4-Series Media Room Controller

The Crestron MC4 4-Series Media Room Controller provides a secure, high‑performance, cost-effective control processor and interface. Its small form factor and versatile mounting options makes it ideal for smaller Crestron Home systems such as single‑room media systems, small to medium‑sized homes and offices, and MDUs (multidwelling units). The MC4 includes a built‑in infiNET EX® and ER wireless gateway for acquiring wireless devices as well as numerous control ports for controlling wired devices.

4-Series Control Engine
The MC4 comes equipped with an enterprise-grade 4‑Series multicore CPU processor, which delivers a sizable speed and performance increase compared to 3‑Series® control processors for handling the increasing demands of an advanced automated system. Crestron 4-Series delivers a dynamic and secure control system platform capable of faithfully managing a room full of disparate technologies.

Reliable networking and IP control afford seamless integration with other systems and devices, with add-on control capability using Crestron touch screens, wireless remotes, and mobile device apps, as well as remote management through Crestron Fusion® software and the Crestron XiO Cloud™ service.

Modular Programming Architecture
The MC4 is designed to run a single program out of the box. The optional modular programming architecture add-on allows the MC4 to run up to ten programs simultaneously. Programmers can develop and run independent, device‑specific programs, enabling each program to be optimized for a specific function and allowing for changes to be made to one program without affecting the whole system.

Onboard Control Ports
Through a full complement of onboard control ports, the MC4 can be integrated with a wide variety of audio, video, lighting, motorized shades, thermostats, door locks, sensors, security systems, and other equipment.

• Gigabit Ethernet provides an interface for connecting to the building network and controlling Crestron AV switchers, audio processors, power controllers, and other IP controllable equipment.
• Cresnet® network connectivity provides support for Crestron lighting dimmers, motorized shades, sensors, thermostats, keypads, and more.
• Onboard RS‑232, IR, relay, and Versiport I/O control ports enable direct integration with all types of third‑party equipment.

Expanded connectivity can be provided to the MC4 via Crestron control port expansion modules, Ethernet to Cresnet bridges, wired Ethernet control port modules, or wireless control port modules (all sold separately).

Built-In Wireless Gateway
The MC4 also provides a built-in infiNET EX wireless gateway that allows wireless infiNET EX and ER (extended range) devices to be paired directly to the control system.

infiNET EX Technology
Integrated infiNET EX technology provides an easy and cost-effective way to control various functions using infiNET EX based wireless products. infiNET EX wireless technology provides 2‑way RF communications throughout a structure without the need for physical control wiring. Employing a 2.4 GHz mesh network topology, nearly every infiNET EX device on the network acts as an expander, relaying wireless commands between the gateway and all the other EX devices on the network to ensure that every command reaches its intended destination without disruption.

Extended Range (ER) Technology
Crestron Extended Range (ER) wireless technology enables compatibility with certain Crestron wireless touch screens and handheld remotes. Crestron ER operates in the same 2.4 GHz spectrum as infiNET EX and is optimized specifically for use with wireless touch screen devices to ensure dependable bidirectional RF communications.

IR Wireless Option
When equipped with the optional CNXRMIRD IR Receiver, the MC4 affords a low-cost IR wireless control solution using a universal IR remote.

Crestron Fusion Room Monitoring and Scheduling
Crestron Fusion provides an integrated platform for creating smart buildings that save energy and enhance worker productivity. As part of a complete managed network in a corporate enterprise, college campus, convention center, or any other facility, the MC4 works with Crestron Fusion to enable remote scheduling, monitoring, and control of rooms and technology from a central help desk or mobile app. It also enables organizations to reduce energy consumption by tracking real-time usage and automating control of AV, lighting, shades, and HVAC.

