Market Launch FAQs for PowerView® Gen 3 Automation – Hunter Douglas

Summary:
FAQs about PowerView Gen 3 Automation.

Applies To:
PowerView Gen 3 (after Spring 2022)

What is PowerView® Gen 3 Automation?

PowerView Gen 3 Automation is the latest automation innovation from Hunter Douglas. The award-winning PowerView system has been reimagined, taking all of the unmistakable features you know and love and delivering a new, intuitive, high-performance experience.

What devices are supported by the PowerView App?

The PowerView App works on both iOS devices (running iOS 15.0 and above), as well as Android devices (running Android 12 and above).

Is access to the homeowner’s Wi-Fi network required?

Access to the homeowner’s Wi-Fi is not required during initial shade discovery and home setup. Installers can use either cellular data or Wi-Fi connection during setup. Once the home is transferred to the homeowner, if there is a gateway, the app will walk the homeowner through connecting the gateway to the home’s Wi-Fi.

Is an internet connection required for PowerView Gen 3?

During setup, your smartphone or tablet must have an internet connection. The key difference from Legacy PowerView is that it can simply be the cellular data connection. After setup, an internet connection is currently necessary for app functionality.

How does PowerView Gen 3 communication work?

PowerView shades provide basic system information to either your mobile device or your PowerView Gen 3 Gateway (if you have one), 8 times per second. If you don’t have a Gateway, your phone or tablet sends a command directly to the shades via Bluetooth technology.

If you have a PowerView Gateway, your phone or tablet sends a command to the Gateway via Wi-Fi, and the Gateway then sends the command to the shades via Bluetooth technology.

When you have multiple gateways in the home, your phone or tablet sends a command to the primary Gateway over Wi-Fi. The primary Gateway then sends the command over Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet to the other Gateways in your home—and each Gateway then sends commands to their connected shades over Bluetooth technology.

Is Gen 3 using Bluetooth Version 5.0?

Yes.

Does the Bluetooth® communication protocol affect the battery life of the shades and/or remotes? Are there any changes or improvements to the battery life for Gen 3?

We have done extensive battery life testing with Gen 3. In general, shade battery life is about the same or slightly better than with Legacy PowerView. For the remote, the battery life will be the same as Legacy PowerView remotes.

What is the range for Bluetooth? How well does it work in condominiums with concrete, steel beams and multiple wireless networks?

As with all RF communication, Bluetooth range can vary depending on environmental factors, wall construction, etc. That being said, Gen 3 uses smart wireless technology that actively channel-hops around bands of interference in real-time, as well as bi-directional error handling, to provide as much as an 8x improvement in range (compared to PowerView Gen 2) in complex wireless environments. This improvement is the reason that Gen 3 does not employ repeaters.

Does the Bluetooth range for PowerView vary between our devices and PowerView Gen 3 accessories?

The Bluetooth range can vary based on a variety of environmental factors. The range of Bluetooth when using a Gen 3 remote to operate shades extends further than a phone or tablet, although the specific range will vary depending on the device.

My customer (the homeowner) is hesitant about allowing Location services to use the PowerView App. Why are location services required?

Location services (and Bluetooth in general) is extremely vital to the Gen 3 program, both to ensure the best operation of Gen 3 shades, as well as ensure the reliability of features like Automations. In most cases, both iOS and Android operating systems require location services to be enabled in order for Bluetooth Low Energy to function. These are device requirements outside of our control.

What is the process for firmware updates in PowerView Gen 3? Will the smartphone or tablet used for the PowerView App need to be present in the home for over-the-air firmware updates?

Firmware updates are sent over the air for Gen 3 shades, remotes, and gateways. These updates can be done using the PowerView App, without touching the shade, remote, or gateway! Prompts in the PowerView App will let consumers know when an update is available and walk them through the update process.

A few conditions apply:

The internet is required for firmware updates to the gateway.
You need to be in proximity (i.e. at home) to update firmware on shades and remotes.
Shades and remotes need to be updated individually through the PowerView App, regardless if the Home has a gateway or not.
There is a planned feature update after the May 3 launch that will allow for automatic shade firmware updates for systems that contain a gateway. Exact date is not determined yet.

What happens if someone presses and holds the shade’s control button for 12 or 18 seconds? Will it affect the shade or Home?

No function. No, it will not affect the shade or Home.

Have there been changes made to the Gen 3 motors? Are they quieter?

