I wouldnt consider prodigy open architecture. I was refering to crestron in general, and the need to continually tweak things, even on products that have been out for years.
Now that being said, prodigy is integrated into the crestron master control suite. You need toolbox to do resets and firmware. You need simpl to do graphics editing. Open or not, the minute you start tying these programs together, there is going to be some tweaking and work arounds involved.
But please, by all means chime in with your prodigy programming experience.

Not to be a jerk here( I play one on TV),, but exactly how many years have YOU been programming any Crestron?

Not to kick up dirt on here, but I have been in and seen a few of the homes that Gerry's company has worked in. I don't know him personally, don't remember having ever even met him, but a good friend of mine (Justin) worked for him for a while, and his company isn't one to be scoffed at.

I work in the same town, and in the same neighborhoods that Gerry works in, and I can guarantee that some of you guys dream of the day where you can work in these homes.

It never ceases to amaze me how some of you guys can't wait to just stomp on somebody's balls. Maybe go back to the original topic, and try and address his question, instead of being d-bags.

Honestly, I really wish Crestron would just focus on making the BEST stuff like we're used to, even if it's expensive. Jeez, it's not our money we're spending anyway! Leave the GOOD and BETTER alone, for the companies who are the best at making the good and better. No names here.

Hey Evohome,

I asked a question because of the info the original poster provided didn't seem like he knew anything other than MAYBE Systembuilder and Prodigy. I'll bash a crappy product and when I do I like to know what I am talking about. Being new to a product and bashing it just makes me less crediable to my fellow CIs. (I've never been guilty of that.....)

(I inserted a joke) just too lighten up the question. Maybe the ALL CAPS was too much but I didn't ask for a company answer but a personal one.

I believe my question is a legit one as it lends credability to his original post.

Freddy, I'm with you on that. Crestron produces a huge range of product, and in todays economy, they need to go after the lower markets. From the client's point of view, as our industry becomes more well known, they are looking for value.In my opinion, more and more clients in the residential market are impressed with internet-streamed media content.

I have installed 4 of the Prodigy systems. I have had zero problems fwiw. Toolbox can be accessed from within SystemBuilder as an FYI.

Your not going to have much luck using simpl to edit your graphics :).

Every piece of crestron hardware i have unboxed in the last 5 years has a slip of paper in it that says "go update the firmware". Thats the first thing you do for hardware and the second is set Net ID's IMO so you dont have 2 keypads canceling each other out with both being set to the default ID. Once your firmware/software and Net ID's are set you should be good to go and any problems that show up should be reported to True Blue. Especially since prodigy is autogenerated programming that a dealer could not have botched on their own.

As far as software updates go.. master installer is relatively new. In the past you would download simpl and find a note to go download a new database and when you went to download the new database you found a note that said to go download the latest vtpro where you would find another note about downloading viewport or toolbox and basically spent a whole day locatiogn, downloading and installing all your software. Firmware was just as bad and now its all automated. Thank god for master installer!

Software and firmware updates go hand in hand with electronics. I am on version 9.0.1.8 of itunes and version 3.1 of iphone firmware. Point being that there is no way around it. I guess its possible that prodigy does not ship with the bright orange "go update the firmware" note but it would be sort of silly for them to not include it especially when they are signing new dealers with prodigy.

I did not and will not be ordering the dealer kit so i cant comment on the computer they shipped or what it contains. I dont have hardware yet because we are focusing on Digital Media right now so i cant comment on program loading or devices not being seen.

If this buggy behavior is still present after updating software and firmware and making sure you have your communication settings correct (ip's. net id's etc) i would then look towards wiring & power. If your wired properly and your power requirements are covered then its time to get Crestron involved.

Its common for Crestron and everyone else to release 'unfinished' products but Crestron typically "finishes" them ASAP. The only 2 Crestron products i havent been 100% happy with were the TPMC-10 and the AAS. I was able to tame them both but IMO they are not Crestron quality products and the fact that they have discontinued both leads me to believe they feel the same way. Both were re-badged products and both took much longer to configure than they should have IMO. I kept having Phast flashbacks while dealing with them. Meaning that it felt like i had to trick it into working the way it was supposed to.

I agree that they should focus on making the BEST product, however I feel that they have the engineering and goods to make the BEST product for both the super custom high end AND the middle class automation systems.

BTW, Master Installer does not update itself. You have to manually update it.

Wow. well, here we go.
1. 39 cent caught me. When I get my graphics changed with simple, I'll post it up and show you!!:)OOPS!
2. just fyi for those who havent seen it, prodigy wiring is a joke. Seperate power supplies for each component, and ehternet. The only cresnet is for the gateway, and it comes preterminated in the box. Other then that, standard A/V hookups.
3. There is no update firmware tag in the prodigy boxes. I screwed up and didnt update. Not the first time I screwed up, only the second.
D. I've seen Devil Dog on tv, and he does play an excellent jerk. I was convinced.
7. Evohome is my new best friend. The checks in the mail buddy!:)
Q. Updates aside, I find it odd when a product wont work, then works, then goes back to not working without any hardware change, and the only software change is to reload a program. I've found that often the techs in the field know more about glitchy stuff with products then the manufactuers do, so I was curious if anyone else had seen these issues. I know I touched the holy grail that is crestron without my ten year caip card, but I've got a big brass set so I asked anyways.

AT NO POINT DID I CLAIM TO BE A MASTER CRESTRON PROGRAMMER. I firmly believe to be a great crestron programmer, the majority of what you do needs to be crestron programming. My position doesnt allow me to do that. However, I do need to know how it works, how to hook it up, what it is capable of doing or not doing, and how to work with our programmers to make it work when there is an issue. I have spent countless hours sitting with our programmers working on issues, and have seen what it takes to make this stuff work sometimes. Just because I dont write the code, doesnt mean I dont know anything about it. Ive reread everything in this thread, and at no point did i bash any product, or make any statements that should call my credibility into question based on the fact I'm not a "real" crestron programmer.

Firmware updates on everything you receive should be the norm. It isn't that the company is good or bad about sending out the latest equipment, the issue is that from the time the product is packaged and delivered to you, there may be changes in firmware from the factory. It's just a good practice to get into, IMO.

Except when it's not! I remember quite a few times (on the Crestron list) when there have been issues with working systems that came up because people had upgraded the firmware and then they were crucified for updating it, LOL. I seem to remember quite a problem when updating to firmware 4.0 on the 2-series processors.

CJ

I've installed two Prodigy systems. The first one went off without a hitch. The second one, there was a problem with the Sony DVD module. But, they sent me the new module overnight. Not a huge deal, and something i expected with a brand new product. As always, when its a new product, there are always a few bugs here and there.

Just noticed on the Crestron site that the 4 zone amp and audio keypads are released. However, when I open Master Installer there's no indication that a new version of the software is available. Does anyone have this amp on order and is there a long wait for the product to be expected?

I've installed a couple of systems and I'm really enjoying learning System Builder. Even with a lot of hours on it, I feel like I could learn a lot more, but I like the flexibility of the programming overall. Can't wait until this system can be expanded for video distribution, if it ever will.