Control4 CORE-3 Controller Installation Guide

Introduction

The Control4 CORE-3 Controller is designed for an exceptional family room entertainment experience. It automates home entertainment devices and serves as an ideal smart home starter system with built-in entertainment capabilities. The CORE-3 offers an intuitive on-screen user interface and can orchestrate various entertainment devices via IR, serial, and IP control. It also supports secure wireless ZigBee control for smart home devices like lights and thermostats. Additionally, it features a built-in music server for local music libraries, streaming services, and AirPlay-enabled devices via Control4 ShairBridge technology.

Supported models: C4-CORE3

Box Contents

• CORE-3 controller
• AC power cord
• IR emitters (4)
• External antennas (1)

Accessories Available for Purchase

• CORE-3 Wall-Mount Bracket (C4-CORE3-WM)
• Rack Mount Kit (C4-CORE3-RMK)
• Control4 3-Meter Wireless Antenna Kit (C4-AK-3M)
• Control4 Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter (C4-USBWIFI or C4-USBWIFI-1)
• Control4 3.5 mm to DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B)

Requirements and Specifications

We recommend using Ethernet instead of WiFi for the best network connectivity.

The Ethernet or WiFi network should be installed before starting the CORE-3 controller installation.

The CORE-3 requires OS 3.3 or newer.

Composer Pro software is required to configure this device. Refer to the Composer Pro User Guide (ctrl4.co/cpro-ug) for details.

Caution! To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

AVERTISSEMENT! Pour réduire le risque de choc électrique, n'exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou à l'humidité.

Caution! In an over-current condition on USB, the software disables the output. If the attached USB device does not appear to power on, remove the USB device from the controller.

AVERTISSEMENT! Dans une condition de surintensité sur USB ou sortie de contact le logiciel désactive sortie. Si le périphérique USB ou le capteur de contact connecté ne semble pas s'allumer, retirez le périphérique du contrôleur.

Specifications

Video Out

1 video out - 1 HDMI

HDMI 2.0a; 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (4K); HDCP 2.2 and HDCP 1.4

Audio Out

4 audio out - 1 HDMI, 2 x 3.5 mm stereo audio, 1 digital coax

Digital coax in - Input level

Audio Out 1/2 (analog) - Balance, volume, loudness, 6-band PEQ, mono/stereo, test signal, mute

Digital coax out - Volume, mute

Audio Playback Formats

AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MP2, MP3, MP4/M4A, Ogg Vorbis, PCM, WAV, WMA

Audio In

1 audio in - 1 digital coax audio in

High-Resolution Audio Playback

Up to 192 kHz / 24 bit

Network

2 10/100/1000BaseT compatible ports - 1 PoE+ in and 1 switch network port

Wi-Fi: Available with USB Wi-Fi adapter

ZigBee Pro: 802.15.4

ZigBee antenna: External reverse SMA connector

Z-Wave: Z-Wave 700 series

Z-Wave antenna: External reverse SMA connector

USB Port

1 USB 3.0 port - 500mA

Control

IR out: 6 IR out - 5V 27mA max output

IR capture: 1 IR receiver - front, 20-60 KHz

Serial out: 3 serial out (shared with IR out 1-3)

Contact input: 1 x 2-30V DC input, 12V DC 125mA max output

Relay: 1 x relay output - AC: 36V, 2A max across relay; DC: 24V, 2A max across relay

Power

Power requirements: 100-240 VAC, 60/50Hz or PoE+

Power consumption: Max: 18W, 61 BTUs/hour; Idle: 12W, 41 BTUs/hour

Other

Operating temperature: 32°F x 104°F (0°C x 40°C)

Storage temperature: 4°F x 158°F (-20°C x 70°C)

Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.13 x 7.5 x 5.0" (29 x 191 x 127 mm)

Weight: 1.2 lb (0.54 kg)

Shipping weight: 2.2 lb (1.0 kg)

Front View

The front panel features several indicators and an IR receiver/blaster:

• A Activity LED: Indicates when the controller is streaming audio.
• B IR window: Houses the IR blaster and IR receiver for learning IR codes.
• C Caution LED: Displays status during boot (solid red, then blinking blue) and factory restore (blinking orange).
• D Link LED: Shows when the controller is identified in a Control4 Composer project and communicating with Director.
• E Power LED: A blue LED indicating AC power is present. The controller powers on immediately.

