Im new and inexpierenced when it comes to the Niles systems, Xantech, etc. Ive got a customer who I will most likely be replacing her SL-9000 with a MX-700. At the same time, I added a 100 disc DVD changer. she has an existing Whole Home Audio system in place, using keypads in various rooms of the house. All I can see so far is that it is using Xantech equipment in the A/V cabinet.

Does this mean the control system is xantech as well, or does Xantech just cover the connecting blocks, etc?

Ok, here is my dillemma. After adding the DVD changer, and removing her previous CD player, the room keypads obviously dont work anymore for the new DVD changer. Is there someplace I can find programming instructions for the WWA control system? I would like to do this myself, and not just farm it out to a local programmer. Not to mention I want to learn how to do it myself. Any suggestions?

On that note, where would one go for training, etc, in this field? I am a Satellite retailer/installer. I have a lot of experience with electronics, Audio/video, etc. i just want to get more involved in the high end systems. Whole home distribution, Home automation, pre-wiring, CCTV, etc. where would i start? ADI is one of my suppliers, and I think they offer classes every once in a while, but Im looking for other avenues as well.

You will need their Dragon Drop software and their RC-68Plus remote. As for training, www.cedia.net is a great place to start.

Is this remote and software going to be obtainable for someone who hasnt yet gone to training of any sort?

As far as THIS job is concerned, how much $ am I talking about if i CAN get these items? (Just trying to make a financial decision on weather to do it muyself, or farm it out.)

Can't you use a pronto and the xantech codes available here in place of the RC-68+?

I would need an equipment list just to give you an uneducated guess because I don't know your skill level. Which Xantech keypads, which Xantech controller, is there a controller or is it zone 2 out of a receiver, have you done any remotes or other keypads before? If you can not answer these questions you should probably have some local help to make it work. I know the money is attractive but if you can't make it work you will loose a ton of time and piss off your customer. Good Luck in any case.

If all you need to do is replace the CD commands with the new DVD codes, you should be able to do it from the keypads, without having to purchase the Dragon Drop software and interface.

However, as Shoe mentioned, you'll need the exact model numbers of everything in the system to determine exactly what's required.

Xantech's website has installation manuals for all of their products, and their tech support is also very helpful.

That depends on what model of keypads you are dealing with. As I have said many times before, info, info, info...

Some older Xantech keypads cannot use the software, some have to use it, and some in between can go either way.

By the way, I personally refused to use Xantech product that required us to pay money for the software until I heard someone at Xantech confess that their product description of the software was very misleading. The software is free, but unlike a Pronto or other keypads, you have to have a black box between the computer and the keypads, and the charge is for that hardware. At that point I downgraded it from an outrage to a dumb idea, and I have used it a few times. It works very well.

It also may be that the CD commands are actually macros, though, so you will have to analyze just what the keypads do before you proceed.

Since you took out the CD player, you won't be able to see now what button hits do to the CD. But if you hit the CD keys and absolutely nothing happens in the rest of the system (be sure to start with the amp on a different input in case there is input switching), then you can be assured that those buttons were simply single commands.

You do not need the DD4 interface to use the software on Xantech controllers. You do need the interface to learn commands (there are other ways of doing this as well) and to test commands from the programming page, but you can connect directly to a keypad or remote w/ a Xantech serial cable. Xantech products are rather easy to program, but it takes some experience to trouble shoot an Ir repating system when things don't work exactly right. If you do not have the original programming for a Xantech keypad, you will be able to pull a "clone file" out of the keypads, and upload that file into new keypads for an exact duplicate, but you will not be able to edit the programming.

It is likely, that the least expensive thing to do is to contact the original installer and get a copy of the system program. At the very least, make clone files of each keypad as a backup, should everything go very wrong you will be able to return to square one.

jcmitch

You can now use the URC2 remote with the DD4 software to learn directly from other remotes. Also there are Pronto style ccf importers in both DD4 and the MX700's software.

Ok, heres an update:

She is using a PM110 dual gang keypad

She is using (2) 789-44 connecting blocks wired parallel at hte equipment closet.



the PM110 has a port that says "to EM110)

The PM110 also has a mini 4 pin connector (3 ACTUAL pins used) on the front of the pad, labeled "Com connector"



Does this help clarify anything? Is this going to be a can of worms for me?

thanks

Do not touch the EM110 expansion port (it makes the PM110 a 3 gang device instead of 2 whan an additional docking station is added.) The 3 pin connector is the RS232 com port for the device. This is how you upload programming, and/or clone new keypads. There is an installation manual for the PM110 on Xantech's website. I still belive your best approach is to get a copy the original program.

jcmitch

[Link: xantech.com]

cOOL, THANKS FOR THE INFO.

So what type of control equipment do you prefer over Xtec?
I just wanted to know whats hot in 3 to 10k systems?

I used Niles keypads, as I did not have anything very complicated to do; I now use Sonance and the latest generation of Niles. They work similarly and very well.

What do you mean by you want to know what's hot in 3 to 10K systems? You mean dollars, I assume, not Hertz? It's hard to tell if you don't write it down.

Okay, so I am anal -- but also please do not write Xtech when you mean Xantech, because there might actually be a brand Xtech out there that you are referring to.

I have found that one of the easiest ways to get screwed up and make mistakes when you are planning this work, or communicating with others about the equipment or setups, is to not speak clearly and completely. We have a rule against using pronouns when we discuss system design, operation and wiring -- a sentence like "we took it from here and put it there, where it made it work better than it did then" will always have to be restated to be clear, so why not state it completely from the outset?

Ernie

You sound like my critical thinking professor after I turned in an essay back in my college days. She asked my how she supposed to know what here and there was. The here and there advise has stuck with me ever since.

Great writing and speaking advice.

Roddy