The electronics of Gen 3 motors have been improved, but for the most part, the base motors have not changed. Certain products, like Internal Rechargeable Battery and PowerView+™ Gen 3, will be quieter! For remaining Gen 3 products, there are features in the PowerView App, like discreet mode, that allow for quieter operation.

What do the light blinks on the shades mean?

For Gen 3 shades, there are specific LED sequences to indicate shade fabrication status:

Blue 2x, Red 1x: Shade has not been fabricated
Blue 2x, Amber 4x: Shade has been partially fabricated
Blue 2x, Green 1x: Shade has been fully fabricated

Note: Palm Beach Gen 3 shutters is one exception. The LED will blink green instead of blue in the sequences above.

How does Gen 3 work in environments where there are VPNs?

In an environment where a user is signed into a VPN on their mobile device, it is as if they were actually connected to a different network, not their own. For example, this can allow them to connect to their work network. The challenge in this scenario is that the device connected to the VPN cannot see other devices on the local network. That means that the experience will always be a RemoteConnect™ experience. With a PowerView Gen 2 Hub, that RemoteConnect experience only allows for scene activation so it is very limiting. With a PowerView Gen 3 Gateway, the RemoteConnect experience is virtually identical to the experience inside the home. So, a VPN will not pose a problem. The one specific case that would require the consumer to connect to their WiFi without connecting to the VPN would be the initial configuration of the Gateway onto the WiFi network.

When is PowerView Gen 3 Automation available? What about the other 2022 PowerView launches?

Please see below for launch dates of PowerView Gen 3 Automation, and related product launches in 2022. These dates indicate when orders can begin taking place:

PowerView Gen 3 Automation: May 3, 2022
Internal Rechargeable Battery (IRB): September 13, 2022
PowerView+ Gen 3: September 13, 2022

Is PowerView Gen 3 Automation available on all product lines?

Yes, PowerView Gen 3 is available on all product lines that currently support PowerView Automation as an operating system.

Does this affect PowerView+ and PowerView AC?

PowerView AC Automation and PowerView+ will be making the switch to the PowerView Gen 3 platform. PowerView AC will launch alongside PowerView Gen 3 on May 3, 2022, while PowerView+ Gen 3 will be launching Sept 13, 2022.

Will the wiring for PowerView+ Gen 3 be the same as Legacy PowerView+?

Yes, the wiring is the same. 4 conductor communication cable will be needed. The PowerView+ Bulk Cable can be used for both systems.

Can Gen 2 shades continue to be purchased after the Gen 3 launch, if clients with existing shades want a unified solution? If so, for how long?

Legacy PowerView shades were available through the end of 2023. After that point, PowerView Gen 2 shades are available for remakes and repair only. Legacy PowerView accessories continue to be available.

Can you retrofit Legacy PowerView shades to become Gen 3 shades, or somehow “convert” a Legacy PowerView shade to a Gen 3 shade?

No, you cannot.

Where can customers locate instruction manuals for Gen 3?

Digital Installation, Operation, & Care manuals come with the Warranty Card, as they have been for Legacy PowerView. End consumers can also access IOCs here. Additional Gen 3 digital manuals are available here.

Are there any “How-To” videos for Gen 3?

Yes, you can access PowerView Gen 3 tutorial videos here. Learn how to create an account, program remotes, add gateways, transfer ownership, merge Gen 3 and Legacy PowerView Homes, set custom shade limits, customize shade Favorites, operate the shade control button, calibrate shades, and utilize the full features of the app.

Is a PowerView Account required to use Gen 3 shades?

Yes, this is required for all users of Gen 3 (installers and consumers). However, current PowerView users will not be required to create a PowerView Account. This is a Gen 3 requirement only.

Do installers need access to the homeowner’s smartphone or tablet to set up PowerView Gen 3 shades?

No. Installers can use their own smartphone, logged into their own PowerView Account. After setup, the installer can transfer ownership of the home to the homeowner via the app.

How do you transfer it to the homeowner if they are not present?

The installer just needs the homeowner’s email address or mobile phone number, and they can initiate the transfer. The homeowner can then complete the process on their own, after checking their email/text and setting up a PowerView Account. The installer can transfer the Home by sending an email or custom link to the customer. The homeowner can then complete the process of accepting the Home and creating a PowerView Account.

Once the transfer ownership request is sent, does the homeowner need to be in the home to accept ownership?

No. They can accept the home transfer remotely. However, users cannot set up the gateway Wi-Fi remotely or merge the home with Legacy PowerView shades while remote. They would need to have access to the home network to complete those steps.

