‘Tis the sea-son for sun and fun! For an Integrator Pro, we know that means your customers are dusting off their SunBrite® TVs, upgrading their landscape systems, or requesting new solutions that give them more control of their smart features. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a new recruit, hoist the anchor and enjoy a quick dive. We’ve navigated the depths of the latest news to bring you this month’s treasure trove of new product features, tips, tricks, and more! Consider this edition your personal message in a bottle.
The Updated Luma® Surveillance Micro-Certification Is Making Waves
Luma Surveillance Micro-Certification has been o-fish-ally updated with the latest information and best practices around the installation and integration of Luma X20 series cameras and NVRs.
Why It Matters Staying up to date with the latest devices and best practices can be difficult, but we’ve got you covered. The updated course includes:
Luma X20 NVR and Camera Configuration
Luma View App Management
Luma VMS Client Setup and Management
Luma Integration with Control4®
The Takeaway
Technicians who previously completed the old course or are already in progress are now automatically enrolled into the updated course. No digital badge is awarded, but completion is tracked on individual accounts.
The Fin-tastic New Episode® MoIP Audio Amplifier Is Here!
We are as happy as clams about the first audio-over-IP amplifier solution from Episode.
Episode MoIP Audio Amplifiers are built with full MoIP interoperability. By leveraging the network, they send 4K HDR and hi-res audio content from any number of sources to any number of displays or audio zones, creating a completely scalable solution. OvrC® makes the system easy to set up, control, and manage remotely.
Note: Episode MoIP Amplifiers require a MoIP Controller in the system.
It’s shrimp-ly amazing.
Meet Your Technical Support Agent
Technical Support Agent Brian McCurdy 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.
Brian is based in Billings, MT, and specializes in Control4 support. His teammates have plenty of great things to say about him.
“Brian has been a cornerstone of our team for over three years. His swift ascent to a Level 3 agent reflects his zeal and commitment.”
“Our Partners are well acquainted with Brian’s proficiency; they trust that any issues will be efficiently resolved under his guidance. His courteous manner and deep-seated knowledge make him an indispensable asset to our team.”
I stayed up all night to sea where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.
Automation Programmer Is Shore to Sharpen Your Control4 Skills
Are your Control4 skills a bit rusty? Are you new to Control4? Then it’s time to take (or re-take) the Automation Programmer course.
Why It Matters The Automation Programmer curriculum constantly evolves as our products and solutions grow. Our instructors often hear from seasoned Control4 technicians that they continue to gain valuable tools, insights, and skills from the class.
Hands-On Learning In class, all students begin with a rack full of equipment to provide a hands-on learning experience. You’ll learn to program a wide variety of Control4 devices, including audio, video, intercom, security, surveillance, and comfort solutions.
The Takeaway Whether it’s been a while since you’ve taken Automation Programmer or you want to become Control4 certified, this class will bring you up to date with the latest and greatest Control4 has to offer your customers.
See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below. View archived webinars here.
Events:
Networking Trends & Planning Join us at your Snap One Partner Store for a morning full of networking knowledge as we discuss the following topics together, followed by a Q&A session and lunch:
Wi-Fi 7 Understanding & Roadmap
Snap One Networking Solutions
Access Point Technology & Deployment
Network Strategies Now & In the Future
We’re giving away an Access Networks Wi-Fi 6 Access Point, so make sure you attend and don’t miss your opportunity to win!
InfoComm: June 12–14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center
Save the date! Visit us at booth #C9477 to see the latest in commercial solutions from Snap One.
Registerwith promo code SNA102 for a FREE exhibition badge!
Shedding Light on Real-World Wi-Fi Throughput
It’s no secret that internet service providers have increased their speed offering to consumers. As a result, consumer expectations have increased dramatically when it comes to their Wi-Fi experience. Check out this article to understand more on how to calculate throughput and set a realistic expectation of what your site can achieve.
Power Shore-tcut
If you need an extra power outlet right now and don’t have access to a licensed electrician, clever alternative solutions are available. Add a WP-FLEXNOSE-1-WH for a finished look.
You’re kraken me up.
Drivers
New Drivers
B&O
Beoconnect Core
Integra
DTM-7.4
Sony
HT-A9M2
HTA-8000
HTA-9000
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
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!
Today, we’re blowing out the candles on our FIFTH imaginary birthday cake! Like good software, we work hard to make this newsletter better with each update. Another trip around the Sun means more data in your life’s hard drive, and more wisdom in your cache. As we embark on another year of growth, education, and content development, we want to thank you for teaching us. Your feedback and participation in the Tech Community are invaluable. We couldn’t do it without you because we do it for you. Here’s to another year of tips, tricks, product features, and more!
In celebration of our fifth birthday, we want to hear from you! We aim to make the Tech Community your main resource for product help, troubleshooting, documentation, discussions, and more. We want to know how the Tech Community has made your life easier, and what features you would like to see in the future. Let us know by completing this short survey.
I’m not worried about wrinkles. They’re just extra lines of code in my life’s program.
Control4 Connect Is Required for Every New Control4 System
As of April 23, 2024, all Control4® Partners around the globe are required to use the new, streamlined controller registration process through OvrC®. Customer account creation will no longer be available on our web portals. Controller registration will no longer be available through Composer Pro or Composer Express. Check out this tutorial on how to link your Control4 account to your OvrC account, and how to set up a Control4 project in OvrC from account creation to activation. Use this page to learn more about Control4 Connect and Assist.
I heard a great joke about getting old, but I forgot what it was.
Meet Your Technical Support Agent
Technical Support Agent Tracey Crowe 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.
Tracey is based in Charlotte, NC, and specializes in networking support. His teammates had plenty of great things to say about him.
“Tracey’s tenure in Snap One’s Technical Support department since 2020 has established him as a well-recognized and valued member of the team. Known personally by some Partners, Tracey is commended for providing exceptional support and demonstrating extensive knowledge, patience, and expertise.”
“The gratitude expressed for having Tracey on the team reflects the positive impact and high esteem in which he is held by colleagues and Partners alike.”
When Tracey isn’t busy offering top-notch support, he enjoys music, gaming, cooking, spending time with family, and the outdoors. His favorite music artist is Jelly Roll, and his top three favorite games are Destiny 2, Forza Horizon 5, and Skyrim.
