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Topic:
Control4 Problems. Thinking about URC
This thread has 10 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday October 28, 2015 at 16:15
BestSolution
Lurking Member
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October 2015
3
I would really appreciate some help.

I had a Control4 System installed in my house less than two years ago. We wanted a solution to provide A/V control in two parts of our home. In one area, we have a television, sound system, cable and two gaming systems. The other section of the house has a television, sound system, cable, AppleTV and DVD player. We would also like to be able to control our Sonos system but that is not a must-have.

From the beginning of the installation, we have had continuing problems. There were constant problems which eventually led to the installer putting in two "head units." We were told this is not typically necessary but was needed in our situation because of the constant problems. I understand that they have hooked up these two different head units in tandem with one of them being a master unit.

Regardless, the system seems like it has been a complete fail. It frequently freezes, it crashes and sometimes just refuses to work. The installer has been responsive and comes back to the house and rarely charges me because they know we have had just one problem after another. At their suggestion, we have now installed UPS with battery back-up, upgraded surge protectors, voltage regulators, and I'm sure a few other things. Nothing seems to matter as we continue to have problems. We are beyond frustrated at this point.

We used to have a URC system several years ago. We never really had a problems but we supposedly upgraded to Control4 when we moved last spring. At this point, I am thinking about throwing Control4 and switching to URC or Logitech. I just want something easy to use and that will be rather bulletproof. It seems that we have a relatively simple setup in our house and that the Control4 might have been an unnecessary expense.

I would GREATLY appreciate feedback about Control4 and switching to another brand.
Post 2 made on Sunday November 1, 2015 at 21:28
goldenzrule
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2007
8,470
I have no experience with Control 4, however I would recommend you stick with it. You have invested in this system, so bailing on it means losing money. Control 4 has become a stable platform from my understanding. However, as it is with any system, it will only be as good as your dealer's abilities. He should have installed a bulletproof network that is capable of handling your system. The network is the backbone of the system and therefore must be able to handle the stresses the system puts it through. There have been some software updates to C4 in the past year or so that seems to have stabilized many of the issues their dealers were having before. There are some newer processors I believe as well that I believe offer a lot of new features. You'd have to talk to a C4 dealer to get the scoop on this though.

Where are you located? There may be some C4 dealers here that can help you get your system up and running to where it should be. I am a URC dealer but hate seeing someone throw their money away thinking that the system is the issue. More often than not, it is a programming issue, network issue, or all around dealer knowledge (or lack of) issue. Posting where you are from would be my first step if I were you and then seeing who can help you from this point moving forward. I know you said the company you worked with is responsive, however if they are unable to get the system working as it should be working, then it is likely time to get someone else in there that can fix everything.
Post 3 made on Tuesday December 1, 2015 at 12:39
ctsohiomike
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2015
2
I understand your pain. Control4 remotes operate off Zigbee and sometimes it can be touchy. Sometimes the processor gets bogged down and the system locks up. Sometimes it has nothing to do with your network as the remotes don't communicate via the network.
You would have probably under $2000 ish if you moved over to URC by adding 2 MX880's and RF Bases.
You could go with their Total Control and be under $2500.
How good is your Wifi network? Luxul is a brand I recommend, your av guy should be able to get it. Snapav is another he should be able to get. The total control remotes operate wifi. the mx880's are down and dirty ir controlled.
Are you running an HC250 or Hc300? The 250 has a ton more processing power. Sorry Im rambling but this should give you an idea.
Mike Cunningham
Post 4 made on Tuesday June 14, 2016 at 17:38
JT Babin
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2016
44
Whatever you do, I recommend avoiding URC Total Control at all costs. It's painfully slow and you have to hit that reset button about 3 times a day. (At least once a month).

I install Elan g! in all my systems. It's really a great system. I'm not here to push a product though, but seriously URC is not the answer. Step up, not down!
James Babin - System Designer (https://myeasytek.com)
Post 5 made on Tuesday June 21, 2016 at 19:03
JoeFlabitz
Select Member
Joined:
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December 2008
1,517
On June 14, 2016 at 17:38, JT Babin said...
Whatever you do, I recommend avoiding URC Total Control at all costs. It's painfully slow and you have to hit that reset button about 3 times a day. (At least once a month).

I install Elan g! in all my systems. It's really a great system. I'm not here to push a product though, but seriously URC is not the answer. Step up, not down!

Three time a day isn't once a month...With math like that, no wonder you think it's slooowwwww....
Post 6 made on Thursday June 30, 2016 at 07:33
goldenzrule
Loyal Member
Joined:
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July 2007
8,470
On June 14, 2016 at 17:38, JT Babin said...
Whatever you do, I recommend avoiding URC Total Control at all costs. It's painfully slow and you have to hit that reset button about 3 times a day. (At least once a month).

I install Elan g! in all my systems. It's really a great system. I'm not here to push a product though, but seriously URC is not the answer. Step up, not down!

You used Total Control 2 or 3 years ago and have not revisited. Its a different line now. Stop bashing what you don't know. Elan G is limited in its own outright. Why not step up to Crestron and stop wasting your time?
Post 7 made on Thursday June 30, 2016 at 16:21
kgossen
Super Member
Joined:
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March 2008
3,026
On June 30, 2016 at 07:33, goldenzrule said...
You used Total Control 2 or 3 years ago and have not revisited. Its a different line now. Stop bashing what you don't know. Elan G is limited in its own outright. Why not step up to Crestron and stop wasting your time?

+1
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
Post 8 made on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at 17:27
MacrossZero
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
594
He is probably experiencing a network issue between the main host and the sub host in the other room.  They need to be separated on different accounts and set back up.  Control4 does not allow multiple main HC's on the same email account.  As the Zigbee endpoint in the other room is connecting over the network to the main host, any button presses on the remote are going nowhere.
Do or Do not, There is no Try.
Post 9 made on Thursday October 13, 2016 at 12:16
zibawal
Long Time Member
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Posts:
October 2016
16
same boat
Post 10 made on Saturday October 29, 2016 at 08:27
davet2020
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2005
1,051
Many times the customer does not understand what is important. Too often the customer makes his decision on cost or the name of the manufacturer the installer is recommending.

But, by far the most important factor is the knowledge of the installer. For a moderate home AV system a C4 or TC system installed by a good installer is much better than a Crestron system installed by an inexperienced installer.

Also, an installer who is new to C4 or TC will report all sorts of problems that they are having and blame the manufacturer. They refuse to accept the fact that it could be something in their network, design or programming. Easier to blame the manufacturer.
If you are going to do the job...why not do it the right way?
www.fairfaxavi.com
Post 11 made on Saturday October 29, 2016 at 16:50
kgossen
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2008
3,026
Davet2020 has it right. It's not so much the equipment but the designer, installer and programmer that make it work.

The number one biggest issue I run into is people think the Best Buy/Apple router they purchased is actually good, they're not. They're cheap ass POS.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"


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