SMART HOME BUYER'S GUIDE

THE CONTROL4 DIFFERENCE

Life gets busy—but when your home technology is connected into one simple-to-use automation platform, it helps take away some of those little daily stresses. A true smart home system helps make life more convenient and your home safer, more comfortable, and easier to enjoy.

Unlike other smart home systems, Control4 homeowners enjoy personalized smart home experiences perfect for any home—no matter the size or budget, new construction or decades old.

With Control4, You Get:

• Choice from brands you trust
• A customized smart home design
• Centralized smart home operating system
• Easy control of home devices from one app
• Professional installation
• Concierge-level technology support

Interested? This Control4 Buyer's Guide will take you through everything you need to know to get started creating your ideal smart home.

WHY START WITH A SMART HOME OS?

A smart home operating system (OS) is a software platform that connects the many different types of technology in your home together to make devices easily accessible and customizable. The Control4 Smart Home OS enables you and your family to control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

The OS acts as the central hub, connecting various home systems such as:

• Smart Lighting
• Home Security
• Smart Audio
• Smart Video
• Remote Access
• Voice Control
• Network
• Connected Devices

A Control4 Smart Home OS...

• Consolidates your home technology into one interface, syncing your favorite home technology brands and devices to work together.
• Connects you to control your entire home from anywhere and alerts you with custom home notifications.
• Runs your home through secure touchscreen, remote, keypad, voice, and app access to seamlessly perform the whole-home automation scenes you create.

MAKE YOUR HOME A SMART HOME

When you have a Control4 Smart Home OS installed into your home, the technology integration possibilities become almost endless. After browsing these highlights of what you can do and connect with a Control4 system, talk with a local smart home professional to get even more inspiration for your home.

Explore the possibilities:

• Smart Lighting
• Home Security
• Smart Audio
• Smart Video
• Remote Access
• Voice Control
• Network
• Connected Devices

SMART LIGHTING

Smart lighting goes far beyond beautiful switches and dimmable bulbs. It provides energy efficiency, added safety and security, custom lighting scenes, and the ability to control several smart products in your home at once with just the touch of a button.

Key Features:

• Custom Engraving: Clearly identifies each button so you know what you're controlling before you touch it.
• Backlit Buttons: Illuminates engraving for easy viewing. RGB backlighting allows virtually any color to light up each button.
• Status LEDs: Provides visual status of scenes or devices. RGB LEDs can be changed to virtually any color.
• Home Control: Quickly lock the doors, turn off the lights and TVs, adjust the home temperature, draw the blinds, and more with the push of a button.

How Does Smart Lighting Work?

Smart lighting consolidates your switches into one keypad by connecting your lights and other smart devices together through the smart home operating system. Through smart switches and keypads, your lighting controls can also be programmed to run other devices in the home simultaneously with your smart home OS.

Standard Products Used for Smart Lighting:

You need only a few products from Control4 to enjoy smart lighting in your home. You can even start with one room and add more smart lighting over time to your existing system—the choice is yours.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Configurable Keypads
• Universal Remote
• Keypad Dimmers
• Outlet Switch

The Right Smart Lighting for You:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which smart lighting products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What do you want to achieve with your lighting project?
• What lifestyle issues do you hope to solve with Smart Lighting?
• Do you listen to a lot of music or watch TV often in your home?
• Which rooms do you use most often in your home?
• What do you want to control with Smart Lighting?
• What is your dream Smart Lighting experience?

Want an Expert Opinion? Control4 Smart Home Professionals can help you determine the smart lighting products needed in your home to get the smart home experience of your dreams. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

HOME SECURITY

Stay connected to your home anywhere in the world with real-time home notifications, doorbell alerts, mobile home access and control, smart home security, and more. Control4 works with your most trusted security brands, protecting you without compromise.

With Smart Security, You Can:

• Arm/disarm your security system via the mobile app
• Receive alerts when a door or window is opened
• Set lights to automatically turn on at dusk
• Open and close your blinds at scheduled times
• Control your home privacy settings with easy-to-use tools and clear choices
• Set up an alert and notify you if movement is detected by a pool or fire pit
• Set up secure two-way conversation using touchscreen panels that ring your mobile app
• Automatically have your home security system arm during the weekdays while you are at work
• Lock or unlock your front door and view your security cameras from one app

Private and Secure

What happens in your home should stay in your home, which is why Control4 is committed to strict and proactive standards for data privacy. Control4 respects your right to privacy and believes your data should be handled with integrity and confidence. Control4 does not sell or rent your personal information to third-party companies. Control4 also enables you to set and adjust your Control4 privacy settings to better meet your preferences.