After the Home transfer is accepted by the homeowner, will the Home disappear from the Installer’s PowerView App?

If the homeowner chooses to remove the installer upon accepting ownership of the Home, then yes, the Home will disappear from the Installer’s list of Homes in the app. If the homeowner keeps the installer on the Home, though, the Home will continue to appear in the list of Homes in the Installer’s PowerView App.

How does one allow additional family members, guests, and/or renters to operate shades in the home? Are you able to grant access without allowing the additional users to change the set up?

The homeowner can add additional users with varying permissions. Each user can have their own PowerView Account, but only some users can edit the Home, if given that permission by the homeowner.

Does each user need to have their own PowerView Account?

Multiple users may share/log in to a single PowerView Account to access. Or the homeowner could easily add additional users through the “Users” section of the PowerView App, and each user would then login to or create their own PowerView Account. We recommend the latter method in cases where specific users may require restricted access (like kids or guests).

Do transfer ownership requests, or invites to join the Home, time out or expire?

No, transfer requests and invites to join a Home do not expire. These invites can be resent or canceled as well. If the installer transfers the Home to the Homeowner, the installer will remain as the owner of the Home until the homeowner accepts the invitation.

Can multiple phones access the Home?

Yes.

How is this system kept secure from nearby neighbors? For example, in planned communities where homes are within 20 feet of one another, multiple neighbors may own Hunter Douglas products.

When creating a home in the PowerView App, a unique home ID is created that is secure and only accessible by you and those you invite to your home. As a benefit of BLE, there is no issue with interference from either nearby PowerView Gen 3 systems or other wireless networks.

How do installers connect to the correct home system when neighbors both have PowerView Gen 3?

Because each home has a unique home ID associated with a PowerView Account, there will not be confusion.

If an installer needs to return to a project, how can they gain access to the home?

There are three ways:

The homeowner adds the installer as a user in the app.
Pressing and holding the control button on one of the Gen 3 shades
Pressing and holding the P button on the gateway

In the latter two instances, an action sheet will appear in the installer’s PowerView App giving options to take control or temporary access to the home.

If people (dual citizens) have a phone they bought in the UK or Canada but are at their home in the USA will they be able to set up or operate Gen 3 shades from the App or is the App specific to a country where their smart device is registered?

The PowerView App can be used in different countries. The homeowner will need to be signed into their PowerView Account. A Gateway is required for RemoteConnect to control the shade from anywhere in the world.

When adding Users to my Home, what is the difference between “Complete” and “Basic” access?

Users with Complete access will have access to all aspects of the Home, including operation, modification, and management. Users with Complete access will be unable to delete the Home, or transfer ownership of the Home to another user.

Users with Basic access will have access to operational aspects of the Home only, such as activating Scenes and operating shades. Users with Basic access will be unable to make modifications to any existing settings in the Home, add or delete anything in the Home, or manage specific Home or user settings.

Is the app required to use PowerView Gen 3? Do I have to download a separate app?

The PowerView App is required for all setup and programming of PowerView Gen 3. It is required for operation after initial setup. Only the PowerView App is required to operate both Gen 3 and Legacy PowerView, so no additional app required!

How do I “discover” Gen 3 shades? Is the process the same as Legacy PowerView?

The process for adding Gen 3 shades to a Home is much simpler than Legacy PowerView. As soon as shades are powered on, they are available to be identified and added to a Home. In a sense, they are already “discovered,” but you need to select them and add them where they belong in the Home. In the app, you’ll start by creating a Home, creating a Room, then select which shades to add. You’ll repeat these steps through the guided process in the app, until all shades are added to the Home.

Do I need to install and power on shades Room by Room, or can I install and power on all shades in my Home at once?

While we previously recommended the “install Room-by-Room” method with Legacy PowerView systems, you do not need to follow this method with Gen 3 shades. You can easily power on all shades at once, and use the guided setup process to add Gen 3 shades to your Home as desired. We do recommend identifying shades in the app Room by Room, and using the proximity feature to make that process even easier. You will need to be within proximity of your shades (i.e. in the home) to set them up.

When shades are discovered by proximity, with the shades closest appearing at the top of the list, how granular is the distance sensitivity?

This feature will help to identify shades that are in the room you are in, so that all shades can be installed in advance of discovery. Within a room, especially if all the shades are side by side, shades can be easily identified by pressing “jog,” by setting shades to different positions and viewing the real-time shade position thumbnail, and/or by fully controlling the shade by tapping the shade thumbnail.

How do I operate the Favorite positions of a shade?

