Crestron's Prodigy Home Control System gets prices, specs
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted August 3rd 2009 1:13PM
posted August 3rd 2009 1:13PM
Heads up, home automation fanatics: It seems that the CEDIA folks have got the inside scoop on Crestron's new Prodigy Home Control System -- and have been kind enough to share their hard won knowledge with us. A lower-cost system aimed at the mass market, this guy features a ZigBee-compatible controller with remote, a SideShow-combatible in-wall touch panel for all of your fave widgets, and the usual control switches, dimmers, and thermostats. The system starts at around $825 for the PMC2 controller (up to 100 wireless devices), PLX2 remote, and P-MNETGW wireless gateway. Or you can just bite the bullet and go for the sample system which includes the above, four zones of audio, one thermostat, 15 wireless light dimmers/switches, and the in-wall touchscreen for about $5,500. Or, if none of the above appeal to you, you can just turn off your own lights. Be sure to check out those glamor shots in the gallery below.
imagine the wireless security system with this juggernaut
I bet he can't start a fire though.
Larry King? Is that you?
Wow... I was about to say the exact same thing, word for word.
you read my mind
Does that old guy come with the system?
You could always use another old dude on your front porch yelling at those damn skateboarders!
That guy reminds me of a tan Alan Alda...
http://thumbs.filmstarts.de/wallpaper/AlanAlda_01.jpg
He reminds me of the guy in Phantasm.
What ?? no recession antidote ????
Maybe a Larry King - Alen Alda love child.
Well, I guess low cost is a relative term. X10 stuff is dirt cheap compared to this. But X10 is unreliable, and that is being generous. This is way cheaper than a full-on Crestron system, and uses a standard technology, which are both nice. And you know that Crestron is a company that isn't going away anytime soon. Those are all pluses. On the downside, home automation is, IMO, fairly useless as a practical tool. It is a fun technology to play with though, so I would consider the starter kit if I had $1000 burning a hole in my pocket.
Your comparing Crestron to X10 gear? Crestron Has been the gear of choice for almost every company I've worked for in the last ten years (all 5k+ employees) for their conference rooms and multi-display matrix switched video/audio systems (a lot of TV's connected to a lot of different video sources).
http://www.crestron.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crestron
@Chad
I'm pretty sure he's just talking in terms of home use where people might be more likely to go for lower cost gear. Your comparison with companies composed of 5K+ employees doesn't really apply to his statement.
@chad
No, I am NOT comparing Crestron the X10. Not it any meaningful way, anyhow. I only mentioned X10 in reference to the word "cheap" being a relative term. I am quite well aware of the fact that X10 does not play in the same sandbox as Crestron.
That old guy is George Feldstein - Owner of Crestron. Crestron is privately held by the Feldstein family. (FYI 98% of the products are designed and manufactured here in the US.)
Man, I'm a Crestron employee like you, and frankly you really aren't doing us any favors with such thinly veiled self advertising.
^^^Ha Ha! What an internal shit show!
Gotta give them props for that.
It explains the pricing, though. :)
No Asian product model = clear sign the product will fail
Wow, there was a time where I would have been all over a device like that. These days I operate on a much more conservative framework ($).
@glenn s- Actually Home Automation can be a big money saver- just think of all the systems you can manage - HVAC, lighting, AV equipment. HA allows you to set up schedules, monitor power usage and provide for remote access. While there is always an upfront cost, the savings it can provide come fairly quickly. Yes convenience is part of the lure but this is just icing.
Remote access could be useful once in a while, but where would the savings be for A/V? I generally turn off/on lights and AV equipment as needed and I already have programmable thermostats.
Maybe you have some studies to back up the money saving claim? How long before the power savings pay for the system? I'm not disparaging the products at all. I think they serve a purpose in a luxury home (wow factor), or in some commercial ventures. And of course for tech-heads like most engadget readers, irrespective of the practicality. But if saving money is the goal, there is much lower hanging fruit for most homeowners. A simple set-back thermostat is less than $200. (some under $100) and much simpler to install and set-up.
@Glenn S: I agree that a $100 (or even $40) programmable thermostat will save money on HVAC. It all depends on what you want from the devices you install, if scalability, centralized control, flexibility, custom UI is important then a control system is a better bet. A system which can combine the control and management of all your environmental workings will, in the end, make for a more efficient process. Crestron - and others - make equipment with occupancy sensors and load shedding capabilities (not in the Prodigy line, as of yet) which automatically manage energy usage, most operate standalone. Add these to a centralized system and you have a very powerful tool.
I do not want to under emphasize the convenience factor here - it is nicer to sit on my couch and control everything without having to move- this is a very nice thing. Crestron products are made to last, no be tossed out in 4 years. I know of numerous Crestron systems-(both residential and commercial) that are still operating and are supported 10-12 years down the line.
I do not have hard numbers for the Prodigy line, but our Go Green section does have a bit of info ttp://www.crestron.com/solutions/go_green
prodigy ONLINE!
That's a truckload of money for duplicate functionality with Z-Wave and X10. Yes Zigbee is exciting, but it was supposed to be low cost. Low.
