I was pricing out a Crestron system and was stunned by the price of a cresnet IR reciever ($700). Has anyone tried using something like a Slink-e to connect brand-x IR recievers to a crestron controller via a serial port? Thanks.

What exactly are you trying to do?

Dave

Yes, what are you trying to do?

Please search these forums for the words SOAP BOX to see my rants on people not giving us enough information to help them out the first time that they ask.

That sounds like simply a heck of a deal on the Crestron IR learner, the CNXLIR. That is fo learning codes in conjunction with a program to set up a Crestron Database file with all the commands for a particular product. It allows editing, and even deals beautifully with buttons that alternate between two commands when pushed repeatedly. THOSE will drive a Pronto programmer NUTS!

I have done a few of the smaller Crestron systems, and I cannot imagine a use for a Crestron IR receiver.

For an IR receiver, buy Xantech, I say. Again, what are you trying to do?

Ahhh, thank gosh that Crestron Deal can convert Crestron codes to Pronto Hex!

And I have a CNXLIR!


Actually, the new Crestron wireless handheld device is a prontopro with crestron guts. Cool!

With the Crestron IR receiver you can send up to 255(?) codes. The processor would then process the code like a button press. So you could have a cheaper TP (regular pronto) with the processing of a Crestron program.

Dave

I should know this, but I don't:

What is the model of the Crestron IR Receiver we are talking about? I take it that it is not the CNXLIR?

I think he's referring to the CNIRGW IR receiver, which allows the Crestron controller to respond to IR signals. The CNXLIR is used to learn IR codes for controlling equipment.

The CNIRGW *is* expensive, but it's very reliable and provides quick response. Another advantage is that it connects to the Cresnet bus, and doesn't require a serial port (or the additional associated programming).

As an alternative, I've used the Adicon Ocelot, and I've heard of others using Xantech's IRS232 or a unit made by Celadon, with good results. Here are some previous posts regarding IR to serial converters:

[Link: remotecentral.com]
[Link: remotecentral.com]
[Link: remotecentral.com]
[Link: remotecentral.com]

The Slink-e should also work, but I've never heard of anyone using it with Crestron in that way.

Sorry folks. I was out of town for a couple of days. Thanks for all the replies.

I am trying to set up a system that would have IR sensors in various rooms all fed into a Crestron system. I thought I would have to buy a CNIRGW for every room that would receive IR, but from the replies I believe I am wrong about that. If Xantech receivers work directly with a Crestron CP2, that's great. My problem is solved! Reading the documentation on the CP2 I didn't see how to directly connect hardwired IR to the CP2 unless you use their IR receiver connected via cresnet.

Thanks again and sorry for the terse initial post.

You can either (in order of cost, setup simplicity, and speed of response -- highest first):

1. Use a CNIRGW (or other Crestron receiver) in each room.

2. Use a single CNIRGW in a central location, and "feed" that with a repeater system (Xantech, Niles, etc.), consisting of repeaters in each room, a "connecting block", and an emitter attached to the CNIRGW.

3. Substitute another manufacturer's IR-to-Serial converter (Xantech, Celadon, Adicon, etc.) for the CNIRGW, in option #2.

Sorry, they don't.

I've just recently finished an IR to Crestron system, for client that absolutely had to have a handheld remote to run his Crestron system. Took quite a bit of doing on my part.

First off, the CNXIRGWA's codes are very hard to learn, and outside of the Pronto/RC5200's impossible to learn. Crestron will tell you this if you ask, but it's not documented anywhere that I found.

There is a way to do it using their newer equipment with an IR tube built in the unit, and then sending RC-5 codes that can be connected to join numbers. We used a single zone Xantech system around the home, and then send RC-5 codes/join numbers specific to the room the client wanted to control. Tough, but we're done now.

I've used the Slink-e to parse OEM remote controls, but it is alot of work for each remote. Applications would include using an OEM remote to control a Crestron system. There are so many remotes that just have a better user interface than a CNRFHT-30A, no matter how much effort you put into making a nice engraving. Just remember, however, receiving IR and parsing it is alot more difficult than sending IR. There are many different serial strings that can come from a single button press... reason being is that IR is NOT a serial string, but a hex (in viewport) representation of a binary representation of pulse widths of clock-like signals. There are pretty good references to IR signals elsewhere on this website. A product that takes all of the work out of the process for you is the Inline CTL-101. This product will allow you to build an RS-232 interface for almost any Sony or NEC type remote controls. Other manufacturers may or may not work. (Sci Atl cable boxes do not work, fyi). The CTL-101 is pretty weak on rapid commands and repeating functions such as volume and scan commands. It would be excellent for triggering macros...

i.e. IF [any press of DVD remote], THEN [set source for zone to DVD].

IF [any press of CABLE remote], THEN [set source for zone to CATV] etc..

more advanced functionality could be achieved from Pronto interfaces such as...

IF [PRONTO aspect button] AND [source=NTSC DSS] THEN [PROJECTOR aspect toggle command]

ELSE IF [PRONTO aspect button] AND [source=HD DSS] THEN [DSS aspect toggle command] etc...

Nirvis openly publishes the source code for all Slink-e applications, so you could in theory use their algorithms for IR parsing and apply them to your Crestron program.

This message was edited by tsvisser on 11/30/02 22:43.25.

Thanks so much for the info.

This project is part of a remodel of our house that we are planning to start in 2003. I am planning to move all A/V, network, and phone equipment to a central location and was planning to use Crestron CP2 to control the setup. I am planning to install some number of CT-1000 and/or LC-1000 touch panels at various locations in the house. In addition to these I want to be able to control the setup via multiple Pronto remotes throughout the home. In addition to the A/V setup, I am planning to upgrade the lighting using Lutron Radio RA (most of the lighting will be retrofit) and I am planning to add the Lutron RS-232 interface connected to the CP2. I would also like to control the thermostat and possibly the pool/spa equipment.

I was having trouble deciding whether or not to go with a "total Crestron" setup to control/monitor all of this (if so, I will probably need to upgrade to a PRO2 controller for the expandability) or if I could combine a Crestron CP2 with a JDS Stargate. I would prefer an all Crestron setup, but since I thought I would have to put a $700 CNIRGW IR receiver in each room, I was looking at alternatives.

With the info you all have given me I will plan to use the PRO2 controller and use one of the suggestions for getting IR from the Prontos into the PRO2.

Thanks again.