InfoComm: June 12–14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center
Save the date! Visit us at booth #C9477 to see the latest in commercial solutions from Snap One.
Register with promo code SNA102 for a FREE exhibition badge!
I always get emotional on my birthday. Even my cake is in tiers.
Migrating Customer OvrC Accounts with the OvrC Pro Hub
We recommend using the OvrC Pro Hub when migrating a customer from a previous dealer-of-record’s OvrC account to your own.
Unlike all other network-connected devices, the OvrC Pro Hub can only be claimed to an account manually. Once installed onsite, the hub scans and claims all the devices on the customer’s network without it being scanned and claimed by the customer’s existing OvrC Pro device. Read more in the Tech Community.
Visit the OvrC Pro Hub product page through your respective web portal:
Why don’t candles go to the gym? They burn out too quickly.
New OvrC Methods for Claiming Devices
Claiming devices on your OvrC account just got easier! Previously, the only way to claim a device was by manually entering its MAC address and Service Tag number. You can now claim a device by scanning the QR code found on the bottom of the device or on its packaging. If using a Control4 Controller, enter the MAC address, and then press the controller’s ID button.
I hope all your wishes crumb true.
Drivers
New Drivers
McIntosh
MHT300
Planar
VM55LX-U2
VM55MX-M2
VM55LX-M2
VM55LX-X2
VM55MX-X2
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
Marble cake will break your teeth. It’s as hard as a rock.
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!
Business is blooming and it’s your time to shine. As the world awakens from its winter slumber, integrator pros (like you) are already a step ahead. Maybe you’re cultivating your product knowledge through a Snap One certification, or growing your system design and troubleshooting skills through research and discussions in the Tech Community. You may be taking advantage of OvrC’s remote management features to update your customers’ systems before their new pool or patio opens for the summer. If the early bird gets the worm, consider this edition breakfast on the house. Stay tuned for the latest new product features, tips, tricks, and more.
Happy Spring!
Holly Bechtler
Technical Writing Operations Specialist
PCNA Gains Araknis 220 Series Switches
We’re buzzing with excitement for the latest update to our Professional Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) certification! This update includes the latest Araknis 220 managed network switch, and the updated content highlights best practices when setting up Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). PCNA focuses on empowering integrators to design, set up, and configure networks as the backbone of a smart-living system. Understanding and applying the networking best practices outlined in PCNA helps you optimize network performance, minimize downtime, and ensure efficient multicast traffic management.
Note: If you’ve registered for PCNA and have not yet received your PCNA kit, the updated PCNA kit will be shipped automatically. If you’ve already received your PCNA kit containing the Araknis 210 Series managed switch, complete the certification with your existing kit.
Register for PCNA through your respective web portal:
I stepped on a Slinky. It put a spring in my step.
A Fresh New OvrC Web Connect + Cloud-Based Ping
Web Connect:
The OvrC Web Connect feature is one of the most powerful tools for remote management. Snap One is aware that the performance of this feature has been greatly impacted by how ISPs manage web connections, the customer’s local IT policies, bugs, and many other factors. We’re excited to say that the Web Connect feature has been completely redesigned! The new design leverages the existing communication pathway between the customer’s OvrC Pro Agent and the OvrC servers. Along with several bug fixes, the redesigned Web Connect yields higher connectivity success rates and faster, more reliable connections. All of these fixes were done to the backend, so no updates or configurations are required to take advantage of this feature.
Cloud-Based Ping: A cloud-based network ping function has been added to all OvrC Pro agents. OvrC’s secured remote connection to your customer’s local network allows you to:
Ping a website to verify internet connectivity
Ping a server to check response time for latency or lag
Ping a local network device to verify it is online
Ping a local network device to check response time in complex multi-switch deployments
Ping a local network device to validate that VLAN traffic routes correctly
The ping function can be accessed from the Pro Tools tab of the OvrC Pro device for the customer’s site, or through Site Settings > Additional Pro Settings > Manage.
We aren’t pollen your leg.
Meet Your Technical Support Agent
Technical Support Agent Sam Miller 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.
Sam is based in Fremont, Ohio, and supports our Control4 Partners. His teammates had plenty of great things to say about him.
“Sam continues to blow us away with his intelligence, professionalism, and dedication to making our Partners’ lives easier.”
“His genuine compassion makes him such a great person to work with and a great tech.”
When Sam isn’t busy being the bee’s knees, he enjoys playing music, backpacking, skateboarding, collecting Pokemon cards, and gaming with his wife. Their most played game is Genshin Impact.
Why did the farmer bury his money? To enrich his soil.
If you couldn’t make it to the recent Luma Skilled Series Webinars, we’ve got you covered! Snap One Education is launching a brand new Luma Micro-Certification in the coming months. This course covers Luma X20 system design, installation, customization, control system integration, and more. It contains the recorded webinar sessions, incorporates key aspects from the Q&A sessions, and even includes questions that were not formally addressed in the presentation. Stay tuned!
Snap One Training Opportunities
See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.
Events:
ISC West: April 9–12 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas
Meet us at booth #10053 to explore new solutions and product innovations from Clare, Luma, OvrC, Control4, and more. Learn how the Snap One ecosystem works together to grow your business and increase your recurring revenue. Register with this link for a free expo-only pass!
Snap One Partner Store Grand Opening: April 11 from 9–3 in New Berlin, WI
Meet our new team, get in-store specials, enjoy a catered lunch, drinks, giveaways, music, and more! Click here to register.
Fiesta de Mayo: May 2 from 11–3 at all Snap One Partner Stores
Join us for a fiesta! Explore outdoor product, enjoy delicious food, and participate in specials! Click here to register.
InfoComm: June 12–14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center
Save the date! Visit us at booth #C9477 to see the latest in commercial solutions from Snap One.
How do bees celebrate as new homeowners? They throw a house-swarming party.
Drivers
New Drivers
AVPro Global
AC-AXION-4
AC-AXION-8
AC-AXION-X
AC-MX-42
AC-MX-42X
AC-MX-44
AC-MX-44HDBT
AC-MX-82
AC-MX-88
AC-MX-88HDBT
Hunter Douglas
PowerView Gen 3
Indy Audio Labs
ACT 4
MUSE
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
Shining Light on Sunbrite TV’s Not Reporting 4k@30 as an Available Resolution
Some Signature 2 or Pro 2 units will not report 4k@30 as an available resolution when in EDID 1.4 mode. This may be caused by an incomplete firmware install, using OTA or USB update. The latest firmware (OvrC v1.0.4.2) resolves this issue. It may be loaded via local USB. To acquire firmware, please contact Technical Support.