Gen 3 shades will now have two Favorite positions by default. The first position is operated by tapping the heart button on the remote once. The second position is operated by double-clicking the heart button on the remote. Favorites can also be accessed in the PowerView App, as part of the Current Room feature and also shade controls.

How do I modify the Favorite positions of a shade?

Favorite positions can only be modified in the PowerView App. Favorite positions are shown in the settings of a shade. Each Favorite position (designated by a heart or double heart) will display a thumbnail showing the current favorite position. Tap the thumbnail to move the shade and modify the favorite position.

How do I perform a shade calibration? Does the process for Gen 3 shades work the same way as Gen 2 shades?

You can locate the “calibrate shade” function in the advanced options of an individual shade’s settings. While calibration still serves the same function we are used to, the shade behavior will differ slightly from Legacy PowerView. Most shades will touch off on both limits, but there is no jog at the end. When the shade stops moving, calibration is complete. All product types will complete their calibration in the most closed position for privacy.

Note: The one exception to this are rolling Duolite shades. These shades will complete calibration with the front shade lowered only.

Can you "relocate" shades in the app to put them in a different order or a different Room?

Yes, shades can be easily reordered or moved between Rooms.

How do Automations work with Gen 3? Is there improved performance?

All Automation information is stored in the shade, so Automations will continue to run, regardless of whether the homeowner’s smartphone or a gateway is in the home.

My remote reaches shades at a further distance than when I send a command through the app. Why?

BLE radios in smartphones and tablets are not as strong as the BLE radios in the Gen 3 remote. Thus, the remote will be able to reach shades at a further distance than your phone. If your customers prefer to only use the PowerView App and not use remotes in their homes, and shades are dispersed around the home, we recommend a gateway to further improve response time and connectivity.

Can two different shades have the same name? What about a shade named the same as a Room’s name?

If the two shades are in different Rooms, then yes, they can have the same name. Shades in the same Room, though, must have different names. Additionally, a shade cannot have the same name as the Room’s name.

What happens to Automations after a power failure?

After a power outage, Automations will not run until the shade receives an updated time from the app or the gateway.

What happens to Automations when daylight savings time occurs?

The app (or gateway in a gateway-based system) will update the time clocks on the shades.

If I’m adding shades to an existing home later on, how will I be guided to set up these new shades?

The PowerView App will detect new shades that aren’t assigned to an existing Home. When opening the app, you can go to the More Tab > Setup Wizard, which will guide you through the process of adding additional shades and accessories (if any) to your Home.

As an alternative option, you can also add new shades to the Home by going to More > Shades and tap on the “New Shades Detected” prompt.

Is there a Demo Mode available in the PowerView app?

We do not currently support Demo Mode in the PowerView App, for either Legacy PowerView or PowerView Gen 3. We are currently exploring options to support a Demo Mode feature that simulates a PowerView Home and showcases all primary features of the PowerView App and Gen 3 shades.

Is a PowerView Gen 3 Remote required to use the PowerView App, or to operate Gen 3 products?

Remotes are not required to use the PowerView App, as is the case with Legacy PowerView. With Gen 3 however, the PowerView App is required to set up and program Gen 3 remotes in your Home. Even on remote-only projects, the app is required for setup.

What are the visual differences between the Gen 3 and Legacy Remotes?

There is a difference in materials, which create a noticeable difference both visually and to the touch. The Gen 3 remote has a single smooth surface, rather than separated buttons, giving it a more elegant and modern appearance. The Gen 3 remote features the Hunter Douglas spark.

If the installation includes multiple PowerView Gen 3 Remotes, will these remotes need to be paired?

No. All remotes will be configured directly in the PowerView App. There will be no need to pair remotes.

Can one room have two remotes with different remote configurations?

Yes.

How many window treatments can be programmed to a single Gen 3 Remote?

We recommend no more than 12 shades per remote for the best experience. You can add more than 12 shades to a remote, but we would then advise against using the ALL button, as we cannot guarantee hembar alignment if a group of more than 12 shades is operated at once.

How do I reset a Gen 3 remote?

Because the PowerView Home is all set up through the app, resetting Gen 3 remotes is not needed and not possible. Remotes can be modified and deleted in the app. Save the paperclips!

What is the expected battery life of the Gen 3 remotes?

Battery life is approximately 1 year.

Did remote functionality change for rooms with Top-Down Bottom-Up and Top-Down shades?

Yes! We have revised our remote functionality to be more intuitive and user-friendly. It will be much easier to operate these types of mixed types of shades.

