I just got off the phone with Sim2. It seems they decided not to have discreet IR power commands for the new C3X. They only have discreets for 232. Wish I would have known this before, now I have to rethink my remote programming.

This is still one of the best projectors I have seen. I did an install using a 106" Screen Research screen. When I did the color balance I was getting over 20 fL coming off the screen on the lowest lamp voltage. Absolutely awesome!

I feel your pain. It is tempting to tell the buggers to piss off for that CI faux pas... but

You could use a Xantech IRS232a - They work great, aren't too hard to set up an use (as long as you know the C3X RS232 control table) and you can set it up once and re use it for future installs too. You probably should budget (or charge your customer) an additional $500-600 (+ programming) for this though.

I jsut used my first Xantech IRS232a and it works wonders. I am going to get a few for my self in my own theatre.

Do they still have the power 'twice' to power it off or is a complete toggle?

Why not just switch to a remote system that puts out RS232? If the customer can afford the sim2, then surely he/she can afford a basic RTI system. I use serial control on most all theater projector installs I do, even when discrete IR is available, serial just plain works better.

This guy has been a great client, but didn't want to buy a remote. Since he bought a $20k projector and a $17k four-way masking screen we gave him a MX3000. We didn't learn about the power issue until after everything was said and done.

pilgram, unfortunately the power is just a toggle. Once for on, once for off.

I guess my next step is to just do the seperate on/off buttons. Not perfect, but will have to do for now.

Page 53 of the MX3000 Manual
Using Variables for Toggle Only Acuated Devices (TOADS)

There is a variable value you can place into the MX3000 so that when you turn the system on it gives value to a variable of 0 or 1

Example Macro for on....Piece A on, Piece B on etc etc

set value of variable to 1 for projector.....
When value =1 then projector is on or whatever you decide
then when you give another command it will check the variable value and not issue a power command for the projector unless the value is 0 only when you issue an off macro or such that you place a value of 0 in the variable will the projector react

Its nice for TOAD pieces....

check out page in the manual for help or just ask.

CI

This message was edited by chicagoinstaller on 11/01/05 18:00 ET.

I would not want to trust that variable. Sooner or later that will be a service call. I would bit the bullet and go to RS232, and then never sell that PJ again until they change the IR control table. I refuse to sell components that refuse to include discete IR. Too many others that pay attention to that. I though Sim2 was one of them. Evidently not!

Diesel, I have always enjoyed your posts, so dont take this wrong.

I can't for the life of me figure out why/how you got $37k worth of video in the theater with no control capabilities? If the rest of the theater is as nice as the video, then this would appear to me to be a perfect candidate for a big time control system. One you could even make some good money on.

If they are a great client and you REALLY want to give them a remote - then give them a T3 with RP6 and use serial to the PJ. Not much more than the MX3000.

Thats weird 'cause all the Sim 2 proj's we've worked with turned on with an input command .... For example hitting button # 4 would turn it on and to component input 15k etc. So ON macro was dead simple, Off was it's own command

It was a killer feature. Did they really get rid of this ? WTF? (TGWDSSAM.)

Guys

I've just installed a C3X that is controlled by a Marantz RC5400 and found the same problem of no discrete codes. I've been selling sim for years now and no other product has this problem. I'm sure if the people who designed these products actually went out to install them they wouldn't mess up like this.

I know that you could argue the point that if they can afford the C3X then they can afford an RS232 control system such as Crestron/AMX but I live in the north of England and most people just ain't up for spending lets say £5000 on a one room controller.

Great product but come on Sim2 get some discrete codes!!!

ejfiii, thanks, that's quite a complement. As far as $37k in a theater with no control system, trust me I know how you feel. This client is a professor at a college who runs the video department. VERY much into video, has a few nice audio pieces (Meridian 561), and then crappy speakers. The room still has the orange shag carpet and wood paneling; are you starting to get the profile? :)

He's a good client but very quirky. He's been plenty happy with using 12 remotes (no joke, 3 DVD, 3 VCR, 3 Sat, projector, processor, and screen). We just want him to be able to use the system easily.

I know, I was blown away when the tech said this was not a feature on the C3X. There's no way I won't sell this projector though. 3-Chip DLP for under $20k, and it looks so awesome. Hopefully everybody else that gets one will be getting Crestron (or some sort of 232 device).

Sim2 is software updateable. If all the dealers yell loud enough, maybe they will be kind enough to make this change for us.

I just found that if the unit is off and you remove power, It turns on when power is restored...

Ok lets say the client is out of town and the power goes out is the projo going to sit there powered up for a week??

I am running it now to see if it times out after a period of time with no signal and shuts off

I am hoping it does, This new projo is begining to not be such a hot unit...no discretes, powers up after a power loss, whats next??

This message was edited by Glackowitz on 11/02/05 19:19 ET.

Diesel, dont discount the RTI with RS232 control.

I was in a new clients house today. Same Meridian 561 (but he has A33 Meridian speakers) and a Faroudja video processor feeding a big Sony CRT projector.

The processor only has one component input - so the HD cable box is feeding 480i over s video. Somehow the scaling is messed up in the PJ or the scaler - cant get it out of the 4 way letterbox mode with bars on all 4 sides.

Oh, did I mention the HK/Microsoft touchscreen pronto remote? Any rate, good part is it was here when the guy moved in three years ago. So we will do some nice upgrades and get the room rocking.