Note: This issue only affects the Signature 2 and Pro 2 series and is not an issue on the Veranda 2 or Veranda 3 series.
If spring is dedicated to cleaning, which season is dedicated to making a mess?
Best Practices for OvrC Location Setup
1. Set up OvrC as you begin the project. 2. Create naming standards within your company. 3. Use the Job Code field to identify customers. 4. Verify the location with the customer. 5. Create Rooms for the location. 6. Claim your devices. 7. Register controllers for Control4 projects. (See Pro Tip & Note below) 8. Hand off the project to the customer.
Pro Tip: The Rooms feature has a one-way sync from OvrC to Composer. Create all the project rooms in OvrC to avoid duplicate rooms in Composer.
Note: Only one primary controller can be registered to a single location. Read more details on these best practices in the Tech Community.
Last, bud not least.
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!
As we don our virtual green attire to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this month, we consider what it means to be lucky. Luck is predictable; the more you prepare for success, the luckier you get. Proactive education is your lucky charm, and successful, efficient installs are your pot of gold. In celebration of just how clover you are, we’ve traveled over the rainbow to bring you the latest new product features, tips, tricks, and more. We know your skills are worth your weight in gold.
Irish you a very Happy St. Patrick’‘s Day!
Holly Bechtler
Technical Writing Operations Specialist
Changes in CLOvrC Pro Hub
The OvrC® Pro Hub device will no longer be claimed when found in a network scan. Instead, it will have to be manually claimed to the location. This makes it the ideal tool for account takeovers. This change does not impact any Araknis® or Pakedge® router or Control4® controllers. These devices will continue to be claimed through a network scan or manually as usual.
To learn more about the recommended process for an account takeover using an OvrC Pro Hub, check out this post in the Tech Community.
Pro Tip: Carry an OVRC-300-PRO specifically for takeovers. Once the takeover is complete, you can use the device acting as the OvrC Pro agent in the location to perform all tasks.
Did you hear that scientists figured out how to measure the weight of a rainbow? Turns out it’s pretty light.
Chrome Browser HTTPS Certificate Error: “Your connection is not private”
If you encounter the Chrome browser HTTPS certificate error “Your connection is not private” while using a MacOS or Windows machine, you’re not alone. This may happen when trying to reach pages using a secure web page (secure HTTP/HTTPS). When this error occurs, the page won’t provide an option to bypass and won’t let you reach the login page.
Solution: To push past this page, click somewhere on it, and then type the phrase ‘thisisunsafe‘ anywhere on the page to get through to the device UI. Alternatively, you can use a browser other than Chrome to avoid this.
Where do police put misbehaving leprechauns? The paddy wagon.
Use This Workaround for OpenVPN Connect App and Araknis x10 Routers
Snap One is aware of an issue where the newer OpenVPN Connect app versions do not allow connections to Araknis 110 and 310 Series routers on firmware versions 1.2.25 and below. We are actively researching a resolution that will minimize any inconvenience to our Partners while aligning with OpenVPN’s updated security standards.
The current workaround:
Go into OpenVPN’s Settings.
Scroll down to Advanced Settings.
Change the Security Level to Insecure.
This security selection may change if the router is running a more up-to-date firmware version.
Note: OpenVPN is an open-source software provider and reserves the right to change its security requirements at any time. In this instance, OpenVPN heightened its security criteria standards for encryption. Consequently, the current security encryption for OpenVPN connections on Araknis x10 series routers is now regarded as “Insecure,” according to OpenVPN’s new assessment.
What do you call Dwayne Johnson’s stunt double? The Sham-Rock!
Order Matters When Configuring Control4 Keypad Dimmers
Configuring Min On and Max On levels is a great way to optimize the dimming range for a load controlled by a variety of Control4 keypad dimmers. This feature is often required for LED loads that don’t turn on at low levels of dimming. Snap One has identified an error that exists in calculating the Min On level that results in the functional Min On level being adjusted when the Max On level is changed.
The suggested workaround: Configure the Max On level first, then adjust the Min On level.
Technical Support Agent Eric Hatch 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 Springfield, MO, Eric specializes in Infrastructure Support. It’s no surprise his teammates have great things to say about his dedication to helping our Partners and his teammates succeed.
“Eric shows ownership by taking on any task presented to him, no matter the difficulty.”
“Eric has proven to be a great team resource for support on Clare® and the rest of our infrastructure products.”
When Eric isn’t busy being a rock star, he enjoys helping rescued animals find their forever homes, experiencing the culture of different countries, and computer gaming.
My sister caught me ironing a four-leaf clover. She told me I should never press my luck.
The 20th anniversary of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is now behind us. To be clear, we don’t send only our marketing team and salespeople to trade shows – we also send our technical people to learn from technicians like you. Our esteemed trainers also taught classes on Radiance®, Vibrant® Lighting, OvrC plus WattBox®, and the Luma X20 series. It was great to get out of the classroom and… well, into classrooms in a different country!
Tommy Moore, Sales Engineer, runs cables for a display.
Tommy Moore, Sales Engineer, runs cables for a display.
Tommy Moore, Sales Engineer, runs cables for a display.
Mike Carter, Tech Support Manager, terminates cables for a booth tower.
Mike Carter, Tech Support Manager, terminates cables for a booth tower.
Mike Carter, Tech Support Manager, terminates cables for a booth tower.
Cameron Berrett, Technical Training Manager, demonstrates custom lighting.
Cameron Berrett, Technical Training Manager, demonstrates custom lighting.
Cameron Berrett, Technical Training Manager, demonstrates custom lighting.
Thanks to helpers like them, the booth looked great!
Thanks to helpers like them, the booth looked great!
Thanks to helpers like them, the booth looked great!
Why do leprechauns hate puns? They find them O’ffensive.
Drivers
New Drivers
D&M
Marantz CINEMA 30
Marantz CINEMA 30 EU
Paradigm
MRX SLM/USR51
Updated Drivers
Mcintosh
MX123
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
What does a leprechaun have on his deck? Paddy O’Furniture.