Crestron XiO Cloud Provisioning and Management
The MC4 is compatible with the Crestron XiO Cloud service, which is an IoT (Internet of Things) based platform for remotely provisioning, monitoring, and managing Crestron devices across an enterprise or an entire client base. Built on the Microsoft® Azure® software platform and utilizing Microsoft's industry‑leading Azure IoT Hub technology, Crestron XiO Cloud enables installers and IT managers to deploy and manage thousands of devices in the time it previously took to manage just one. Unlike other virtual machine‑based cloud solutions, Azure services provide unlimited scalability to suit the ever‑growing needs of an enterprise.

Enhanced Enterprise-Grade Security
The MC4 is an enterprise‑class control processor that can be deployed across hundreds of spaces and set up easily using a web browser, Crestron Toolbox™ software, or Crestron XiO Cloud. It employs standard network security protocols, including 802.1X network access control, Active Directory® service authentication, SSH, TLS, and HTTPS to ensure reliability and compliance with your organization’s IT policies.

The MC4 is configured to meet Crestron's enhanced security standards right out of the box. The MC4 ships with authentication enabled and requires that an administrator account be created before access is granted to device configuration and control interfaces.

SNMP V3 Support
Built-in SNMP V3 support enables integration with third-party IT management software, allowing network administrators to manage and control Crestron systems on the network in an IT-friendly format.

BACnet Support
Native support for the BACnet™ communication protocol provides a direct interface to third-party building management systems over Ethernet, simplifying integration with HVAC, security, and other systems. Using BACnet, each system runs independently but communicates together on one platform.

PoE Network Powered
Using PoE technology, the MC4 gets its operating power directly through the LAN wiring, eliminating the need for a local power supply or dedicated power wiring. A PoE injector (PWE‑4803RU) simply connects in line with the LAN cable at a convenient location. Crestron PoE switches (CEN‑SW‑POE-5 or CEN‑SWPOE‑16) may also be used to provide a total networking solution with built-in PoE. All PoE injectors and switches are sold separately.

NOTE: Ethernet speed is limited to 100 Mbps when using the PWE-4803RU.

Versatile Mounting Options
The MC4 mounts conveniently to a wall, ceiling, or other flat surface. Its compact, surface-mountable form factor fits easily behind a flat panel display, beneath a tabletop, or inside other furniture, making it ideal for single-room systems. It can even be installed into an equipment rack using the included rack ears.

• Compact 4-Series controller
• Embedded 4‑Series multicore CPU processor
• iPhone®, iPad®, and Android® device control app support
• XPanel computer and web based control
• Modular programming architecture (optional)
• Onboard IR, COM, I/O, relay, Cresnet® network, and high‑speed gigabit Ethernet control ports
• Built-in infiNET EX® and ER wireless network gateway
• Crestron Fusion® software room monitoring and scheduling support
• Crestron XiO Cloud™ service provisioning and management support
• Enterprise‑class network security and authentication
• SNMP V3 remote IT management support
• Native BACnet™ network/IP support
• Installer setup via software, web browser, or cloud
• IPv6 ready
• PoE (Power over Ethernet) powered
• Rack or surface mountable

1. Licensing information to enable Modular Programming Architecture for the MC4 coming soon.
2. The total range of an infiNET EX wireless network is dependent on the placement and capabilities of each network device. A mesh network topology is employed so every EX device on the network acts as a routing node or expander, which relays the signals it receives on to other EX devices within range. This effectively extends the total range of the network and provides multiple redundant signal paths for extra reliability. A maximum of six hops across routing nodes is allowed, although a maximum of three is recommended. Battery-powered infiNET EX devices only operate as leaf nodes and do not provide expander functionality. Up to 100 infiNET EX devices are permitted, although best practices suggest a limit of 50. Up to 15 external gateways (CEN‑GWEXER, sold separately) may be added to support additional devices (RF conditions allowing). Refer to the Installation and Setup of Crestron RF Products Best Practice Guide (Doc. 6689) for additional guidelines.
3. A BACnet and IP license is required. A free license is available to support up to 50 BACnet objects on a single 4‑Series control system. Licensing information to enable support for more than 50 objects coming soon.