Working on a new project and have client who wants patio speakers. At my home, I control everything from my Pronto straight through the window to the components. However, this house won't work that way. I'm looking at both hardwired and wireless speakers but need to know about controlling components with the URC MX-700 I'm about to order for him.

What are my options as far as IR receivers? I take it that's the way to go. Are they hardwired or wireless? Any problems I should watch out for? Any suggestions on speakers?

Thanks in advance!

What amp are you using to drive the speakers? Does it have control wiring ports available or are you just using the sub-room output on a receiver? You could just use an IR system from Xantech or Russound or one of the other many companies. Hardwire a IR Eye out on the deck, feed that to a Xantech box, and output IR through emitters to each device. I have a russound pre-amp that has pushbutton panels with IR for each room. The IR output from the preamp feeds IR to each device through emitters.

Mark

Why not use a MX-800 instead of the MX-700. The UHF range is pretty strong.

the MX 800 also eliminates errors in IR signals caused by sunlight interferance

MX 800 is defiantly the way to go. With the RF module i have had great success with. Better get the mx800 quick i heard today there are discontinuing the product or something like that. At least @ my distrubutor, Anyone know anything else on that?

Dont try IR on the deck, sunlight will cause all manner of problems. The MX-800 I
programmed today worked as far away as 130 ft. with equipment rack on the far side
of the house. Im hearing the 700 and 800 will be replaced by the MX850.

That's true. If you are not on a covered area like mine is, sunlight will be a problem with IR.

Mark

Thanks for the input. I again have to show my ignorance by asking the following questions:
Am I correct in assuming that if you went with a MX800 you would have an RF interface somewhere in the component cabinet that would convert to IR and send through emitters?

Any recommendations on where to obtain all of this IR/RF gear?

Thanks!
Scott

it comes with the mx800

Jace03: What is the reliability of the MX-800 with the new firmware 3.0? I quit along time ago using the MX-800 and changing to the MX-700 with the Xantech repeater because of poor reliability due to noise generated mostly by satellite receivers inside the racks. I'm actually doing a job right now where I need to put speakers by the pool and I was planning on using Xantec's 780-80 CFL friendly J-box IR receiver which is suppossed to operate in direct sunlight

I gotta go with flcusat on this one, but if you can get them to pony up, Xantech has a new plasma friendly IR that would work even better than the CFL friendly model and is only $300, well worth not dealing with a service call because their system goes haywire at dawn and dusk. Just use an 18/3 or 18/4 control cable and you are set.

Hey Jester,

every installer will have their own opinion on what control products work best, but I think most of us hear would agree Xantech makes really good reliable products, as as far as where to get it, if you have a tax ID you can go direct with them or order it through a number of distributors, ADI is one of the bigger ones. If you do not have a tax ID then their products can still be found for retail on the web and of course our favorite....EBAY