Savant Smart Home

Savant is right for any entertainment system to provide universal control, especially in multiple rooms.  More than that, it's right for homeowners who wish to automate their lighting, fans, HVAC, and other sub-systems.

With Savant scenes, you can create one-touch commands to turn on music, dim the lights, adjust the temperature, ignite the fireplace, and more.  Create a scene for your morning routine, evening relax time, weekend entertaining, and anything that you can think of to quickly recall the perfect settings for the moment.

Fewer button presses means you'll get the most out of the home technology because it's easy to use, and the end-user's ability to create and edit these robust scenes is what our customers find to be the greatest value that Savant provides.

Yes!

Amp AV will assess your existing system and outline the things that are in need of changing or updating to optimize the home control experience.

Some Savant Hosts may be password protected by the previous dealer.  If the former dealer is still in business and willing to play ball, it can make the transition much easier.  If not, Amp AV will make sure you are taken care of, and so will Savant.  Although inconvenient to bypass, the Host password protection is there for security reasons to protect the homeowner.

If there is a genuine reason to upgrade your Savant Host to a newer model, Amp AV will recommend a replacement. 

If your Savant system is still operating on the True Control app, it's definitely time for an upgrade.  The current Savant app provides a much more modern and intuitive user experience.

For the latest music streaming support and 3rd party device control or integrations, updates to software and/or hardware may be required.

Amp AV recommends updating your Savant system to at least version 9.4.6 if you don't need a Savant Essentials subscription.  The current software release is 10.1.X (updated Q4 2022).

There is a level of remote support available through Savant.  The Host can be updated to the latest software by the dealer remotely, and have the configuration file changed/updated as well.  This is helpful if there is a minor bug that the dealer can easily fix with a brief update, but also nice if there is a new added feature that can be attained with a software update, such as a new music streaming service integration.

For many systems, yes.

As of January, 2022, Savant changed the subscription model and did away with expensive licenses when performing major software version updates.  Instead, an annual "Savant Essentials" license will allow the system to be up to date with the latest software releases and features.

Savant's development team works to keep the Savant platform compatible with current mobile device operating systems, and able to integrate with the latest luxury home technology products on the market.  The Essentials license allows the homeowner to take advantage of all of these updates for the life of the system and subscription.

"Advanced" integrations, such as Lutron LEAP (required for HomeWorks and Radio RA3) and Ring X products, will require a current Essentials subscription.

The Savant Essentials subscription is not an extended equipment warranty.

The Savant Essentials subscription pricing depends on the particular type of Host.  The annual Essentials subscription fee for the smallest of Savant Hosts (S2 or embedded) begins at $75/year (*updated Q4 2022).

Another great value add with a Savant Essentials subscription is having a backup of your smart home settings in Savant Cloud, and allowing the dealer to provide additional remote support when needed.

If the Savant system does not include "advanced" integrations, a Savant essentials subscription is not required, although it is recommended.  Major software updates to the system, which often include the best new features, may not be available to the Host until a subscription is established or renewed.

Amp AV can apply renewed licenses to the homeowner's Savant system (remotely), and will invoice the homeowner accordingly.

As the homeowner, you have the ability to fire your Control4 dealer and use another one to service your system.

Any Control4 dealer whom you allow into your home and give network access to will have the ability to take over as your service provider and make any necessary changes.  We sincerely hope that you consider Amp AV as your preferred Control4 service provider.

Through the my.control4.com web portal, you can also choose your dealer and give them remote access to your system for offsite troubleshooting and assistance.

This will come down to the level of tech-savviness that you possess, and understanding of programming logic.  By no means do you need to program lines of code, but a general understanding of "if, then" logic will be required.

The software possessed by dealers to program the Control4 system is called Composer Pro.  There is, however, a homeowner version of the software called Composer Home Edition, or Composer HE.  It has all of the features of Composer Pro that are required to determine what happens after you do X.  This makes it possible for you as the end user to create scenes that not only include lights, but music, shades, etc.

