idodishez
03-21-2006, 05:02 PM
Well I thoght I'd post this for anyone interested. These are just my initial observations, and i am by no means an expert reviewer like many on here. As such, some of my comments may seem obvious to the more experiences guys. This is also VERY early in the install process. All I have connected as far as "sub systems" right now is distributed audio and messaging.
I installed the system and had it talking to the sub systems in about a day. So far this is what has stuck out.
I have some doubts on their suppoort capabilities. A lot of the questions I posed to them seemed to be new to them. That concerns me when I thought I was going with a proven track record, and not a Control 4 style Beta test:) They DID however, (confirmned by other H/L dealers as well) seem VERY interested in wanting to know WHAT it is we need/want, and actually pursuing it.
Issues I have come across so far, in no particular order
1. No ability to control/monitor sub (A-bus) zones of the Russound CAV6 DA system.
2. No digital audio out (Id like to be able to use the media server as a source for a main theatre room, and have more than just the in-wall speakers)
3. No video out for Media server GUI to a NON touchpad equipped (but TV equipped) room (Like the Escient or Request would have) (Again, Id like to be able to use in a main theatre room, that is not part of the DA system. No KP, TP, etc)
4. System locked up on me a few times. (That may have been more a Java issue than a H/L issue)
Some "possible" concerns. These may be just due to my lack of training on the product yet.
1. Seems to be nothing more than a (salty) regular PC with their software installed.
2. They claim immunity to viruses, spyware etc as its "embedded" XP, has no e-mail, and is a limited browser. It appears to have full browser capabilities however, and if I recall correctly, even uses I/E as a browser. How would this be immune to spyware? (EDIT, I may be jumping the gun on this one)
3. No ability to view/sort media by cover art. Cover art is only shown AFTER the song is playing.
4. The "messaging" function kept wanting to sieze the phone line. Often I would pick up the phone to have no dial tone, as the H/L was latching the phone line. this is probably more an "operator error" issue. For now I left the phone line un-plugged until I get more info.
5. I am so far unable to control a sat ird from the H/L TP, that was already being controlled via IR from the CAV6 S2 keypads. Probably more so an "operator error" on my part, but again tech support seemed a little fuzzy on the issue
Things that I noticed that are GOOD so far.
1. VERY easy to program. I did it (granted, limited so far), with no training whatsoever.
2. Love the ability to access both the consumer functions and the tech/configuration functions REMOTELY from any browser. I can program/tweak it as needed without a road trip.
3. Inexpensive alternative for a media server. For the same amount of money you might spend on an Escient or Request, (and Im not talking about the SE-80) you are able to get the "Home Brick" Media server AND automation w one piece. Granted, the GUI may not be as nice as an Escient or ARQ, but it gets the job done. As well, each "system tab" will cost the consumer more dough, but still. it allows a way for us to get "in-to" the house, and let the client add on from there when they want. Seems like a real good way to give them a taste of the capabilities, without having to break the bank on every upgrade.
Im sure theres more, but Ive forgotten already.
Take all of this for what its worth, as its still in its very early stages (as am I.) I was putting this together for Robb who had asked about it, and figured Id copy/paste/add some to here.
I installed the system and had it talking to the sub systems in about a day. So far this is what has stuck out.
I have some doubts on their suppoort capabilities. A lot of the questions I posed to them seemed to be new to them. That concerns me when I thought I was going with a proven track record, and not a Control 4 style Beta test:) They DID however, (confirmned by other H/L dealers as well) seem VERY interested in wanting to know WHAT it is we need/want, and actually pursuing it.
Issues I have come across so far, in no particular order
1. No ability to control/monitor sub (A-bus) zones of the Russound CAV6 DA system.
2. No digital audio out (Id like to be able to use the media server as a source for a main theatre room, and have more than just the in-wall speakers)
3. No video out for Media server GUI to a NON touchpad equipped (but TV equipped) room (Like the Escient or Request would have) (Again, Id like to be able to use in a main theatre room, that is not part of the DA system. No KP, TP, etc)
4. System locked up on me a few times. (That may have been more a Java issue than a H/L issue)
Some "possible" concerns. These may be just due to my lack of training on the product yet.
1. Seems to be nothing more than a (salty) regular PC with their software installed.
2. They claim immunity to viruses, spyware etc as its "embedded" XP, has no e-mail, and is a limited browser. It appears to have full browser capabilities however, and if I recall correctly, even uses I/E as a browser. How would this be immune to spyware? (EDIT, I may be jumping the gun on this one)
3. No ability to view/sort media by cover art. Cover art is only shown AFTER the song is playing.
4. The "messaging" function kept wanting to sieze the phone line. Often I would pick up the phone to have no dial tone, as the H/L was latching the phone line. this is probably more an "operator error" issue. For now I left the phone line un-plugged until I get more info.
5. I am so far unable to control a sat ird from the H/L TP, that was already being controlled via IR from the CAV6 S2 keypads. Probably more so an "operator error" on my part, but again tech support seemed a little fuzzy on the issue
Things that I noticed that are GOOD so far.
1. VERY easy to program. I did it (granted, limited so far), with no training whatsoever.
2. Love the ability to access both the consumer functions and the tech/configuration functions REMOTELY from any browser. I can program/tweak it as needed without a road trip.
3. Inexpensive alternative for a media server. For the same amount of money you might spend on an Escient or Request, (and Im not talking about the SE-80) you are able to get the "Home Brick" Media server AND automation w one piece. Granted, the GUI may not be as nice as an Escient or ARQ, but it gets the job done. As well, each "system tab" will cost the consumer more dough, but still. it allows a way for us to get "in-to" the house, and let the client add on from there when they want. Seems like a real good way to give them a taste of the capabilities, without having to break the bank on every upgrade.
Im sure theres more, but Ive forgotten already.
Take all of this for what its worth, as its still in its very early stages (as am I.) I was putting this together for Robb who had asked about it, and figured Id copy/paste/add some to here.