Will I be able to press the GROUP 6 button to turn off the accelerometer on the Gen 3 remote?

No, the accelerometer is required to quicken the response time between the remote and the shades. However you can deactivate the remote’s “raise-to-wake” feature. The remote’s LEDs will automatically turn on whenever the remote is picked up. This feature is useful for immediately seeing which window covering GROUP buttons were activated last. Deactivating this feature will help conserve battery life. To deactivate, press and hold the GROUP 6 button on the remote for 5 seconds, or until LEDs start flashing.

To activate the LED again, follow the same steps. Press and hold the GROUP 6 button for 5 seconds, or until LEDs start Flashing. Please note, regardless if the “Raise-to-Wake” feature is on or off, the remote’s LEDs will turn on when any button is pressed.

Is a gateway required to operate PowerView Gen 3? When is it required, or needed?

A gateway not required to operate PowerView Gen 3, but provides the best experience for the consumer. We recommend adding our PowerView Gateway or Gateway Pro to all but your smallest projects. Whether or not a gateway is required will depend on the customer’s wants and needs. For example:

If the customer has three or less window coverings in the same room and does not wish to utilize Automations, RemoteConnect, or 3rd party integrations, a gateway is not recommended. If the consumer has more than four shades in the Home, a gateway is recommended. If a customer wants to use voice control, even if they only have a single shade, a gateway is required. If the customer wants to control shades while physically away from the Home through PowerView’s RemoteConnect feature, a gateway is required.

How can I tell the difference between a Gen 2 hub and a Gen 3 gateway?

There are three distinct ways to differentiate the Gen 3 gateway from the Gen 2 hub, by simply looking at the underside of the gateway:

There is a blue ring around the product text.
The product name is laser-etched onto the gateway.
There is an Apple HomeKit QR code available to scan.

What is the difference between a PowerView Gateway, and a Gateway Pro?

The Gateway can handle up to 15 shades and is Wi-Fi only. The Gateway Pro can handle up to 30 shades, and can connect via Wi-Fi, Ethernet and PoE (Power over Ethernet).

Does the gateway require an ethernet connection? What about Wi-Fi?

There are two gateway options. The PowerView Gateway connects via Wi-Fi only and does not have an ethernet port. The PowerView Gateway Pro has an ethernet port and a wireless connection option.

Is the gateway only able to connect via Wi-Fi over the 2.4g network?

No, it is compatible with both 2.4g and 5g networks.

Does the gateway have PoE (Power over Ethernet) capabilities? What is PoE?

Yes, the Gateway Pro has PoE capability. PoE allows a single cable to provide both data connection and electric power to devices. In this case, the Gateway Pro can be powered over a single Ethernet cable. You must have a separate PoE injector or PoE capable switch for your router. PoE is a standard and the Gateway Pro meets the minimum power requirements of that standard so any PoE capable switch would work.

Is an internet connection required on the gateway to use RemoteConnect? What functionality is lost if you don’t connect your gateway to the internet?

The gateway needs to be connected to the internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) in order to use RemoteConnect. Your device must also have a data connection in order to access your PowerView Home remotely. If your gateway is not connected to the internet, you will not be able to fully access your Home remotely, and you will not receive gateway firmware updates.

What is the general recommendation for the number of gateways per project? Is it based on home size, number of shades, etc?

The majority of projects will be covered with one gateway, and we recommend gateways for all but the smallest projects (4 shades or less).

Our PowerView Gateway connects with up to 15 shades, and our Gateway Pro connects with up to 30 shades. If the house is extremely large, though, and there are shades at complete ends of the home, more than one gateway might be required to cover the entire home. It is difficult to provide an exact recommendation due to each home having different items that cause radio frequency interference.

To play it safe, bring an extra gateway with you to your project. Upon setting up the gateway, the app will confirm the gateway has made a connection with every room. If any rooms don’t connect after placing the gateway in the most optimal position in the house, you’ll need another gateway.

What are the requirements for larger installations, for example those with over 30 shades?

For an installation of that size, adding PowerView Gen 3 Gateways to the project is definitely recommended. You can easily mix and match multiple gateways as needed to get the necessary amount of coverage. Use the guided setup process in the app to help determine the best gateway placement.

Do these requirements and recommendations for gateways change with hard-wired jobs, or with PowerView+?

