I am trying to buy cables to do video sensing for some of my video components that do not have discrete On/Off codes. The RFX9000 has these funky connectors on the back and the manual refers to them as Phoenix connectors. Does anyone know where to access these. Theoretically - I want to come out composit video from my source component and connect to the power sensor port on the back of the RFX 9600

These phoenix connectors sense presense of a positive voltage. The component video signal most likely does not provide enough voltage to trigger the RFX9600. More than likely, you will need to buy a device such as a video sensor (search ebay or google) that can take a connection to a composite video signal and, when on, can generate a small voltage to the RFX9600. I seem to recall seeing these for X-10 or xantech equipment on the web.

If your component has a switched power jack on the back such as a cable box, the ideal thing that you can use is a 9VDC adapter and then wire the output to the phoenix connector. Search this forum for +Wall +Wart and you will find a post I replied to where someone did this with a cable box that does not have discrete codes.

Lyndel

Hey Lyndel,

I am slightly surprised that Philips has not recommended specs for any of the additional devices, for the RFX9600. I have looked for Phoenix connectors on the web for 20 minutes already and still cannot find the one that fits into the RFX9600.

Does anyone have the spec for the Phoenix connector and a distribution source?

In addition, they need to make some manufacturer recommendations as to the voltage sensing device. The manual says it can sense between 5v to 30 v

Rick, the RFX9600 senses voltage not video sync, so we need to find a device for this. I will review some products I have seen and let you know.

Dave

I think I figured this out by looking at the connectors on the back of the RFX. These are just hardwired connectors which have very tiny screws that you hard wire directly to it by tightening down the screws to form a clamp on the wire.

To do video sensing, I found a box called a Clear Blue Video Sensor model VS-A which you feed a composite video signal to. It also has one of these crazy little phoeinix connectors coming out the back of it which I am assuming you hard wire to the 9600. The video sensor does differentiate between +,-; although the 9600 does not. I am assuming it does not matter for the 9600 other wise they would have labled it.

FYI, the Phoenix connectors on the back of the RFX9600 will pull out. That is, they consist of a socket and a plug. You connect wires to the plug and then reseat the plug into the socket. They are kinda tough to get apart and you think you'll break 'em but you won't. Xantech equipment uses the same type of locking connectors.

If you are looking for parts, I found this site which hosts Xantech connectors. Here's a link where you might find a Weco part #.

[Link: connex-electronics.com]{weco{weco

Oh, thanks Lyndel and Rick. I guess I did not look close enough to realize the Phoenix connectors were already plugged into the sockets...DUH!

Thanks for the info!

Rick, they do pull out you just have to give them a healthy heave-ho! Or so it seems from Lyndel's post.

Dave

So, if I want to use that serial output for a 4th serial controlled device, exactly what do I need and where do I get it? I assume that this port can be used in the same manner that I have used the other 3 ports, but it just needs a different connect on one end, correct? I need a 9 pin serial connector on one end and appropriate wires on the other end. Perhaps it should have been clear to me from the responses above but I'm still not sure how to do that. Thanks, for your patience.
Marc

The serial connector has RX, TX, and GND. In a straight-through connection, you will connect Pin 2 of a DB9 connector to the Wire for RX (or is it TX?) and Pin 3 to the wire for TX. Pin 5 is normally GND so you'd connect that there. If you find things are not working, simply switch the wires for RX and TX on the Phoenix connector.

Folks,

Is the "wired" RS-232 on the RFX9600, (the 4th connector, far right) also a phoenix connector? Possibly already plugged into the socket?

This is another thing Philips should be providing, damn it! What is the pinout for this 4th connector. Is it straight through or does it need to be "reversed".

I am generally dissapointed with Philips on all of this stuff on the RFX9600! You think they would produce a white paper or something which calls all of this stuff out! Why make us scramble around experimenting???? Why make us discover this stuff?? Why not anticipate the installer's needs and TELL US IN ADVANCE?? That would be incredibly novel if you did this!

No spec on the power sensing. No product specifed. No instuctions at all.
No spec on the Lutron Radio RA system at all. Had to dig it out from someone who had already figured it out. What is the proper product configuration??
No spec on the RS-232 ports.
No Spec on the 4th RS-232 straight-wire ports.
No spec on the IR emitter ports. What is the milliamp power on low and what is the milliamp power on high? Ever thought that maybe we might like to use a high-powered blaster and we might want to know in advance what the current rating can be?

Come on Pronto Team! You did well so far and you just plain blew it on the Dealer/Installer implementation communications.

Dave