Crestron always has a large presence at ISE, making it a must-stop destination for both residential and commercial integrators, and this year is no different. On the residential side, it will be tough to top last year’s exhibit, which gave attendees their first hands-on look at Crestron Home, but the company is game to try, with a few notable products available for the crowds in Amsterdam.
For starters, Crestron is showing the just-released MC4-R media room controller for Crestron Home. The MC4-R is a gateway in both the literal sense, in that it provides access to the internet and the Wi-Fi system, but also as a gateway to a starter Crestron system. Priced at around $1200, much lower than the CP4-R controller, the MC4-R has a small form factor that can be mounted behind the television and is designed to control a single-room, making it ideal for smaller installations and MDUs.
The main difference between the MC4-R and its larger counterpart is in the number of devices it can control. And while less, it is by no means slight in that department, controlling 100 lighting loads, 50 shades, 60 keypads, and 12 thermostats. Plus, it is easily expandable, and is PoE network powered. It is now shipping and comes pre-programmed with the latest version of Crestron Home.
Speaking of Crestron Home, the latest evolution of the product will be on display at ISE. Since its launch in early September, Crestron has hit its target of releasing updates every four-to-six weeks, with three releases to date. At ISE, the company will tease the upcoming March release, which will include a new Dark Mode for iOS devices and the addition for the most-used apps — think Netflix, Hulu, and the like — embedded on the remote control with dedicated icons.
Also new for the March update is full integration with smart TVs from Sony, Samsung, and LG, and support for pool and spa areas. There is also a new way to support home security cameras, with an easily accessed tile on the home screen, and preview screen in the Rooms section.
For those who still want to do their own programming in Crestron Home, the HTML5 area at the ISE 2020 booth will show the evolution of the toolset and have select programming companies demonstrating their designs.
Crestron can be found in Hall 2 at Booth C20, and also at crestron.com.
