Author: Holly Bechtler

Hey, Smart Home Pros! August is upon us! Isn’t it hard to believe that we are already in the latter half of the summer? Did you know that the month of August was named after the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar? Apparently, Augustus was jealous that his predecessor, Julius Caesar, named a month after himself – July. Julius Caesar was notorious for making major changes to the calendar, so Augustus determined that, as emperor, he could as well. Since July had 31 days, Augustus wanted his month to match. So, he took a day from February, making it only 28 days. The month of August was born! I guess we should thank him for giving us more August and less February? While you may never have an entire month – or calendar system – changed to honor your legacy, you have plenty of areas to make a lasting impact as an installer. Whether it’s choosing the best products and install methods for the job, prioritizing organization and efficiency, or using Snap One’s™ Education resources to tackle any obstacle, we’ve got your back. So, arm yourselves with these new devices, tips, tricks, and more, and let’s end the summer triumphantly! Salutations to our conquering Partners! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

Attend CEDIA for Free!

CEDIA is coming soon—sign up now using this link to get a free Expo Only Pass that lets you on the show floor!  Come visit us at booth #1512 and see all our new products. Or join a special training class—they’re going on all show long. See below for details, and sign up before the seats are all taken. To claim your Expo Only Free Pass, click the CEDIA Expo Attendee button at the top of the page. A Roman walks into a bar, holds up two fingers, and says, “Five beers, please.”

Halo Touch Down!

Time to cue the celebration! The Control4 Halo Touch Remotes have officially landed and are accompanied by a fresh new firmware version 1.5.4! Offered in black or silver and with a full color 3.2″ LCD screen, this heavenly duo is packed with installation- and user-friendly features. Key remote features include:

• Touch interface for the selection and control of devices, media, favorites, automations, and menu options
• Capable of media browsing, device control, and scene selection for Watch, Listen, Lighting, and Comfort (security and other experiences coming soon)
• New UI design language is more user friendly and customizable
• Sleep screen provides quick access to Watch, Listen, and Now Playing, while the Home button provides immediate access to room Favorites and a quick swipe for the room’s Main Menu
• New Voice button dynamically functions as a Siri Remote for Apple TV or Xfinity Voice Remote for the Xfinity boxes (Xfinity integration coming soon)
• Optional soft numeric buttons can be accessed through the touch interface
• Backlit buttons are easy to use in the dark
• Customers can take advantage of the “First Time User Experience” via their smartphone to install their Halo Touch in minutes
• Wi-Fi strength increased up to 5× over Neeo and supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
• Ultra-low power processor for extended battery life

Key Features of FW v1.5.4 include:

• Find My Remote functionality with driver’s new “Beep” programming action
• Adds individual settings for screen brightness and keypad brightness
• Toggle added for the docking sounds
• UI speed improvements and battery life improvements

Read more about additional enhancements, optimizations, features and fixes list in Halo Firmware Release Notes,  Read more about Halo Touch in the Tech Community and in your respective web portal: Snap One Portal Users>> Control4 EMEA Portal Users >> Halo Touch Black/Halo Touch Silver P.S.: Check out this personal review from Residential Tech Today!  When Roman paramedics gave someone an IV, did they call it a “four”?

OvrC Pro Shoots Trouble Several great troubleshooting tools—tracert, terminal emulator for SSH and Telnet, and more—are now available directly through OvrC on mobile and desktop devices for OvrC Pro sites. These features allow for in-depth, remote troubleshooting! A new tab called “Pro Tools” shows on the device details of the OvrC Pro device that is assigned to perform network scans.

• Trace route, or tracert, helps you understand the network and many connectivity issues. 
• Terminal Emulator uses the OvrC Pro agent as the on-premises device to open a terminal session and connect to a device using telnet (port 23) or SSH (port 22). This can interface with non-OvrC enabled devices for tasks like configuring switches that do not have a local UI or configuring the front panel buttons of a PDU.
• Scanned ports are now only visible on the Pro Tools tab of the Pro Agent performing the network scans.
• If you need to pull logs for tech support, they can be generated from the Pro Tools tab of the device that performs the network scans. Logs are generated without interruption to the OvrC experience and the OvrC user who requested the logs is emailed a URL where they can be downloaded. This can take up to 5 minutes.
• With these important features moving to the OvrC cloud, access to the local UI of the OvrC Pro agent is no longer needed and will be removed in a future update for security and privacy.

Read more in the blog post here. There are many marbleous statues in Rome, but most locals take them for granite.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent!

Level 3 Tech Support agent Jake Collignon is this month’s TRUE G.R.I.T. Award winner! The TRUE G.R.I.T. Award recognizes Snap One technical support agents who provide top-notch support to our partners.  Born and raised in Houston, TX, Jake supports our Partners through our Control4, Control4 Premier, and Control4 Tier 2 call queues. It is no surprise his teammates had plenty of great things to say about him. “Jake joined the SnapOne Team in 2021 and has quickly risen through the ranks, showing a passion for our trade. He is a quick learner and has absorbed just about every training course we have to offer.” “He never backs down from a challenge, and is an invaluable resource in the C4 chat, helping others wherever he can.” “Jake is a skilled communicator and uses his smooth-as-butter voice to help partners feel comfortable while he addresses all their concerns. All these traits make Jake a natural at Technical Support.” When Jake isn’t busy supporting his team and our Partners, he enjoys watching professional sumo wrestling, trying new restaurants, and playing PC games with his wife. (Their current favorites are Overwatch 2 and Stardew Valley.) For ancient Romans, algebra was easy… X always equaled ten!

Does OvrC Show that Luma x20 Firmware Hasn’t Updated? Luma x20 devices run in a dual-firmware mode to protect the hardware (and your installs) from unforeseen glitches. Once the firmware has been applied to the first (operational) partition, the device goes into an observation mode to ensure the new firmware operates properly. Observation mode lasts for about ten minutes once the firmware update is completed. Once proper function has been verified, the device applies the firmware to the second (backup) partition and logs the new firmware version with OvrC. If the new firmware fails, the device restores the backup firmware to the operational partition. As of this writing, OvrC does not track whether a Luma x20 device is in observation mode. This means that, for about ten minutes in OvrC, it looks like the firmware update didn’t take, and that an update is available. If you try to update the firmware again while your Luma is in observation mode, the update will fail in OvrC but this will not impact the performance of the device. While in observation mode, you can log in to the device’s web UI to see the proper firmware version. Who thinks Roman numerals are confusing? I, for one.

Join the OvrC Beta Do you want to be on the cutting edge of OvrC? Do you want to be part of making remote monitoring even better? Join the OvrC public beta team! Roman senators only met once a week. That was enough forum.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles:

• OvrC Pro Agent Features Moved to the Cloud (new)
• How to Program Dynamic Custom Buttons for Halo Remotes (new)
• How to Move a Customer’s Existing OvrC Devices to Your OvrC Account (updated)
• Josh.ai Articles, Videos, and Documentation (updated training process)

New & updated reset & restore procedure:

•  Araknis x20 Switches (new)

New & updated product documentation:

• Araknis 620 Switch User Manual (new)
• Araknis 620 Switch Quick Start Guide (new)
• Araknis 920 Switch User Manual (new)
• Araknis 920 Switch Quick Start Guide (new)
• Halo Partner-facing Installation Guide (new — content also available in Tech Community)
• Halo Firmware Release Notes (updated for v1.5.4)
• Halo User Guide (updated for Halo Touch)

PCNA 4U2C On July 26th, PCNA purchasing can finally be purchased through the Snap One website as part of our ongoing system consolidation.  This simplifies ordering, allows for better tracking, and (with us lowering the price for the course), makes the invaluable class easier and better for everyone! What divided the Roman Empire in two? A pair of caesars!

Bug Stomping Since SnapAV merged with Control4, we’ve been working to bring everything together into a single website. We’ve made a lot of progress, but, as you might imagine, this is a slow and difficult process.  Each major consolidation milestone brings a new uptick in error reports (missing certifications, classes not found, etc.), so please be patient as we push forward.

Snap One Training Opportunities  New opportunities to upgrade your knowledge and skills are coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.  New Store in Fort Myers, FL!

Register now for the Grand Opening on August 24th. Local Trainings:

Designing Vibrant Systems & Programming Automated Lighting:

• Norwalk, CA: August 15
• Richmond, VA: August 15
• Seattle, WA: August 17
• Secaucus, NJ: August 17
• Charlotte, NC: August 22
• Denver, CO: August 22
• Boise, ID: August 24
• Raleigh, NC: August 24
• Cleveland, OH: August 29
• Salt Lake City, UT: August 29
• Dallas, TX: August 31

Webinars LG CI Product Overview:

• August 23, 6:00 a.m. Pacific, 9:00 a.m. Eastern 
• August 23, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, 12:00 p.m. Eastern 

Networking Technical Training:

• August 16, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, 12:00 p.m. Eastern

LG 2023 CI Product Overview Webinar:

• August 23, 6:00 a.m. Pacific, 9:00 a.m. Eastern 

CEDIA Classes: We are offering the following classes at CEDIA this year. Times vary by day, so check the schedule:

• Color Mixing Mastery with DMX and Control4 Vibrant Lighting: This course helps you understand the structure, function, and planning process of a DMX linear-lighting system to run Control4 Vibrant Linear Lighting.
• Snap into Smart Surveillance with Luma X20: Get a taste of the newest devices and features, learn how OvrC makes easy to claim and configure your Luma X20 devices and then hand off control of that system to your customer, and see how Luma X20 integrates into Control4.
• Add Color and Ambiance with Control Vibrant Linear Lighting: Experience an easy method for designing a Control4 Vibrant Linear Lighting System that will thrill your customers. Learn tips, tricks, and best practices for deploying successful, dependable systems.
• Better Together: Araknis and Binary for Simplified Media over IP: Binary’s new 960 series and multi-gig Araknis routers and switches provide a successful media distribution system. This class teaches you to plan a MoIP system, configure multi-gig network devices, take advantage of advanced MoIP features, and integrate the MoIP system into a Control4 project.
• Turn a Yard Into a Light and Sound Garden: Episode Radiance provides the ultimate modular, all-in-one-wire outdoor audio and lighting system. Learn to design and install a Radiance system and integrate it into a Control4 project.

On a side note, while creating names for these classes, the Education Team inexplicably dived headlong into a Barry Manilow theme. Proposed class names included:

• Ready to Take a Chance with MoIP v3
• Could It Be Magic? No, It’s MoIP!
• Can’t Smile Without You on My Luma Surveillance System
• Looks Like We Made It Because Vibrant Installs Are Easy
• I Don’t Write the Songs, But I Deliver Them: MoIP Configuration Made Easy
• If They Had Luma X20 at the Copa, Maybe Tony Would Still Be Alive, and Rico Would Be in Prison
• MANDY – MoIP Audio Network Design and You
• I Made It Through the Rain: Installing Episode Radiance

Um… does anyone know the name of a good therapist? I hear the government is trying to ban Roman numerals… not on my watch!

