Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could please help me??

I have installed a Smart-e SNX-8x8+ Cat5e Video Matrix into a customers house but it is unusable.

Seen here: [Link: smart-e.co.uk]

For some reason there is so much "IR interference" coming out of the LCD screens in the house that they are "blotting" out the genuine IR commands getting sent back to the source equipment (Sky boxes, PC, CCTV system and Digi Boxes)

When the customer tries to change channel/source using the Harmony 1000 remote controls at any of their 8 screens it almost always fails to do what they want.

This problems effectively renders the system useless to the customer.

Smart-e have recently brought out upgraded IR receiver covers with extra shielding in them but this still hasn't solved the problems. In the past we have also tried using the Xantech "Plasma Friendly" IR receivers and even these didn't seem to solve the problem!

So, basically, I am in the doo doo....

The customer is refusing to sign off the system and is refusing to pay us. Worse than that they have recently informed us that they are sourcing an alternative company to come and look at the problems and they will pay them out of the money they owe us.

Smart-e have been useless. I have been screaming for help for months regarding this problems and nothing has been done except the introduction of the extra screening in the receivers.

I have been desperately trying to do some investigations myelf on how IR works and i have a thread running here:

[Link: physicsforums.com]

So, questions are:

1. Has anyone else seen these problems?
2. Does anyone have any ideas how this could be fixed?

It goes with saying that this is very urgent to the survival of my company as there is about £30k at stake. We will find it hard to survive if we loose this money...

Please help!

Thanks

Trevor

The obvious would be one of the REAL remote solutions that are out there. RTI, URC, either one would work. Depending on the size of the job, you could even put multiple RF receivers in and utilize your existing IR hard wires. The IR reception in the rooms would be irrelevant.

With the right control processor, you could even control the Matrix switch via RS232 if the IR commands of the matrix switch are more of a problem than you think...

I wonder if the IR recievers could be replaced with another manufacture 'CFL friendly' receiver.... Too bad the specs are not the web site......

Trevor
Looks like you are over your experience level. Time to step up and go the RF remote way as jritch pointed out. If you don't then you will surely fail as 'LCD' noise is here to stay.

I might also call Smart-e Video and ask for the number of their largest dealer and ask that dealer to consult for a fee.

Yup, as has been said, you have two problems. Harmony Remote and IR distribution. Harmonies are glorified toys that are only for do it yourselfers. You see why most integrators won't use them. They flat out don't work. Second, IR distribution is flaky at best. Always has been, especially with flat panels and rooms with light. :)

YOu need to bite the bullet and remove the Harmony, replace it with an RTI remote with processor (or use URC remote/processor, but I owuld go RTI). It will cost you $1500-2000 US dollars to do it, but you wil have a happy customer and you wil net 25k pounds. Sucks to have to eat the cost of the RTI, but maybe you can sel the Harmny on fleabay for 50 bucks.

BTW, I don't know anything about the Smart-e matrix switch, but it isn't at fault here in any way most likely. It is your remote.

I need to ask loads of questions based on the responses but the first things that come to mind is how come it's none of this is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the video matrix and the harmony remotes.

Believe me, these are being advertised as the "best of bread". How come it's all my fault?

Trev

Dwelltec

Have you looked at adding the rf receiver module to the 1000? That would effectively do away with ir problems. While not as romantic as replacing the remote, it would more then likely solve the problem at a reasonable (under $100 us, as I recall) cost and get you paid.

I had the same initial thought Fred, but I thought he wanted somthing that was going to work right.

It is the quickest patch, use the RF of the Harmony to the Remote Extender and then send the IR output down your existing wire to the rack.

But, then you still have a Harmony...

You're the guy on site, it's your problem.

If you weren't in on the planning stages of the equipment, you probably aren't really responsible. As far as the equipment companies being responsible, it's a custom installer's responsibility to know what works with what and, in your case, what doesn't.

Boy, do i know it's my problem...

But, i won't accept that it's not a responsibility of the manufacturer. I took requirements, designed, sold, specified hardware, overviewed install, connected, configured and polished this solution.

Both smart-e & logitech products claim to be able to do what i am trying to do. problem is, it just doesnt! Im just just sticking them together. But they are effectively invisible to each other. The remote doesnt know im pointing it at a video matrix and vice versa.

Eventually smart-e agreed to an engineer visit. They said that if they fix it they would charge me for their time. I said GREAT, if you fix it i'll be more than glad to pay. But, on the other side of the coin i said, will you pay for my time if they don't fix it...... silence.

the engineer came, failed to fix it and i havent seen an invoice yet.

I have paid these manufacturers exactly what they asked for a product they described as being able to do what THEY say.

is it my fault i believed them?

i will have to investigate being able to retro fit some of the suggestions made above... but do they really do what they claim to do... who can i believe!!??

apologies for undercurrent of severe frustration.. this keeps me up all night

trev

Devil,

Thats exactly what i thought...

i have sent smart-e a set of the Abitana Sky Eyes to see if they help. they have had them a few days now and having spoken to them they still haven't even starting looking at them...

i need to know...

do they work at all? if not. give up.
do they work?
do they need rewiring?

so, im eagerly waiting...

trev

Trevor

Didnt we supply you a DVD changer and PC for this job that you crashed by reformatting it and we had to set it up again ?

Its clear your out of your depth here. What IR receivers are included with the matrix and where have you positioned them. Give us a call tomorrow and we will try to help wherever possible. Ask to speak to Adam.

I don't know the Smart E system but what you have are standard installer problems that we deal with every day.

You should stick to IT !

notto bash you. but you spec'd in product that does not work.

lcd's and plasma's produce so much stray ir i would never even try it with plasma/lcd friendy recievers.

you need to go rf for sure

Of course you tried this out at the office or your home first...

If I remember correctly, which i am sure i do. The MCE stopped outputting video soon after you sold it to us due to a WDRM update from M$ stopping HD output being viewed through the component outputs on the machine.

When you returned it the only way we could use the component outputs was at an unusable resolution. The MCE is now having to used standalone and not for it's original purpose.

Can you explain where exactly i might be out of my depth?

There seems to be too much snobbery and "one up manship" in this industry for my liking...

Does anyone know of a RF matrix IR solution that could cover a whole house?

If i could get the IR signals back to the source equipment in RF and then get it converted back to IR at that point i think that might work?

Thanks

Trev