Now that it appears that the MRX-1 is available to installers. I wanted to start a thread discussing the two units and their differences.

I just purchased a MSC-400 and MX-5000 for my home theater and I am thinking that perhaps I should ask to return the 400 and go with the new MRX-1 for my setup. While I would have liked more than two RS-232 connections, I can make due with them until i purchase a second or third MRX-1 if needed.

Today, my biggest concern is getting 2-way feedback regarding volume control on my Onkyo TX-NR905. With the 400, I do not believe that I am going to get that information on my MX-5000.

I also do not believe that the MRX-1 will store and fire macros and keep track of variables like the 400 does. I though that that MRX-1 was going to be a new 400 with 2-way RS-232 features. To me, it looks more like a MRF-350 with a network connection and 2 new two-way RS-232 ports (a few other small items as well).

Also, any ideas on when the MRX-1 will show up in the CCP?

Thanks,
T.Wells

No, there is no feedback of any kind w/ the MSC-400. They have also said "The MRX-1 is not a replacement for the MSC-400." Whatever that means, I'm assuming you will need both in a system if you want to be able to do triggers and everything. Who knows, but I agree two 232 ports is not going to cut it an many situations.

The MRX-1 is designed to take an IP based controller like the KP-4000 and allow it to spit out IR, RS-232 and such which it does not natively do. Read Daniel's review for more:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

I think I am in luck as it appears that the Onkyo 905 does 2-way via IP. I see it listed on the MX-5000 manual so I think I can use the MSC-400 to provide serial control via the MX-5000 and then get IP feedback on the remote to get volume levels displayed.

I hope it is that easy!

Thanks,
T.Wells

It is if you know how to program IP enabled devices/2-way modules in CCP.

You'll have to have WiFi and know the static IP address of your WAP. You'll also have to know how to set the IP address of your AVR to static, and then set that up in CCP.

Are you a programmer/integrator/installer doing your own room? Or end user?

If you are not an integrator/programmer, you're in for a long learning curve on CCP.

If you have access to the URC Control room, I suggest you start watching all the CCP videos available there, and the networking tutorials.

Get some learning there first and then come back to here with any questions.

You can gang up to 3 MRX-1s together. Some of the cool things about the MRX-1 is that it can also be a RF transmitter. This allows you to use the base station to control lighting which means you could build smart macros in the MRX-1 to use lighting. The other nice thing is that the MRX-1 will work with the narrow band rf remotes as well as all the IP based remotes..

DB

I am getting the impression that it doesn't generate macros. It seems to me that it is just a conduit/base for the new ip remotes. Am I wrong?

You are correct.

Sounds like we read the same documents. Wonder when we'll see the program manual for the 4000.

The MX1/MSC400/MX-5000 will be a truly awesome combination. I can get behind that investment.

I remember connecting the control port of a serial router to one port of a Xantech MRC head end unit to direct traffic for the other remaining port. You'd have to write a lot of code for that one port but it would probably work.

I did not know it but I got it done very quickly.


I guess that I am a DIY integrator. I have done my house and helped some friends with some basic setups. I believe that I picked up CCP pretty quickly as I am familiar with the MX editor. This system is much more simplistic compared to the setup I am replacing (maybe augmenting is a better description). For example, my current system is actively tracking over 1000 variables and controls AV equipment (whole home and every individual room in the house), HVAC, home lighting, home security, irrigation, and cameras.


I wish I had access to view the videos and learn from the posts but alias, I do not.


I do have one outstanding 2-way IP feedback question on my Onkyo NR-905. Is there a way to change feedback between absolute and relative as it relates to the remote control? I know that the Onkyo provides both as my last system was able to covert as needed but maybe URC does not provide that functionality.

Lastly, if there is a guide to doing some manual RS-242 programming on the MSC-400, I could use it for a quick read? It may be as simple as setting the proper communication parameters and then typing/issuing the commands but a guide maybe nice before I start programming my Panasonic AX-100 and VideoStorm CRM84

Thanks for all the tips and help.

T.Wells

1000 variables? Holy smokes! :)

Well, this system is much more complex than any URC (or other remote) as it includes whole home integration.

For example, each light switch in my house has 4 variables itself (state (on/off), value (# from 0-100), value (# from 0-255), and also an alias name. Then, when I start adding variables for lighting zones and scenes I have a couple hundred variables just for lighting.

The areas which have the most variables are music jukebox and movie jukebox.

So I went in this weekend and tried to export my variable file to excel to get an accurate count but it did not work correctly.

But, at the end of the day, I must be pretty close to 1000 :-)

Youll have to open the .ini file in a text editor and change it manually. It's in the
"C:\Program Files\Universal Remote Control, Inc\Complete Control Program\"remote type"\TwoWay"" folder. File name is "Onkyo AVR.vfd"

EDIT: having said that, I noticed that when I do this using notepad, it corrupts this file. Crimson editor doesnt even show any text. Has anyone accomplished this using another text editor? If so, which editor?