Hi there everyone...

We installed a Audio Video system at a local bar this spring. The owner has mentioned trying to simplify the remote controls for the TV's and sources.
Here is the set up...
4 TV's
1 CRT PRojector
2 VCR's (feeds Projector & LCD screen in bathroom)
3 SAT Receiviers (Football package only)
DVD/CD player
Tuner

Typically they use the Remotes to
TVs:turn on, adjust volume, and change channels.
Projector: Turn on/Off
Sat:Channel channels
DVD/VCR: easy access to front panels & limited use of advanced features - little use of remotes

The TV's are feed by analog cable, the VCR, DVD & SATs are modulated and then combined with the cable signal.

The TV's are up high and on shelf just above the bar, it makes it difficult for the bar staff to change channels some times.
So we orginally we planned to run a IR control system split into 4 zones (to control the TV's & Sat Receivers), with targets mounted under the shelves.

This would work for the most part... as noted, they really don't use the remotes to the fullest, but since we recently added the Projector, we thought about a Smart Remote were we can add a couple macros to simplify turning on the TV's, changing channels, etc.

My thought is a simple unit (maybe a Intrigue Technologies Harmony SST-768/SST-748 or Home Theater Master MX-1000) along with the 4 zone IR system.

My questions are...
Am I tackling this the right way?
Is there a different remote that I should look at? (i've already checked out the Clicker Picker).

Thanks much!

Kevin

I would never go with the MX-1000 too many negative comments. If you want LCD, then the Pronto is better, Also there have been many cases reported where liquid had spilled on it and it has always come back to life once it was dry. (plus the 3000 and 6000 that are the current Prontos do RF, so aiming might be helped that way)

As for Hard buttons, I love the Harmony remotes, but I think in this case the HTM MX-800 might make a better choice. It is RF and the RF base has individually programmable IR ports (just in case your TVs or VCRs are the same brand and respond to the same code)

Thanks for the response... I did read the negative comments and was concerned.
I think the LCD controllers may have a problem with the low light condition in the bar, the bar staff may have to strain to read the controller... I may be wrong.

I did look at the MX-700 and like the layout and the features. Regarding the MX-800.. would that help with the 4 TV's?
Since we originally planned the 4 zone IR system, the wire is ran, and the equipment is sitting on my shelf waiting for the client to agree to this phase of the install.

This is way out of my area of expertise.

f the zone system does IR routing, then there should not be a problem. If not, then the signal for channel XX goes to all 4 TVs so you can't show different stuff on different TVs. You will have the same type of problem with the 3 receivers.

The 800 has addressable IR out ports on the RF base. That way you can define TV1 on port 1 and TV 2 on port 2 and send channel XX to port 1 and channel YY to port 2 and show different shows on the different TVs.

Also I am not sure, but I think you can use one of the IR output from the 800 and connect it to the IR system you installed instead of an IR receiver.

I mentioned the Pronto TSU-3000 only because you mentioned the MX-1000. Both are touch screen remotes, only one is much better. I don't think it would be hard to read, and I think it can be setup more elegantly and easier to use then the MX-800, my only concern would be that a glass screen can be broken.

BTW you can read the review of the 800 here [Link: remotecentral.com]

It sounds like the Zones on my IR system will give me similar results as the Addressable ports on the MX-800.

I'll talk a closer look at the Pronto and see if that will do the job.

Thanks for your input!!
Kev

My choice in remotes would be the MX-800 possibly with a second MRF-200, but I would also look into an inwall keypad with an IR router (no remote to break, loose, or disappear).

you could put MRF-200's on all the tv's and ontrol it all with an MX800.

Low light isn't a problem, since the remote is backlit

okay... now that I've thought about it... let me make sure I understand what everyone is saying...

If I go with the MX-800, I can control 4 TVs (same brand), and my other equipment. I would need to install the MRF-200 and run emitters to the TV from the addressable outputs. Then in the remote, I would set up something like... TV1, TV2, TV3, TV4, Proj, DVD as my devices and then program the button. Doing this, I would not need to run a seperate zoned IR system.

Jwalkup... can you explain your thought on the keypad & IR router? I would guess this is a different solution rather then the remote.

If you use a Xantech RT-8, you can control the 4 TV's independantly with any IR based Keypad...... A Sonance K2 or B&K CT1.2 would be prefered as you cna custome lable the buttons then..... This would be a bit more expensive than doing the MX-800, but Reliability would probobly be better (DOnt need to worry about RF range) and defiantly wouldnt have to worry about Theft/Losing the remote.

Depending on budget, you may want to consider the new Cretron waterproof remote. It is more expensive on the front end but in a bar situation ease of use and long term durability are the primary concerns. A Pronto or Theater master style remote would probably come up missing due to them being easily adapted to the "end users" system. LCD style remotes would probably be easily broken in a bar environment. The Crestron is RF and the IR outputs are addressable to eliminate IR routing problems. No matter how much effort you put into a bar system, bar managers and owners will only remember the times that a system is down so get it right on the front end and there will be fewer headaches and your reputation will remain untarnished

I have heard alot of good things about the NAV K2, LCD Keypad from sonance,$550. It has a nice LCD touch screen and can run as a stand alone. If you can get it. I havent used one but a buddy uses them all the time. You might try the Niles "Intellapad". It can do alot for a little but you have alot of sources there. VITY has Inwall prontos now! Cant lose that!

I just quoted a system for a bar/restaurant with 14 televisions (all same make and model) and one front projector. I am using Elan's VIA panel (stand alone)and Xantech's IR routers with an IR emitter at each location. I have programmed the VIA to select one, group, or all televisions thru the routers. One slick feature is the ability to preview and control the video for the projector on the VIA prior to turning on the Projector. I laid out the VIA programming to be fairly straight forward and intuitive. Owner happy

Nice! I need to look at that piece, but that is a hard line to get here.

Thanks for all your information thus far... It has really helped work out some logistics in my head.

So.. I understand the purpose of IR routers (to send a signal to an addressable location or mutliple Locations). You need a control panel or IR reciever to operate it. This is where I'm a little lost. The control panel (i was looking at the Sonance K2) is programed via a computer. The connections are made from the back of the panel to the router. And from the router the emitters are sent out to the devices. Where does the routing codes get entered?

While reading the instructions on router (Xantech RC8), it sounds like you can use their programer device (RC68+) to enter the codes that controls where the signal gets routed. The question that I have is then would I need to use a control panel, or can I still look remotes like the MX-700? Of course I know I need to add a IR receiver to connect to the router.

I know in regards to cost effective & neatness... this is probably not the best solution, but I'm trying to grasp how I can use the router in other environments also.

Thanks!

If you go with the keypad/router solution, the B&K CT1.2 will be a very good choice (it is set up to control 20 devices, looks like you have 13)

To use the RT8 you NEED the RC68 (or you will have to find the codes to control it).
These code would be in your source selection macro.

You could use the RT8 with a MX-700, but if you use a MX-800 you do not need a router, it is built in to the 800’s RF base unit.