I've purchased a bit of the Elan HD series equipment and will be trying to set it up myself. So far I have the HDC1000, 1 HDC1010 quad source card, 3 HDC1020 dual zone cards, 1 HDC1030 dual music input card and 2 wallplates, telephone card, 6 HDP1000 keypads, and 4 HPD2000 keypads. I plan on purchasing another HDC1020 dual zone card, a HDC3990 firmware update, a HDC1060 or HDC2060 IR card, and a HDC1090 A/V card at a minimum.

The problem I have run into is that Elan is geared to the professional installer and basically ignores the DIY'er. I was wondering if there was some place I could find technical literature on the system? I've done a lot of searching on the net and have found only one website that seems helpful, and it mostly deals with the VIA panels.

A couple quick questions I also have are:

1. How does the HDC1090 A/V card work. It appears to have 4 A/V loop-throughs, but how is the video output? Do I also need the Z-880?

2. Can I program everything I need with VIA Tools?

3. What are the differences in the HDC1xxx and HDC2xxx series cards. It appears the the newer dual zone output card also includes IR and serial control I/O; the newer phone card adds additional chimes. Are there other differences? What does the newer IR card offer and why would you need it if you have the HDC2020 dual zone output card?

I appreciate any help that people are willing to offer. I wish I could find some documentation so that I wouldn't have to ask such basic questions.

Thanks,
CJ

Welcome to the arcane and sometimes confusing world of Elan HD setup & programming.

You may need to purchase an automation card and programming sofware to get the machine up & running. I only found out recently that the front panel setup that worked so well on earlier versions of their firmware is no longer supported. Huh....

You can get the current documentation on the dealer side of the Elan web site. They used to publish a CD-ROM, but moved to the web site thing more than a year ago.

Thanks for the information. I didn't realize that you could program the main unit from the front panel. I will hopefully be getting an automation card and use the VIA Tools for the programming.

I was aware of the dealer portion of the website. Unfortunately for me, you have to be a dealer to get their (it requires a password). Anyone have a spare copy of the CD-ROM?

Thanks,
CJ

That's actually 1020 source card, 1010 dual zone card.
The 1010 card is no longer made, it is replaced by the 2010 card and is not compatable with the older 1010 version card or older firmware. You can find these older cards, as a matter of fact, I have 2 in stock if you need them.


No. Via! Tools is for programming VIA! panels and the keypads. You will need the MCU-Pro software to program the HD chassis. You will also need the serial card to do this. By the way, to utilize VIA! Tools software, and download to the Panels and keypads, you need the programmer.



Taken from Elan's manual:

ELAN Page & Door Chime audio on
the fixed line-level outputs--perfect
for sub-zone use!

Improved Audio quality--lower noise
and crosstalk specs.

Two sense inputs that will automati-
callyturn on or off the zone and
activate/de-activate on-board relays.

Two configurable relays--activated/de-activated
depending on the sense input status or when the
zone isturned on/off.

The Z100/150 keypads can be set to operate the HD with dipswitches and the MCU is programmed through Zone 1 and you can use an IR reciever to accomplish that. If you stick with the 1000 series cards you do not have to upgrade the software to 39xx and common brand components are included in the more recent software(Sony, Marantz Pioneer) and do not require you to teach IR but,,,, you are definately starting a new niche hobby. Have fun

Sorry about the model numbers, they all start blending together! I have plenty of the 1010 cards (I currently have 3 and will be purchasing 4 more in a couple days), but was wondering what the advantages of the 2010 are.


This is from http://www.haguirre.com, the tech web page run by one of Elan's engineers: "The scope of the VIA Tools has expanded to include other products from ELAN. The software currently supports products like the Z-630, HD, Z-880, Z-Pad, SC-4 and SR-1. VIA Tools is also incorporating products from other manufactures in an attempt to easy the configuration burden on installers."

Is the programmer that you need the same as the automation card or is it another dealer only item?

Thanks for the information!
CJ

I'm glad to know that about the Z-series keypads, I am thinking of getting one Z-250. Do you know where I can find documentation on programming it with teh IR receiver? I can use the optional IR receiver built into the HD series keypads, correct?


I do enjoy doing this. But, as with most of my projects, it started as simple and fairly low budget, but it keeps growing as I find out all the cool things I can do if "I just buy one more thing!"

CJ

"This is from http://www.haguirre.com, the tech web page run by one of Elan's engineers: "The scope of the VIA Tools has expanded to include other products from ELAN. The software currently supports products like the Z-630, HD, Z-880, Z-Pad, SC-4 and SR-1. VIA Tools is also incorporating products from other manufactures in an attempt to easy the configuration burden on installers.""

The keyword there is support. It just means that you can program the Panels or keypads to CONTROL those items. You still need MCU-Pro to setup the MCU chassis by computer.

"Is the programmer that you need the same as the automation card or is it another dealer only item?"

It is another dealer-only item. It's the VIA!Tools programmer.

JJP

Thanks John for all the information. I only have a couple of more questions :) How easy is it to install a firmware upgrade? I will possibly upgrade from version 3400 to 3990. Is it as simple as switching out EPROMs, or is there more to it? Also, to distribute video, do I only need the HDC1090 A/V card, or is there more to it?

Not to kiss up too much, but I really appreciate you taking your time to answer my questions. I wish that there were some published documentation for non-dealers so that I wouldn't be bothering you.

CJ

This message was edited by cjoneill on 12/11/02 17:47.40.

CJ, While I can appreciate your frustration in finding info and programming tools, understand that if companies made all this available to anyone that wants it, in a new york minute the item would be selling everywhere at or near wholesale and dealers would be bailing out to find a line they could make a living on....

Deco

cjoneill,
You may want to consult the nearest ELAN dealer to find out more about The programming charges and the additional items you need. Some may provide you the information you need for free and others may charge you a consultation fee. If you bought this stuff thinking it was a deal, you may want to bail now.
Have a budget in mind on what you want to spend to get this stuff running and make sure you compare it to some alternative systems, especially ones that are more DIY friendly.

The HDC1090 is a 4x4 audio and video matrix card. You can expand to another 4 zones by adding antoher 1090 card. You will only have 4 sources to choose from with these cards. If you need more sources, you will have to use the Z880.

If you need more documentation, I can send some to you for just the mail cost. I also have a extra Elan product catalog in print and on CD. Good luck with your project.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm frustrated. I understand fully and appreciate what they are doing. You guys need to make a living too. That is one reason why I have not bugged tech support. I am just doing this because I enjoy figuring out and setting up new things. If I got a professional installer to install my system (besides being waaay outside my price range), he would be out every day to tweek my system because I doubt I would ever be fully satisfied. I have had a Pronto since about a month after they came out and I'm still not satisfied with my configuration!

CJ

I am trying to touch bases with an authorized installer that my brother used to work for. I plan on paying for any substantial information/help they give. I have looked at other systems and actually started with Niles Audio and AudioAccess. I finally decided on Elan because of all the options available. I will, however, be using the AudioAccess PX-612 amp- I figure the sister company of Mark Levinson should know how to make a decent amp.


Thanks for the information for the A/V card. I really appreciate the offer on the documentation. Please contact me offline about it (your e-mail isn't in your profile).

Thanks,
CJ

This message was edited by cjoneill on 12/12/02 02:04.43.