Review of Control4 HC-300 Controller
Reviewed by JCL Automation (www.jclautomation.com)
Control4® Home Controller HC-300
The Control4 HC-300 is a very capable entry-level controller for a whole-house automation solution.
Overall Rating: 8.7 out of 10
Features
The HC-300 provides a universal remote for an entertainment center, 2-7 sources for multi-room audio, and a master controller for a whole-house automation system all in one product. Its compact footprint allow it to easily fit into any location. The HC-300 can control lighting and temperature with companion Control4 products. Its relay output is convenient for controlling a motorized screen or window blinds. The two serial inputs can be used to connect to a security system or A/V component for coordinated control. IP-based security cameras can also be viewed via the screen-based interfaces.
Perhaps the best feature of this controller is the flexible programming capability that allows very unique actions to be triggered in response to a detected event. The user interface is consistent in design and provides for "custom buttons" to create any home scene desired. It is really the complete collection of all these features and others not described above that's most impressive for the homeowner rather than any individual feature.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Ease of Installation
Control4 products can only be installed by a certified Dealer who has received the required training to be able to efficiently install a Control4 system. The Dealer uses the Composer software to configure and identify all the devices being controlled by the HC-300. For the homeowner the real benefit is the reduced on-site time for the system installation as much of the configuration can be done before the physical installation takes place. The Dealer is backed-up by a capable technical support staff at Control4 who can access the HC-300 remotely via the Internet to assist the Dealer in troubleshooting.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Reliability
Control4 products are all wireless receivers and transmitters in addition to the basic function of each switch, dimmer, thermostat, or controller. The reliability of the wireless ZigBee mesh network the installed Control4 devices represent is superior to power-line communication devices, as is the performance. In 2007 Control4 increased it's warranty coverage to 2 years for all products based on reliability improvements achieved via an in-house quality program.