PowerView+ systems require a gateway. The gateway acts as a traffic coordinator for PowerView commands, sending commands to the router, which then sends commands over the wire to the Smart Power Supply. Finally, the Smart Power Supply sends commands over the wire to the shades. Since each Smart Power Supply sends commands over the wire, and not via Bluetooth, only one gateway is required on a PowerView+ project. A PowerView Gateway Pro is recommended to connect to the home network via Ethernet. In a project with a mix of PowerView+ Gen 3 and standard PowerView Gen 3 shades, multiple gateways may still be required depending upon the number of standard PowerView Gen 3 shades and the range required. In that case, the gateway would send Bluetooth commands to the standard Gen 3 shades only.

What is the coverage range for one gateway?

Because there are so many factors for a home that affect radio frequency interference, it is difficult to give a generalized recommendation. If you aren’t sure if you need more than one gateway for a project, you can always bring a spare. Upon adding the gateway, the system will confirm the connection for each room. If a room doesn’t connect, you’ll know immediately that you need an additional gateway.

What is hembar alignment? What's the maximum number of shades you can have in a Scene to maintain hembar alignment?

Hembar alignment, in PowerView terms, means that shades will begin movement at the same time.

In systems without gateways, when a command is sent via the Gen 3 Remote, up to 12 shades will receive it at the same time. When a command is sent via the PowerView App, 4 shades is the maximum number of shades that can maintain hembar alignment. This means that if there are more than 4 shades in a Scene, the system will align 4 shades chosen at random. The system will then move on to the next 4 shades and keep doing that until the Scene movement is complete.

In systems with a gateway, this limitation goes away and all the shades will activate and maintain hembar alignment.

Can gateways be set up at the beginning of the Home setup process?

No, it must be done at the end. The goal is to get all of the shades set up and in rooms so the gateway can do the scan and make sure every shade is in range.

Can gateways be ceiling mounted?

Yes! With the new Gen 3 Gateway Mount, you can mount the gateway to a wall or ceiling.

Are current repeaters compatible with both Gen 3 and Legacy PowerView?

No. Repeaters will not be compatible with Gen 3. Bluetooth’s range eliminates the need for repeaters in most homes. The PowerView Gen 3 Gateway acts as a range extender in larger homes.

Will the PowerView App also control PowerRise shades?

No.

Can my Scenes and Automations control both Legacy PowerView and Gen 3 shades?

No, because Legacy PowerView and Gen 3 operate on different RF protocols, Scenes and Automations will need to be set separately for Legacy PowerView shades and Gen 3 shades. However, you can have Legacy PowerView and Gen 3 Automations set at the same time to synchronize your Home.

Can Legacy PowerView accessories control Gen 3 shades? Or vice versa?

Legacy PowerView shades can only be controlled by Legacy PowerView accessories (hub, repeater, remote, scene controller). Likewise, Gen 3 shades can only be controlled by Gen 3 accessories (gateway, gateway pro, remote). Homes with mixed environments (see Mixed Environments) will need to contain both Legacy PowerView and Gen 3 accessories to support each generation within the Home.

What happens if the customer has a few Legacy PowerView shades already, and they want to purchase more shades? What is a “mixed environment?”

PowerView Gen 3 shades can be added to a home with existing Legacy PowerView shades, creating a “mixed environment.” Both Legacy PowerView and PowerView Gen 3 shades will be able to be controlled in the same PowerView App. In a mixed environment, the user will have the ability to switch between generations in the app. The Rooms, Scenes, and Automations for each generation will be separate.

What is required in order for the customer to successfully operate a mixed environment?

Below are the requirements for merging and operating a PowerView Home with a mixed environment:

Customers will need to have multiple generations of PowerView in a single physical space (most likely, this will be Gen 2 and Gen 3).
A PowerView Gen 2 Hub is required for the Gen 2 system, as the PowerView App is necessary to merge any Legacy PowerView system with PowerView Gen 3.
The Gen 2 Hub must be registered to a PowerView Account, which must match the account of the Owner of the Gen 3 Home.
The customer must be connected to their Home locally (i.e. not via RemoteConnect) in order for the app to prompt them to merge their PowerView systems.

If the above criteria is met, the PowerView App will alert the user, and prompt them to merge Homes, creating a mixed environment in the app.

Do I need to exit the PowerView App to switch between my Legacy PowerView system and my Gen 3 system?

No, you can easily switch between generations without exiting the app.

How do I differentiate between which shades are part of which generation in a mixed home environment?

There will be no physical difference from the exterior of Gen 3 shades to differentiate them from Legacy PowerView shades. When you have a mixed environment and have merged your systems using the PowerView App, you will be able to easily locate and identify which shades belong to which generation using the different system tabs.

