BMX on Remotes

[BMXTRIX]

...Someone explain to me again why you can just put your model number into Harmony's data base and everything works but the rest of the remote world has to be difficult...

This actually has a world of blame which rests entirely with consumer electronics manufacturers.

Harmony has really stepped up with their online integration system, and it would be nice to see similar levels of integration from other remote manufacturers, but at the end of the day, the manufacturers themselves do not provide remote control information to anyone... at all. Until you try discrete power on/power off with a specific device, you often don't know if it works. Until the input selections are actually tried, you have no idea if that product responds the same as a different product from the same manufacturer.

It's a real headache for integrators, and while I agree that part of the blame lays with the remote manufacturers, you really have to wonder why it is that there isn't a centralized database of remote codes which every product could be registered against. Something which every remote manufacturer than could turn to when they release product. So, from big companies, to tiny ones, a simple database search of a IR code engine could return the full IR remote layout with all commands and what those commands do.

This is part of why programming this stuff often costs so much money. It's just a normal day when I'm sitting around trying 100 different ways to ensure full system reliability for a client on a product which has no documentation, and is doing its darndest to fight me.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I blame everybody. That's just the way I am.

 

[ARES24]

I blame everybody. That's just the way I am.

You might get lonely

 

[STRONGBADF1]

You might get lonely

Screw them!

 

[crossedover]

I blame everybody. That's just the way I am.

what is the issue? is it passthrough ie punch? is it not working at all? re: volume

 

[Alex2507]

what is the issue? is it passthrough ie punch? is it not working at all? re: volume

The problem is that he won't sit down with the manual for 5 minutes yet screams about these imaginary hours it takes to check 3 different numbers. Lemon entry my dear Watson. I got his number.

Okay, now I have an MX-850 won and paid for. This is gonna take a little 'splainin' when the CC bill comes in but YOLO.

I guess my next step is providing an equipment list.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

what is the issue? is it passthrough ie punch? is it not working at all? re: volume

I'll have to program punch through(s) for macros after I have to teach the stupid thing that when you hold the volume button down it should keep going... The other problems are none (and I mean none...) of the codes do much more than turn the component on and off. I have to go the learning route entirely.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

The problem is that he won't sit down with the manual for 5 minutes yet screams about these imaginary hours it takes to check 3 different numbers. Lemon entry my dear Watson. I got his number.

F You! LOL...I read the manual and watched the DVD that came with it before I even picked the remote up to program it.

I'm just disappointed that not one component is working even halfway complete. This isn't a complicated setup...I just wanted inexpensive RF.

 

[Alex2507]

F You! LOL...I read the manual and watched the DVD that came with it before I even picked the remote up to program it.

I'm just disappointed that not one component is working even halfway complete. This isn't a complicated setup...I just wanted inexpensive RF.

I'm going to report you. DAVE !!! Doug swore at MEEEEE !!!

I got the MX-350 because MDS said it was the way to go. The RF20 got popular because of the price. Then one day I saw that MDS had posted about liking the MX-350 ever so much more than the RF20. I'm not sure why. He had reasons and that was good enough for me to never have to wonder about the RF20 again.

I almost bought this but thought better of it.

Osiris MX 350 Universal Programmable Remote Control MX350 | eBay

I already have one. It's worked pretty good on everything so far except my ADS EQ. I never actually tried to do the learning thing with it because that would take HOURS !!!

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I'm going to report you. DAVE !!! Doug swore at MEEEEE !!!

I got the MX-350 because MDS said it was the way to go. The RF20 got popular because of the price. Then one day I saw that MDS had posted about liking the MX-350 ever so much more than the RF20. I'm not sure why. He had reasons and that was good enough for me to never have to wonder about the RF20 again.

I almost bought this but thought better of it.

Osiris MX 350 Universal Programmable Remote Control MX350 | eBay

I already have one. It's worked pretty good on everything so far except my ADS EQ. I never actually tried to do the learning thing with it because that would take HOURS !!!

It may be because it has a reputation for being slow. The fact that you can't turn the RF off is another complaint I've heard. It's just for the bedroom system and I have always just wanted to try one out. I'm wondering if I have a bad one... I haven't sat down to do the learning thing yet so we'll see. I hope I end up liking it.