Standard Products Used for Home Security:

Get started with smart security using products that will help you build the secure home experience you are wanting. You can easily add more security devices and features over time to your existing Control4 system.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Motion Sensors
• Exterior Door Station
• Outdoor Cameras
• Touchscreen

The Right Security System for You:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which security products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What do you want to achieve with your smart security?
• What areas of your home do you want to secure or add visibility to?
• Do you have children or pets in your home you want to monitor?
• Do you prefer personal alerts or a monitored alarm?
• What types of remote security control do you imagine yourself using?
• Are there certain areas or objects you want to secure?

Want an Expert Opinion? Control4 Smart Home Professionals can help you determine the security products needed in your home to get the secure experience you need. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

SMART AUDIO

Get sound you don't just hear, but also experience. When you connect your sound system to your home automation platform, you can create an experience that takes your breath away.

Audio Solutions:

• Home Theater: Home theater speakers range from in-ceiling and in-wall to in-room and on-wall, depending on your preferences or needs.
• Soundbars: Triad soundbars are premium speakers built in the USA. They can be custom painted to match a wall color and custom sized to match the width of the TV.
• Multi-Room Audio: Ensure all speakers throughout the house are customized to the room they are in and easy to control, from inside the home to the back yard or pool area.
• Outdoor Speakers: For the best sound experience outdoors, be sure to select speakers dedicated for outdoor use. Outdoor speaker options include wall-mounted models as well as speaker solutions that disappear into the shrubs and plants around the perimeter of the space.

Standard Products Used for Smart Audio:

With nearly 40 years of experience in premium loudspeakers, Control4 offers award-winning speakers that fit your home size, lifestyle, and budget. Start small and build over time with speakers crafted just for you.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Two Surround Speakers
• Triad One Amplifier
• Soundbar
• Touchscreen

Customize Your Sound:

Use the Triad paint-matching service to blend your speakers with your room design. Use hidden subwoofers to provide more bass and higher sound pressure levels in performance rooms without disrupting the design. Here are some questions to ask your Triad sound expert:

• What type of lifestyle experience do you want to achieve with your audio?
• In which areas of your home do you want to enjoy quality audio?
• What types of audio do you want in your home? Music? Podcasts? Radio?
• Do you prefer your speakers to make a statement or be out of sight?
• Will you want audio for entertaining? Or mostly for cinematic experiences?
• How do you want to access your home audio?

Want an Expert Opinion? The Triad Design Services team can help you plan the type and number of speakers needed in your home to get the experience you want. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

SMART VIDEO

Multi-room smart video connects all TVs in your home together, hiding away technology while still giving you quick access to all your content. You can also easily stream a station or movie in multiple rooms at the same time—perfect for entertaining.

With Smart Video, You Can:

• Stream music and video to different rooms at the same time
• Quickly access your favorite television and music stations, streaming services, playlists, lighting scenes, thermostats, door locks, and more from one interface
• Set the TV to turn on to a certain station at a certain time of day
• Open and close blinds automatically when the TV is turned on/off
• Record and view your favorite shows from any smart TV
• Use one button to quickly adjust your lighting and TV for movie viewing
• Have your movie easily move with you from room to room

Standard Products Used for Smart Video:

Control4 builds some of the finest products available to create unforgettable cinematic moments in your home. Control4 provides a high-quality picture and sound experience that is easy to use throughout your entire home by connecting everything through your Control4 Smart Home OS.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Two Surround Speakers
• Triad One
• Smart TV
• Universal Remote

Customize Your Video Experience:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which smart video products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What type of cinematic experience do you want to achieve?
• In which areas of your home do you want to enjoy smart TV access?
• How often do you host or entertain for an event viewed on TV?
• Are there certain movies/shows you love or times of day you enjoy watching TV?
• What is your dream audio and video experience like?