What happens if the customer has a Gen 1 PowerView Hub, and they purchase additional Gen 3 shades for their home? Is the Gen 1 Hub compatible?

While a Gen 1 Hub will work, we recommend upgrading that hub to a Gen 2 Hub for best performance. Customers will be able to create a mixed environment though, where all shades will be accessible in the same PowerView App, and users can switch between generations through a persistent tab bar, as noted above.

Is the Gen 3 gateway backwards-compatible? Or would existing hubs need to remain in the home to communicate scenes/automations to existing shades, as Gen 3 products are introduced?

The Gen 3 gateway is not backwards compatible with Legacy PowerView shades. Existing Gen 2 Hubs would remain in the home with previous generation shades.

Can PowerView Gen 2 shades that do not have a Gen 2 hub currently join the Gen 3 system?

No. Gen 2 shades are not compatible with Gen 3 accessories or app capabilities. A Gen 2 Hub could be purchased for those shades if the customer wants PowerView App access. As noted above, all shades would then be accessible in the same PowerView App, and users will have the ability to switch between generations through a persistent tab bar.

If I have two physical locations and each Home is a mixed environment, but I only have one PowerView Account, what will appear on the app screen?

Generally, the app will first connect to the home it was previously connected to. In settings, you can change this to always connect to a specific home if desired. Users who have designated their account as an installer account will always have the app open to the Homes list.

How do Gen 3 shades communicate with home automation systems like Control4?

A PowerView Gen 3 Gateway or Gateway Pro is required to connect PowerView Gen 3 to DIY home automation systems (Amazon Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit) and custom home automation systems (Control 4, Savant, etc.).

How have custom integrations improved with Gen 3?

With Gen 3, each shade shares its location 8 times every second, which dramatically improves the two-way communication between integration systems and PowerView, both from the app itself, and through PowerView Gen 3 accessories. Remotes will also be compatible with 3rd party systems, and will be aware of shade position.

Will there be new custom integration drivers available? Where can installers go to find these drivers?

The drivers for custom integrations have been significantly improved, and now include the ability for individual shade control with two-way feedback. Installers and Integrators will be able to find these on the Hunter Douglas website.

How are custom integrations and third-party voice-control systems impacted by mixed environments?

In mixed environments, each generation will need to be integrated/enabled separately, through a driver or a skill. Once enabled, it either will appear as one system to the user (in the case of Control4, for example), or customers can use specific features (like Routines with Alexa) to control both generations of PowerView at once.

If you have an existing project with Gen 2 PowerView+ shades and want to add PowerView+ Gen 3 shades, how will that work?

A Gen 2 16 Shade Smart Power Supply cannot be used to control Gen 3 PowerView+ shades and vice versa. You will need to install a PowerView+ Gen 3 Smart Power Supply in the home. Just like with standard PowerView, you will also need separate remotes for each system. The same PowerView App can be used to control both Gen 2 and Gen 3 PowerView+ shades.

Can PowerView Gen 3 integrate with Apple HomeKit?

A public beta program for use of Apple HomeKit with PowerView Gen 3 Automation is currently available. Learn more about the beta program here: Access PowerView® Gen 3 Automation and Apple® HomeKit™ Public Beta Program | Hunter Douglas Help & Support

Related to

General Questions

Launch and Post-Launch Support

PowerView Account, Access, and Privacy

Operating PowerView and Using the PowerView App

Remotes

Gateways

Operating Different Generations of PowerView

Mixed Environments

Integrations

What is PowerView® Gen 3 Automation?

What devices are supported by the PowerView App?

Is access to the homeowner’s Wi-Fi network required?

Is an internet connection required for PowerView Gen 3?

How does PowerView Gen 3 communication work?

Is Gen 3 using Bluetooth Version 5.0?

Does the Bluetooth® communication protocol affect the battery life of the shades and/or remotes? Are there any changes or improvements to the battery life for Gen 3?

What is the range for Bluetooth? How well does it work in condominiums with concrete, steel beams and multiple wireless networks?

Does the Bluetooth range for PowerView vary between our devices and PowerView Gen 3 accessories?

My customer (the homeowner) is hesitant about allowing Location services to use the PowerView App. Why are location services required?

What is the process for firmware updates in PowerView Gen 3? Will the smartphone or tablet used for the PowerView App need to be present in the home for over-the-air firmware updates?

What happens if someone presses and holds the shade’s control button for 12 or 18 seconds? Will it affect the shade or Home?