Back View

The back panel provides various ports for connectivity:

• A Power port: Connector for the IEC 60320-C5 AC power cord.
• B Contact and relay: Terminal block for connecting one relay device and one contact sensor. Relay connections: COM, NC (normally closed), NO (normally open). Contact sensor connections: +12, SIG (signal), GND (ground).
• C SERIAL and IR OUT: 3.5 mm jacks supporting up to four IR emitters or a combination of IR emitters and serial devices. Ports 1 and 2 can be configured for serial control or IR control.
• D DIGITAL COAX IN: Input for sharing audio over the local network to other Control4 devices.
• E AUDIO OUT 1/2: Outputs audio shared from other Control4 devices or from digital audio sources.
• F DIGITAL COAX OUT: Outputs audio shared from other Control4 devices or from digital audio sources.
• G USB: One USB 3.0 port for an external USB drive (FAT32 format recommended).
• H HDMI OUT: An HDMI port for displaying navigation menus and audio output.
• I ID button and RESET: The ID button identifies the device in Composer Pro and provides feedback. The RESET pinhole is used to reset or factory restore the controller.
• J ZWAVE: Antenna connector for the Z-Wave radio.
• K ENET OUT: RJ-45 jack for Ethernet out connection, acting as a 2-port network switch.
• L ENET/POE+ IN: RJ-45 jack for 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet connection, also supporting PoE+ power.
• M ZIGBEE: Antenna connector for the Zigbee radio.

Installation Instructions

1. Ensure the home network is established before starting. An Ethernet connection is required for initial setup. The controller needs a network connection for full functionality, including accessing web-based databases, communicating with IP devices, and receiving updates.
2. Mount the controller near the devices it will control. Options include behind a TV, on a wall, in a rack, or on a shelf. The Control4 CORE-3 Wall-Mount Bracket (sold separately) facilitates mounting behind a TV or on a wall.
3. Attach antennas to the ZIGBEE and ZWAVE antenna connectors.
4. Connect the controller to the network:
   • Ethernet: Connect a network cable from the controller's RJ-45 port (labeled "Ethernet") to the network port on the wall or switch.
   • Wi-Fi: First connect via Ethernet, then connect the Wi-Fi adapter to the USB port. Reconfigure the unit for Wi-Fi using Composer Pro System Manager.
5. Connect system devices, such as IR and serial devices, as described in the "Connecting the IR ports/serial ports" and "Setting up IR emitters" sections.
6. Set up any external storage devices as described in the "Setting up external storage devices" section.
7. If using AC power, connect the power cord to the controller's power port and then to an electrical outlet.

Connecting the IR ports/serial ports (optional)

The controller offers four IR ports. Ports 1 and 2 can be reconfigured for serial communication or used for IR if not used for serial.

To connect a serial device, use the Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B, sold separately).

• The serial ports support baud rates from 1200 to 115200 with odd or even parity. Hardware flow control is not supported.
• Refer to Knowledgebase article #268 (dealer.control4.com/dealer/knowledgebase/article/268) for pinout diagrams.
• Configure ports for serial or IR using Composer Pro. Refer to the Composer Pro User Guide for details.

Serial ports can be configured as straight-through or null using Composer Pro. By default, they are straight-through; change this by selecting "Enable Null-Modem Serial Port (1 or 2)" in Composer.

Setting up IR emitters

For third-party products controlled via IR commands:

1. Connect one of the included IR emitters to an IR OUT port on the controller.
2. Position the stick-on emitter end over the IR receiver of the target device (e.g., Blu-ray player, TV) to direct IR signals from the controller.

Setting up external storage devices (optional)

External storage devices (like network hard drives or USB memory devices) can be used for media storage and access. Connect the USB drive to the USB port and configure or scan the media in Composer Pro.

Only externally powered USB drives or solid-state USB sticks are supported. Self-powered USB drives are not supported.

When using USB storage devices on a CORE-3 controller, only one partition with a maximum size of 2 TB is supported. This limitation also applies to other controllers.

Composer Pro driver information

Use Auto Discovery and SDDP to add the driver to your Composer project. Refer to the Composer Pro User Guide (ctrl4.co/cpro-ug) for details.

