Neither is really better, and neither is really less money. Crestron or AMX should make up about 10%-15% of the total system price and there are various touchpanels and keypads in both systems that may satisfy your wants, needs, and desires.
NEEDS is cheap - desires cost you.
I use Crestron, and am a Crestron programmer, but I work at a company that sells both and I have done some panel layouts in both.
AMX is a bit more difficult to create some custom graphics in as it isn't as easy to design in. This may leave an AMX system looking 'dull'. But, it is no guarantee whatsoever as you really have to look at some of their prior work. I would look at store demos and request some examples. Specifically, you can (should) meet the programmer to find out how responsive he is.
My personal experience is that programming is everything. If someone has AMX or Crestron and hates it - what they really hate is the way it was programmed. It should work like a well designed website. Clearly labelled buttons, obvious direction towards what you wish to accomplish. Plus, the company should steer you towards reliable, effecient product that is easy and solid to control.
I know working here in DC, I've seen both sides of systems and some have turned out great, and then there are much more expensive systems that have turned out horrendously.
I think my system, with labor and everything, is about $50K or so (MSRP) including everything. Including 2 plasmas + projector + a dozen zones of audio w/source equipment, security cameras, switching, programming - everything!
It just depends on your needs and wishes though. It can be a lot more, or a lot less. The Crestron portion is about $7,000 of the total setup including audio pre-amps, lots of keypads, a few touchpanels (old models), and the Ethernet enabled control system. In the last 6 months, I think I've had one time I've had to reset the control system because of a glitch. Just pressed reset, works fine now.
NOTE: I believe Crestron does about 10 times the business that AMX does and they are split about 50/50 between business and residential.
Fun stuff!
