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Control4

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Neil Parry edited this page Dec 17, 2025 · 62 revisions

Overview

The Control4 module provides the following features,

  • Simple integration and installation via a Linn provided Control4 certified module
  • Seamless integration between Control4 and Linn (OpenHome) allowing the use of a Control4 UI, Linn Kazoo, BubbleDS, or other OpenHome control points.
  • Support for cloud and local music through Control4 virtual sources for browsing and searching Tidal, Qobuz, TuneIn, Kazoo Server and Minim Server
  • Support for AV installations, such as Kaleidescape, through volume and source switching modules
  • Support for Control4 zone grouping
  • OS 3.2 compatible
  • Installable as part of Kazoo Server (4.7 or later) on any Mac, Windows or QNAP server
  • Tested with a 10 DS and 5 controller setup (from a single EA Controller); If your install is larger, please get in touch for more information
  • V128 has added support:
    1. External audio switches such as TRIAD
    2. Source only use for use with other Pre-amplifiers
  • V145 has added support:
    1. Control4 OS 3.1
    2. Kustom DSM
  • V154 has added support:
    1. Linn PINS
  • V156 has added support;
    1. Control4 OS 3.20
  • V157 has added support:
    1. Now unlinks Songcast/Grouping on Room Standby
  • V158 has added support
    1. Added testing
  • V160 has better upgradability from earlier module versions.
    1. Added REFRESH button
  • V161 has added Images
    1. Added PIN and Source images
  • V166 has added support:
    1. Additional programme features reporting Transport state and sources
    2. Reporting Kazoo Server Gateway service status
    3. Reporting Stream service status.
  • V167 has operational improvements
    1. Updated operational libraries
  • V168 Streaming service browser improvements
  • V174 has Gateway improvements
    1. Now supporting CI-Gateway
  • V179 Adding Airplay2 & Spotify Connect auto control
  • V180 Added Airplay service
    1. Added property to switch room off when an external streaming service (e.g. AirPlay, Spotify) is paused or stopped for a period of time
  • V181 Added more Play command and playlist control
    1. Added shuffle and repeat commands and status variables
    2. Added resume play command
    3. Added play radio/playlist service commands

Getting started

The Control4 solution requires two Control4 modules as well as an updated Kazoo Server (v4.9.35 or later). Kazoo Server acts as the interface between the Control4 module and the Linn DS as is a basic requirement for operation. PIN functionality require Driver V161 and Kazoo Server (v4.10.11 or later) to be used

The Control4 modules and installation guide are included as a single zipped file and Kazoo Server is provided as an installer for Windows, Mac and QNAP.

The Control4 modules can be downloaded using the links below.

Kazoo Server with support for custom install systems, v4.7 or greater, can be obtained from the Linn website or by updating an existing Kazoo Server installation.

Downloads

21/11/17 Driver and Install Guide v029_17049

30/11/18 Driver and Install Guide v128

13/12/19 Driver and Install Guide v145

30/07/20 Driver and install Guide V154

27/10/20 Driver and install Guide V156

16/11/20 Driver and install Guide V157

06/01/21 Driver and Install Guide V158

25/Jan/21 Driver and Install Guide V160

29/Jan/21 Driver and Install Guide V161

23/Sep/21 Driver and Install Guide V165

23/Dec/21 Driver and Install Guide V167

06/Oct/22 Driver and Install Guide V168

15/Jan/24 Driver and Install Guide V174

29/Jan/25 Driver and Install Guide V179

Notes on usage

  • On a first run or a reboot of the EA1/3/5 the status of the rooms may not be shown on the C4 control panels. Each rooms status on the C4 will available after either putting that room into, then out of Sleep, (Standby) mode (via front panel, Kazoo, Kinksy etc). After this first Sleep/Wake or C4 control the room status will always be visible no matter who/what has controlled it.
  • It has been noted that some response to Media server/Tidal/Qobuz/Radio may be slow. This is probably the Linn Kazoo Server running slow. : If you are running Linn Kazoo Server on a QNAP check how much RAM is installed. Since the 64bit QTS upgrade on QNAP this reduces the amount of free RAM available and can slow down the operation of Kazoo Server. We would recommend that you have a minimum of 4GB memory on a QNAP running x86-64bit QTS : On Windows and Mac PC's running Kazoo server make sure that these are disabled from going to sleep or low-power mode.
  • If upgrading from V29 > V128 note that Control4 we would suggest deleting The older "Linn Network" and older "Linn DS" drivers before adding in the V128 version. Otherwise:
    • The connection between The Connections "Player In (Local)" will probably to be broken from the Linn Network. This break in the "Player In (local)" to "Player Out (local)" stops sharing Qobuz, Tidal etc.
    • The new sources within the Linn Network will be mismatched and select the wrong Linn Network playback source.
    • The connections to the Linn DS will be mismatched and connected to the wrong sockets.
  • If upgrading from v128 or earlier to a later verion e.g v161,we would also suggest deleting the existing drivers.

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