New Drivers:

• Samsung 2023 TVs – New Zealand
• Samsung 2023 TVs – UK
• Samsung 2023 TVs – Canada
• LG 2023 TVs- Global Models

See more drivers through your respective web portal:  Snap One Portal Users>> Control4 Portal Users>> Control4 EMEA Portal Users>> I Apollo-gize for the cheesy Rome puns.

OpenVPN on Araknis Routers 1. Go to Advanced > VPN > OpenVPN. 2. Create a new tunnel by selecting a Connection Type from the drop-down menu (UDP is preferred, though dual-WAN requires TCP). 3. If using an x20 series router, you can enable Redirect Gateway to route all internet traffic through the VPN tunnel. 4. Click Add a New Tunnel and Enable it. The Server IP automatically populates. 5. Click Apply.  6. Click on the tunnel you created and click Export Config (each time you export your config file, it follows the Connection Type you choose from the drop-down). 7. Send the config file to the individual who needs to connect with the VPN. The config can be imported to the OpenVPN app (available in the App Store, Google Play Store, or from OpenVPN when using Windows.MacOS has multiple third-party options for OpenVPN clients). Read More in the Tech Community!

Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you. (Yes, you!) We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to shine a spotlight on you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here!

Hey, Smart Home Pros! As we start the second half of 2023—and July 2 was the exact middle of the year—you might want to take a moment to ask yourself, “Where did the first half of the year go?” Never mind that! Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and look forward to another six months of awesomeness—and there’s a lot to anticipate!  July features a wide assortment of holidays, including International Joke Day (July 1), International Kissing Day (July 6), World Chocolate Day (July 7), International Chess Day (July 20), and Bagpipe Appreciation Day (July 27). For national holidays, we have Canada Day, Independence Day, and Bastille Day… and maybe one or two others I’ve missed. Why so many celebrations? Because when people have custom home and outdoor experiences, they want a good excuse to hold parties! Also, your awesome work turns even a half-day off into a refreshing staycation.  So, spend a few moments off your feet, enjoy some chess, chocolate, or a good smooch, and celebrate these exciting new product features, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more!  Happy Half-Year Holidays! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

X20 Marks the Spot

The new Araknis X20 routers are here—and so is all the information you need to install them. Get the best features, and ensure your networks are ready for 2.5G internet (whenever it gets here!).  Documents:

• User Manual
• 220 Router Quick Start Guide
• 520 Router Quick Start Guide

Tech Community Articles:

• Araknis 520 Router IPSec
• Araknis 520 Router Access Command Lists (ACLs) Setup Example
• How to Configure Route Binding on Araknis 520 Series Routers
• How to Configure OpenVPN on Araknis Routers
• Setting up PPTP VPNs with Araknis Routers

I’m not sure I like this blender… It’s giving me mixed results. Tech Community, Now With 100% More Redesign

We’ve added a lot of love to the Tech Community, including a friendlier interface that makes the most important and most effective features easier to find.

• Search is the best way to find answers! No need to raise your hand—just ask, and we’ll provide them.
• Important links—like Known Issues, Device Resets, Contact Support and more—now sit right up in front, like the smart kids in class.
• Speaking of smart kids, we’ve added Education and Training links as well! We know you love our micro-certifications and webinars!

Visit the Tech Community and try the new features right now!   Knowledge is knowing tomatoes are fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put them in a fruit salad.

Real Talk: OvrC Ask Me Anything Honest answers to real questions from integrators: Watch or listen to our Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session about OvrC. For 30 minutes, we discuss your concerns, evaluate your feature requests, and explain the direction OvrC is headed in. We dive deep into best practices and critical information that you, our valued Partners, need every day. Watch or Listen

I told a joke during my last webinar, but no one laughed. Turns out I am not remotely funny.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! Level 1 Tech Support agent Kaitlyn Tokay is this month’s TRUE G.R.I.T. Award winner! The TRUE G.R.I.T. Award recognizes Snap One technical support agents who provide top-notch support to our partners. Based in Charlotte, Kaitlyn supports you with our Clare, Binary, Episode, Luma, OvrC, Strong, and WattBox product brands as well as all third-party brands. As expected, teammates and Partners have a lot of great things to say about her.  One teammate said, “Kaitlyn has gone above and beyond. She really does try to make this the best place to work.” Another said, “On a Friday right before a long holiday weekend, [she] volunteered to stay late and help close down the phones. Thank you very much for the dedication and hard work!” And, according to one Partner, she’s “always on the ball!” When Kaitlyn isn’t impressing her teammates and our Partners, she enjoys the great outdoors through gardening, hiking, canoeing, and camping. And, of course, she loves spending time with her friends and family.

	A Plug Regarding X20 Plug and Play Remember, Luma X20 cameras are not quite plug-and-play with Luma X10 NVRs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make them work quickly! This article shows you how to do it. Jokes become dad jokes when they are fully groan.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles:

• Araknis 520 Router IPSec (Gateway to Gateway) VPN Setup Example (new)
• Araknis x20 Router Access Command Lists (ACLs) Setup Example (new)
• How to Configure Route Binding on Araknis 520 Series Routers (new)
• How to Configure OpenVPN on Araknis Routers (updated)
• Setting up PPTP VPNs with Araknis Routers (updated)

PCNA Update We are continuing to work on making PCNA available for purchase on the Snap One website, and smoothing out the remaining wrinkles in your PCNA experience at the same time.  PCNA is still temporarily unavailable for purchase through the Snap One website. We expect testing and reintegration to be finished this month. Thank you for your patience as we work to make PCNA accessible to all Partners!

Snap One Training Opportunities New opportunities to upgrade your knowledge and skills are coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.

Local Trainings Designing Vibrant Systems & Programming Automated Lighting:

• Las Vegas, NV: July 25 
• Marietta, GA: July 25 
• Nashville, TN: July 27 
• Scottsdale, AZ: July 27 
• Lenexa, KS: August 1st 
• Simi Valley, CA: August 1st 
• St. Louis, MO: August 3 

Webinars Introduction to Clare FusionPro and ClareVision:

• Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series)
• ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

Why are skateboards a good investment? Because they’re easy to flip.

New Drivers

• McIntosh MX180
• Panasonic 2023 TVs
• Confio Puck

See more drivers through your respective web portal:  Snap One Portal Users Control4 Portal Users Control4 EMEA Portal Users

Tips and Tricks Known Issue Are your Intercom Anywhere calls not displaying video on AT&T? See this article.

Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (Yes, you!) We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to shine a spotlight on you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians! Sharing is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here!

Hey, Smart Home Pros! Oh, June. Nature is in full bloom. The warm-weather loving folks have all emerged from indoor hibernation and the faint scent of a nearby cookout lingers in just about every US neighborhood. The air is buzzing with summer excitement… if you’re located in the northern hemisphere, that is. The air is also buzzing with bees, mosquitos, fireflies, and plenty of other creepy crawlies in most places. (I like to think of this coexistence as a necessary price we pay to have the “great outdoors” to enjoy.) In all seriousness, kudos to you for getting out there, completing installs, and creating outdoor magic for your clients to enjoy all summer long! I hope you’re taking a moment to enjoy a refreshing beverage in the shade or AC, because we’re bringing the heat with exciting new product features, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more!  P.S.: Because we care, here’s a friendly reminder to pack your sunscreen and water. Happy June! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

Triad Proves All Good Things Come in Threes

What’s better than the incredible sound and quality of Triad speakers? The convenient system design and installation features of the new Triad Passive Soundbars, of course! This built-to-order soundbar lineup consists of 12 total models across four separate series. Each series offers three different channel configurations, depending on your project needs. 

Key features include:

• 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 speaker configurations — These soundbars can be used as left, right, or center channels when mounted horizontally or vertically around a display.
• Easy Mount installation — The flexibility for vertical or horizontal orientation and the included Easy Mount brackets help you achieve perfect placement without moving the display or surrounding room decor.
• Perfectly matches the width of the TV — Triad soundbars can be ordered in 1/8″ length increments (up to 86″) to match the width of most TVs.
• Custom finishes — Select from six predesigned colorway combinations, customize cabinet and baffle finishes, and take advantage of paint and veneer matching.
• Serviceable design — In the unlikely event of an issue that requires servicing of the product, all soundbars are serviceable on site with replacement components to reduce downtime.Classic Triad voicing — Triad Passive Soundbars are timbre matched, so you can seamlessly integrate them with other Triad speakers for consistent tonal quality and high-end performance.
• Removable magnetic grille

If you aren’t already a Triad authorized dealer, you can apply online or at any of our Snap One Partner Stores! 

What do you call a potato that wears sunglasses? A spec-tater.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent!

Level 2 Tech Support agent Tony Ellis is this month’s TRUE G.R.I.T. Award winner! The TRUE G.R.I.T. Award recognizes Snap One technical support agents who provide top-notch support to our partners. 

Based in South Jordan, Utah, Tony supports our Partners through our Infrastructure queue, which covers such brands as Luma, Episode, WattBox, Dragonfly, and Strong, as well as third-party products and more! It’s no surprise that his teammates and Partners have plenty of great things to say about him. 

One teammate said, “Tony has been a solid resource, whether he is supporting the team, escalating issues, or creating technical documents to help the other agents. He maintains a great attitude, no matter how busy it seems to get.” 

A Partner described his positive experience with Tony by saying, “Tony was sharp, knowledgeable, and nice to boot—an asset to your organization. I hope I can get him again if I need help!”

When Tony isn’t busy supporting his team and our Partners, he shares his love for the mountains through summer hiking and winter snowboarding. He’s also honing his green thumb through his second year of vegetable gardening, which he candidly described as “educational.”  

Luma x10 App Version 4.6.2 Is Here for You! 

If you still support the Luma x10 line, you may be aware that some Android devices began to experience crashes when trying to open the Luma x10 app. This was due to the launch of Luma x10 app version 4.6.1 as a security patch update. On May 8th, version 4.6.2 was officially released to resolve this issue after passing internal validation. Snap One is continuing to monitor the situation. Read more details in the Tech Community. 

Note: This does not affect Luma x20 products.  

Did you hear about the robot that finally took a summer vacation? He really needed to recharge his batteries.