Even without Composer HE, homeowners with a 4Sight subscription have the ability to create logical event triggers by logging into my.control4.com and using the when>>then tool.  There are step-by-step guides for this feature, and it has tremendous benefits.  It really makes it possible to get the most out of your Control4 automation system without requiring a programmer to camp out at your kitchen island for hours on end.

Here are some of the popular smart lighting products that are currently compatible with Savant:

• Colorbeam
• HAI
• LiteTouch
• Lutron Caseta
• Lutron Radio Ra2
• Lutron Radio Ra3
• Lutron Homeworks
• Lutron GRAFIK Eye
• Philips Hue
• Vantage

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible.

Most network enabled cameras support ONVIF, which is a universal standard for cameras to interoperate between different manufacturers and models.  This same standard allows for the cameras to integrate with Savant when they are connected directly to a network switch rather than to the NVR (network video recorder).  Some NVR's are supported, which will send out a camera substream back onto the network which Savant can then use.

Many of our standard CCTV products are able to integrate with Savant, including Hikvision, LTS, and Illumivue.

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

Savant has their own amazing thermostat products with touch screens that have access to all of your Savant scenes.  Additionally, Savant has an 8-zone HVAC controller which can use remote temperature sensors instead of local thermostats.

Aside for the Savant in-house HVAC products, here are some of the popular smart HVAC manufacturers/models with Savant capability:

• Aprilaire (8800, 8820, 8830, 8840, 8844, 8870)
• Carrier (Infinity, several models supported)
• Cool Automation (Coolmaster 1000D, 2000S, 3000T, 4000M, 6000L, 8000H)
• Honeywell Home (T series)
• Lutron HVAC Controller
• Trane American Standard (ComfortLink, XL1050)

BACNet enabled HVAC systems are generally supported as well.

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

For many alarm systems, yes it can!

Here are the most popular manufacturers/models with Savant integration capability:

• DSC Power Series (requires IT100 serial module)
• Honeywell Vista (requires 4232CBM serial module)

*Keep in mind that Amp AV will not have access to the programming features of the alarm system unless the system was installed by Amp AV.  Cooperation from your alarm service provider may be required, or a complete takeover and reprogramming by Amp AV.

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

Savant partners with 2N to provide an advanced doorbell and door/gate entry system solution.  

With a Savant Essentials license, the Ring X line of products can be integrated with Savant, including our favorite Ring product, the Elite X video doorbell.  This integration includes full video and intercom capability.

Savant does not work with a whole lot of 3rd party video doorbell products, but the ones that we have experience with are Holovision, Doorbird and Hikvision.

Check with us and we will look up your existing door entry product in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

Savant works best with August WiFi smart locks.

If you have a different product, we can research its ability to integrate with savant.

Here are some of the pool control systems that have Savant compatibility:

• Jandy (iAquaLink, other AquaLink models via separate 7620 serial communication adapter)
• Pentair (Intellicenter, Intellitouch models via i-Link serial communication adapter)

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

There's a really good chance that yes, it will work.  Also keep in mind that Savant offers a phenomenal lineup of automated shade products as well.

There are only a few types of communication that motorized shades operate with, and there are ways to integrate a lot of them with Savant.  Depending on the type of communication, the control system will not be aware of whether the shades are in an open or closed state, but the commands to raise and lower the shades (and hopefully stop them as well) can be achieved.  Also, different communication types will require certain additional hardware.

Shades that are pre-wired with low voltage cable generally work with RS-485 serial communication.  Such products always have a means to connect to a 3rd party control system like Savant.  

More common for older homes, line-voltage (120V AC) shades use a wireless communication, the most popular of which is RTS (Radio Technology Somfy).  Other wireless technologies will use frequencies similar to those used by wireless ceiling fan controls, and can often be replicated with the right wireless bridge device. 