Connecting a Chime® Video Doorbell to a Luma X20 NVR in OvrC
To connect a Chime video doorbell to a Luma X20 NVR in OvrC, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your dealer OvrC account. 2. Choose the project and location. 3. Add the Chime video doorbell to the Luma X20 NVR.
Reminder: The customer will now receive notifications from the Chime video doorbell using the Luma View app. To modify this, go back to the Chime driver configurations in Composer.
How to Use the AN-920 Switch’s “Easy MoIP Setup” Feature
OvrC provides a CONFIGURE MOIP SYSTEM button on the Details page of Araknis-920 switches. Simply use the Select ports dropdown to designate which ports have B-960 devices connected to them, and then click APPLY.
Caution: “Easy MoIP Setup” configures the switch to be an IGMP querier. Do not use this feature if there are multiple IGMP queriers on the network.
What dog breed is a leprechaun’s favorite? Golden retriever.
Camouflage as Cable Management
Sometimes you just can’t punch a hole in that wall. This approach works especially well with floral wallpaper.
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!
Technology is like a box of chocolates. Unless a clear product description is included, you don’t know what you’re going to get (until you take a byte). Consider this month’s edition a small token of our affection – your personal, heart-shaped user guide for the numerous products you support. We’re passionate about sweet new product features, tips, tricks, and more, but our favorite flavor is helping you succeed. You auto-complete us.
P.S. Are you the Tech Community? Because you’ve got everything I’ve been searching for.
Choosing The One is All About PoE Budgeting
In life, love, and business, meticulous decisions are a must. Lucky for you, we’ve written a guide to help you find the Right One (PoE switch for your application, that is). Those who proactively calculate the total PoE budget required by connected devices are more likely to spec the proper switch for the installation. An underperforming PoE switch can cause avoidable performance & reliability issues throughout the system, so choosing the proper PoE switch saves time and money. Find how much PoE a product requires, and the total PoE a switch can offer, under the Specs tab on the product page.
Note: The most common mistake technicians make when calculating PoE budget in an existing install is only looking at the current power consumption shown on the switch’s web GUI/OvrC. This means when devices operate at peak PoE consumption, your switch may not provide enough power, which can cause a variety of issues.
Before you marry a person, make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they really are.
We’re Really Connecting Over Control4® Connect and Assist
We’re proud to announce our new software and support solutions for our U.S. Control4 Partners! Control4 Connect and Control4 Assist have been in development for over a year in collaboration with our Partners to enhance the end customer experience, simplify our Partners’ lives, and drive their growth and profitability.
Join us to learn more about Connect and Assist in our Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions. Our Leadership team will give you an overview and answer your questions.
My new girlfriend works at the zoo. Mom says she’s a keeper.
Lots to Love in the Latest Vibrant® Linear Lighting Launch
In the year since we unveiled the Vibrant Linear Lighting Micro-Certification, we’ve analyzed course data and gathered feedback and suggestions from local training. Now, it’s even better, thanks to the following updates:
Reorganizing the course to improve the flow
Adding and updating Axxess control content
Updating DMX sections to include accurate, practical diagrams
Updating the learning assessments
Updating navigation control
These updates went live in January. Technicians already enrolled do not need to re-enroll. However, technicians in the middle of a course will restart that course.
See how to enroll in the Vibrant Linear Lighting Micro-Certification here.
Luma® VMS Brings Cameras Together
On January 31st, we released the Luma Surveillance VMS. This application leverages OvrC ® to help you monitor cameras across a large territory. Its user permissions, virtual mapping, alarm configuration, customized linkages, and more will help to make the most of your system.
The VMS docs start here, and include a link to the free software download. Be sure to review the technical specs (VMS requires a LOT from your computer) and follow the quick-start guide for the easiest experience.
Me without you is like aSentenceWithoutSpaces.
This Month’s Passionate Problem-Solver
Technical Support Agent Daniel Rodriguez 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 Houston, Texas, Daniel specializes in networking support. He’s noted by his teammates for his attention to detail, positive attitude, and willingness to go the extra mile to assist them as well as our Partners.
“Daniel is a great internal resource who is always willing to answer questions or help others troubleshoot.”
“He makes an extra effort to help our Partners’ systems run efficiently.”
“Daniel’s communication skills are top-notch. He makes a point to explain the ‘why’ behind any changes he makes to educate our Partners, and strives to help their day go more smoothly.”
When Daniel isn’t offering top-notch support, he enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and riding bikes along local park trails.
My sister married a novelist. She finally found Mr. Write.
Why did the banker break up with her boyfriend? She could tell he was losing interest.
Configuring MultiView in Control4 for B-960 MOIP Receivers
MultiView (MV) allows you to configure multiple windows with individual sources to a single B-960 receiver.
To configure MV in Control4:
Create the MV Preset in the B-960 Receiver driver.
Create a Macro.
Program the MV Preset.
Note: Sources in an MV session cannot be streamed elsewhere until the session ends. These instructions include a Macro configuration to ensure the B-960 transmitters and transceivers disconnect so they can join the MV session.
I’m opening a chain of Elvis-themed steak restaurants. It will be for people who love meat tender.
Configuring PIP in C4 for MOIP
B-960 MoIP Picture-in-Picture (PIP) requires you to create a PIP Preset in the B-960 MoIP receiver driver and program the use case. Learn how to program motion from a camera to trigger PIP on an output for 15 seconds in the Tech Community.
I used to date someone who reported the weather. We had a stormy relationship.
Adding an SD Card to the Luma 420 PTZ
The 420 PTZ has an SD card slot on the inside of the camera housing. This KB article shows you exactly where it is.
Known Issues With the Luma 420 PTZ
We are aware of a few issues with the PTZ, so you should be aware, too. Rest assured we are working on fixes for each of these.
PTZ cameras have separate presets from the NVR
You cannot call a preset while the camera is engaged in smart tracking
When using a PTZ through Control4, you cannot call a PTZ function
I just saw two zombies on a date. And they say romance is dead…
Time to Share Your HeartTips 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!
Welcome to 2024! Our take on the “new year, new me” adage is “new year, new us.” As we begin a year full of exciting new opportunities, we’re spicing up how we deliver insider industry tips and tricks to you. Now formally known as the Integrator Pro Insider, we’re cooking up knowledge snacks in this month’s newsletter in a variety of flavors for every palate. Whether you exclusively service residential, commercial, automation, or non-automation customers (or all of the above), we’ve got something for you to savor. Grab a plate and get your fill of the latest news, tips, tricks, and more! We bay-leaf you will become a seasoned expert this year.
