CE Pro July 2024 - 59

my home on a crutch carrying
a laptop.
Removing my old, first-generation
Crestron shades,
which had died from a power
surge that had also taken out
my solar system processor,
Jon had the old shades out
within a few minutes before
he began working on the installation
of the Battery Powered
Shades. While this was
going on, Matt was checking
the system and updating
firmware. Additionally, he also
updated the firmware on my
Access Networks system,
which was not running to its
full potential due to some
issues with Comcast.
While Jon was installing
the new shades, I ran to
Target to buy 16 D batteries
to power the two shades.
Within a few hours both
shades were installed, and
Crestron Home was completely
updated to OS 4,
including my TSR-310 remote
to reflect the capabilities of
the new operating system.
Commenting on the new
Crestron Battery Powered
Shades and the OS 4 platform,
Jon noted how much
easier and dealer-friendly
the shades are to install
compared to previous
generation products. Matt
raved about the power of
the platform and versatility
OS provides homeowners
and dealers.
Conclusions &
Final Thoughts
Having lived with the new
Battery Powered Shades
and the new OS, I can say
that Crestron met its design
and performance goals
with these products.
While I can't say conclusively
(and not knowing
specs), it sounds like the
new Battery Powered
Shades run more quietly
than the old shades. Jon
agreed with me when I
made the comment. I also
like the fact that going
forward because the shades
are battery powered, I don't
have to worry about another
surge taking the shades
out. This allows me to use
the shades to manage the
amount of natural light
coming into the room by
either the Crestron Home
App or the touch panel that
resides on my work desk.
Validating Crestron's efforts
to make the operating
system easier to navigate, I
completely agree: The app
and the touchscreen experience
are easier to navigate
in OS 4. To operate the
shades in my " Music Room "
now takes less of an effort
to drill down into Crestron
Home. Smart functions in
this room are now represented
with " filters, " which
in my case for the room with
the Battery Powered Shades
are " Lights, " " Shades, " " Music
Room Heat, " and " Video. "
Once I press the shade
filter a new screen pops up
with options to control all
the shades at once or I can
control specific shades.
The app also delivers the
same experience as the
touch screens to provide
users with a uniform control
experience.
As a homeowner I am
pleased with the Battery
Powered Shades and how
they fit into my home,
and I'm also pleased and
impressed with the updates
made with the availability
of OS 4.
As dealer solutions I
think the shades through
their quicker installation,
and overall, with Crestron's
ability to now provide
homeowners with a choice
of battery or traditionally
powered shades, along with
hundreds of fabric choices,
is meeting the needs of
modern homeowners.
Moreover, with OS 4, not
Crestron OS 4's updated graphics icons enable users to find
the function they are looking for with fewer screen " taps. "
only is the platform more
powerful, but it's also easier
to use from a consumer
perspective, and with its
new lighting capabilities,
including Crestron's own
line of lighting products,
Crestron Home is well
positioned to serve luxury
homeowners as a go-to
smart home platform.
cepro.com
Crestron Battery
Powered Shades,
Home OS 4
SPECS
Shades send notifications
when batteries need
replacement
Through battery power,
integrators don't have
to worry about running
electrical power to hardto-reach
locations
More than 400 fabrics,
custom-match colors
OS 4 seamlessly operates
with Crestron Home and
third-party devices
A major component of OS
4 is its compatibility with
multiple lighting platforms
OS 4 incorporates a
new interface design
with updated graphics,
including icons, and filters
Via OS 4, Comcast Xfinity
subscribers now have
voice control capabilities
MSRP N/A
crestron.com
CE PRO
VERDICT
PROS:
OS 4 is much easier to
navigate than previous
versions
Crestron Battery Shades
operate more quietly than
past generations
Approximately three years
of battery life
CONS:
As a long-time Crestron
Home user, I find the
new solutions to be a
welcomed addition to
the Crestron Home
ecosystem; no cons
July 2024 CE Pro | 59
CRESTRON
http://www.crestron.com http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro July 2024

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