Crestron has added more than 20 new features and integrations with its latest software update, Crestron Home OS 4, which will be officially unveiled at CEDIA Expo 2024 in Denver, CO this week.
The latest updates add more customization options and further open the ecosystem of devices. They also introduce new tools and resources that promote businesses and simplify management.
“Crestron Home is about delivering a smart home experience that assimilates with the lifestyle of the homeowners by providing ultimate control delivered in a sleek interface,” says Michael Short, Senior Director, Marketing Operations and Residential at Crestron. “Our dealers are at the heart of each of these projects and these latest features were designed to help streamline several processes that will ultimately help dealers deliver more to their clients. Whether that’s through new system capabilities or the opportunity to natively bring in new third-party devices, we continue to use their feedback to make the OS more powerful with every update.”
New smart home conditional sequences introduce the ability to create “if-then, when” statements to the automation process to further personalize scenarios and create dynamic experiences that match the lifestyle of those in the home.
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, the system knows it’s movie night and to dim the lights, close the blinds, and adjust the speaker volume for the best viewing experience. For dealers, this means easier and more efficient automation configuration alongside far more customization options for their customers.
The latest updates also introduce a new branding feature that allows dealers to promote the work they do. Now, dealers can personalize their projects by adding their logo to the Crestron Home app and touch screens, enhancing brand awareness with a sleek and professional look.
Choice and flexibility are paramount when it comes to lighting solutions, so the final product best reflects the design aesthetic and functional requirements. Crestron’s commitment to an open ecosystem has been further reinforced with native Lutron Ketra lighting integration, which expands the ange 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 Home SIMPL Integration Modules, a feature that enables seamless integration of the Crestron Home OS lighting configuration with custom Crestron control processors programmed via SIMPL. This empowers dealers to leverage the speed and simplicity of Crestron Home OS lighting while maintaining the flexibility and customization capabilities of SIMPL programming for projects that require a custom solution.
Crestron Home OS offers a combination of features to improve who has access to your home and their level of access once they are inside. The experience can be personalized to best suit the activities of the family member or guest.
Enhanced user management of door locks is available for Crestron EX Locks, including the new Yale Pro 2 Deadbolt Lock for a better security experience. It allows each family member or guests 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.
Beyond access control of exterior entries, the Crestron Home platform is also introducing more control over the security of your touch screens for spaces within the home. Pin code protection now allows chosen touch screens to be locked during certain instances or at all times. Homeowners can turn on pin code access to the living room and kitchen touch screens when hosting family during the holidays and switch them back to normal mode when everyone leaves. 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 unauthorized users from accessing control of that space.
Crestron Home OS also introduces a number of integration and compatibility improvements. There’s integration with the Crestron Digital Graphics Engine 1000 (DGE-1000). Upon release of the DGE-1000 later this year, homeowners will have more flexibility and choice to display the Crestron Home interface on larger third-party touch screens as well as have HD Streaming video support directly within the OS.
Horizon Glass Keypads feature elegant white and black glass finishes that enhance the aesthetic and design of the home and work seamlessly within the Crestron Home OS ecosystem. There’s also Saros PoE Speaker support and integration capabilities with xxess Industries Hospitality Solutions, including privacy and service features such as “Privacy/Do Not Disturb” for hotel guests. For residential applications, one can even add a plug-in doorbell chime anywhere in the home.
With Sonos line-in support, you get 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.
Crestron will showcase these updates to Crestron Home OS 4 and more in Booth 1901 at CEDIA Expo 2024.