We’re spicing up the Professional Certified Network Administrator certification! On January 9, all PCNA kits will include a few new devices—Araknis® 520 Series Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Wireless Access Points, and an Araknis 220 Router. These replace the Araknis 510 Series Access Points and Araknis 310 Series Router, respectively. What does this mean for you? The PCNA course will now contain:
New content on the benefits of using Wi-Fi 6 (e.g., 40% increase in data rate, 60% increase in battery life, seamless roaming)
Overview of WPA3 encryption standards
Update to password best practices, including a “Time It Takes a Hacker to Crack a Password” chart
Update of OvrC® activities, including an updated user interface
Note: If you’ve registered for PCNA and have not yet received your PCNA kit, the updated PCNA kit will be shipped automatically. If you’ve already received your PCNA kit containing the Araknis 510 Series Access Points and Araknis 310 Series Router, complete the certification with your existing kit.
Register for PCNA through your respective web portal:
Why do fish prefer to live in salt water? Pepper water makes them sneeze.
You Herb it Here First – Exciting News Coming Soon for U.S. Control4 Partners
We’ve been working with Partners like you behind the scenes for over a year to develop new ways to better support you. We believe by helping Partners deliver exceptional end-customer experiences, we can help you build a stronger business.
Now, U.S. Control4 Partners can look forward to an upcoming online announcement soon! On January 18, tune in to the Control4 New Solutions Premiere, where Snap One Leadership will announce the latest innovations from Control4 and how they’re reshaping the industry. Be sure to add it to your calendar. It’s going to be a pretty big dill.
What is a gymnast’s favorite spice? Somer-salts.
Araknis 920 Switches’ A-mace-ing Firmware Update
Firmware version 1.1.05 is packed with a special blend of new features, improvements, and fixes for Araknis 920 switches. This firmware release adds functionality for flawless B-960 MOIP operation, enables setting static routes from the management VLAN, adds functionality for future uplink modules, and provides general bug fixes.
What do spice lovers put on their pizza? Pepper-only.
No Need to Move Gingerly… Just Point and (Double-) Click
Aiming a PTZ camera has never been easy… until now! The new 3D aiming technology of the Luma® X20 PTZ puts perfect aim at your fingertips.
Luma View App:
1. Tap once on a channel view to reveal the icons. 2. Tap the PTZ icon to activate 3D Zoom. Zoom buttons appear below the camera image. 3. When 3D Zoom is activated, tap the channel’s image to center the PTZ on that location. 4. You can also swipe the image to pan the camera in that direction.
IPC Live View:
1. Double-click the channel screen to make the PTZ center on that point. 2. If you click and drag from left to right, the camera centers on that area and zooms in. 3. Click and drag right to left, and the PTZ centers on that area and zooms out.
NVR Live View:
This operates like the IPC view. However, due to communication lags, we recommend you use the camera UI instead.
Note: If Smart Tracking is enabled, 3D Zoom does not prevent the camera from returning to its home position.
Why is salt salty? You would be, too, if you kept getting pinched.
To celebrate our commitment to support all kinds of automation projects, residential and commercial—and to celebrate the newsletter’s new name that reflects our commitment—we are offering our readers another free, newsletter-exclusive experience button driver.
Empower your commercial clients to easily open and close their business for the day right from the navigator on a touchscreen, television, or the Control4 app.
For example, in a restaurant or bar, you can program the experience button to turn on all the TVs, select the correct video sources, play streaming audio throughout the dining room, and execute a lighting scene to set the lights to just the right level. Then, at the end of the day, the same experience button can turn everything off.
You can even use the driver to open and close your storefront and showroom.
Adding the Open for Business 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 open_for_business.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 Open for Business in the search box and press Enter. 9. Double-click Open for Business in the driver list to add it to the room. 10. Click the Open for Business driver 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 Integrator Pro Insider 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.
What is a monk’s favorite spice? Cardam-ohmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Some Sage Advice
Lets Taco ’bout, “Regain Those Luma Snapshots”
AWS (Amazon Web Services) hosts OvrC’s cloud services. At the end of 2023, AWS deprecated TLS protocols 1.0 and 1.1 due to security weaknesses.
Luma cameras from the x00 and x10 Series used those versions of the TLS protocol for the View Snapshot feature on the device details page in OvrC. Our Luma and OvrC teams have made every attempt to try and retain the View Snapshot functionality but were unable to do so. Therefore, the View Snapshots feature was removed from OvrC on December 21, 2023.
The new Luma X20 IP cameras, the Control4 Chime Video Doorbell, and the DS2 Doorstation all use the TLS 1.2 protocol – and are therefore unaffected by this change. Additionally, any camera using ONVIF protocol to deliver those images through the OvrC Pro agent will not be affected and will continue to function normally.
What do you use to pour spices into a jar? A fennel.
Luma Mints New Firmware
AI improvements
An option to disable auto-logout in the web UI
A few bug fixes
My pepper grinder told me a joke, but it was a bit too coarse.
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!
Oh, December. It’s impossi-bell not to feel festive right now. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or plan to join the festivities for New Year’s or Omnisoka, we sincerely hope you have a tree-mendous holiday season. Before we raise our final mistle-toast and get Santa-mental, it’s thyme to stuff your stockings with the latest news, tips, tricks, and more! There’s snow time like the present to branch out, glow up, and be your best elf.
Happy Holly-days! “Deck the halls with boughs of” Holly Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist
Here’s a Couple of PCNA Santa Clues
We know that you’ll be signing up for PCNA soon – you are such a smart person, after all – so here’s some historical insight into PCNA scores when setting up Wi-Fi access points. (In other words, pay careful attention to these areas.) Over the last year, 95% of participants did assign most access point settings correctly. The settings that frequently cost people points were:
Setting up a 5 GHz guest network
Access point radio channel selection
Transmit power
Pass rates varied by scenario, some reaching as low as 75%. You may think 75% isn’t all that bad, but to put it in perspective, Wi-Fi is the part of the network your customers interact with the most often.
Did you hear about the angry snowman? It had a meltdown.
Can We Get a Watt-Watt?
