilly next weekend... It starts Thursday the 26th, goes until Sunday March 1.
We have a limited number of free tickets available- these tickets are first-come first serve. Each person at the door is $10...
We will be showcasing our movie trailer and the latest Control4 home automation system. Hands on demo of the iphone control4 interface, invisible speakers, home security cameras, and a $5,000 home theater!
We have a limited number of free tickets available- these tickets are first-come first serve. Each person at the door is $10...
We will be showcasing our movie trailer and the latest Control4 home automation system. Hands on demo of the iphone control4 interface, invisible speakers, home security cameras, and a $5,000 home theater!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Control4 Automation
For all the people who have installed X-10 devices in their home, hoping to be able to control everything with the push of a single button- and then being sorely disappointed with the reliability of X-10 devices, Control4 is a robust wireless home automation system.
It does not have the phase coupling issues of channel issues that you would face with a typical X-10 system.
It can be completely wireless, and/or use a variety of IEEE standards to communite- (nothing proprietary)
Control4 can be used to control your lights, HVAC/thermostat, music throughout your house, security system, and even a closet full of audio/video gear!
Setting it up with XBMC to use as a media server allows you to access your entire media library from your couch by using your remote- much simpler than using a keyboard and mouse to select files... (more on this later)
The true difference between a home-made system and a professionally installed system is that a professional control system can be easily operated by anyone in the family, with minimal tutorial...
It does not have the phase coupling issues of channel issues that you would face with a typical X-10 system.
It can be completely wireless, and/or use a variety of IEEE standards to communite- (nothing proprietary)
Control4 can be used to control your lights, HVAC/thermostat, music throughout your house, security system, and even a closet full of audio/video gear!
Setting it up with XBMC to use as a media server allows you to access your entire media library from your couch by using your remote- much simpler than using a keyboard and mouse to select files... (more on this later)
The true difference between a home-made system and a professionally installed system is that a professional control system can be easily operated by anyone in the family, with minimal tutorial...
Tech-savvy?
Given how tech-savvy we are as a company, it's amazing that we haven't starting using blogs and other "modern" tools to send out information to our clients...
Either myself or another Executive 411 employee will be updating this blog with a few articlees a week, possibly once per day- depending on how busy we all are...
These articles will be short- If I spent all day blogging, I wouldn't have time to do anything else...
Please post up any comments or get in touch with me if you want specific information on a particular topic- otherwise I'll just post up something Audio/video related that we're working with or that catches my eye that day.
Either myself or another Executive 411 employee will be updating this blog with a few articlees a week, possibly once per day- depending on how busy we all are...
These articles will be short- If I spent all day blogging, I wouldn't have time to do anything else...
Please post up any comments or get in touch with me if you want specific information on a particular topic- otherwise I'll just post up something Audio/video related that we're working with or that catches my eye that day.
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