Trust me as a guy who has worked in the home automation arena for 3 years with Crestron Automation Systems in the 400k mark for price .... Home automation is not a big money saver. Does it make you more efficient... it can, does it mean the initial cost will be paid back within 10 years of purchase through efficiency .... hell no. Even with this lower end model your still not going to save enough to even justify the answer of cost saving. Hell all I have learned is it makes you buy Bluray players, speakers and build bigger badder theaters. IMHO this only makes you use more energy.
Never the less I have an MC2E from Crestron which allows for way more open ended control than the prodigy system could dream of and I love Crestron. Even though American made it is a reliable product ... and if it fails well service has been really good.
The new products look great but I am very disappointed to see that there is no automated fire starter product in the line up..... not even a twisted one at that!!
Stu - it is well known who I am, I make no attempt at cloaking my identity. For those who may not know, yes I am a Crestron employee - I am a tech writer and the Social Media person. If you have a question on the product line - glad to help, compare, contrast, answer questions. I follow the Cluetrain manifesto and attempt to be available on nealry all the boards who mention us.
My mistake, then. :)
Stu - can you contact me via email?
@vidikron- a control system, as you well know - no matter who’s- allows for a centralized control. Programmable TSTAT's are good but few - if any- allow you to see the current temp and control those zones from other rooms or remotely -(while away on business, vacation or holiday). Same with lights. As for the AV if you have power managers, you can monitor the usage and adjust what components get turned on and for how long. Systems such as Crestron can report usage and power consumption - this is why they play a role in getting buildings LEED certification. (The actual points are not as great as installing recycled material, insulation, etc- but they do play a role). A centralized system provides a simple, direct and efficient way to mange this.
Hey,
I use crestron by my parents. it is wired through the wall. i live in a far less wired home. Does this mean i can add prodigy or does it need to be added during construction?
I'd hit that.
Hm. Definitely him.
hell yeah
Sounds exactly like Control4.
One can only hope that Crestron (and AMX, and most of the other companies in the automation field go away). Let's face it - the products look like they came from a 70's bachelor pad, they don't operate in any kind of "standardized" way, they are very closed, there is zero innovation and they jack the profit margins up through the roof.
And while I have also seen a large number of installs in corporate environments, for the most part they have to be babied the whole time. Control is iffy at best, the GUI is hideous, the amount of gear needed for even a small install is joke.
What the automation industry is very very afraid of is that IP addressable endpoints controlled by simple command sets that are available to everyone will become available (and they are on their way). Once the concept of a central controller with proprietary connections goes away, the usefulness and number of installs of automation gear will go through the roof.
Crestron and AMX sit where they are in the market because they have been around for years. Did they innovate when they first came out? Of course - nobody was doing anything in that field yet. But they have failed to keep up with the times (as have many industries) and there will be a shakeout soon, as more and more endpoints become IP enabled directly. If they manage to keep up with the times then good for them, but this isn't the product line that will do it.
Your comments are laughable.
The GUI being hideous is only the blame of the installer. There are plenty of more than capable programmers out there that can produce exquisite looking panels. It mostly comes down to what the client is willing to pay for. If they want to save money, the standard panel is available. If they want something much prettier and more intuitive, they have to pay for it.
A quality install company can make a near bullet proof system. Does equipment break? Sure, but don't tell me your PC hasn't had a PSU or Vid Card blow up in it's day either.
The systems are only closed to a point. AMX, Crestron and Control4 all can communicate with anything that has the ability to controlled via IR, RS-232, or even IP. Yes, I said IP. Do you really think that AMX, Crestron, and even Control4 don't allow you to control over IP? If that's really what you believe, your very mistaken. I can think of a number of items that we control over IP, including (but not limited to) Video Switchers, Audio Switchers, Lighting Control, etc. All of the touch panels run over IP or WiFi with AMX and Control4 (not sure on Crestron) and some are even PoE.
You may think you know what's going on in the automation field, but your comments are inaccurate at best.
I should also add:
Nearly everything Control4 does uses and IP based system of control. The iPod dock, speaker points, controllers, amplifiers, audio switchers, tuners, and touch panels... yeah, they are all controlled over IP. If it's hard wired to the system, it's probably IP controlled.
Of course, then the lighting, thermostats, keypads and remotes are all zigbee and require nothing but power and a decent programmer to make function.
I get somewhat disheartened by people talking about 10-12 year life times as if that's ANCIENT...
Let me know when said systems are planning on lasting the age of wiring in a house (40-50 years) and MAYBE I'll be interested.
@Ralph
Far less wiring with the Prodigy line. dimmers, switches, keypads, remote and thermostats are wireless (using the 802.15.4 spectrum). Touch panel is single wire CAT5 (plus one for power). The audio is a wired amp (source input and speaker outs)
I really like the looks of this line, but one thing that baffles me is how the average joe is going to program it up.
Are they going to make systembuilder available to the public?.
Nothing Crestron sells is meant to be programmed by the public!
SPAMMER!!
GODDAM! WHERE DID I PUT THAT 9MM??
why not just get a Control4 system?
So is this for DIYer or still only through a dealer?