If you install an 800 series Wattbox® PDU with one of our Wattbox OvrC®-enabled UPS items, you may encounter sites where you need to adjust the voltage range for use with a generator. With firmware version 2.5.0.8 or later, you can adjust the voltage range of any WattBox 800 PDU in OvrC!
Why does Santa always go down the chimney? Because it soots him.
Luma® NVRs Now Feature Myrrh Channels Than Ever!
You ask, and Snappy Claus delivers. For the first time ever, the Luma Surveillance line offers both 16- and 32-channel NVRs! The new high-capacity Luma 420 Series 16-Channel NVR and Luma 820 Series 32-Channel NVR both offer enhanced processing power, improved performance, and wider bandwidth capabilities – allowing for higher resolution cameras up to 12MP! Even simple things can turn a good install into a great one, so these NVRs also include integrated power supplies for cleaner rack mounting and wire management, and dual Ethernet ports for backup in the event of a network failure. Check out the Installation Guides for more product features and learn how these NVRs can make your install experiences sweeter.
I hope I get a broken drum for Christmas – you can’t beat ‘em!
Meet Your Technical Support Agent!
Technical Support Agent Philmore Collins 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.
Philmore is based in Greenacres, Florida, and supports our Control4® Partners. He’s been a valuable member of our Tech Support team since late 2022, working in the field and gaining extensive knowledge of our Snap One offerings and third-party products.
His teammates characterize him as being “very humble, kind, and always willing to lend a hand on anything that is needed.”
“Not only does he ask great questions while troubleshooting a variety of systems with our Partners to help resolve their issues, but he does it with a positive attitude that our Partners can enjoy and have fun with.”
When he isn’t offering top-notch support at work, he enjoys exploring nature trails, soccer, and gaming. His favorite video game subgenre is survival.
Why is everyone at the North Pole thirsty? There’s no well.
Snap One Training Opportunities
See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.
A snowman turned to his friend and asked, “Do you smell carrots?”
Events:
Stop by and visit us at booth 2L130 in Hall 2 (Residential and Smart Building) at ISE in Barcelona! Use code AVI002DW for a free expo-only pass. Click here to register
Santa Claus never pays for parking, it’s always on the house!
Drivers:
New Drivers:
Epson
EB-L730G
IC Realtime
IPFX-P4032X-IRW1
IPFX-P4032X-IRW2
IPMX-E40F-ADW1
IPMX-E40F-IRW1-AI
IPMX-D40F-IRB2
IPMX-D40F-IRW2
IPMX-D40F-W1
IPMX-B40F-ADW1
IPMX-B40F-IRB2
IPMX-B40F-IRW2
IPFX-B40V-IRB2
IPFX-B40V-IRW2
IPFX-D40V-IRB2
IPFX-D40V-IRW2
IPFX-E40V-IRW2
IPMX-B40F-W1-LED
IPMX-E40F-W1-LED
IPMX-W40F-IRW2
Updated Drivers:
Samsung
QE75LST7TCUXXU
Dish Hopper/ Joey
Updated commands for Android-based devices
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
A large icicle fell on my head last night. It knocked me out cold.
Tips and Tricks
Sleigh Cyber Security With These Password Best Practices
The best way to protect your systems from cyber threats is with a strong password. The longer and more unique your password, the more difficult it is to crack. It’s easy to make a password that’s hard to crack: Make your password at least 12 characters long (longer is always better) Include caps, numbers, and special characters (most people use all lowercase letters) The challenge is to make a password that is also easy to remember. Read more tips in the Tech Community
What do you call an old snowman? Water.
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!
In the U.S.A., November is primarily known for a few holidays. The first is Veterans Day, where we honor more than 19 million men and women who have served in the U.S. military. The second is Thanksgiving, where we give thanks for everything we have. The third comes the very next day: Black Friday, where we frantically buy more. We prefer Cyber Monday, where you can listen to the awesome sound system you designed while shopping online using the high-performance network you installed. In the spirit of giving, read on for the latest news, tips, tricks, and more! May the win be ever in your sales!
OvrC Early Access Beta For Control4® Partner Tools
What’s better than a pre-Black Friday sale? A chance to test the new C4 Controller Registration + Customer Handoff features in OvrC through an early access Beta, of course! If you are not enrolled in the OvrC Beta, you canregister for it here. Reimagining the Control4 Partner tools in OvrC provides a more streamlined controller registrationand customer handoffprocess – saving time and eliminating the need for “fake” accounts and shared passwords. You can also use temporary credentials in the Control4 app to validate your work locally or remotely. OvrC is not replacing Composer Pro – you can still register controllers in Composer Pro the old way, but you should consider trying out the new process in OvrC. (We think you will really like it.)
I’m going to be spending $1,000 on Black Friday. It’ll be a grand day!
Araknis® 520 Router Bug Fix
If you have experienced an SFP port shutdown during the boot process of an AN-520 router, you aren’t alone. Thankfully, we have a fix for that. Update the router firmware to version 1.0.04 through OvrC, or download the firmware and update the router manually. You can read more about what caused the bug as well as the firmware update instructions in the Tech Community.
If you’ve seen one shopping plaza, you’ve seen the mall.
OvrC User Guide
The OvrC User Guide is your go-to source for learning to use the platform and its newest features. As we continue to improve the OvrC platform and integrate more OvrC features into our products, you can rely on this guide to provide the most up-to-date information, all in one place. I saw a man with one arm shopping at a second-hand store.
Meet Your Technical Support Agent!
Technical Support Agent Waldi Flores 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.
Waldi is based in Friendship, Texas, and supports our Control4 Partners. It is no surprise that his teammates had plenty to say about him.
“Waldi has proven to be a great asset. He is a fast learner and really hit the ground running.” “Anytime Waldi assists our Partners, they report having great experiences. He can really handle his business.”
“He has an upbeat attitude and it feels like he has been a part of the team for years.”
When Waldi isn’t offering top-notch support at work, he enjoys hiking, playing soccer, riding motorcycles, and going to the beach.
On Black Friday, don’t buy anything with Velcro. It’s a total rip-off.
I bought a used TV. It had the volume stuck at full, but it was only $5. I just couldn’t turn it down.
Snap One Training Opportunities See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.
Automation Programmer Certification Wins Another Award
You know how great this training is, so it probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn that it’s won yet another award. AP earned the Smart Building Award for Best Training, handed out at the EI Live! exposition.
Make sure every technician in your company gets certified!
