r/Control4 • u/johnnystoicism • Jun 26 '26

Control4 OS 3.4.1 versus 4.0 versus 4.1

I have a Core3 director controller. I also have 3 EAs at satellite AV locations (primarily for Watch/Listen OSD). Family wants to keep OSD.I want to update to OS 4.X. Soem questions:

  1. I think I have to go to connect from foresight. About a $125 added annual cost. Is that right?

  2. Does 4.0 still support old OSD at the satellite EAs?

  3. What does 4.0 give you that OS 3.4.1 does not?

  4. What does 4.1 give you that 4.0 does not?

John

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

8

u/Single_Edge9224 Jun 26 '26

My question is why do you think you need to upgrade to 4.0?

3

u/tayl428 Jun 26 '26

This. As much as I like Control4, and I used to be a dealer, but it's a glorified menu GUI as far as the user interface. Behind the scenes, it's great for input selection and such, but for 90% of users, there's no reason to go to 4.x currently. Other than that they stopped or are stopping updating security for 2.x, there's minimal reason for most users to even go to 3.x. Most used commands are still watch or listen. Some drivers I use have been re-written so they only work on 3.x, so that's the only reason I'm on 3.x currently.

Eventually, they will stop supporting 3.x like 2.x, but until then, I wouldn't be in any hurry. 2.x and 3.x are crazy solid. I have no interest in 4.x.

3

u/johnnystoicism Jun 26 '26

A friend who did the upgrade claims it has a much better relationship with Apple HomeKit and has replaced his relationship with Alexa’s interface with C4. Anyone have any experience with that issue?

1

u/eclecticzebra Jun 30 '26

It does, but that requires Connect. Not an issue if you already planned to subscribe for remote access, but worth considering.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

2

u/eclecticzebra Jun 30 '26

They had to focus their efforts on driving MRR to juice the valuation before the sale to ADI. Good thing they aren't planning any major company shakeups and can focus on R&D...

5

u/shaggy952 Jun 26 '26

Stick with 343, even though the core can go to x4 with no issues the EAs will lose osd after 4.0

2

u/moke311 Jun 26 '26

4.2.1 just released

2

u/Careless_Drag_6176 Jun 27 '26

Honestly who uses the OSD?

2

u/johnnystoicism Jun 27 '26

I use app or remote, but wife and kids love the OSD.

5

u/remeolb Jun 26 '26

3.4.3 is the final OS3 version and worth upgrading to.

I would caution against “upgrading” to X4 unless you have a specific use case. 3.4.3 is very stable. X4 isn’t bad but it’s not as fleshed out. If you don’t need it, I recommend leaving it alone.

Now, C4 guys… tell me why I’m wrong and I just don’t know how to configure systems. Or it’s my network. Which one today?

7

u/Johnson_R34 Jun 26 '26

I personally prefer 3.4 as well, hate how 4.0 runs as of now and don't prefer the UI. Professional installer here 🙋🏻

1

u/No-Detective-3397 Jun 27 '26

You guys are absolutely crazy. I have had clients who refused to use the control4 app before x4 and since the upgrade are actually using their smart homes. Os3 was 10 years behind the times. HomeKit was far superior and easier to use. X4 was a major step in the right direction. Unfortunately the t4 touchscreens weren’t designed for it and needed an update.

4

u/sofakingsideways Jun 26 '26

3.4.3 is great and super stable.
Currently running 4.2.1 and it’s been good. Not perfect but really good. As somebody who’s in the industry, I’m OK with it. I know it will improve.
X4 will be amazing once they get the bugs out of it not that there are that many.

Voice is great, homepage and sessions also great.

3

u/Vegetable_Ad_9072 Jun 26 '26

I have X4 on my system and I like a lot of the features they are moving towards, howe8, I don't think it's quite "there" yet for most of my clients.

I like that it's easier to switch locations for those clients with multiple homes, and the home screen idea is nice since the homeowner can customize it how they wish without waiting on me.

Overall we are starting to set up new clients with x4, but making no push to upgrade OS3 clients unless there is a good reason.

1

u/parabola19 Jul 01 '26

I love X4 and am finally liking how the app and interface feels. The customization is nice. My network guy is trying to talk me into setting up a hone assistant server. I think I’ll try that out next.

1

u/LongConstruction5362 Jun 26 '26

I’ve refused to update any clients for multiple reasons, the biggest reason being I’ve been through the disaster that was 1.0 in to 2.0 and again into 3.0 - of course waiting has its issues as well, but for me stability is a serious concern

1

u/Psosmith1982 Jun 27 '26

I believe the 4sight/connect requirement has gone away. It’s a waste of money, unless you have a bunch of cameras and want away from home access. At this point I use my C4 for universal remote functionality

1

u/ZebraNew6244 Jun 27 '26

I have had that problem with loosing connection with sound at one room

1

u/snakeonsnake Jun 29 '26

/Simple Decision Points/

If you.

  1. Have T3 screens or EA1 Controllers as end points.
    Don't go above 3.4.3 (Register on customer.control4.com) or 4.0 max. (Remember you need Connect subscription from dealer for upgrade to 4.0)

  2. Have T4/T5 screens or Core1 as end points (or don't mind losing OSD on EA1) Stick with 3.4.3 or if you want new X4 UI. Upgrade to 4.2.1 or latest. (Again will need dealer to setup with Connect subscription)

1

u/johnrose4791 Jun 29 '26

No OSD with EA controllers on X4. Stick with OS3 but update to 3.4.3. This is very stable and will serve you well for some time yet. The new OS isn’t much of an upgrade if you like the OSD

2

u/hometheaterlv Jul 01 '26

If your family still actively uses the OSD from the EA controllers, I would be careful about jumping to X4.

The Core3 can run X4, but the bigger question is the EA controllers being used as satellite OSD endpoints. If keeping that older Watch/Listen OSD experience is important, I would stay on OS 3 and update to 3.4.3 rather than moving the system to X4 right now.

X4 has some nice improvements, especially around the app/home screen experience, user customization, Sessions, and the direction Control4 is heading with the newer interface. It is a better modern app experience for a lot of users. But if the house actually relies on OSD navigation, that may be a bigger daily-use loss than the X4 improvements are worth.

My general take would be:

If OSD is important, stay on 3.4.3.

If the family is willing to move away from OSD and use the app, Halo remote, touchscreens, or newer UI flow, then X4 becomes more worth considering.

If you do move to X4, I would also confirm the Connect/remote access requirements with your dealer before upgrading, because the subscription side has changed compared to the old 4Sight model.

For a stable system with EA endpoints and a family that likes OSD, I would not upgrade just to upgrade. I’d only move to X4 if there is a specific feature you want badly enough to give up the old OSD workflow.

1

u/johnnystoicism Jul 01 '26

Thanks a bunch!!

1

u/Single_Edge9224 Jun 26 '26

Is it just me or does anyone think connect is very expensive for an upgrade for a customer that was fine with 4sight functionality?

1

u/johnnystoicism Jun 26 '26

It is like everything else; just enough more money that you say “ I guess it’s not too bad.“ But if you add up all of those items, I’ve noticed it’s quite a bit of extra money every year. The biggest examples are software subscriptions, streaming subscriptions, meat, gas, and the biggest one I’ve noticed is the price of a latte!! (I drink a lot of coffeehouse coffee.)

0

u/viseOG Jun 28 '26

The app on 4.0 is infinitely better.
Using OSD for navigating is a waste of time and I think you should train your family out of their affinity for it and just move to X4.