Want an Expert Opinion? We can help you plan the products and layout of multi-room video needed in your home to get the experience you want. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

REMOTE ACCESS

Be connected to what matters most, no matter where you are. Remote access to your smart home system keeps you informed and in control of what's happening at home—whether you're in the kitchen or across the world.

Stay Connected to Home With:

• Mobile app access and home control of lights, door locks, cameras, thermostat, TVs, audio, and more
• Custom system alerts and push notifications
• Live camera video and two-way audio chat

Receive a Push Notification When:

• Your child arrives home from school
• Someone rings your doorbell
• A door or window is opened during certain hours
• Motion is detected in a room
• Home temperature goes outside of the normal range
• Someone wants to reach you through a home touchscreen video chat

Whether you're home or away, with Control4 Intercom Anywhere remote access you can monitor, control, and communicate with any room of your smart home.

Standard Products Used for Remote Access:

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being able to quickly switch between cameras, lock/unlock doors, receive home notifications and alerts, or check on any room in the home from your app.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Exterior Door Station
• Indoor/Outdoor Cameras
• Smart Thermostat
• Smart Lighting

Customize Remote Access:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which remote access products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What do you hope to achieve with remote access?
• Are there certain people or rooms in the home you want to be able to quickly connect with?
• Which parts of your home do you want to control with remote access?
• What do you worry about most when you are away from home?

Want an Expert Opinion? Control4 Smart Home Professionals can help you determine how to best meet your remote access needs. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

VOICE CONTROL

Using your favorite voice control assistant, you can control a specific device, a few devices simultaneously, or your entire Control4 Smart Home with just your voice. Effortlessly activate music, turn on or off a single light or multiple fixtures at once, lock doors, or adjust the temperature, all without lifting a finger.

With Voice Control, You Can:

• Arm your security system while lying in bed
• Turn on or off lights with a voice command when your hands are full
• Ask your home to display camera footage on your touchscreen
• Quickly adjust your home temperature
• Activate a home scene in the morning that raises the shades, turns on the bathroom lights, and starts playing your favorite news station
• Lock or unlock your front door with your voice

Easy for All

Voice control is an easy and convenient way for anyone in the house to interact with your smart home. The commands are simple and natural. For example, “Alexa, turn on family room TV” or “Hey Google, dim the theater lights to 40%.”

Standard Products Used for Voice Control:

With a simple voice command, your smart home is prompted to turn on/off lights, lock/unlock doors, adjust the thermostat and security system, and more, depending on what you have connected to your Control4 Smart Home OS.

Recommended Products to Get Started:

• Home Controller
• Smart Thermostat/Lighting
• Exterior Door Station
• Voice Device
• Touchscreen

The Right Voice Control System for You:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which voice control products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What do you hope to achieve with voice control?
• Do you have children or anyone in your home that will need special voice control commands?
• Where in the home will hands-free control be beneficial for you?

Want an Expert Opinion? Control4 Smart Home Professionals can help you determine the products needed in your home to get the voice experience you need. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

NETWORK

The network—your connection to the internet—is one of the most important systems in any home. Each connected device adds strain to a home network, so it is important to have a network properly built for your home size and network usage.

Customize Your Network:

Here are some of the common networking products found in a medium-to-large home:

• A router
• Managed switch (with PoE power)
• Multiple access points or repeaters
• A power distribution unit for smart control
• A remote management platform

The Right Network for You:

You want a network that is seamless, reliable, and consistently dependable. Rather than choosing an off-the-shelf networking product that gives you an often-unreliable router, switch, and wireless connection all in one, a Control4 Smart Home Pro will tailor your networking products to fit your home and lifestyle.

Get the Network You Need:

For a Control4 Smart Home Pro to determine which networking products are right for your home, they'll need to know the following:

• What type of internet service do you use?
• What types of streaming does your household use?
• How many square feet (meters) is your home?
• What materials were used in building your home?
• What technology or devices do you currently have or use in your home?
• Are the mobile-device users in your home primarily Apple or Android users?

Want an Expert Opinion? Control4 Smart Home Professionals can help you determine the networking products needed in your home to get the fast, reliable network you need. Talk with a Smart Home Pro to learn more.

