By adding Control4 brains to its new ES receivers, Sony brings home automation to a wider audience.
Geoffrey Morrison
Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He's also the Editor-at-Large for Wirecutter. He is the author of Budget Travel for Dummies as well as the bestselling sci-fi novels Undersea, and Undersea Atrophia. He's NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Audio Production from Ithaca College. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his Instagram and YouTube channel.
The main Control4 interface, showing all the areas you can control given the right equipment. At the demo at CEDIA, they controlled shades, lighting, AV, and an electronic lock via a regular-looking Sony remote (albeit with specific Control4 buttons). There's also tablet apps.
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The basic interface's modes.
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One of the subscreens, showing the electronic locking. You can have locks unlock or lock at specific times. The system can text or e-mail you when someone unlocks a door, or if someone doesn't unlock the door by a certain time.
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The basic user interface for the 2800 and 5800. If you don't opt for the $300 license fee, you get this interface. You can still control you AV gear and some lighting.
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The Control4/Sony remote. A more basic version ships with the receiver. There are also smartphone and tablet apps, which look pretty slick.