I spent 12 hours shopping on Black Friday. When I came back out, my windshield had iced over. I tried to scrape it clean using my store discount card, but I could only get 20% off.
Events:
Stop by our booth at the CEDIA Tech Summits in Newark, NJ, and Long Island, NY, to learn more about our latest products and what’s to come at the Snap One Partner Stores! Click here to register. CEDIA Tech Summit, Newark – November 14th, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CEDIA Tech Summit, Long Island – November 16th, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Look at, learn, and evaluate the latest security technologies and solutions by attending ISC East, the Northeast’s leading security and public safety event! Stop by booth #825 to check out what Snap One has to offer. Register with our link and save up to $150! ISC East, New York – November 14th to Nov 16th
I bought a vacuum on sale on Black Friday. It sucks!
Drivers:
New Drivers:
Marantz
CD50n
CD50n EU
WAC Lighting
A1G10-DMX
Sinopé
WL4210-C4
Swidget
R1015SWA
S16001WA
SD3001WA
Updated Drivers:
Pulse-Eight
Neo:X+
Neo:XMR
Neo:XSR
See more drivers through your respective web portal:
My local boat shop is giving a huge discount on all their galleons and brigantines… it’s the biggest sail event they’ve ever had.
From One Custom Integrator to Another
Custom integrator Naveed Kaymanesh from Sight and Sound Systems uses OvrC not just to reduce service costs, but also to create extra income. As the demand for ongoing customer support continues to grow in the custom integration industry, this Snap One integrator has turned the realities of troubleshooting, system monitoring, and software updates into a subscription-based service plan.
“Most of the time we don’t even discuss OvrC or how all of it works, we just tell them that for ‘X’ dollars a month, we will be able to reset your router instantly or fix your TV’s Wi-Fi without scheduling a technician visit, and they get it. They get it right away.” Read more
Black Friday at the Geology Museum gift store was rockin’ – there were so many great shales!
Don’t Let Your Customer Cut Costs on Devices
It will lead to a less-than-stellar installation experience.
On Cyber Monday, I ordered both an egg and a chicken from Amazon. I’ll let you know.
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!
As the leaves turn orange and in the air there’s a chill, we invite you to get cozy and enhance your technical skills! We’ve brewed up tech tales like never before, with exciting new product features, KB articles, tips, tricks, and more. So, grab your wizard’s cap, wand, and favorite treat – it’s time to conjure the best installer on the street!
Eat, drink, and be scary!
Holly “Queen of Halloween” Bechtler Technical Writing Operations Specialist
Sound So Good… It’s Frightening!
The Episode® Home Theater Reference Series (HTR) is our first-ever reference offering! Guided by our approach of “sound based on science,” the HTR series features:
Timbre matched to other Episode speaker lines
Inverted ribbed surrounds to increase effective piston area and excursion to behave like an accordion, allowing stretching and greater linear cone excursion – all to prevent sound distortion at high volumes
CSMs (Coherent Source Modules) that combine a dome midrange and aluminum dome tweeter for efficient response, higher dynamic range, and full-frequency reproduction
Tonal Balance Controls for bass, midrange, and tweeter that optimize the speaker for the install environment
Rigid MDF (medium density fiberboard) construction reduces vibration, prevents sound pressure level loss, and delivers cleaner sound
And more!
Swing by your local Snap One™ Partner Store and listen for yourself!
Do you wonder if a particular light is compatible with Control4® dimmers? Struggling in Composer Pro to find the optimal dimmer range levels for a light fixture?
Our Third-Party Lighting Compatibility Lab offers a free testing service for lighting designers, Partners, and lighting manufacturers. We have expanded our testing capacity at our Lehi, UT facility – most lights can now be tested within a week!
When you send in light fixture samples, we test them using several Control4 dimmers and create a detailed report with a graphed dimming curve. We also share the optimal settings we used to test your device. These can be used as a starting point in your customer’s environment. To get started, fill out a Testing Request and send us the light fixture. We will send you the full report and request a return label.
Here’s a sample test report, so you can see what you’ll receive:
Spiders and bats are key parts of the eek-o-system.
Patching Pumpkins or Pumpkin Patches?
No tricks, just treats. The C4 Authentication Patch addresses an issue where some out-of-the-box CORE series controllers (CORE 1, CORE 3, CORE 5, and CORE Lite) do not connect to Composer Pro. Read more about why this happens, how to identify if you need the patch, and patching instructions in the Tech Community.
Why did the ghost cross the road? To get to The Other Side.
Meet Your Wizard… I Mean, Technical Support Agent!
Technical Support agent Ian Weaver 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.
Ian is characterized by his teammates as a “quick learner who is geared up for success.” He never hesitates to offer his support and expertise to his team, and has built great relationships with our Partners. When Ian isn’t offering top-notch support at work, he enjoys the great outdoors: hiking, camping, paddleboarding, and paintballing.
How did the zombie become great at trick-or-treating? Dead-ication.
Zombies don’t eat comedians because they taste funny.
Snap One Training Opportunities
See the full training calendar here, or check out the links below.
Training Events Across the U.S. and Canada!
On October 19, stop by any of our 42 Snap One Partner Stores between 11 a.m.–3.p.m. for a great time with music, festive food and beer, and live demos. Aren’t sure where your local (but not low-cal) Partner Store is? Get the address here!
Snap One Partner Store Trainings:
After Oktoberfest, the Education Team will take a break from training in local Snap One Partner Stores during November and December as we prepare content for 2024. Be sure to take some time to hang with your family and friends and enjoy life.
Webinars:
Streamlining Surveillance Installs with Luma® and OvrC® Remote Management – Oct 18th, 2:00 p.m. EST
What do you call the ghost of a chicken? A poultry-geist.
Transferring Cameras from a Luma X10 NVR to an X20 NVR
When upgrading a Luma NVR, don’t miss this one step: before you disconnect any X10 cameras from an X10 Luma NVR, log in to the camera’s interface and switch the Basic Network Settings to DHCP. After that, disconnect the camera and connect it to an X20 Luma NVR.
Know what your project will look like if a particular lighting circuit fails.
Witches and warlocks go to Hogwarts to learn how to spell.
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!