Knowledgebase

New or updated articles:

Luma X20 Activation and Default Passwords (new)

Installing HDDs in Luma 120 and 220 NVRs (new)

Using Luma x10 with x20 Guide (updated)

Recovering an Araknis x10 Series Router from Failsafe Mode (updated)

Understanding 802.1X and AAA Authentication (updated)  

PCNA Enhancements

Snap One Education is focused on enhancing our training programs to be more accessible to our Partners. On May 30th, the price for the Professional Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) certification was lowered from $1250 to $650.

What does this mean for you? 

• Previously, a $600 rebate was offered to those who certified within 60 days of receiving their PCNA kit. Since the price has been reduced to match the post-rebate cost, Partners no longer have to wait for the rebate to be credited to their account. Removing the rebate makes tracking cash flow easier, and eliminates the pressure of certifying by a specific date. 
• We still encourage candidates to keep a steady pace when completing the PCNA course and taking the PCNA certification exam. We have seen a higher pass rate for those who complete the course and attempt the exam within 60 days.
• PCNA is now more affordable! 

Note: PCNA is temporarily unavailable for purchase through the Snap One website. We expect this to be available in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience as we work to make PCNA accessible to all Partners!   

Snap One Training Opportunities

New opportunities to upgrade your knowledge and skills are coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. 

Technical Wi-Fi 6 Training (Domestic)

• Cleveland, OH: June 13
• Salt Lake City, UT: June 13
• Boise, ID: June 15
• Troy, MI: June 15
• Charlotte, NC: June 20
• Las Vegas, NV: June 20
• Scottsdale, AZ: June 22
• Fort Myers, FL: June 27
• San Diego, CA: June 27
• Irvine, CA: June 29
• Orlando, FL: June 29

Technical Wi-Fi 6 Training (International)

• Mississauga, ON: June 20
• Richmond, BC: June 22

Luma X20 Technical Training

• Eden Prairie, MN: June 13

Webinars

• Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series)
• ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

Stay Tuned for the Scoop on Tech Community

We have some insider news for our loyal Tech Community readers! We have been reviewing your feedback and are making some major improvements to the Tech Community this month. Look for our official announcement in the coming weeks! 

What do you get when you combine an elephant with a fish?
Swimming trunks.

Tips and Tricks

A Tool at Your Fingertips

We know you need to make the most out of your time in the field, and that means having the information you need at your fingertips. In the Tech Community, quickly locate information on how to reset or restore a device through this handy Device Resets and Restores page.  

Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks!

We want to hear more from you (Yes, you!) We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to shine a spotlight on you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!

Sharing is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here!

What is the difference between a piano and a fish? You can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish.

Hey, Smart Home Pros! Q: What has four candles, can’t actually be eaten, but can still be any flavor you imagine?  A: The imaginary birthday cake I just handed to you! The Smart Home Pro Tech Newsletter turns FOUR YEARS OLD today! As we reflect on the past year and those before it, we are grateful for all the support and feedback we have received from you. Your enthusiasm has been a driving force in helping us grow and improve our newsletter. We are working hard to bring you even more insightful articles in the Tech Community, exciting news, and the latest trends and developments in the industry. We strive to be your favorite source of practical tips for personal and professional growth. As we blow out the four candles on our birthday cake, we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and bringing you the best content possible. Stay tuned for the (real) sweet treat: exciting new product features, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more!  P.S. Sorry I lied about the cake. If it had been real, it would have been Black Forest. Happy May! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

The A-May-zing New MoIP Firmware 4.0

If you have an existing Binary MoIP system in the field or plan to install one, this announcement is for you! Firmware version 4.0 is packed with fantastic new features and improvements. To reap the benefits of this update, some action may be required on your part to verify your network and control system are configured properly. This update may not be compatible with every project scenario.  Here’s the cool stuff: Ryff to MoIP The Ryff to MoIP feature is the first step in creating a unified A/V over IP distribution platform at Snap One! This new functionality, available in Control4 Smart Home OS 3.3.2, enables Ryff audio streams (formerly Control4 Digital Audio, recently branded as Ryff) to be sent over the network and output through any Binary MoIP receiver—without adding any physical audio cabling. In detail, Ryff to MoIP:

• Enables sending audio from a Ryff-enabled device over the IP network to a MoIP receiver (MoIP Video RX or MoIP Audio RX) or SWAT amp. 
• Eliminates the need for analog audio cabling to bridge our wireless audio distribution solution with our video distribution platform. 
• Enables a Control4 controller’s audio to be output either from its physical audio output (analog, digital, HDMI) or via MoIP.  
• Makes installation easier and faster, and enables decentralization, all by enabling a more cohesive multi-room A/V system

Read more about this feature in the Tech Community. OvrC

• Moves the MoIP configuration from the local interface to OvrC’s MoIP System Management, found under the MoIP controller’s Configure tab. All configuration options are now only available in OvrC.
• Provides MoIP endpoint status: MoIP transmitters and receivers now appear as individual devices within the OvrC device list, providing real-time status and notification support.
• Simplifies making changes to the MoIP system, since all configurations are now available in OvrC. MoIP is now much easier and more convenient.
• This transition to a new technical architecture in OvrC means it is now possible for Snap One to add additional features in the future that would not have been possible otherwise, such as increased network visibility, health status, and more.

Network Configuration In order to work properly each managed switch in the network must have the following settings:

• IGMP snooping must be enabled and set to v2. 
• Unregistered multicast behavior set to drop.
• MRouter / Router Auto-learn enabled.
• Fast Leave disabled.

The core MoIP switch must have:

• Querier state enabled and set to v2.

Edge switches must have the following settings:

• Querier state disabled.

Read more about MoIP network configuration requirements here and in the Tech Community.  Important Notes:

• A new MoIP driver, the latest Control4 Smart Home OS, and updated MoIP controller firmware are all required. 
• The MoIP Client Control App is no longer available in MoIP 4.0. If your client requires this feature, do not upgrade to MoIP 4.0
• The total number of streams is limited to the number of physical streams a Control4 controller is capable of.
• The jobsite must be OvrC compatible. If you cannot use OvrC at the location, do not upgrade to firmware v4.0.
• There are currently two known issues with Araknis x10 switches and Pakedge MS switches: (Firmware updates are in development to resolve these issues.)
  • With Araknis x10 switch firmware v1.3.10 and earlier, IGMP Querier auto-election is currently unavailable. Set all edge switches to Querier Disabled to avoid issues.
  • With Pakedge MS switch Firmware v1.03.0 and earlier, in a multi-switch MoIP topology, MoIP traffic between switches may not traverse as expected when using an MS switch as the core switch.
• The MoIP controller local interface now only displays the general status of each endpoint, as well as the ability to change sources on receivers.

How do pickles celebrate their birthdays? With relish.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Nathan Aarhus if you’ve contacted Technical Support. Nathan is a Level 2 Tech Support agent based in Waukesha, WI. Nathan supports our Partners through multiple queues, including Control4 and Tier 2. Nathan recently won the TRUE GRIT award for Snap One Technical Support, which recognizes tech support agents for offering top-notch support to our partners! It’s no surprise that his teammates had plenty of great things to say about him. “Nathan Aarhus is an amazing agent. His calls often are riddled with jokes–he is always able to get a laugh from the partner. He is no doubt someone who loves to master his craft. He often seeks advice to improve his support techniques, and is always nitpicking his own work. He actively makes changes to squeeze out every drop of excellence.” When Nathan isn’t busy being a total rock star, he enjoys tinkering, kayaking, and hiking.

May-jor OS 3.3.3 Update! OS 3.3.3 is taking the cake with resolved bugs, updated UI on the Control4 user interface, and improvements to Intercom Anywhere.  Read more about the update here. You make life so funfetti.

May the Options Be Ever in Your Favor If you do not have access to an Episode Hybrid Amplifier but still want to install a landscape audio system, you can use an ESA-70V2CH series amp with an EA-AMP-SUB-1D-500R/300R. For Radiance installations, you may use any 70V/8Ω amplifier as long as you use the Radiance DSP settings. Read more in the Tech Community.  Statistics show that those who have the most birthdays live the longest.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles:

• Recommended Amplifiers for Landscape Audio (new)
• Using the Daylight Agent with CCT-Capable Lights (new)
• SunBrite URC IP drivers (new)
• Networking Best Practices for Binary MoIP (Media Over IP) (updated)
• Binary MoIP Articles, Videos, and Documentation (updated)
• Using Luma x10 with x20 Guide (updated)
• Obtaining App IDs for creating Universal Mini-Drivers (updated)
• Zigbee Devices Will Not Identify (Verify Zigbee Server & Zap Coordinator Are Online) (updated)

No Need to Fear, The Archive Is Here! We know that you love product education. We also understand that making time to attend scheduled webinars is tough. That’s why we archive webinars in case you miss them! Last month, the Episode Radiance webinar covered great system design and install tips—check it out!

Snap One Training Opportunities We have new opportunities to upgrade your knowledge and skills coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.

• Technical Wi-Fi 6 Training
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL: May 16
  • Sacramento, CA: May 16
  • San Jose, CA: May 18
  • Tampa, FL: May 18
  • Austin, TX: May 23
  • Norwalk, CT: May 23
  • Houston, TX: May 25
  • Secaucus, NJ: May 25
• Webinars
  • Best Practice Wi-Fi Design and Optimal Access Point Selection
    • May 11, 6 a.m. PST
    • May 11, 9 a.m. PST 
  • Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series) 
  • Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series)
  • ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

	People always tell me to act my age… but I’ve never been this old before!

Boldy Go Where No Smart Home Has Gone Before What do you do with a few leftover Gen 1 lighting devices, a couple of mini TVs, a pair of bookshelf speakers, an old digital picture frame, and a spare Control4 EA controller? If you ask Chris Alldredge, an Instructional Designer on the Snap One Education team, the answer is: you build a spaceship simulator console for your grandchildren! Chris explains, “I had all of this old gear lying around that I didn’t know what to do with. One day, I had the thought that it would be fun to turn the otherwise useless space under the stairs in my basement into a spaceship that my grandchildren could play in when they visit.”

After laying out the spare devices and creating a design for the console, Chris also found some additional buttons and toggle switches online to add to the fun. “Some of the buttons and toggle switches are actually connected to the contacts and relays on the controller to add cool functionality—like firing the torpedoes and phasers. ”Two HDMI media players provide the video and spaceship background audio ambience to complete the immersive experience. “I found a strip of cheap LED lights that my youngest daughter left in her room after she moved out,” Chris says, “So I decided to add that to the design.” Chris had to create custom IR drivers to control the LED tape lights and toggle the digital picture frame on and off.

With a little imagination, Chris designed, built, and programmed the spaceship console using all of the skills that technicians in our industry use to create wonderful, custom smart home experiences for their clients everyday. “My grandkids have gone on many adventures in the spaceship. It’s fun to see something that I built inspire them to use their imaginations,” Chris says. You can watch a short video of the spaceship console in action.