FWIW I use a Harmony 700 with my system in the family room. It programed as advertized and works great...the only thing that would make it better would be if it was RF capable.

 

[crossedover]

I'm going to report you. DAVE !!! Doug swore at MEEEEE !!!

I got the MX-350 because MDS said it was the way to go. The RF20 got popular because of the price. Then one day I saw that MDS had posted about liking the MX-350 ever so much more than the RF20. I'm not sure why. He had reasons and that was good enough for me to never have to wonder about the RF20 again.

I almost bought this but thought better of it.

Osiris MX 350 Universal Programmable Remote Control MX350 | eBay

I already have one. It's worked pretty good on everything so far except my ADS EQ. I never actually tried to do the learning thing with it because that would take HOURS !!!

The MX350 is the RF20 just different by distribution channels.

 

[crossedover]

I'll have to program punch through(s) for macros after I have to teach the stupid thing that when you hold the volume button down it should keep going... The other problems are none (and I mean none...) of the codes do much more than turn the component on and off. I have to go the learning route entirely.

Press and hold programming has always been the case with with those remotes. Do you use TV speakers in your setup or just your HT setup? With feature sets growing on each generation of avr,bluray, media player etc. code data bases become obsolete quicker. URC made the PCL 100 for updating and other CI features, but for the price and a single use upgrading to a remote that has an upgradeable code database makes more sense. (for URC that would be MX700 and up)

 

[Alex2507]

It may be because it has a reputation for being slow. The fact that you can't turn the RF off is another complaint I've heard. It's just for the bedroom system and I have always just wanted to try one out. I'm wondering if I have a bad one... I haven't sat down to do the learning thing yet so we'll see. I hope I end up liking it.

FWIW I use a Harmony 700 with my system in the family room. It programed as advertized and works great...the only thing that would make it better would be if it was RF capable.

Yeah, I'm not sure what the specific issues were ... I suppose I could search.

I did search and I didn't find what I was looking for. All I found was where he said the differences were 'subtle'. I was looking for him saying why he preferred the MX-350 over the RF20. I guess it's not important seeing as how you already have what you have.

The learning thing does take time. I think I only did it with one button so my 350 could do previous channel for my cable box or something. For me that was 9th Dan programming.

-----------------------------

Now that the stuff is on the way to me, I have to ask how all this works. I'm unclear on how this programming gets into the URC remote and Crestron. Anyway here's my equipment list starting at the top.

1. Panasonic TH-50PZ77U
2. Yamaha RX-V663
3. Motorola QIP7232 2
4. Oppo BDP-83SE (upgraded to SE/Special Edition version)
5. ADC SS-525X

The #5. ADC EQ isn't really important. It's an odd piece of gear without a remote controlled ON/OFF. I use it to split and independently EQ the right and left LFE signal. I only use that remote to turn the subs down on the fly.

I just realized that have 4 of those emitters coming but I have 5 devices.

If it's possible to work the ADC SS-525X into the URC programming then I will just get another Xantech IR emitter from eBay.

I consider this a huge and humbling favor that I am somehow on the hook for. It's also what makes this forum indispensable. I don't think I've ever used that word in a sentence before. Anyway, thanks very much to BMX and 'the forum'.

 

[itschris]

I have stayed away from the "higher" end remotes like URC and Creston due to the programming and cost. I just got the new Harmony Ultimate and I have to say that as skeptical as I was, I'm really impressed. I bought a second hub for the bedroom and another for my office. I can easily control everything from my iPad. They were simple setups and I literally had the done in 10 minutes. My main system I've got 75% done. I just haven't gotten the HTPC configured.

I've read that you can really dig into the Harmony far more than people think, but I can't imagine that for most folks... even here... that they would need little else. It's so damn simple... even I can do it... and that says a lot given my limited temperarment for such things. I guess if you need curtains to open, things to move up and down, then maybe that would be a limiting factor, but short of that, this new remote is fast, simple to setup, and a joy to use. I saw an option for Phillips Hue lighting which I may look into. I don't know much about it, but it easily controls that as well.

I mean if you can 90% of what you need out of a remote for 90% less of the headache and cost of the programmable style options, then I think it may be worth considering.

