anybody out there had problems with the RF features of the MX-800/MRF-200??

Got a bunch of client installed equipment in a cabinet, and a Hitachi plasma sitting on top of the cabinet.

With the MRF-200 in the wood cabinet, range sucks but it works up close if the doors are open... and this cabinet has slotted doors. If they're closed, good luck.

With the MRF-200 outside of the cabinet it works OK until, of course, the plasma gets turned on -- then it won't work at all with all the added RF noise. (RF indicator LED stays lit pretty much solid)

Even at best though, it wasn't controlling all of the equipment nearly as well as just using the IR output of the remote to control the stuff.

All IR flashers are in the correct spots, and all components would get controlled by them... just very hit and miss.

thanks,
Matt Webb

Did you try a new RX200? I have not had any range problems at all.

Make sure your base is far away from wall wart power supplies as well. They tend to emmit a lot of interference as well.

Yo, Matt.. how does it work with the MRF-200 outside the cabinet?

I get one to two calls a day from professional installers stumped as you have been with a combination of problems that gives the symptom of intermittent/buggy operation no matter what you do.

The three steps for troubleshooting are:

1) Does the MX-800 work the system with the MRF-200 Base Station UNPLUGGED with all the devices set to IR line of sight operation (from the Program Menu, Step 9 RF Control)?

If learned codes are not working line of sight, try learning disconnected from the PC (see Stand Alone Learning in the manual) or the pre-programmed code sets in the database (many users ignore the generic code sets, try them).

Once ALL of your commands and macros work perfectly line of sight it is time to move to step 2. Don't skip step 1, you will lose all of your hair in clumps, I guarantee it.

2) Plug in the power supply to the MRF-200 base station. DO NOT plug it into a surge suppressor strip with other A/V components. DO NOT plug in any FLASHERS.

From the Program Menu, select step #9 RF Control and set each device to RF Only operation, then select a specific flasher output for the most troublesome 6 devices. If you are planning to use the front blaster for some of your components, we will troubleshoot those later, leave those devices set to all. Save the file and download to the MX-800.

Turn on all of your A/V components. Observe the MRF-200 base station, not the A/V components. Press a button with a command not a macro. Hold it down. The right hand status LED of the base station should stay lit while you press it. Release the button, the LED should immeadiatly go out. If it stays lit or flickers, move the base station farther away from the components. Typically, 3 feet away is fine. The flasher cables are ten feet long for this reason. In some extreme cases, if the base station has to be moved farther away, you can extend the cables with any 24 gauge or better two conductor wire later. Concentrate on getting the status LED to light with a press and go out with a release even if you have to move the base station outside the cabinet/closet with the gear.

Once this is working correctly, go on to step 3.

3) Hook up one emitter to the base station (extend the wire if necessary). Make sure you plug it into the correct jack for the component you are going to test. First test that with the emitter wire stretched out and connected, there is still clean RF. If the emitter is acting as an antenna to increase RF interference, go back to step 2 and repeat the positioning until RF is clean.

Now, test commands for that particular component while moving the flasher to different test positions.Start with the flasher about 3' away from the front panel.

When a position gives 10 out of 10 commands good operation, note the spot and repeat the process with the same emitter (plugged into the correct jack) untill you have noted the correct front panel spot for flashers on each component.

Route all of the flasher cables to the base station, labeling the plugs for the correct jack#. Reconnect and test.

The key elements are:

A) You must have reliable RF, before you test Flasher Positioning.

B) Engaging the IR routing of a device to a specific flasher eliminates the possibility of IR saturation from too many flashers doing the same thing. When operation is buggy, engage IR routing.

C) Even when only one flasher is outputting IR, the flasher can over power or saturate a component's front panel sensor. Sometimes, the flasher has to be mounted an inch or more away from the front panel IR sensor.

You are welcome to call for more info, or step by step help.

Best Regards,

-Eric

M. Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Voice 1-800-247-7001

Why is there an issue plugging into a surge surpressor if it's only a DC power supply?

"2) Plug in the power supply to the MRF-200 base station. DO NOT plug it into a surge suppressor strip with other A/V components."

Thanks,

Rob

Some installers have solved an RF interference issue by bypassing an expensive surge supressor. I can only speculate on the reason, since we have never had this issue in the labs at Universal.

My advice is to use surge suppressors for everything, but if you have an RF interference problem it is a variable you should try to cross off early, since it is so easy to test.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Phone 1-800-247-7001

Rob,

some of the suppressors out there put more crap on the line than they take out. At least one of them goes so far as to disconnect the green wire inside the box in an effort to "quiet" your system. UL anyone? I'm a fan of $4.00 Leviton metal outlet strip myself. I've seen way to many plastic boxes with burn marks on them to want them in my customers houses.

P.S. Thanks for the right up Eric. I printed that one.