ᐅ KNX – Is the Balte visualization a good alternative to the Gira G1?

Dear community,

As part of our house construction, I am currently planning our bus system with a KNX electrician company. Our partner mainly works with Gira and installs (almost exclusively) Gira components – which is fine in principle.
However, I specifically stumbled over the Gira G1:
a) In my opinion, the G1 is outdated – the response speed is poor.
b) The flexibility to later create your own new scenes in the visualization without involving the electrician seems limited.
c) According to the electrician, the G1 is not designed to stream multiple surveillance cameras. There is only an old list of compatible camera systems. Only the door intercom, due to the lower resolution, works well.

My first question is whether you can confirm these concerns or criticisms?
Even though I can access the video streams from point c) through other sources (camera app), this is a major drawback for me in terms of overall system integration. Have you had different experiences with camera systems and their compatibility?

Next, I asked myself what the alternative could be. I have looked into Basalte. Great app, modern app, more intuitive and smooth operation – especially with the panels Ellie, Lisa, …

This would mean that instead of the Gira X1, we would need the Basalte server, and the electrician would bring an external service provider on board to program the visualization. That sounds okay so far.
- Do you have experience with camera systems in combination with Basalte visualizations/servers (regarding point c)?
- Would you agree that the Basalte panels are more up-to-date (point a above)?
- Is it really easier to configure scenes yourself later on (point b)?

Do you see any disadvantages in switching from the Gira Home Server/X1 to the Basalte server?

Thank you very much!

I would have an issue with a system integrator who works with KNX but only wants to offer products from a single manufacturer. And of all brands, it’s Gira. It’s not that they only produce low-quality components – I also have Gira parts in my system – but the prices and, well, the product updates are somewhat questionable.

I haven’t had any experience with Basalte yet, but their prices are quite different, and the external consultant for the visualization also needs to be paid.

gregman22 schrieb:

Our partner mostly works with Gira and installs (almost exclusively) Gira components – there is nothing wrong with that at first glance.

Yes, but the problem is that he basically has no real knowledge of KNX or ignores all the advantages of KNX in favor of his own bookkeeping. This has nothing to do with quality or “experience,” but with conditions at the wholesaler. Gira does not have good or even the best components in every area. So this is not about what benefits the customer or offers the best solution, but purely commercial criteria – nothing else. In the end, the electrician often doesn’t even plan it themselves, but lets the wholesaler or Gira do it directly. That’s usually how projects go with just one manufacturer. Such electricians are great when something doesn’t work. Because if they don’t really handle it themselves, they end up pretty lost.

gregman22 schrieb:

Do you have experience with camera systems in connection with Basalte Visu/Server (point c)?

Works perfectly fine. However, the cameras should support the ONVIF standard and be able to handle current codecs. Better avoid cheap cameras from Temu or similar.

gregman22 schrieb:

c) According to the electrician, the G1 is not designed to stream multiple surveillance cameras. There is only an old list of compatible camera systems. Only the door intercom works well because of the lower resolution.

The G1 practically can’t do much. Forget about it. It might be okay for some offices but not for a residential building in 2023.

gregman22 schrieb:

Do you agree that the Basalte panels are more up-to-date (point a above)?

Absolutely 100000000%.

gregman22 schrieb:

Is it actually easier to configure scenes yourself afterward (point b)?

It’s different, but tends toward easier.

gregman22 schrieb:

Do you see any disadvantages in switching from the Gira Home Server/X1 to the Basalte Server?

The Home Server can do considerably more. However, if “only” used together with a G1, you definitely don’t need a Home Server. The Home Server shows its strengths in large projects and free visualizations. Basalte is somewhat functionally more limited (similar to the X1), but runs MUCH better. Basalte’s strengths lie elsewhere—in multiroom AV systems. And something like the Adelante door station you’re unlikely to find with Gira 🙂 Gira only offers Gameboy-level image quality here. For a private home, I would always prefer Basalte over any X1/Home Server solutions. It’s simply much more enjoyable. You do need to get used to the scene concept (which is based on Basalte’s color system), but then again, you also have to get used to an X1.

There are definitely more than just those two.
When it comes to components, I wouldn’t limit myself to Gira. Some components, like those from MDT, are more modern and affordable.
The G1 works well in combination with a home server or FS. With the X1, it’s a bit limited.
Both can be programmed quite easily—you just need to spend some time getting familiar with them.
You need an ETS anyway to parameterize the components.
Take a look at Peaknx. They offer good and modern panels, servers, and visualizations. The Quadclient also runs on it.

rick2018 schrieb:

Take a look at Peaknx. They offer good, modern panels, servers, and visualization. The Quadclient also runs on them.

Yes, they are excellent. Peak’s own visualization is great as well. However, if you just want to run the basic Quadclient, any other Windows display will do. I use KNX and Control4, which are also very good and especially powerful for IoT. Compared to that, Basalte is more multimedia-focused.

Thank you all. I will now start planning with a focus on Basalte Visu. This seems to be the right approach for us. Whether we also add a Gira home server, I will leave that decision to the electrician.