September is here, and with it, International Talk Like a Pirate Day! That be the truth of it, matey! The 19th of September is a day that’ll shiver your timbers with all things nautical, piratical, and… um… something-else-ical. International Talk Like a Pirate Day started as a joke in 1995, but gained traction in 2002 when it was covered by syndicated humorist and land-lubber Dave Barry. We on the Education Team will be celebrating, and if Technical Support answers the phone with “Ahoy!” at least you’ll know what’s up. So if some scurvy bilge rat asks if your company plans to celebrate, we urge you to tell them, “We arrr!” So grab this salty newsletter, pour a mug o’ rum, rest ye bones in your hammock, and let’s see what’s crawled out the bung, because this X marks the spot for new product features, KB arrrticles, tips, tricks, and more! Yarr welcome!
Holly “Cap’n Gallows” Bechtler
Technical Writing Operations Specialist
Plunder a Free Pass to GSX!
Global Security Exchange (GSX) is on the horizon and closing fast – September 11–13 in Dallas! Be there as the worldwide security industry reconvenes to stay informed, connected, and prepared for what’s next. Join security professionals from every sector to cultivate the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to eliminate emerging threats. GSX is presented by ASIS International, the world’s largest membership organization for security management professionals. Board our deck at booth #3009 and hear all the latest scuttlebutt.
What’s a pirate’s favorite letter? Arrr!
Brand Ho! Halo & Xfinity Voice Integration Off the Port Bow!
Xfinity Voice integration with Halo remotes is now live! The Xfinity voice integration for Halo Remotes enables seamless media selection and control using Xfinity’s existing voice service. Because the voice command is passed directly to Xfinity, your customers can expect the same performance, accuracy, and capabilities as their original Xfinity-issued remote.
This functionality will not work automatically for most customers, so your action is required! You must first verify that the customer’s project meets these system requirements:
Verify the Xfinity hardware is supported
Verify the Xfinity hardware is running firmware v6.4 or later
Control4 system must be running OS 3.3.3 or later
Once verified, the only additional step required is to update the Xfinity X1 driver in Composer Pro to v14 or later. Thankfully, we have the full Xfinity hardware compatibility and driver update process outlined for you in the Tech Community.
Do pirates like to fight? Sword of.
New Micro-Cert Scuppers Centralized Lighting 2019
In a bold mutiny, the Control4 Centralized Lighting Micro-Certification has taken the helm for C4 centralized lighting certs. This online course features nine courses and a final exam, and covers the basics of a Control4 centralized lighting system. Topics include components required for a basic system, interpreting lighting schedules, Composer Pro design, and physical installation tips. Ye olde Centralized Lighting 2019 certification has walked the plank and gone to Davy Jones’ locker. If you are one of the old salts who previously completed Centralized Lighting 2019, you must complete this updated Micro-Certification for your certification and digital badge to fly from the yardarm. For those who have kept their skills on the cutting edge, the new micro-certification provides a way to test out of certain modules.
How much do pirates pay to get their ears pierced? A buck an ear.
Technical Support Seadog Ahoy!
Technical Support agent Tim Bruening 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 La Plata, Maryland, Tim supports our Control4® Partners. In his first year at Snap One, Tim has already proven to be a valuable member of the Technical Support Team. His team characterizes him as “an intelligent and experienced individual that is always willing to help anyone in any way that he can.” It is no surprise his teammates had plenty of great things to say about him.
“Tim is humble. He asks for help when it is needed and accepts suggestions when given.”
“He is a great resource for the rest of the Technical support team.”
“Tim is known to our partners as someone they can count on to do everything he can to help them resolve the issue at hand. We are very glad to have him as part of our Snap One family!”
When Tim isn’t busy making positive waves in his department, he enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family, 3D printing, Linux programming, and making hardware modifications in his Homelab. He recently rebuilt his storage server, built a brand new server, and configured both servers in a Proxmox cluster to work in unison. He also repurposes old computers with Linux so they can be used as Magic Mirror displays. These displays are self-hosted video slideshows that can be displayed throughout a home!
Why is being a pirate so popular? Once you lose your first hand, you just get hooked!
EDID Handshake Givin’ You the Hook?
There are many install and environmental factors that can contribute to video not displaying on some TVs. In some cases, the culprit is HDCP or EDID handshake failures. We have seen reports that later Sony and Samsung TV models are displaying EDID handshaking issues through media distribution products such as MoIP, HDMI extenders, and HDBaseT matrix switches. Some Sony and Samsung TVs use a 5-second EDID handshake instead of a standard 2.5-second handshake, which causes the EDID handshake to fail. If your television is having HDCP or EDID handshake issues, you can add a Binary™ 260 Series 4K HDR In-Line Controller (B-260-HDMI-CTRL) or similar device to intercept the HDCP/EDID negotiation after the extender or HDBaseT receiver and before the television. Read more in the Tech Community
Where do pirates eat while they wait for their pegleg to get made? IHOP.
The OvrC® Public BETA Be Needful o’ More Swabbies!
Do ye want to be a land-lubber, or to bravely explore new vistas OvrCs? Are ye prepared to board those UIs remotely? Make your mark and join the OvrC public BETA team!
Why don’t pirates let their prisoners shower before walking the plank? Because they know they’ll wash up on shore later.
Pumping the Bilge
Since SnapAV merged with Control4, we’ve been working to bring everything together into a single website under Snap One. 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.
How do pirates communicate? Aye to aye.
Larn the Ropes, Mateys!
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:
Why can’t pirates play cards? The captain is always standing on the deck.
Workaround for Android Users and Visualint Line+ app
The Visualint Line+ app APK is no longer listed in the Play Store for Android devices. This is still being investigated. In the meantime, please use the file attached in this Tech Community KB article as a workaround. Thank you for your patience!
What’s a pirate’s favorite letter? They didn’t have one. Pirates were generally illiterate.
Quick Test for DMX Splitters (sent by Cameron B)
Every DMX bus line must have a 120-ohm terminating resistor attached to the last device to prevent the signal from reflecting and causing interference. Most folks just add a 120-ohm resistor and call it good, but our DMX splitters make this even easier for you! As shown in the photo, our DMX splitters have a DIP switch for a built-in terminator. When a splitter is the last device in the DMX bus line, just flip DIP switch 1 in the red block to ON… and the bus stops there!
Why were pirates illiterate? They’d spend years at C.
Don’t Capsize Yer Camera!
Customer claims, “Camera flickers to a fuzzy brown image often.”
How do pirates recruit new crew members? Pier pressure.
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!