Have there been changes made to the Gen 3 motors? Are they quieter?

What do the light blinks on the shades mean?

How does Gen 3 work in environments where there are VPNs?

When is PowerView Gen 3 Automation available? What about the other 2022 PowerView launches?

Is PowerView Gen 3 Automation available on all product lines?

Does this affect PowerView+ and PowerView AC?

Will the wiring for PowerView+ Gen 3 be the same as Legacy PowerView+?

Can Gen 2 shades continue to be purchased after the Gen 3 launch, if clients with existing shades want a unified solution? If so, for how long?

Can you retrofit Legacy PowerView shades to become Gen 3 shades, or somehow “convert” a Legacy PowerView shade to a Gen 3 shade?

Where can customers locate instruction manuals for Gen 3?

Are there any “How-To” videos for Gen 3?

Is a PowerView Account required to use Gen 3 shades?

Do installers need access to the homeowner’s smartphone or tablet to set up PowerView Gen 3 shades?

How do you transfer it to the homeowner if they are not present?

Once the transfer ownership request is sent, does the homeowner need to be in the home to accept ownership?

After the Home transfer is accepted by the homeowner, will the Home disappear from the Installer’s PowerView App?

How does one allow additional family members, guests, and/or renters to operate shades in the home? Are you able to grant access without allowing the additional users to change the set up?

Does each user need to have their own PowerView Account?

Do transfer ownership requests, or invites to join the Home, time out or expire?

Can multiple phones access the Home?

How is this system kept secure from nearby neighbors? For example, in planned communities where homes are within 20 feet of one another, multiple neighbors may own Hunter Douglas products.

How do installers connect to the correct home system when neighbors both have PowerView Gen 3?

If an installer needs to return to a project, how can they gain access to the home?

If people (dual citizens) have a phone they bought in the UK or Canada but are at their home in the USA will they be able to set up or operate Gen 3 shades from the App or is the App specific to a country where their smart device is registered?

When adding Users to my Home, what is the difference between “Complete” and “Basic” access?

Is the app required to use PowerView Gen 3? Do I have to download a separate app?

How do I “discover” Gen 3 shades? Is the process the same as Legacy PowerView?

Do I need to install and power on shades Room by Room, or can I install and power on all shades in my Home at once?

When shades are discovered by proximity, with the shades closest appearing at the top of the list, how granular is the distance sensitivity?

How do I operate the Favorite positions of a shade?

How do I modify the Favorite positions of a shade?

How do I perform a shade calibration? Does the process for Gen 3 shades work the same way as Gen 2 shades?

Can you "relocate" shades in the app to put them in a different order or a different Room?

How do Automations work with Gen 3? Is there improved performance?

My remote reaches shades at a further distance than when I send a command through the app. Why?

Can two different shades have the same name? What about a shade named the same as a Room’s name?

What happens to Automations after a power failure?

What happens to Automations when daylight savings time occurs?

If I’m adding shades to an existing home later on, how will I be guided to set up these new shades?

Is there a Demo Mode available in the PowerView app?

Is a PowerView Gen 3 Remote required to use the PowerView App, or to operate Gen 3 products?

What are the visual differences between the Gen 3 and Legacy Remotes?

If the installation includes multiple PowerView Gen 3 Remotes, will these remotes need to be paired?

Can one room have two remotes with different remote configurations?

How many window treatments can be programmed to a single Gen 3 Remote?

How do I reset a Gen 3 remote?

What is the expected battery life of the Gen 3 remotes?

Did remote functionality change for rooms with Top-Down Bottom-Up and Top-Down shades?

Will I be able to press the GROUP 6 button to turn off the accelerometer on the Gen 3 remote?

Is a gateway required to operate PowerView Gen 3? When is it required, or needed?

How can I tell the difference between a Gen 2 hub and a Gen 3 gateway?

What is the difference between a PowerView Gateway, and a Gateway Pro?

Does the gateway require an ethernet connection? What about Wi-Fi?

Is the gateway only able to connect via Wi-Fi over the 2.4g network?

Does the gateway have PoE (Power over Ethernet) capabilities? What is PoE?

Is an internet connection required on the gateway to use RemoteConnect? What functionality is lost if you don’t connect your gateway to the internet?

What is the general recommendation for the number of gateways per project? Is it based on home size, number of shades, etc?

What are the requirements for larger installations, for example those with over 30 shades?

Do these requirements and recommendations for gateways change with hard-wired jobs, or with PowerView+?