It’s Movie Time! To celebrate the Tech Newsletter’s fourth birthday, we are giving you another experience button driver that you can use to delight your clients. Add the Movie Time Experience Button driver to the Navigator in a client’s media room or home theater and give them a “movie theater-like” experience. You can program the experience button to close the shades, dim the lights, and select the client’s favorite video source. Download the driver here. Adding the Movie Time Experience Button to a Client’s Project: 1. Download the driver to your computer. 2. Open a client’s project in Composer Pro. 3. On the Driver menu, click Add or Update Driver or Agent. 4. Navigate to the movie_time.c4z file on your computer and select it. 5. Click Open. 6. In System Design, select the room in the project tree where you want to add the driver. 7. Click the Search tab in the Items pane, verify that the Local checkbox is selected. 8. Type Movie Time in the search box, and press Enter. 9. Double-click Movie Time in the driver list to add it to the room. 10. Click the driver, labeled Scenario, in the project tree. 11. Click the Documentation tab in the Properties pane and follow the instructions to program the experience button driver behavior. This driver is only available to Smart Home Pro Tech Newsletter readers (it’s not available in the Composer Pro driver database). After you download the driver and add it in Composer Pro the first time, it is available for you to add to any client’s project.

New or updated drivers: New Drivers:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ70
• Integra: DRX-8.4
• Pioneer: VSX-LX805/  VSA-LX805

Updated Drivers:

• Onkyo: TX-NR5100/TX-NR6100/TX-NR6050/TX-NR7100/TX-RZ50
• Integra: DRX-2.4/DRX-3.4/DRX-5.4
• Pioneer: VSX-935/VSX-LX105/VSX-LX305/VSX-LX505
• Pulse-Eight: ProAudio1632/ ProAudio64/ ProAudio48/ ProAudio32/ ProAudio16/ ProAudio8
• Steinway Lyngdorf: TDAI-3400
• Tyba: Tyba Turn

See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks Security Incident and Best Practices for AN-300-RT-4L2W Router Tips and Tricks Security Incident and Best Practices for AN-300-RT-4L2W Router Around April 6th, 2023, an external botnet targeted and attacked a vulnerability in the remote support features present on some legacy Araknis AN-300-RT routers. While modern best practices encourage disabling open ports and changing default passwords (required through laws like the California IoT Act of 2020), there are still many systems in the field that do not follow these more secure methods. In this specific incident, a broad brute force attack was able to compromise some legacy Araknis AN-300-RT routers that had open Local UI ports. This setting was disabled with the ports closed by default when the AN-300-RT shipped and would have been manually enabled by the installer to open the port for remote access. Araknis AN-300-RT routers that do not have this setting enabled to remotely open the Local UI are not impacted by this specific incident. Read more about the incident, symptoms, and best practices you can follow to defeat bad actors.  Note: We have no evidence of any further compromise to Partner or End-Customer networks and have no evidence that any customer data was accessed or breached. Moreover, we have no evidence that this attack targeted other devices on customers’ networks.

Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (yes, you!). We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here! You know what goes up and never comes down? Your age.

Hey, Smart Home Pros! We’ve all heard the popular expression, “April showers bring May flowers.” The symbolism behind this statement suggests that even the drag and dreary moments we tolerate in life will play a vital role in the abundance of our future. While I fully support this sentiment, I think April unfairly gets a bad rap. Personally, I love the rain. April also hosts holidays like Passover, Easter, Earth Day, and my personal favorite: April Fools’ day. More importantly, this April brings another tech newsletter full of exciting content! So grab your rain boots, and make a splash into these exciting new product features, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more!  P.S. Cue “Singin’ In the Rain” sung by Gene Kelly. Happy April! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

April Just Got a Lot More Radiance It’s that time of year when clients want to improve their outdoor living spaces for the spring and summer, and you’re tasked with finding the most efficient way to make their dreams come true. Lucky for you, the Episode Radiance line has your back! This all-in-one solution not only combines audio and lighting into one system, it only requires a single, two-conductor wire, thanks to the MB-1 audio+lighting processor. The Episode Radiance line consists of 17 SKUs, including the patent-pending audio+lighting processor (MB-1), black or white bollard style speakers and subwoofer, speaker blanks, light modules, and a variety of mounts. The system is modular so you can build the perfect system for a variety of job sites! Key features include: Speakers and Lighting:

• “Twist-to-lock” technology allows you to mix and match lighting modules to speaker bollards, blanks, or mounting accessories to create a custom outdoor ambience—all without additional screws, wires or tools. 
• Lighting patterns are adjustable. Choose between uplight, downlight or both with the flip of a switch. Note: Radiance lights cannot be dimmed and do not support color modifications.
• Radiance speakers radiate sound in a 360° pattern for even dispertion. The speakers are 70V with tap settings ranging from 2W–16W. The Radiance subwoofers are 8Ω, with power handling up to 500W.
• IP66 certified and UV protected for durability.

MB-1:

• The MB-1 is a passive audio and light processor that combines the signal from a lighting transformer and amplifier along a single, two-conductor wire to carry both signals to Radiance speakers and lights.
• Maximum audio load rating of 500W. Plan for 400W to allow 20% headroom. 
• Maximum lighting load rating of 300W. Plan for 240W to allow 20% headroom. 
• The MB-1 is only compatible with Radiance lights and speakers.

Tip: This system pairs well with the Episode Hybrid Amplifiers due to built-in presets that allow for EQ optimization specific to the Radiance speaker line. Check out the Radiance Quick Start Guide for a great visual overview of the installation of each component. Radiance products are available for purchase in the US and Canada today, and will be available in all other regions in June! It started raining coins outside today. I guess it’s just climate change.

This Daylight Agent Is Like Clockwork One of my favorite characteristics of spring is more daylight! If you’re working with Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)-capable lights, you will definitely want to check out the Daylight Agent! This feature supports circadian health as it warms and cools white LED temperatures to mimic the rising and setting of the sun.  How it works for you:  In Composer Pro, you can create, modify and review (test execute) Daylight programs that ramp the color temperature and brightness for a group of lights. You can base this on the customer’s location by using actual sunrise and sunset times. You can also add custom points across the 24-hour timeline to more closely align color temperatures with customer routines and schedules.     How it works for customers: The Navigator on T3/T4 touchscreens or the Control4 App for Android and iOS is the primary interface for controlling the behavior of the Daylight agent. The Lighting interface has a new tab for Daylight and a new icon on the Lights tab to indicate if any lights are currently following a daylight program. The user interface allows customers to create their own daylight programs or edit existing ones. The new Daylight tab allows customers to switch between existing programs and start or stop each program. Requirements:

• CCT-capable lights.
• Drivers with CCT control and implement the brightness_on_mode_preset and color_on_mode_preset functionality.
• Smart Home OS 3.3.2 or later.
• T3 or T4 touchscreen, Control4 App for Android or iOS version 323.03 or later. 

See more details in the Tech Community. What’s the worst part about April fools? Jokes without punchlines.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Donovan Matthews if you’ve contacted Technical Support for Networking or Control4 assistance. Donovan is a Level 1 Networking Tech Support agent based in Charlotte, NC. Donovan recently won the TRUE GRIT award for Snap One Technical Support, which recognizes tech support agents for offering top-notch support to our partners! His teammates characterize him by his tenacity and willingness to step in and help others. Because he seeks to understand the “why” in every scenario, he is well versed when assisting partners and fellow teammates. He even helps train new agents. When he isn’t helping his teammates and our partners, Donovan enjoys hiking with his wife and three dogs, writing and composing music, building custom guitars, and analyzing film scores. He is even composing music for a video game!

I Can See Luma X20 Cameras Clearly Now, the Rain Is Gone The rain may not technically be gone yet, but the workarounds required to add Luma X20 cameras to OvrC are! Last month, we highlighted some workarounds needed to claim Luma X20 cameras connected to an NVR on OvrC. We are happy to inform you that a recent OvrC update has resolved this issue! You can now install your entire Luma X20 system (even with the cameras connected directly to the NVR) and OvrC will claim the cameras automatically. Thank you for your patience! It wasn’t until recently that I understood the weather bureau is more of an umbrella organization.

Say Halo to the 1.2.3 Update! On March 23rd, Halo Remotes automatically downloaded the 1.2.3 firmware update. This update focused on network reliability and stability improvements, as well as a number of other experience improvements. Key features and bug fixes included:

• Added a Room Off confirmation toggle  
• Improved stability of Wi-Fi connections to address persistent “Network Errors” in most configurations 
• Resolved scenarios where the Halo screen stays on (doesn’t go to sleep) or is blank (doesn’t wake up properly)  
• Fixed ‘Add Rooms’ and ‘View Queue’ on the Now Playing page when Sonos is the source  

Read more in the official firmware release notes here. Find more Halo remote documentation here.  What’s Mr. T’s favorite month? April, fools.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles:

• Advanced Routing Concepts (new)
• Create a Z-Wave Mesh Using Z-Wave USB Dongle (updated)
• OS3 – Mobile Device App Error Codes and Messages (updated)
• Halo Remote Does Not Connect to Wi-Fi After a Channel Change After Deep Sleep (new)
• Halo Remote Does Not Reconnect to 2.4GHz After a Deep Sleep (new)

Spring Cleaning and New Growth! You may have had the pleasure of taking automation courses at the Control4 headquarters in Draper, Utah, over the years. This facility hosted many classes since 2004 and provided countless opportunities for our partners to become Control4 certified. As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” However, the best part about endings is new beginnings! Snap One recently relocated our Utah office to Lehi, Utah. This move has given our Education team a great opportunity to build a new Control4 training facility from the ground up! Our teams have worked diligently to create an upgraded space just for you. And in case one new classroom isn’t exciting enough, stay tuned… a second classroom is in progress!

Snap One Training Opportunities We have new opportunities to upgrade your knowledge and skills coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.

• Technical Wi-Fi 6 Training
  • Carrollton, TX: April 11
  • Simi Valley, CA: April 11
  • Denver, CO: April 13
  • Van Nuys, CA: April 13
  • Marietta, GA: April 18
  • Elk Grove Village, IL: April 18
  • Eden Prairie, MN: April 20
  • Nashville, TN: April 20
  • Carmel, IN: April 25
  • Seattle, WA: April 25
  • Portland, OR: April 27
  • Cincinnati, OH: April 27

• Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series) 
• Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series)
• ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

I once tried to catch fog, but I mist.

New or Updated Drivers:

• Bowers and Wilkins:
  • CDA-2HD
  • CDA-4D

See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks Using Luma X10 with X20 Do you have a client with a Luma X10 NVR who has upgraded to Luma X20 cameras? Or maybe you have a client who has upgraded to an X20 NVR but still has X10 cameras. We’ve outlined the configuration steps you need to take for both scenarios here. What comes up while the rain comes down? An umbrella.

Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (yes, you!). We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here!

Hey, Smart Home Pros! Is it just me, or are we all counting down to the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere? One of the best lessons spring teaches us is to take a moment to stretch our limbs, reset, and stop to smell the roses. Lettuce all take thyme to evaluate how the year has gone thus far, and assess our next steps for the coming months. Whether that means plotting the best ways to enjoy the warming weather, or cultivating your skills for the job site and beyond, nothing beets the results of proactive planning. We can’t tell you how to enjoy springtime in your area, but we can sow these totally radish new product features, Smart Skills, KB articles, tips, tricks and more! Happy March! Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

The 8×8 Binary Matrix is Reality While we are taking a moment to stop and smell the roses, can we appreciate that the B-660-MTRX-8×8 is here!? As a big brother of the B-660-MTRX-4×4, it contains many of the same features you know and love, but two times over! Key features include: Audio & Video

• (8) 18 Gbps HDMI inputs and outputs 
• (8) RCA analog L/R audio out + (2) audio out (3.5mm 5-pin Phoenix connector)
• 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4 HDMI compliance 
• HDR, HLG & Dolby Vision 
• HDCP 2.2
• HDMI 2.0 specified audio formats, including:
  • PCM 2.0/5.1/7.1
  • Dolby TrueHD
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
  • DTS: X 
• L&R Audio Out, (3.5mm 5-pin Phoenix connector): Stereo 

Control

• Control4 Certified with built-in SDDP!
• Connections include:
  • 1 Ethernet port for IP control & OvrC 
  • 1 IR input & bidirectional RS-232

Learn More

Halo! How Are You? Have you checked out the Halo Resources Page in the Tech Community? To save time in the field, we planted everything you need to install and troubleshoot a Halo remote in one place! Highlights include Halo Voice installation, Halo Troubleshooting Guide, and a detailed guide of the firmware update process. I tried to take a high-res photo of our farm’s crops, but it turned out grainy.

How to Configure Luma X20 from OvrC One of the best features of the Luma X20 surveillance line is that in most cases, you can configure the entire system from OvrC! You are no longer required to connect to the NVR and cameras’ individual web GUI just for setup. That means port forwarding is no longer a necessity for reliable remote access! You can check out the entire OvrC X20 Manual here to see all supported features. We also created this Smart Skill that explains how to configure intrusion with human and vehicle detection, all from OvrC of course. Brief overview: Step 1: Create Intrusion Areas Step 2: Set Detection Controls Step 3: Tie Intrusion Settings to the SD Card Step 4: Enable Intrusion Zone Detection Why couldn’t the flower ride a bike? It lost its petals.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Ben Allen if you’ve contacted Control4 Technical Support. Ben is a Level 5 Escalation Tech Support agent based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ben has been a pillar of Control4 Technical Support for 16 years.  In that impressive span, he has risen through every level in the department, from Level 1 to the newly created Level 5 position, where he serves as Senior Escalations Support Specialist. Ben has a vast array of technical knowledge, spanning C4 OS build 1.2 all the way to OS 3.3.2. He is a valuable resource on many fronts and has assisted thousands of techs during his tenure! As a Senior Escalations Specialist, he works behind the scenes of tech support, troubleshooting advanced software defects, and working with our engineers on fixes. It’s no surprise that Ben recently won the TRUE GRIT award for Snap One Technical Support, which recognizes our Tech Support agents for offering top-notch support to our Partners! When he isn’t offering top-notch support, he enjoys working on cars, weightlifting, playing Warhammer, skateboarding, riding bikes, and listening to hip-hop. Did you hear about the farmer who won an award for his dedication to his crops? He was out standing in his field.

Workaround to Claim X20 Luma Cameras in OvrC At the moment, OvrC cannot see X20 Luma cameras behind a Luma NVR’s built-in PoE switch. An OvrC update to resolve this is in progress. In the meantime, here are the workarounds. Option 1: Networks with an OvrC Pro Device (Araknis or Pakedge router, Control4 EA or CORE controller, or OvrC Pro Hub) Use an alternate PoE switch on the network to claim each camera in OvrC: 1. Connect each camera to an alternate PoE switch on the network—not the NVR. In OvrC, run a network Scan. OvrC will locate and claim the cameras automatically. 2. After OvrC claims each camera, disconnect it from the alternate PoE switch and connect it to the NVR’s built-in PoE switch. Option 2: Networks without an OvrC Pro device Use the MAC Address and Service Tag information to claim each camera manually (this information is located on a label on the camera’s box): 1. Connect each camera to the NVR. 2. In OvrC, click ADD DEVICE at the top of the customer’s device list and manually enter the MAC Address and Service Tag for each camera. Thank you for your patience as we work to make your future installs even easier. We will notify you on the Tech Community home page when this issue is resolved.

Hoe Hoe Hoe! Celery-brate This Sony TV Fix! For the past few years, there has been an issue with Sony TVs falling offline or creating a network storm with Control4. After years of joint collaboration, there is now a fix! Start by updating the firmware of the Sony TV to version PKG6.5942.0698NAA, then follow up by adjusting settings in the Control4 driver.  Read more in the Tech Community. I should be preparing my garden for spring, but I haven’t botany plants yet.

Knowledgebase   New or updated articles:

• Installing the Halo Remote using the First-Time User Experience (new)
• Installing Voice with Halo (new)
• Comcast Xfinity Voice Control Update for Halo Remotes (new)
• Wi-Fi Multicast Enhancement drains Halo Remote batteries
• Halo Remotes Do Not Currently Support Wi-Fi Channels 12 and 13
• Control4 Halo Remote Troubleshooting
• Using Luma x10 with x20 Guide (new)
• Why Do My Luma Cameras Not Show On My Control4 Navigators (new)
• Luma X20 Articles, Videos, and Documentation (new)

Snap One Local Store Trainings and Webinars We have new webinars coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.

• Luma X20 Technical Training
  • San Jose, CA: March 7th
  • Carrollton, TX: March 7th
  • Norwalk,CT: March 7th
  • Sacramento, CA: March 9th
  • Plainview, NY: March 9th
  • Austin, TX: March 9th
  • Nashville, TN: March 14th
  • Rockville, MD: March 14th
  • Boise, ID: March 14th
  • Orlando, FL: March 15th
  • Marietta, GA: March 16th
  • Charlotte, NC: March 16th
  • Houston, TX- March 16th
  • Tampa, FL: March 17th
  • St. Louis, MO: March 21st
  • Cinncinati, OH: March 21st
  • Philadelphia, PA: March 21st
  • Hollywood, FL: March 21st
  • Lenexa, KS: March 23rd
  • Cleveland, OH: March 23rd
  • Woburn, MA: March 23rd
  • Carmel, IN: March 28th
  • Salt Lake City, UT: March 28th
  • Troy, MI: March 30th
  • Denver, CO: March 30th
• Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series)
• Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series)
• ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

I hate spring cleaning. Darn things bounce all over the place.

Smart Skills Check out these new or updated Smart Skills that are now in our Tech Community:

• Preparing and Placing a Keypad Engraving Order (new)
• Configuring an Episode Lynk in OvrC (new)
• Creating a New User in the Snap One Portal (new)

New or Updated Drivers:

• Sony:
  • STR-AZ7000ES
  • STR-AZ5000ES
  • STR-AZ3000ES
  • STR-AZ1000ES
• Denon:
  • AVC-X4800 
• Marantz:
  • CINEMA 40
  • AVC-A1

See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks Why Do My Luma Cameras Not Show on My Control4 Navigators? If you have job sites that are still equipped with the legacy Luma 310 surveillance line and you want to use Control4, read this article to understand more about limitations and solutions for streaming. Linked Resources in OvrC We’re pretty passionate about organizational tricks around here. You just can’t beat the time it saves when you need important information in a flash! Luckily, OvrC offers an easy method to link resources to a customer project. Watch this Smart Skill in The Tech Community for more details. I’m trying my hand at gardening this year. So far, it’s really grown on me.

Last Bud Not Least: We Value Your Feedback in the Tech Community! The best part about a community is that it holds space for us to share knowledge and to work toward common goals. If you read a KB article or watched a Smart Skill, let us know if and how it helped, and/or how we can improve!  1. In the upper-right corner of the article page, click the thumbs up or thumbs down icon to let us know if you recommend the article. 2. Select an option from the Choose a general reason list to let us know how the resource could have been more helpful. 3. Enter additional feedback in the Description field. 4. Click Submit.

We Care About Your Discussions! Every time you engage in the Discussions page in the Tech Community, you improve our search engine. More participation = better answers! Discussions contain helpful tips that are just as searchable as Knowledgebase articles. Every piece of information builds the Tech Community into the central location for technical information. A peony for your thoughts. Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (yes, you!). We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing Is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here

Hey, Smart Home Pros! Oh, February. Love is in the air. Heart-shaped chocolates and the same three colors of roses overflow from every public market and street corner. Dating apps are in full swing. If you aren’t braving crowds by going out for Valentine’s Day, maybe you’re using your high-speed network to watch a movie or set your dinner scene with some music and vibrant lighting. Or maybe, it’s just an ordinary day of bingeing the newest Netflix series, playing video games, and swiping on Tinder. Regardless of your Valentine’s disposition, we just wanna say we love you a whole watt. You’re our everything bagel; we donut know what we’d do without you. So in the spirit of cheesy Valentine’s traditions, please accept this less-than-brie-lliant poem. Control4 is red, OvrC is blue, Stay tuned to see new product features, Smart Skills, KB articles, tips tricks and more! It’s our gift to you. Happy Valentine’s Day!  Your Not-So-Secret Admirer,  Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

Did You Fall From Heaven? I Found Your Halo Cue the hallelujah chorus! The Control4 Halo Remote is available for preorder! Preorders for the Halo Touch will be available late Q1 to early Q2. So what makes the Halo family so heavenly? Capable of media browsing, device control, and scene selection for AV, lighting, comfort, and security New UI design language is more user-friendly and customizable Backlit buttons are easy to use in the dark Wi-Fi strength increased 3–5× over Neeo and supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands New Voice button dynamically functions as a Siri Remote for Apple TV or Xfinity Voice Remote for Xfinity boxes Ultra-low power processor for extended battery life If asleep, a button press wakes Halo and executes the command Includes a “Find remote” function that can be accessed from a Control4 Touchscreen, the Control4 App, or voice command Provides at-a-glance troubleshooting information Your customers can take advantage of the “First Time User Experience” via their smartphone to install their Halo and Halo Touch in minutes OvrC gives you access to battery-charging data and Wi-Fi connectivity statistics, providing valuable insights on use so you can optimize the customer experience Note: Halo remotes require OS 3.3.2 Read More About Halo and Halo Touch in The Tech Community

I Can’t Imagine a Life Without You, OS 3.3.2 Control4 OS 3.3.2 holds the key to my heart. By heart, I mean successful integration with new products! This release includes a new Daylight feature that automates Vibrant tunable white LEDs to warm, cool, brighten, and dim throughout the day to match the progression of natural sunshine. The update also adds the fully featured Voice Coordinator Agent and provides drivers for Luma x20 IP cameras and NVRs, as well as drivers for Halo and Halo Touch.   Halo:  Deep Sleep Timeout period to extend battery life (Halo and Halo Touch) Digital Labels and programming for the Custom Buttons (Halo only) Note: Like Neeo, these drivers cannot be found in the Online Database nor the My Drivers tab, because the drivers auto-add through the Halo Setup Wizard (FTUE). Luma X20 IP Cameras: Using a Control4 touchscreen or the Control4 App (for iPhone or iPad, Android phone, or tablet), customers can try out these new features and controls to: View live video from grid view  Rearrange cameras through the UI with the new button at the top right Set camera settings and configurations (including trip lines, motion zones, and PTZ controls) can be set from the camera’s individual Live View page. Are you Wi-Fi? Because I’m totally feeling a connection.