Newer wireless shades take advantage of improved battery technologies and can be retrofitted anywhere.  RTS is still a common communication method, or some other type of radio frequency.  Although some wireless shade communications are proprietary, most are not, and a wireless bridge device can often allow them to integrate.

Our preferred product for integrating a customer's existing shades is the Bond Bridge or Bond Bridge Pro. 

Here are the products that we find to work best with Savant (which are also a big part of why we offer them):

• Screen Innovations (All RS-485 products via SiFi or Troy Gateway, RTS products via Somfy MyLink, Somfy TaHoma, or Bond Bridge Pro)
• Lutron (Serena models via Caseta Smart Bridge Pro; Palladiom Wireless, Triathlon and Sivoia QS Wireless Wireless via Radio RA3 processor and Lutron LEAP integration methods)

Most gas fireplaces with electronic ignition do integrate just fine.  The most common and best way to make this work is to replace the ignition switch (light switch sending power to the igniter) with a Savant smart light switch. 

For electric fireplaces, it will depend on how it turns on.  Most electric fireplaces have a proprietary remote control that will not work with a 3rd party control system.

Some other types of fireplace ignition can be triggered with a low voltage relay.  In order to be integrated safely, they will need to provide normally-open contact points.  Let us know the make/model of your ignition unit so we can try to determine if it will integrate with Savant.  If you don't know what you're looking for, we can look into this during an onsite assessment as we go over all of the needs of your home system.

Yes, Savant can integrate with your gate pretty much every in every scenario.

Just about all drive gate motors have trigger points within the electronics enclosure that are easy to integrate, so long as wiring between your gate and Savant system can be managed.  There are also Savant ethernet or WiFi controls that can be added to provide the necessary relays and triggers.

Walk-up gates are also fairly easy to integrate, and may only require minimal additional small electronic components.  If your gate has a mag-lock or electronic strike, there will almost always be a straightforward way to make it work.

The bigger question is whether or not your gate keypad and  intercom will work with Savant.  If someone rings from the gate, you don't want to have to open a separate app to then activate the gate.

Savant offers 2N door/gate intercom keypad controls that are network-based, and have special trigger connections for up to 2 doors or gates.  These are our recommended products in these scenarios.

Doorbird also offers similar functionality and controls if looking for an alternative that stands on its own, but also has Savant integration capability.  Hikvision has some feature support within Savant as well.

If your product doesn't appear in this list, check with us and we will look it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

Yes and no.

If you are using low-cost consumer electronics, Savant does not always include the ability to control those items within their profile library (device profiles are bits of software that are specific to a device you want to control).  Examples of this would be a Polk Audio or Onn wireless soundbar.

Since Savant is a luxury home product, their development team focuses primarily on creating device profiles that have the highest demand in a luxury home environment.  High quality brands and product lines get added to the library first.

For the best results, we prefer to stick to the brands and models with supported equipment.

If you have a modern system with high quality components, then yes, chances are that we can easily add a Savant system to provide user-friendly universal entertainment control capability.

Ask us and we'll let you know if your device is compatible, either through our own experience or by by looking it up in the Savant profile library.

*Not all products listed are guaranteed to be fully compatible with all product models or features.

Savant works very well with Sonos when Sonos is used in a single room, such as a single soundbar, or only as a music source into a Savant-based multi-zone audio system.

Savant can operate motorized TV and projector lifts, misting systems, patio heaters, fans, heated floors, water valves, irrigation systems, fountains and water pumps, landscape lighting, garage doors, and more.

Almost all of the above mentioned items will require either specialty connections designed for 3rd party control, extra hardware, or for manufacturer cooperation to specifically allow Savant integration.

If you intend to add a device or system to your home and would like it to be operated by your Savant system, check with Amp AV first to verify that the product will work, or what it will take to make it work.  Cooperation will be required from the other contractors involved, as well.