Crestron Electronics has unveiled more than 20 new additions to its Crestron Home OS 4 platform, with new features that add even more customisation options and further opening the ecosystem of devices while introducing new tools and resources that promote businesses and simplify management.
Integrators can now further personalise scenarios thanks to new smart home conditional sequences that introduce the ability to create “if-then, when” statements to the automation process, creating dynamic experiences for the user.
The addition of powerful conditional logic gives dealers the ability to create complex and nuanced automation scenarios with a defined set of conditions that must be met before an action is triggered. For example, a sunset sequence could be created so that when the sun is going down and the light sensor in the living room falls below 30%, the living room’s lights rise to 80% to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from day to evening.
A multi-trigger sequence could also be introduced so that when a movie streaming app is launched, for example, the system knows it’s movie night and will dim the lights, close the blinds, and adjust the speaker volume for the best viewing experience.
These additions mean easier and more efficient automation configurations for dealers, alongside far more customisation options for their customers.
The new updates also introduce a new branding feature that allows dealers to promote their work. Dealers can now personalise their projects by adding their logo to the Crestron Home app and touchscreens, enhancing brand awareness with a sleek and professional look.
Expanded lighting control is another addition to the platform, recognising the importance of choice and flexibility when it comes to lighting solutions, to best reflect the design aesthetic and functional requirements. Crestron’s commitment to an open ecosystem has been further reinforced with native Lutron Ketra lighting integration, expanding the vast range of lighting options already available within the Crestron Home platform.
By providing an open and flexible platform, Crestron allows homeowners and dealers to choose the lighting solutions that best suit their needs while still having access to the simplicity of the Crestron digital lighting platform for ease of control and configuration.
Another notable addition is the release of the Crestron SIMPL Integration Modules, a powerful and innovative feature that enables seamless integration of the Crestron Home OS lighting configuration with custom Crestron control processor programmed via SIMPL. This empowers dealers to leverage the speed and simplicity of Crestron Home OS lighting while maintaining the flexibility and customisation capabilities of SIMPL programming for projects that require a custom solution.
Other notable additions to the Crestron Home OS includes a combination of features to improve who has access to the home and their level of access once they are inside. The experience can be completely personalised to best suit the activities of the family member or guest.
The updates have also given users enhanced management of door locks for Crestron EX Locks, including the new Yale Pro 2 Deadbolt Lock for a better security experience, allowing each member or guest to receive access to specific locks for convenient home entry. Crestron Home OS is also introducing a more unified view of garage doors, gates, and locks as well as integration of the myQ driver for Chamberlain and Liftmaster garage doors with Wi-Fi connectivity into the “House Access” area of the app.
As well as enhanced access control of exterior entry, Crestron Home is also introducing more control over the security of touchscreens for spaces within the home. Pin code protection now allows chosen touchscreens to be locked down, either all the time or for selected instances.
Alternatively, for spaces where control doesn’t need to be granted for all users, a pin code can always be turned on in spaces like the primary bedroom where homeowners might want access to be private, preventing unauthorised users from accessing control of that space.
Later this year, the Crestron Digital Graphics Engine 1000 (DGE-1000) will be released, giving homeowners more flexibility and the choice to display the Crestron Home interface on larger third-party touchscreens as well as have HD streaming video support directly within the OS.
We will also see the release of Horizon Glass Keypads, a sophisticated and elegant white and black glass finish to enhance the aesthetic and design of the home. They will work seamlessly within the Crestron Home OS ecosystem.
Other notable improvements include the introduction of support in Crestron Home for Saros PoE speakers, continuing its trend of network-based deployments and professional management. Additionally, Crestron Home OS has also introduced Sonos speakers line-in support, enabling better audio control and switching capabilities. With this update, Crestron Home OS can instruct Sonos devices to switch between eARC or line-in inputs on demand.
These updates to Crestron Home OS 4 and more will be demonstrated in the Crestron booth (#1901) at CEDIA Expo.