CONNECTED DEVICES

Unlike some smart home systems, the Control4 Smart Home OS is an open platform and works with over 13,000 third-party products—meaning you can connect and control almost any device through your Control4 OS.

Will It Connect? Yes!

In addition to working with these well-known brands, a Control4 system can control many third-party products, such as:

• TVs and speakers
• Smart door locks
• Doorbell cameras
• Thermostat and HVAC
• Voice command devices
• Sprinkler/Irrigation systems
• Floor heating systems
• Garage doors
• Blinds and shades
• IoT devices
• Smart washer/dryer
• Smart kitchen appliances
• Plumbing and faucets
• Pool controls
• Gate access and monitoring
• Pet door control
• Medicine cabinet locks

SMART HOME PROFESSIONAL

Your Smart Home Pro

Control4 believes in providing its homeowners with the highest-quality smart home experiences. Control4 provides a customized smart home system through an elite group of Control4-trained and certified technology experts. These professionals will meet with you to discuss your home automation needs, help plan your home project, professionally install your system, and then be there to provide ongoing support for you and your home.

One-on-One Consultation

Use this guide at your complimentary consultation to share with your certified Control4 Smart Home Professional your home automation wants and needs. Here's what comes with your consultation:

• Customized home proposal
• Project pricing estimate
• Step-by-step process walkthrough

Customizing Your Smart Home

After installation and professional programming is complete, you can easily tweak your automation schedules, music choices, security features, and more via your online Control4 customer account. The easy-to-use homeowner personalization tool enables you to adjust everything, including a keypad button, push notifications, security system, lighting automation, and most other programmed devices in your home without the need to schedule a professional.

PLACING YOUR ORDER

After you have met with your Smart Home Professional and are happy with your custom smart home plan, simply work with your Control4 Pro to finalize details and schedule installation.

Average Pricing

Prices start at $1,000 for a Control4 one-room solution. Talk with your Control4 Smart Home Pro to get a complimentary price estimate for your home project.

Personalized Support

Control4 Smart Home Professionals live and work in your area, so you know they will always be there to provide customized support for you and your home—whether you call on them months or years after your install.

The Control4 Difference

Unlike other smart home companies, Control4 does not trap you in contracts or sell your personal data from home devices. Control4's passion and promise is that you'll love its products and that your personal information stays securely with you.

Schedule a Complimentary Smart Home Consultation

If you are not already working with one of Control4's talented Smart Home Professionals, visit Control4.com to find a Pro near you.

WHAT CONTROL4 SMART HOME OWNERS ARE SAYING

“Finally, an interface that you can depend on and operate with ease! Way beyond my wildest expectations. Simple, user-friendly, and reliable.”

— Vincent F. Control4 Homeowner

“We've been using our home theater more often than I expected because it's so effortless to control and it really emphasizes the magic of everything we watch.”

— Dave P. Control4 Homeowner

“Our house always has music playing and we love it. The system is so easy to use that even my five-year-old can select in which rooms she would like to hear music.”

— Chris B. Control4 Homeowner

“It's the go-to control system to integrate just about everything in my house and for automating repetitive tasks. Coupled with amazing media control, it's a no-brainer.”

— Chris A. Control4 Homeowner

GET STARTED

Whether you are looking to automate a single room or you are designing your dream home, get your project started by chatting with a Smart Home Professional about your lifestyle, wants, and needs.

Talk with a Smart Home Professional

If you are not already working with one of Control4's talented Smart Home Professionals, visit Control4.com to find a Pro near you.

Getting the Conversation Started

Answer the following questions to prep for your conversation with a Control4 Smart Home Professional:

What type of project do you want to automate?

• Whole-home remodel
• Whole-home new construction
• One-room experience (theater room, kitchen, etc.)
• Security system
• Other:

What do you want to control?

• Home theater/entertainment
• Whole-home audio
• Lighting
• Comfort (heating and cooling)
• Security and monitoring
• Communication
• Other:

What do you want to achieve with your automation project?

• Update the look of your home or business
• Update the look for resale purposes
• Improve the function of your home or business
• Incorporate energy efficiency
• Provide added security
• Access and control from anywhere
• Other:

Control4 looks forward to making your home the smartest on the block.

NOTES

This section is for personal notes.