 

[crossedover]

I have stayed away from the "higher" end remotes like URC and Creston due to the programming and cost. I just got the new Harmony Ultimate and I have to say that as skeptical as I was, I'm really impressed. I bought a second hub for the bedroom and another for my office. I can easily control everything from my iPad. They were simple setups and I literally had the done in 10 minutes. My main system I've got 75% done. I just haven't gotten the HTPC configured.

I've read that you can really dig into the Harmony far more than people think, but I can't imagine that for most folks... even here... that they would need little else. It's so damn simple... even I can do it... and that says a lot given my limited temperarment for such things. I guess if you need curtains to open, things to move up and down, then maybe that would be a limiting factor, but short of that, this new remote is fast, simple to setup, and a joy to use. I saw an option for Phillips Hue lighting which I may look into. I don't know much about it, but it easily controls that as well.

I mean if you can 90% of what you need out of a remote for 90% less of the headache and cost of the programmable style options, then I think it may be worth considering.

One reason has been two way control for going with AMX Crestron Control4 and URC. Setting a system up, especially multi room, you want it to work flawlessly. Until recently IP control wasnt readily available to consumers. RS232 and IP was, is, still the most bullet proof way to do installs of integrated systems. If you think of networking, and you think of your devices, sure other options can work but some work way better than others.

 

[itschris]

Sure if you need advanced two way control and have really complicated routines, the Harmony isn't for you. But I bet for most... save that small group... it does everything you need.

 

[Alex2507]

Looking at the back of that MC2W it looks like you can hook up 4 IR emitters. That means I can only hook up 4 devices and only need the 4 emitters I got from eBay, right?

All of the issues I've seen is making sure the "com" port is selected in the proper manor. I use a gigaware branded cable with no issues on xp pro and 7 ultimate

That post made me go find the pic. Are those the com ports you're talking about? I'll be sure to pay extra close attention the day we cross that bridge.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can actually double up Xantech emitters to control multiple devices. There is enough power to generally run a couple of IR emitters from a single port. I will often throw two lesser used devices on one port. Like if you have subwoofer control and TV control, the commands won't typically bump into each other so I will double them up if need be. The com ports shouldn't scare you. If anything comes up that should use a com port, then Radio Shack and online places sell serial cables. I always make my own to length, which is also something you could do pretty easily with pieces from Radio Shack.

ie: RS-232 Connector Kit, DB9 Female - FA049 - Shop now - Black Box

There are male and female kits. When I got started in this business, I used something similar to these, and just a wire stripper, cat-5e, and needle-nose pliers were all I needed to make my own serial cables to specific lengths as needed.

For programming though, I always just used a male-female straight through serial cable like this one:
25ft DB 9 M/F Molded Cable - Monoprice.com
Monoprice pretty much carries all the serial cables needed:
Serial Cables - Monoprice.com
This includes M/F, M/M, and F/F straight through and null cables in a variety of lengths. But, you know, for that clean look, making a custom cable is the way to go.

 

[Alex2507]

I just got the MX-850. It was the last piece of the puzzle. Everything else is here.

It turns out that the RS232/USB adapter needs a regular RS232 cable with it anyway so ordering both was required. I still need to install the drivers.

The Xantech(?) IR connectors have a plug on the end that looks like it would plug into the back of at least a couple of devices. I'm getting the idea that this could work a couple of different ways. It's all new ground for me and I'm noticing stuff.

I think I'm ready for the next step.

 

[MDS]

The MX350 is the RF20 just different by distribution channels.

Not exactly.

The RF20 is the 'consumer' version (ie. cheaper). It lacks several features of the MX-350:

1. Cannot program the On/Off buttons on the Main page for system wide power control; ie, turn everything you need on/off with one button press. I bought one for my sister and had to resort to adding an 'onoff' command to one of the LCD buttons on the Cable page.

2. Cannot turn RF off or independently assign IR/RF/Both to each device.

3. Only works with the specific RF base station it comes with, not their RF-250 or RF-260 base stations. Because it always sends both IR and RF signals it can sometimes cause problems with duplicate commands.

4. The backlight is red instead of blue (ok, not such a big deal. )

By the way, the 'Osiris' version uses a wideband RF frequency range and the one branded simply 'MX-350' uses narrow band which is compatible with their newer narrow band base stations, like the RF-260.