We’re Meant to Be, Luma X20 The air may be buzzing with romance, but it’s also buzzing with excitement! The new generation of Luma surveillance is born. The Luma X20 IP family provides an all-new end-to-end solution with IP cameras, NVRs, OvrC integration, and end-customer app and OvrC experiences.   New and improved end customer app: No plugins needed for desktop/web viewing with Luma View!  Faster setup: OvrC integration for full camera configuration.  Good things come in small packages: up to 30%smaller form factor for more discreet installs (vs. Luma X10 models). Intelligent analytics = smarter events: AI power inside every IP camera, and advanced event support in NVRs. Includes advanced human, vehicle, and non-motor vehicle detection; as well as AI-filtered events that reduce false notifications and enables fast filtering in the all-new Luma View app. Higher video quality: Up to 8MP cameras, and NVRs that can record 8MP on all channels simultaneously. Available options for IR, Starlight and Color at Night: Luma X20 IP cameras offer a variety of options for low-light viewing, including new Color at Night offerings that show full color in nighttime settings. Color at Night cameras produce a clearer scene from the most minimal sources of ambient light. Deeper integration: with Control4, get live thumbnails, automatic resolution detection, advanced event triggering; plus all products are ONVIF conformant and NDAA compliant Check out Luma X20 technical documentation and Smart Skills in the Tech Community! Are you Siri? Because you autocomplete me.

We’re Swiping Right on This Luma X20 Quick Start Guide We know how important it is to use your time in the field efficiently. We also know that you need product documentation at your fingertips during an install. Thanks to the QR code and swipe format of the Luma Quick Start Guide, you’ll find everything you need in an instant! Simply scan the QR code on the product box for setup, mounting instructions, information on OvrC integration, Tech Community resources, and more! Your eyes are like IKEA. I’m totally lost in them.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Robert Gibbons if you’ve contacted Control4 Technical Support. Robert is a Level-2 Tech Support agent based in Orange, CA. He supports our Partners through the Control4 and Control4 Tier 2 queues. Robert recently won the TRUE GRIT award for Snap One Technical Support, which recognizes our Tech Support agents for offering top-notch support to our Partners! His teammates characterize him by his passion for helping our Partners and fellow team members. He often trains new hires and supports questions outside of his shift. When he isn’t offering top-notch support, he enjoys playing video games and discussing game theory and music. His top three favorite games are World Of Warcraft, the Mass Effect Trilogy, and Heroes of Might and Magic 3. (Robert even met his wife playing World of Warcraft “many moons ago”!) Are you a fan of Nintendo? I think Wii would go well together.

There’s So Mush-Room in My Heart… I Mean in OvrC If you use OvrC on sites with multiple rooms and lots of devices, you have probably experienced the challenge of finding specific devices or groups of devices. We’re excited to say that we can help! OvrC has made several improvements to the Device list and introduced the Rooms feature to help you organize your device list for more efficient navigation when you need it. You can now create rooms for different floors, business departments, or other spaces on site. Device list improvements include: Bulk actions Filters Grouping by room Sorting Resize and reorder columns  Add or remove columns Search Quick links to access the local user interface (UI) or go directly to the room in which a device is located Learn how to create rooms and use the device list improvements in the Tech Community! Are you Times New Roman? Because you’re totally my type.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles: How to Add Users to Your Snap One Account (new) OvrC Network Health (new) OvrC Rooms & Device List (new) Halo Remote Articles, Videos, and Documentation (new) Resetting the Halo Remote to the First-Time User Experience (new) Luma x20 Articles, Videos, and Documentation (new) WattBox Best Practices + Troubleshooting + More

Snap One Webinars We have new webinars coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. Luma X20 Technical Training Simi Valley, CA- February 7th San Diego, CA- February 7th Van Nuys, CA- February 9th Riverside, CA- February 9th Elk Grove Village, IL- February 21st Las Vegas, NV- February 21st Edina, MN- February 23rd Scottsdale, AZ- February 23rd Kirkland, WA- February 28th Beaverton, OR- March 2nd  San Jose, CA- March 7th Norwalk,CT- March 7th Sacramento, CA- March 9th Plainview, NY- March 9th Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series) Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series) ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series) Your smile is more refreshing than my F5 key.

Smart Skills Check out these new or updated Smart Skills that are now in our Tech Community: Configuring Intrusion with Human and Vehicle Detection on Luma X20 Cameras in OvrC (new) Configuring Line Crossing on Luma X20 Cameras in OvrC (new) Adding Unassigned Cameras to an X20 NVR in OvrC (new) Configuring a Luma Camera SD Card for 24/7 and Event Recording in OvrC (new)

New or Updated Drivers: Samsung TU7000 Series- Black Friday Models LG Projector- HU915QB-GL\QE-GL See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks For Watt It’s Worth Whether you’re rehearsing pick-up lines for your Valentine’s date or improving your efficiency on the job, the same rule applies: practice makes perfect! We can’t promise the pick-up lines will work, but we can promise you’ll be a more successful installer if you follow this WattBox Best Practices guide.  Contents include: Best Practices: Power Load Best Practices: Installation Configuring Backup Power WattBox Troubleshooting Overcurrent Protection Mode WattBox Installation/Checklist UPS Battery Duration Worksheet Load Calculation Worksheet Do you like raisins? No? How about a date?

We Value Your Feedback in the Tech Community! The best part about a community is that it holds space for us to share knowledge and to work toward common goals. If you read a KB article or watched a Smart Skill, let us know if and how it helped, and/or how we can improve!  1. On the top right hand corner of the article page, click the thumbs up or thumbs down icon to let us know if you recommend the article. 2. Select an option from the Choose a general reason list to let us know how the resource could have been more helpful. 3. Enter any additional feedback in the Description field.  4. Click Submit. We Care About Your Discussions! Every time you engage in the Discussions page in the Tech Community, you improve our search engine. More participation = better answers! Discussions contain helpful tips that are just as searchable as Knowledgebase articles. Every piece of information builds the Tech Community into the central location for technical information. I love you from my head to-ma-toes. Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (yes, you!). We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing Is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here

Hey, Smart Home Pros! Congratulations! We made it to 2023 with an entire new year of possibilities! One of my favorite parts is witnessing societal tendencies to challenge the definition of what it means to be our best selves. If the concept of new year’s resolutions isn’t for you, don’t worry. You can use the following exercise at any time! Visualize something you’d like to achieve, no matter how big or small (personal, professional, or both). Write down the first step you might take toward achieving that goal in a single sentence. Now pat yourself on the back! You just made progress toward your goal. Numerous studies show that goal setting is a crucial step to success. P.S. If your goal was related to Snap One Education, you’re in luck! We have plenty of new product features, Smart Skills, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more! If you visualized grabbing your favorite lunch, we support that too. We’ll still be here with the brain food when you’re ready. Happy New Year!  Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work If you use terminal access to troubleshoot your customer’s Control4 automation system, this collaboration opportunity is for you! Our teams are working hard to increase the safety and security of our platforms and your customer’s systems by replacing terminal access with a more elegant, powerful, and intuitive tool. And since the best way to meet your needs is to ask for your input, we’d like you to complete the Partner Tools Survey to let us know how you use the existing terminal feature so we can plan and develop properly. See more details in the Tech Community.

New Year, New AP! Following the recent release of the Araknis Networks Wi-Fi 6 820 Indoor Access Point, we welcome the Araknis Networks Wi-Fi 6 520 Indoor Access Point! Key features include: Up to 2.5 Gbps LAN port connection: Support multi-gig jobs. Enhanced SSID customization: Customize fast roaming and band steering per SSID. Wi-Fi Management via OvrC: Simple setup for multiple-AP jobs including guest network configuration. 2×2 antenna: More powerful connection for more devices with greater throughput so you don’t have to sacrifice network speed for size. Compared to the 4×4 antenna offered by the 820 AP, the 520 is a perfect fit for smaller deployments. DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channel support to increase the number of Wi-Fi channels when available. Wi-Fi 6: Supports the new standard for increased speed, coverage, and capacity. Can extend the battery life of Wi-Fi 6 connected devices. Supports OFDMA, MU-MIMO, 1024 QAM, and BSS Coloring to optimize bandwidth efficiency, thus increasing throughput while decreasing power consumption. Note: Mixing Araknis Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 Series Access Points on the same job will impact performance and is not recommended. Fast roaming between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 devices is not supported.  Read More

Watt a Treat! Many of our WattBox IP power conditioners and faceplates are now available internationally! All IP WattBox products provide three lines of defense: self-healing auto reboot, OvrC remote management to fix problems quickly, and an OvrC client-facing app. The international SKUs include: WB-800I-IPVM-6 WB-800ICH1U-IPVM-8 WB-800IVPS-IPVM-12 WB-800I-FP Note: The WB-800I-FP is only compatible with 800I series IP WattBox Products, but is not compatible with the WB-800ICH1U-IPVM-8. Some astronauts wanted to have a New Year’s party on the moon, but they didn’t planet in time.

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Kevin Wojtaszek if you’ve contacted Technical Support. Kevin is a Level-2 Tech Support agent based in Conover, NC. He supports our Partners through various queues, including Infrastructure, Premier Infrastructure, Clare, Visualint, and Control4. Kevin recently won the TRUE GRIT award for Snap One Technical Support, which recognizes our Tech Support agents for offering top-notch support to our Partners! His teammates characterize him by his positive attitude, willingness to jump in and help out on tough calls, and resourcefulness to diagnose the root cause of the issue. He enjoys console gaming, NHL hockey (especially the Detroit Red Wings), craft beer, and Transformers when he isn’t supporting our Partners.

