So, I’m sure I’ve posted this before, but too lazy to search so I’ll type it again…
My C4 setup has wired runs to all rooms. In wall speakers and a matrix audio amp for audio only zones (8) and 4 hdmi runs for my main tv areas.
This all works great, until my wife and daughter decide to move rooms around and the one room I didn’t wire (my daughters) now becomes my wife’s office…
This is where the C4 amp became an issue, at 8 max, I needed another, but that was going to cost tons, compared to adding a sonos play 1. Took the gamble on a sonos play 1 in my wife’s office and she loved it.
If I had to do it over, I would put at least one sonos in each room, maybe two to create a stereo pair. Sonos sub where I need more bass. A sonos soundbar where the tv’s are.
All of this still can be integrated into Contol4 with the EV drivers and anyone can play anything anywhere.
With the c4 amp, you have to add sources, like a dvd player, or media player, etc. and if each room wants to play different stuff at the same time, if you don’t have duplicate sources, you run out…
Sonos doesn’t have this limitation, each device is either capable of streaming whatever, or joining another sonos and repeating what that one is playing.
Plus, as you change your house around, just unplug the sonos, and move it to the other room…
Unless you are spending $$$$ in wall speakers suck.No bass response, horrible range and if you rearrange the room, might be in the worst positions… Sonos devices aren’t permanent…
As for the Samsung stuff, don’t know much about it other than it was recently launched.
As for bridging C4 and ST, its in the works, but will require a driver to be installed on C4 project and that requires a dealer to do. My solution will not be free or open sourced. Typical drivers for C4 start around $100 and can run into the thousands with install and setup.
If you go the control4 cost. Ask the following questions:
-What is the cost to come out and troubleshoot something?
-What warranty am I getting? Is it just hardware or labor to replace / fix included?
-Will you add 3rd party drivers or devices I don’t buy through you? If so, at what price?
-Will you support me remotely? What hours? What happens if I can’t turn on the tv?
-Are updates and upgrades free? What about the time to do them?
-Will you allow me to change the root password and not tell you (to the dealer)?
-Will you provide me a backup of my project? Everytime a change is made?
Control4 not only costs a lot of money to put in by a dealer, but also costs a lot to support and update.
The control4 app runs on flash (ewwwwwwww, well techically, AIR) so it will run on any mac or pc. Android or iOS have native apps. Cheap tablets work great for touchscreens. HP Stream 7 is a good choice, or pretty much anything else.
Keep in mind how Control4 does licensing for mobile apps. Make sure you are getting a site license for mobile and not a one off license.
A lot of Control4 dealers like to put in used or older / show room stuff in new installs, make sure everything is new in the box and with a full warranty.