OvrC setup and configuration

OvrC provides remote device management, real-time notifications, and customer management via computer or mobile device. Setup is plug-and-play, requiring no port forwarding or DDNS address.

To add this device to your OvrC account:

1. Connect the CORE-3 controller to the Internet.
2. Log in to your OvrC account at www.ovrc.com.
3. Add the device, providing the MAC address and Service Tag numbers for authentication.

Troubleshooting

Reset to factory settings

Caution! The factory restore process will remove the Composer project.

To restore the controller to its factory default image:

1. Insert one end of a paper clip into the small hole labeled RESET on the back of the controller.
2. Press and hold the RESET button. The controller resets, and the ID button turns solid red.
3. Hold the button until the ID button flashes double orange (approximately five to seven seconds). The ID button flashes orange during the factory restore. Upon completion, the ID button turns off, and the device power cycles to finalize the factory restore.

During the reset process, the ID button provides feedback similar to the Caution LED on the front panel.

Power cycle the controller

Press and hold the ID button for five seconds. The controller will turn off and then back on.

Reset the network settings

To reset the controller's network settings to default:

1. Disconnect power from the controller.
2. While pressing and holding the ID button on the back, power the controller on.
3. Hold the ID button until it turns solid orange and the Link and Power LEDs are solid blue, then release the button immediately.

During this reset process, the ID button provides feedback similar to the Caution LED on the front panel.

LED Status Information

The LEDs on the controller indicate its operational status:

LED Key: ◐ = Flashing LED, ● = Solid LED

Connecting the contact port

The CORE-3 features one contact port on a pluggable terminal block (+12, SIG, GRD) for connecting sensors.

Example: Wire the contact to a sensor that also needs power (Motion sensor)

Connect the sensor's +12V to the controller's +12, the sensor's COM to the controller's SIG, and the sensor's NO (Normally Open) to the controller's GND.

Example: Wire the contact to a dry contact sensor (Door contact sensor)

Connect the sensor's COM to the controller's SIG, and the sensor's NC (Normally Closed) to the controller's GND.

Example: Wire the contact to an externally powered sensor (Driveway sensor)

Connect the sensor's COM to the controller's SIG, and the sensor's NC (Normally Closed) to the controller's GND. The sensor's external 12V power supply should be connected to the sensor's +12V and Power inputs.

Connecting the relay port

The CORE-3 includes one relay port on a pluggable terminal block (+12, SIG, GND) for controlling devices.

Example: Wire the relay to a single-relay device, normally open (Fireplace)

Connect the device's COM terminal to the controller's +12, and the device's NO (Normally Open) terminal to the controller's SIG.

Example: Wire the relay to a dual-relay device (Blinds)

For UP control: Connect the UP terminal of the blinds to the NO terminal of Relay 1 on the controller. Connect the COM terminal of Relay 1 to the controller's +12. For DOWN control: Connect the DOWN terminal of the blinds to the NO terminal of Relay 2 on the controller. Connect the COM terminal of Relay 2 to the controller's +12.

Example: Wire the relay with power from the contact, normally closed (Amplifier trigger)

Connect the device's COM terminal to the controller's +12, and the device's NC (Normally Closed) terminal to the controller's SIG.

Additional resources

For more support and information:

• Control4 CORE series help and information: ctrl4.co/core
• Snap One Tech Community and Knowledgebase: tech.control4.com
• Control4 Technical Support
• Control4 website: www.control4.com

For the latest version of this document and additional materials, visit ctrl4.co/core3-ig.

Legal, Warranty, and Regulatory/Safety Information

Visit snapone.com/legal for details.

Copyright 2021, Snap One, LLC. All rights reserved. Snap One and its respective logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Snap One, LLC (formerly known as Wirepath Home Systems, LLC), in the United States and/or other countries. 4Store, 4Sight, Control4, Control4 My Home, SnapAV, Mockupancy, NEEO, OvrC, Wirepath, and Wirepath ONE are also registered trademarks or trademarks of Snap One, LLC. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of their respective owners. Snap One makes no claim that the information contained herein covers all installation scenarios and contingencies, or product use risks. Information 200-00725-A within this specification subject to change without notice.