Ive had my MX3000 for about 14 months now and I havent had to reprogram it until recently when we added a PS3 to our system. I needed to add an HDMI switch to accomodate the PS3 so I purchased a Monoprice 5X1 switch.

I had no problem programming my MX3000/MRF250 with learned codes from my components before but the new HDMI switch is driving me crazy! Ive followed all the tips in the MX3000 manual including both the 1 step and 2 step process. The system accepts the learned code but when I test it, it either does nothing or scrolls the switch through several inputs before stopping on what seems to be a random input.

The HDMI switch remote has descrete codes for inputs 1 through 5 and also has a up and down input control. Ive tried everything I can think of and nothing seems to work.

I found this information on the Monoprice website but to be honest, I have no idea what it means. I would appreciate any opinions or thoughts.

Remote control was of good quality and included real vs membrane buttons. Functions include discrete input 1-5 select and input up/down. Infrared functionality was easily integrated into universal programming remote either through learning or device upgrades. For JP1 capable remotes, I''ve provided a device upgrade file here (for other remotes, decoded IR/protocol provided in appendix):

[Link: hifi-remote.com]

Appendix
========

IR protocol decode
------------------
Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch
Protocol: NECx1
Main Device #: 8
Sub Device #: 8

EFC
058 Input 1
119 Input 2
249 Input 3
250 Input 4
244 Input 5
052 Input Up
056 Input Down

I have a Monoprice HDX-501...they must really be loving PS3! :) Drop me a line, maybe I can program it for you.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

I haven't had any problems learning those commands to an MX-950. If you want to shoot me an email, I can send you the file.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

Mike,

Thanks for the file.

It worked perfectly!

John

Well my success was short lived. Once I used the codes Mike sent me, I tested the unit from a short distance (a few feet and not aiming directly at the unit) and it worked fine.

When I sat a typical distance (10-12 feet) it no longer worked and I had the same problems I had before which was the switch either didn’t respond at all or it scrolled wildly through all the inputs landing on a random input. The remote that came with the switch works fine.

One thing I did notice is that when I tilt the MX3000 at 45 degrees towards me (aiming it essentially at the ceiling) the switch responds fine. When I aim the MX3000 directly at the switch, it exhibits the problems I stated before.

Despite not having my IR working flawlessly (everything works except the HDMI switch), I did install my MRF-250 this evening. It took a couple iterations (due to RF interference on ID 0) but I found a good spot and it works very well. I will say that the slightest amount of flickering on ID 0 prevented the MRF250 from working. Only when there was absolutely no interference did the unit work. I will also add that I had no problems with the placement of the emitters. First placement worked on all the components.

Any help on what I can do to make the HDMI switch cooperate would be greatly appreciated. I am currently trying several filter materials (electrical tape with pin holes, 3m foam tape, masking tape) between the emitter and the IR sensor to see if that helps.

Thanks in advance.

John

It sounds like an MX-3000 problem. I thought it might be that one of the emitters in the MX-3000 is out, but that would affect other components as well. Is there no change in response when you use RF?

In the MX Editor, set the HDMI switch to "RF" in the RF Control Settings. By doing this, the remote is not sending any IR, but only the MRF is. Hold an emitter in your hand and move it along the face of the switcher until you find a spot where it works consistently. Stick the emitter to that spot and double check it. Typically, I find that most components work with a MRF-250 emitter 1 - 3 inches away from the IR sensor.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

Damon,

Thanks for the response.

Ive tried that. I tried putting the emitter on just about every spot on the face. Ive held it from 1 to 12 inches away and moved it around with absolutely no response. I always recheck with the remote that came with the switch and it always works.

As I said before, the IR direct from the MX3000 seemed to do better when I aimed the remote at the ceiling on a 45 degree angle. This just seems strange since all my other components tended to work better when the MX300 was aimed directly at them.

Its always something. This is the last piece of the puzzle and as always the last 1% of the job takes 99% of the time!

Im ready to smash the remote or the switch. Probably the switch, its less expensive.

John

I can understand the RF problems, especially with an MRF-250. What's weird is that IR is so problematic. It seems that the IR receiving eye of the HDMI switch is too sensitive. However, I don't have any problem with mine with the emitter right over the eye. Granted I'm using an MRF350, but I haven't turned down the IR output of that emitter.

I just spent another 20 minutes messing around with this problem and discovered a few things.

I set the MX3000 back to IR only for the HDMI switch. I generally sit around 10-12 feet from the TV (and switch). When I aim the MX3000 directly at the switch there is absolutely no reponse. When I tilt the remote back 45 degrees it works about 80% of the time. I just tried the MX3000 aimed straight up towards the ceiling (bottom of the MX3000 facing the switch) and it works 100% of the time! That led me to believe that either the IR signal from the MX3000 is too strong or the IR sensor on the switch is too sensitive. I then moved back about 20 feet from the switch and aimed the MX3000 directly at the switch and it worked 100% of the time. Im not an IR expert but I think that would validate the theory that the IR signal is too strong or the switch is too sensitive. When I aim the MX3000 in any other direction other than directly at the switch for 20' away, there is no response.

Ive tried putting tape on the emitter to cut the IR signal. I even tried that 3M foam double sided tape and there is not response. Is there any other way to cut the emitter signal?

Given that the MX3000 IR and IR emitters work with all my other components, I can assume the switch IR sensor is too sensitive and its not that the MX3000 IR signal being too strong? In which case, I would send back the switch for a new one and see if that works any better.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

John

John,

Try learning the switcher to the MX-3000 again. This time, hold the switcher remote further away from the MX-3000 - about 6". If you see an improvement but not 100%, try learning again and move the switcher remote further. I think that will help.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

I tried relearing at 6" and the MX3000 in IR mode didnt work at all. Not aimed directly at the switch and not aimed away.

I then tried it from 8" with the same result.

I tried learing from greater than 8" and I couldnt get the MX3000 to see the signal.

Im going to mess around with this for another day or so and then return the switch if I cant get it to work.

After a few more hours of trial and error Ive discovered that when I learn the codes by placing a shield of some type between the two remotes and quickly lifting the shield and replacing it while holding down the sending remote key Im able to develop a code that sends the switch consistently to input 3. That was a long sentence!

Unfortuantely, all the learned inputs (1 through 5) learned in this manner send the switch to input 3. At least I have a working code for input 3. Actually I have 5!

John

After trying every single suggestion provided and a number of files that people here and at AVSForum provided, the Monoprice switch just didnt work.

Today I replaced the Monoprice switch with a Radiient switch. I downloaded codes directly from Radiient and isntalled them on the MX3000. I didnt bother testing the IR function and went directly to RF and the switch works perfectly.

The Radiient switch recieved an excellent review at Audioholics and it also has an RS232 interface which Im not using yet. Based on what Ive seen so far, I would recommend it.

Today I managed to clear up my two remaining issues with my system (RFI and HDMI switching). Now I can sit back and enjoy it while tinkering with it for optimization purposes only.

Thanks for all the help.

John

That looks like a very good solution. I like the RS232 interface, and their web site is very high-end with a full set of control and documentation files for installers and end users.

Sometimes life is just too short to hammer on things trying to make them work!