New Firmware, Who Dis? Last month we released Araknis router firmware v1.2.23 to address connectivity issues related to short WAN lease times seen with ISPs in some areas. This firmware is now available through OvrC and the following product pages for the affected routers: AN-110-RT-2L1W AN-110-RT-2L1W-WIFI AN-310-RT-4L2W This new firmware improves the router’s ability to accommodate short WAN lease times provided by the ISP. There is, however, a prevalent known issue. If there is a space in the WAN name, it can impact NSD failover events. The solution: through OvrC or local UI, remove any spaces in, before, or after the WAN name. Read more on the known issue here. Read the firmware release notes here.

Give the Gift of Support to Your Technicians This Year! Supporting our Partners is a tenet we take seriously at Snap One. We aim to offer the best Technical Support possible when you need assistance in the field. We are working hard to create more online courses, technical documentation, and an even more robust Tech Community platform to make finding information easy. For technicians to benefit from the many support resources we offer, the primary contact on your account must add the technician as a contact to your dealership’s online web portal account. See how to add them here.   My New Year’s resolution is to prepare my orange juice Carpe Diem style-so I can really squeeze the day.

Knowledgebase New or updated articles: Vibrant Lighting Documentation, Videos, and Help Resources (new) KNX Control4 Drivers (updated) Factory restore of DS2 doorstation after driver v246 resets HTTP API credentials to default (updated) Araknis 520 and 820 Access Point Articles, Videos, and Documents (new) How does the OvrC Speed Test Work? (new) Password Best Practices (new) Connect Your Visualint VI-7000 to a Luma x10 NVR (new) Activating Luma Cameras Connected to a Luma NVR (updated to include password limitations) Blanks Solution for Contemporary Wall Plates (new) How to add Intercom to the Custom Home Screen on the Infinity Edge Touch Screen in OS 2 (updated)

Center of Attention Snap One’s Education Center in York, UK, worked hard in 2022. In total, they taught Automation Programmer to 265 technicians! Check out this interview from CEDIA’s Home Tech Pro Magazine with our very own Technical Training Manager Paul Dunbar that discusses how this facility is growing the industry’s workforce. Pictured: Technical Training Manager Paul Dunbar and Technical Instructor Nicolas Jones teaching Automation Programmer in York, UK.

Snap One Webinars We have new webinars coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. Luma X20 Technical TrainingIrvine, CA- January 31st Cerritos, CA- February 2nd Simi Valley, CA- February 7th San Diego, CA- February 7th Van Nuys, CA- February 9th Riverside, CA- February 9th Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series)  Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series) ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series) 2022 was such a blur. I should have set a higher resolution.

Smart Skills Check out these new or updated Smart Skills that are now in our Tech Community: Installing Contemporary Lighting Devices Correctly (new) Connecting a Lighting Scene to a Keypad Button (new) Configuring Static and Wi-Fi Network Addresses in System Manager (new) Generating a Project System Report in Composer (new) Configuring a Luma Camera SD Card for 24/7 and Event Recording in OvrC (new)

Roku TV Driver Secrets Ever had trouble getting a Roku TV to work with Control4? If so, read on… In addition to supporting Roku Media Players, Control4 has a specific driver for Roku TVs (smart televisions that use Roku as their operating system). You can find this driver by typing Roku TV in the Search tab in Composer Pro. When you read the Support section on the driver’s Documentation tab in Composer Pro, you will find this paragraph under the heading “Troubleshooting”: “Most issues found are related to the Roku devices powering down when not in use. Many Roku players do not maintain a network connection when powered off and so cannot be controlled or woken up over IP. Make sure that all players are set to remain powered on at all times.” So, how do you make sure the Roku TV is “set to remain powered on at all times”? It’s actually pretty simple—although a little hard to find. After you have configured the Roku TV driver in Composer Pro, grab the original remote that came with the TV and follow these steps: 1. Power on the Roku TV. 2. On the Roku TV’s menu, navigate to Settings > System > Power > Fast TV start. 3. Select the Enable ‘Fast TV start’ checkbox. That’s it! Now the TV should work beautifully with Control4. We’ve tested this solution with TCL and Hisense brand Roku TVs using an Ethernet or Wi-Fi network connection. Note: The name of the ‘Fast TV start’ feature may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and brand of Roku TV. If this feature is not listed on the Roku TV’s menu, then chances are that model of TV does not support ‘Fast TV start’ and cannot be powered on by a command sent over the IP network.

New or Updated Drivers: Samsung TU7000 Series (Black Friday Models) Sony Line Array Speakers See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks How to Migrate a Project to a New Controller As a Control4 installer, we know that you will need to migrate a project from an older controller to a new one at some point. We also know that because controllers handle numerous functions, it isn’t as simple as backing up an existing project and loading it on a new controller. That’s why we created the Controller Migration Wizard! Here is a quick overview of how it works: 1. Add the new controller to the existing project.  2. Update the project to the latest OS version.  3. Use the Controller Migration Wizard to move the project Check out this Smart Skill for more important details around this process! Managing OvrC Wi-Fi Management Since the new Wi-Fi 6 Araknis Access Points release, now is the perfect time to refresh your knowledge of the Wi-Fi Management feature in OvrC for Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 APs! This feature offers a central location for quick configuration of multiple access points, which saves time during setup and troubleshooting. Read more   I decided to make breakfast at 11:59 p.m. on December 31st. I wanted a New Year’s toast.

We Value Your Feedback in the Tech Community! The best part about a community is that it holds space for us to share knowledge and to work toward common goals. If you read a KB article or watched a Smart Skill, let us know if and how it helped, and/or how we can improve!  1. On the top right hand corner of the article page, click the thumbs up or thumbs down icon to let us know if you recommend the article. 2. Select an option from the Choose a general reason list to let us know how the resource could have been more helpful. 3. Enter any additional feedback in the Description field.  4. Click Submit.

We Care About Your Discussions! Every time you engage in the Discussions page in the Tech Community, you improve our search engine. More participation = better answers! Discussions contain helpful tips that are just as searchable as Knowledgebase articles. Every piece of information builds the Tech Community into the central location for technical information. Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from you (yes, you!). We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing Is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here

Hey, Smart Home Pros! December… what a Claus for celebration! On December 21st, we will experience the final Solstice of the year. Those in the Northern Hemisphere experience the Winter Solstice, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences the Summer Solstice. Around the world, we celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas, followed by New Year’s Eve and Omisoka. Before we wrap our presents and shift our focus to end-of-year traditions, let’s take a moment to be present. You snow the drill–let’s get this gingerbread and digest a round of new product features, Smart Skills, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more! P.S.: I may not be as well-versed as a professional wrapper, but I gave it my best elf-fort. Happy Holidays!  Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

I’m a Sap Fir a Vibrant Glow Up We are delighted about the transformational Vibrant Linear Lighting line. Vibrant pairs color, temperature, and brightness with LED tape, aluminum extrusions, and easy Control4 system integration. And no electricians or subcontractors are required for this low-voltage lighting option. We know the excitement of any new product carries the need for additional resources and education. Along with cut sheets, Quick Start Guides, and Install Guides, we’ve created several other resources to guide your success. Oh, and if you didn’t get the memo, all Vibrant Linear Lighting products can be ordered worldwide! It’s lit.

This OvrC Pro 7.1.0 Update Is Sprucing Things Up The new OvrC Pro update has branched out to add third-party support for select Sony projectors and select Denon and Marantz receivers! Key support features for each brand include: Sony:  Device information: Model, serial number, temperature, and filter status Firmware version and update  Power status and control for all zones   Currently selected input status  Advanced diagnostics like errors, warnings, and timers  For more advanced configuration, access the local web UI of the device remotely using OvrC WebConnect. Read More Denon:  Restart the network connection Power all zones on Set all zones to standby Power zones on or off discretely Power sub-units on or off discretely  Read More Marantz:  Restart the network connection Power all zones on Set all zones to standby Power zones on or off discretely Power sub-units on or off discretely Read More  Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? They always drop their needles..

Meet Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Jonathan Rakes if you’ve contacted Control4 Technical Support. Jonathan is a Level-1 Tech Support agent based in Mt. Holly, NC. He supports our North American, European, and Australian Control4 Partners. Jonathan frequently receives feedback from Partners stating that he demonstrates patience and excellence. His teammates characterize him by his genuine passion for helping others and his passion for learning. When he isn’t supporting our Partners, he enjoys live music, working on his car, and spending time outdoors with his family and friends

Sleigh Araknis DNS Resolution Issues If you’ve experienced DNS resolution issues with the Araknis 310 Router, update to the latest firmware v1.2.16. If the issue persists after the firmware update, check out these additional troubleshooting steps.

Yule Be Able to Migrate That Z-Wave Mesh in Snow Time Here is a quick overview on how to migrate an existing Z-Wave Mesh to a new CORE Controller, AND add and identify legacy Z-Wave drivers: Step 1: Disconnect the devices from the project and old Z-Wave mesh.  Step 2: Disable the old Z-Wave network and enable the new Z-Wave network. Step 3: Re-identify the Z-Wave devices to the new Z-Wave Network. Check out this Smart Skill to view a demonstration!  I think Santa is stocking me. I can feel his presents everywhere.

Knowledgebase   New or updated articles: OvrC Pro v7.1.0 adds support for select Denon receivers (new)  OvrC Pro v7.1.0 adds support for select Marantz receivers (new)  Control4 Music Services—Minimum OS Versions, Compatible Controllers, and Limitations (updated)  Overcurrent Protection Mode (OCP) on WattBox (updated)  OvrC Pro support for select Sony devices (updated with more supported devices)

Ready, Set, Glow! If you missed last month’s newsletter, we highlighted the release of the Control4 Vibrant Linear Lighting Micro-Certification. Now that Vibrant can be ordered worldwide, there is no thyme like the present to tree-t yo’elf to the gift of education! If you’ve already sleighed this one, check out these Colorized Lighting Smart Skills to add some extra stuffing to the knowledge stocking. But Wait, There’s Myrrh! Our PCNA course got a facelift just in time for holiday networking! PCNA 3.1 updates include: Added Course Navigation Help at the top of each course menu to remind you how to use the player navigation controls Updated to replace OvrC Home with OvrC Connect The Pakedge P2E power distribution unit has been replaced by the international WattBox 250 for international PCNA Haven’t taken PCNA yet? Enroll here if you’re international, here if you’re domestic. If athletes get tennis elbow and soldiers get trenchfoot, what do astronauts get? Missile toe!

