Replace Device

In previous versions of Crestron Studio® (1.5x and earlier), very few limitations were placed on which devices may be substituted for an existing device. However, starting with Crestron Studio® v. 1.6x the replacement devices will be constrained to only a limited subset of devices compatible with the original device.

Would I still be able to replace any device in the latest version of Crestron Studio®?

You would be able to replace most devices either with a compatible device (often that would be a device of the same type and subtype as the original), or if the device is not compatible with other devices, you would be able the replace the device with itself, if needed.

To use the Replace Device functionality of Crestron Studio®:

1. Right-click the device in the System Tree.

2. Click Replace... Note that only ONE device can be replaced at a time!
   
   
   
   

3. The Product Browser goes into a Replace Device Mode and a list of available replacement devices (in general, replacement devices will be of the same device type/subtype as the original device) is shown:
   
   
   
   The list of replacement devices can be navigated using any of the following methods:

• Pressing the and keys
• Using the scrollbar
• Using the mouse scroll wheel

4. Choose a replacement device by:

   • Selecting the device and double clicking on it, or pressing the key from the keyboard.
     
     

   • Pointing to the Plus Sign icon to the left of the device's Model Name so it turns green and clicking on it.

5. In some cases a Replace Device Summary dialog may be displayed listing errors, warnings, or actions etc. for you to review before the replacement operation can commence. For example, the new device may not have the same reserved joins, etc. Some actions may require your input, for example, selecting a gateway.
   
   
   
   Carefully review any errors/warnings (you can also click to save detailed information about the displayed errors/warnings) and then press:

1. • to replace the device

   • to create a restore point first and then replace the device

   • to cancel the replacement operation

6. While the replacement operation is in progress a dialog briefly appears indicating that the device is being analyzed and replaced by the new one:
   
   
   
   Note that the new/replacement device will retain the device properties of the original device, including the device/its name and location, IP information, etc.
   Attempts will be made to preserve the information contained in any Designer for the device that is being replaced, including programming through Program Designer or Programming Editor, or a touch screen design through Touch Screen Designer.
   
   For generated systems any existing macro-programming will be copied. Note that source routes will not change if the new device has the same connectors as the original. Signals from cues that exist on both the original and replacement device symbols will be connected to the symbols of the replacement device.
   Note: Copying programming by cue name or event name can fail because the cue names do not follow a naming convention, and there is no way to know how to copy the programming. To avoid this try replacing the device manually.
   
   NOTE: Any manual programming on the original device that is not connected to a visual programming will be lost! If an extender is manually added it will not be "copied" into the replacement device!
   
   If the new device does not support device behaviors, the Behaviors property will be hidden and Crestron Studio® will remove any behavior-related generated programming.
   
   If the new device supports device behaviors, the Behaviors property will be visible and device behaviors will enabled and behavior programming added on the replacement device as long as the requirements for that device behavior are met.

The Replace Device Mode will be terminated automatically after the device replacement operation has been completed or you can exit or cancel it manually at any time by doing any of the following:

• Press the button to return to the Product Browser.

• Navigate away from the screen

• Select another device in the System Tree

• Press the key.

Are there best practices that I should know about when replacing devices?

It's worth noting that if you are not using custom programming, sometimes it would be better to delete the original device, re-add the new device and let Crestron Studio® generate the new pages.

Would I be able to replace sources, displays, AVRs, touch screens and remotes in my project? Which are their compatible replacement devices?

Yes, sources, displays, AVRs, touch screens and remotes are replaceable. See below for compatible replacements by device type:

• Source - can be replaced with device of the same or compatible type/subtype as specified in the following table:

• Display - can be replaced only with itself

• AVR - can be replaced only with itself

• Remote - can be replaced only with itself

• Touch screen -consult the table below for compatible touch screen replacements:

Am I allowed to replace controlled devices?

Yes. After the replace operation, the replacement device becomes one of the touch screen’s controlled devices and all subpage programming from the original device would target the new device, where possible.

Note that pages generated for the original device will not be removed if the new device is of a different type.

After initiating page re-generation for the new device, new device pages will be generated and all custom programming will be lost.

Is it possible to replace user devices?

Yes, user devices can be replaced with other user or third party devices of a compatible device type or subtype and vice versa. For example, you can replace user device of Blu-ray type with a Samsung Blu-ray player and vice versa.