Loxone & Control4
We’ll look at the similarities, differences, and how the two systems can interface with each other to work in collaboration.
Loxone and Control4 are both automation systems that can control a plethora of hardware in your project. Depending on your requirements, you might find that one system in particular is more suitable, or in fact that you could benefit from an installation that uses both Loxone and Control4.
Similarities and differences
between Loxone & Control4
| Loxone | Control4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Loxone manufactures software and hardware and offers comprehensive solutions in the field of home automation, commercial and BMS. | Control4 also has its own software and hardware and specialise in smart homes and cinemas. | |
| Openness |
Loxone is a very open system and despite the big variety of in house hardware, almost any third party device could be integrated with the support for inputs, volt free contacts and protocols like (DALI, DMX, Modbus TCP/RTU, UDP, HTTP, RS232, 1-Wire and many more.) With the addition of the Loxone library you can download more than 500+ drivers for free. |
Control4 is also open to integrations and developers can create drivers that act as a bridge between two systems. However, most of the drivers require a one-time payment and could have limited support from the developers. |
| Scalability | The Loxone system is very scalable, as you can always add newly released devices to your existing system and retrofit new controls at a later stage even if there is no possibility to wire them up. | The Control4 system can also scale and expand over time and devices could be added at a later stage, the main difference is that most of the devices communicate on the LAN/WLAN (Zigbee) and require a solid network connection. |
| Intelligence | The Miniserver is going to be the brain of the system, all of the functionality and the configuration will be created, managed and updated by the Miniserver itself. The logic processing all happens locally and does not require an internet connection/the cloud. | In a similar fashion the Core series of controllers will be responsible for the logic, functionality and automation of the Control4 system. |
| Software | At Loxone, the entire software and all apps are available free of charge and licence-free – including free updates and free external access. Any new software features and firmware updates are available free of charge. The visualisation for apps is created automatically as part of the configuration. | In comparison, the programming software for Control4 is only available to their network of installers. There is a Control4 for OS app, however in most instances the system requires its own display to navigate through the system. |
| Configuration / Programming | Configuration for Loxone Partners is quick and easy with Loxone Config. From +250 pre-programmed logic blocks to the powerful Auto-Config feature, by which an entire project is pre-configured with just a few mouse clicks, and the option to create extensive custom logic, everything is possible. | Programming in Composer is usually more time consuming and it’s more of a if this then than type of programming logic. Where one action triggers the next in a sequence, which means that you have less flexibility with custom logic configurations. |
| Loxone | Control4 | |
| Loxone manufactures software and hardware and offers comprehensive solutions in the field of home automation, commercial and BMS. | Control4 also has its own software and hardware and specialise in smart homes and cinemas. | |
| Openness | Loxone is a very open system and despite the big variety of in house hardware, almost any third party device could be integrated with the support for inputs, volt free contacts and protocols like (DALI, DMX, Modbus TCP/RTU, UDP, HTTP, RS232, 1-Wire and many more.) With the addition of the Loxone library you can download more than 500+ drivers for free. | Control4 is also open to integrations and developers can create drivers that act as a bridge between two systems. However, most of the drivers require a one-time payment and could have limited support from the developers. |
| Scalability | The Loxone system is very scalable, as you can always add newly released devices to your existing system and retrofit new controls at a later stage even if there is no possibility to wire them up. | The Control4 system can also scale and expand over time and devices could be added at a later stage, the main difference is that most of the devices communicate on the LAN/WLAN (Zigbee) and require a solid network connection. |
| Intelligence | The Miniserver is going to be the brain of the system, all of the functionality and the configuration will be created, managed and updated by the Miniserver itself. The logic processing all happens locally and does not require an internet connection/the cloud. | In a similar fashion the Core series of controllers will be responsible for the logic, functionality and automation of the Control4 system. |
| Software | At Loxone, the entire software and all apps are available free of charge and licence-free – including free updates and free external access. Any new software features and firmware updates are available free of charge. The visualisation for apps is created automatically as part of the configuration. | In comparison, the programming software for Control4 is only available to their network of installers. There is a Control4 for OS app, however in most instances the system requires its own display to navigate through the system. |
| Configuration / Programming | Configuration for Loxone Partners is quick and easy with Loxone Config. From +250 pre-programmed logic blocks to the powerful Auto-Config feature, by which an entire project is pre-configured with just a few mouse clicks, and the option to create extensive custom logic, everything is possible. | Programming in Composer is usually more time consuming and it’s more of a if this then than type of programming logic. Where one action triggers the next in a sequence, which means that you have less flexibility with custom logic configurations. |
Using Loxone & Control4 together
The good news is that you don’t have to choose, because despite the differences between them, thanks to the openness of the Loxone system, you can have the best of both worlds.
With all of the default protocols that are supported by the Loxone Miniserver and a one-off driver purchase on the Control4 side, you can add a lot of functionality and automation to your projects.
Use cases
Let’s consider automatically closing your blinds as part of a movie mode when you activate your AV system controlled by Control4. You might want to do this by integrating more than just your blinds. The lighting and climate control might already be automated with Loxone.
So, if your Control4 system is already operating your blinds, we don’t need to add any additional wiring to bring the control into Loxone. We can simply send signals from the Loxone Minsierver and make use of the Automatic Shading Function Block. In this video, we take a look at how to configure this example.
Cinema + everything else:
Let’s say that your high-end home cinema is being controlled by Control4, why not optimise every single aspect of it?
The only thing you need to do is decide what you want to watch and the Miniserver will take care of the lights, shading, heating and ventilation to make sure that you have the most comfortable environment possible to enjoy your movie.
Another cool use would be the integration of your climate BMS. Solar forecasting? Energy management and optimisation? Precise control over AC, ASHP and the temperature of every circuit can greatly benefit from the intelligent learning curves of the Loxone Function Blocks.
Loxone Miniserver
Add more functionality and
a free app interface to your
Control4 installations.
Loxone Miniserver
Add more functionality and
a free app interface to your
Control4 installations.
Interested in Loxone?
Whether you want Loxone installed or you want to start offering your customers Loxone, speak to us about making that happen.