Snap One Webinars  We have new webinars coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series)  Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series) ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series) What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet? The Christmas alphabet has Noel.

Smart Skills Check out these new or updated Smart Skills that are now in our Tech Community (with subtitles): Using Device Status as a Troubleshooting Tool in OvrC (new)  Adding and Configuring the Fireplace Experience Driver (new) Setting Lighting Device LEDs or Backlights Quickly Using the LED Wizard Driver (new) Leveraging OvrC Groups and Permission to Ensure Customer Privacy (new) Configuring your WattBox Outlets With OvrC (new) Setting the Navigator Wallpaper for your Customer in Composer (new) Documenting Location and Device Notes Using OvrC (new) Creating Notifications When Motion is Not Sensed Using the Timer Agent

A Gift With Your Name On It Back by Popular Demand… the Christmas Tree Experience Button Driver! Once again we are sending each of you a holiday gift from us—the Christmas Tree Experience Button driver. Use this driver freely to add a little holiday fun for your clients. The Christmas Tree Experience Button driver makes it possible to control Christmas tree lights, or other holiday lights, from the Navigator on a TV and/or touchscreen. This driver is only available to Smart Home Pro Tech Newsletter readers (it’s not available in the Composer Pro driver database). We’ve recently updated it to take advantage of the new features that have been added to the experience button driver template, e.g., setting LED colors for keypad buttons connected to the driver, etc. Download the driver here. Adding the Christmas Tree Experience Button to a Client’s Project 1. Download the driver to your computer. 2. Open a client’s project in Composer Pro. 3. In the Driver menu, click Add or Update Driver or Agent. 4. Navigate to the christmas_tree.c4z file on your computer and select it. 5. Click Open. 6. In System Design, select the room in the project tree where you want to add the driver. 7. Click the Search tab in the Items pane, verify that the Local check box is selected. 8. Type Christmas Tree in the search box, and press Enter. 9. Double-click Christmas Tree in the driver list to add it to the room. 10. Click the driver, labeled Scenario, in the project tree. 11. Click the Documentation tab in the Properties pane and follow the instructions to program the experience button driver behavior. After you download the driver and add it in Composer Pro the first time, it is available for you to add to any client’s project. You can search for it in the Search tab as long as the Local checkbox is selected. If you have used previous versions of the Christmas Tree Experience Button driver, following the above instructions updates the driver for controllers with a previous version of the driver installed. NOTE: This driver requires one of the following Zigbee devices to control Christmas lights:Control4® Wireless Plug-In Outlet Switch Control4® Outdoor Plug-In Outlet Switch Control4® Receptacle Outlet Switch We’d love to see how you integrate this driver in your clients’ projects! If you take pictures or video of an implementation of the driver, please share them with us by emailing education@snapone.com. Happy Holidays! We work closely with device manufacturers to provide product drivers that interoperate seamlessly with the Control4 platform.  New or Updated Drivers: Samsung Rotating Mount Accessory Samsung New Model 98QN100BFXZA Sony Sound BarsHT-A9  HT-A7000  HT-A5000 Marantz: CINEMA 70S  CINEMA 60  CINEMA 60 DAB  CINEMA 5 See More Drivers Here

Stocking Up on Tips and Tricks It’s a Simple Case of Claus and Effect  The most meaningful impact you can have on jobsite organization can occur in the planning that happens offsite or before the install begins. Thankfully, OvrC makes it easy to visualize the install in any phase. Check out these OvrC Best Practices to ensure you and your team get the most from this robust tool!  S’mitten by the Quality of High Resolution Music   One of the best parts of the holidays is listening to festive music! To get the most from your sources this season, check out this article on Understanding the Bitrate for High Resolution Music.   If you’re struggling to think of what to get someone for Christmas: get them a fridge and watch their face light up when they open it. We Carol Lot About Your Discussions! Every time you engage in the Discussions page in the Tech Community, you improve our search engine. More participation = better answers! Discussions contain helpful tips that are just as searchable as Knowledgebase articles. Every piece of information builds the Tech Community to be the central location for technical information.  Icy what you did there. That’s a Wrap! Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from YOU! (Yes, you.) We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing Is Caring: Submit Your Tip Here

Hey, Smart Home Pros! I can’t believe it’s November already! For those in the United States, it’s time to talk turkey and join in on the nationwide Black Friday chaos… if you’re brave and determined. More importantly, Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for. I won’t bore you with my entire gratitude list, but I will share one. Thank YOU for reading this newsletter! If you made time in your busy day to read this, you are the reason why we continue to cook up the monthly Tech Newsletter. Now that we’ve covered the “thanks,” let’s move on to “giving.” It’s time for beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, ham, lamb, new product features, Smart Skills, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more!  P.S. I’d like to add a shout-out to the internet for allowing me to avoid the crowds and score deals from the comfort of my home. We all can’t be determined and brave.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist

Winner Winner Turkey Dinner Our Professional Certified Network Administrator training won the CEDIA award for “Best Training Programme in APAC” (Asia Pacific)! It’s no secret that a reliable network leads to a reliable, high performing system and happy customers… which means fewer truck rolls for you. Read more on how to sharpen your networking skills here.

All You Scan Eat, Doc The last dinner roll isn’t the only thing we’ll be swiping this season! We know your time in the field is precious, so we created this mobile-friendly document to help you install a CORE Controller in no time! It’s as easy as pie: Scan the QR code to get started on your phone. Swipe through the animated pages to understand the important points around your CORE controller install. Click through to the Tech Community for full documentation.

Not Your Average Pumpkin Patch  Our high speed Wirepath Cat6 ethernet patch cables just got more convenient for you in the field!  The 25 count bulk pack is now packaged in a Wirepath Cat6 Ethernet Patch Cables box. This durable box features a large opening for accessibility, and a handle for easy carrying. It even comes with a cable use chart for tracking inventory if you need it. Choose between one, three, five, or seven feet.

What role do green beans have in Thanksgiving dinner? The casserole.

Meat Your Technical Support Agent! You may have spoken to Rachel Johnson if you’ve contacted Technical Support. Rachel is one of our Level-3 Tech Support agents based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. She supports technicians through the Network, Network Tier 2, and Network Premier queues along with After Hours and Chat Transfer. She also trains new hires and answers questions for the team. Her extensive knowledge and background with Pakedge makes her a vital resource for internal teams and Partners. When she isn’t supporting our Partners and her team, she enjoys reading, woodworking, and other crafts.

An A-Maize-ing New Micro-Certification Is Here! If you are preparing to dive into the low-voltage lighting market, take advantage of the Control4 Vibrant Linear Lighting Micro-Certification. Sign your team up for the new Vibrant Linear Lighting Solution Certification Course so they can learn about the many low-voltage applications and best installation practices.    Module 1: Basics Module 2: Design Module 3: Plan and Bill of Materials Module 4: Installation Module 5: Integration   Enroll Now

Butter Check Out This Wi-Fi Compatibility List This Tech Community article lists reported Wi-Fi compatibility issues collected by our support and engineering staff, and suggests configuration based resolutions to help you work around them. The topics range from WPA3 Mixed Encryption, DFS Channels, 5GHz Channel, and Fast Roaming.  Why didn’t the chef add any spices to her Thanksgiving roast? She didn’t have the thyme.

Knowledgebase   New or updated articles: Composer 2.10.6 Download – Supported Legacy Versions (new) Pulse-Eight Video Matrix IR Emitter Compatibility (new) Wi-Fi Compatibilities (updated) Understanding Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) & Best Practices. Updated with a verification step and links to reformatted switch setup guides: Araknis 210/310 series Pakedge MS series Pakedge 24 port SX series Pakedge 8 port SX series Pakedge S3 and S3L series

Thank You for Joining Us at CEDIA The Snap One Education team taught 16 total classes at CEDIA—that’s a whopping 1,125 technicians attended. Thank you for choosing to learn with us!

Snap One Webinars  We have new webinars coming your way! See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. Intro to ClareOne (Recurring Webinar Series)  Clare FusionPro (Recurring Webinar Series) ClareVision (Recurring Webinar Series)

In-Person Josh.ai Training at Snap One Partner Stores Don’t miss our Josh.ai Technical & Sales Training Events at select Snap One Partner Stores. See the list of upcoming events below:   SCOTTSDALE. AZ – NOV 15: A.M. ROCKVILLE, MD – NOV 17: A.M. / P.M. SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOV 17: A.M. What do turkeys eat for dessert? Peach Gobbler.

Smart Skills Check out these new or updated Smart Skills that are now in our Tech Community (with subtitles): Turning on Zigbee in Composer Express (new) Identifying Zigbee Devices to a Project Using Composer Express (new) Adding the Composer Express App to Build Control4 Projects (new) Adding Rooms and Drivers to a Project Using Composer Express (new) Making Room Endpoint Connections Using Composer Express (new) Making Device Connections Using Composer Express (new) Using the Timer Agent to Control Multiple Devices (new) Adding, Identifying, and Connecting Z-Wave Devices using Z-Wave Common Drivers (new) Migrating an Existing Z-Wave Mesh to a New CORE Controller (new) Updating a Controller’s Operating System (OS) Using Composer Express (new) Setting the Audio Endpoint in Composer Pro (new) Creating an Auto Locking Routine to Increase Customer Security (new)

We work closely with device manufacturers to provide product drivers that interoperate seamlessly with the Control4 platform.  New or Updated Drivers: Sinope Zigbee Thermostat – updated driver Epson Additional Projectors FX Luminaire – Updated driver with color and light temperature support See More Drivers Here

Tips and Tricks Get Ahead of the Carve on OvrC and Pakedge Compatibility  If you want to add your Pakedge devices to OvrC, check out these compatibility charts regarding Pakedge routers, switches, wireless devices, and power products. Your Post-Feast Refresher   Here is a brief overview on how to make Room Endpoint Connections in Composer Express: Step 1: Navigate to the Room Endpoint connection screen. Step 2: Select the Endpoint and the intended destination device. Step 3: Verify the connection destination and make the connection. Check out this Smart Skill to view a demonstration!    Q. How many tales can a tall turkey tell if a tall turkey told tall tales? A. A tall turkey can tell many tall tales if the tales are more tasteful than the turkey… Your Discussions Matter!  Every time you engage in the Discussions page in the Tech Community, you improve our search engine. More participation = better answers! Discussions contain helpful tips that are just as searchable as Knowledgebase articles. Every piece of information builds the Tech Community to be the central location for technical information.  Time to Share Your Tips and Tricks! We want to hear more from YOU! (Yes, you.) We’d love to keep this section going, so if you have a cool idea, whether it’s easy or advanced, send it our way! We’d love to highlight you and share your ideas with our awesome community of technicians!  Sharing Is Scaring: Submit Your Tip Here