Hey guys, Im sitting here doing some programming and I just wanted to pick you guys head for a second. Heres the situation: 2 Chassis Elan S12, Extron MAV1616, Crestron CP2, Crestron CNXRMC, Crestron CNXRMIRD ONLY MX850's for control - no CNRFGWA, Kaleidescape with 4 Kplayers, 4 Directv HR10-250's, Family room DVD, and VCR, 4 cameras. The MX850's are really the only reason that were using the Crestron processor in the first place.. We have to use the extron switcher because everythings hd, and it is only 232, or IPlink. The client SPECFICALLY didnt want anything other than MX850's so we bought the CP2 to act as an IR to RS232 buffer. I want to just program each press to preform the complete source switching macro (s12, extron, tv's, whole system) instead of only using it to switch the extron, but my direct superior who used to work for a big company in aspen says that its gonna be a problem because we only have one point of input into the crestron processor (the ir sensor). My point of view is wouldnt we have the same problems with the extron peice if we only used it as the ir to 232 buffer? I was just wondering what you guys thought about the reliability issue... I know that we could have solved all the problems with using the mx850s with an rfgwa or rti remotes, but hey im just a programmer what do I know, nobody listens to me....
Thanks, Mike

The first problem that comes to mind is you don't have a ton of RC5 codes possible to dedicate a group to each remote/room for all the appliances. Small possibility you might run out.

What you could do is use a dumb IR repeater or RF to offload the basic functions of the DVD, VCR, Kscape, DirecTV receivers (plus it allows you to use the real remote of each which rocks on Tivo) away from the Crestron.

The Crestron system will be concentrating on resource routing.

Your customer can change DTV receivers etc. and not have to reprogram as much.

I always liked the 2-month battery life of the 850 compared to the T2. Plus, I never had problems getting software for the 850.

If you need to convert the 1080i output of the HR10-250's to NTSC composite, check out the TVOne AVT-3190.

man, super high end system, limited by ir control.... this really REALLY doesnt seem right. at least use the ml600, use a one way gateway, and give the client some reliable control!! cant talk the client into anything else?

Why won't they use the CNXRFGWA? This would make everything so much more reliable.

I have to agree that this is the dumbest system designs I've encountered in years. It took me 4 readings to figure out that a CNX-RMC which is intendend to be a return on a PVID system is being used here as nothing more than a point of entry for the CNXRMIRD. What a waste of money. For more than the cost of a RF gateway an IR interface is being used when one could more easily use the MX-850 as both IR remote into the local display while being an RF remote into the Crestron. Add the RF antenna form URC and you have solved all of your problems for about the same money.

TV One scaler? Having just finished installing 4 of the 3000 series in the Great White North I'll wager Bush has a greater chance of being reelected for a third term than these guys successfully translating that serial protocol. I understand it is not very difficlut and I'd offer them the code for input switching but please.............

Alan