I recently started selling RTI products, but have limited experience so far. Only done my t2c and one other so far.

So, I just sold and ordered a T4, rp6, and other accessories. I have plenty of time to get it right. I will be using it to control a Marantz SR6001, DV6001, JVC DLARS1u, a scientific atlanta cable box, and 2 lutron spacer system dimmers.

Anything I should watch out for?

I plan to control DLARS1u, sr6001, and dv6001 with CM232 cables.

I plan to use 2 of the other outputs on the rp6 to route control to the 2 different Spacer system dimmers.

I plan on using the video sense module to help control power for our cable boxes here. Cable company uses Scientific Atlanta boxes with no discrete power, unless I am missing a fix for this.

This thread will probably grow as I get it in tomorrow and begin work on the programming, but I wanted to get any suggestions from the experts if possible.

Did I mention how excited I am about adding this control system to my company? Sure does beat Harmony's and Pronto's.

IN IR. The Marantz receiver codes are solid. I sent in the JVC codes myself and I can tell you that they work.

Didn't have cables run to do serial but HAVE ZERO ISSUES with the IR from marantz. Because they provide every discrete and the behavior is predictable, I have not really had the need. However Marantz is listed as having a ridiculously easy 232 protocol.

SA boxes often have a setting to turn on when ever sent a digit. So make your CABLE MACRO include a # digit and a Exit and its a discrete on.

The SA cable box is probably not going to pass HDMI through the receiver. I have yet to have it work with any receiver. Pick up a HDMI switch from Key Digital or Audio Authority (Testing the AA this week)

Just get too it!

Thanks for the discrete on hack. Hadn't seen that yet.

Probably will try to do rs232 since I have the time, but will fall back to IR should I have issues. I am new to rs232, but haven't had any trouble controlling a xantech mrc88 whole house system.

I probably will just hook up cable box with component and let the amp upconvert to HDMI to send to projector. HDMI on these cable boxes is screwy and I can't tell any differences in picture.

Ordered it today, should be here tomorrow or Wednesday. I have a month until system goes in, they still have to do some remodeling in the room.

Does anyone have any examples they would be willing to share? I have started building a template using Curacao pages but would like some more examples to compare styles.

Thanks.

Unless you have a Anthem Processor... Do not let the receiver do the conversion to HDMI. This is not a quality scaler in the receivers. just run it at component and let the quality scaler in the JVC handle it. Yeah i have tested it.. its not just the specs on the sheet, but they are dead on.

The whole point of HDMI was to get a straight digital feed to the display... intentionally degrading it in stream... DON'T DO IT!

Yes, I was thinking that after I wrote. I will either run component to the projector or run an HDMI. I shouldn't have any issues switching inputs on the projector since I am using rs232.

I am definitely not sold on HDMI, yet. Too many issues with different components working together well although I do usually use it in single room installs. Thats a whole different topic, and I don't want to derail this thread. I probably will need it once I get this remote started. Thanks for the your opinion. I wouldn't have done it the way I said once I starting thinking about quality of the different scalers.

Thanks again.

As I stated above... the input selection is no problem via IR. There is a code for each input HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Component, Video, CAKE!

Have you played with any of the gear yet? The marantz receiver line is real easy to deal with because you can tell it what to do and it doesn't balk like some receivers. Send it the same command and it does it without muting like Denon does. No odd ball default surround modes when you switch from PCM to DD or dts like Harmon. Direct Access to any surround mode.... EASY to deal with.

DVD players well I have only used the low one but its discrete everything too.

The cable boxes in my area just won't pass through receivers be it Moto or SA. But DirecTV HR20s and H20s have no problem... LOVE THAT HDCP!!!

Yes, I have used all but the projector. Just not with RTI yet.

I hate the cable boxes, too. Like you said, absolutely no problems when doing Directv. Ours seem to be getting better. The last firmware they did here seemed to help. I try switching on most jobs just to test which ones are working. I never leave it hooked up like that, just for my knowledge.

Thanks again.

For the Marantz products.
I use the IR input on the back of the receiver. Then I connect coax wires between the RC-5 plugs for the receiver to the ipod doc to the DVD. That way I don't have to worry about flashers popping of and only need one phono to phono from my IR block. Control is solid and I didn't need to increase the price of my control system. I mean serial is a beautiful thing... But we are still one way at this time. Also the 232 plugs add a few bucks to the hardware cost. Heck if I don't need to add like $200 worth of hardware costs... well then everyone is happy. Also throw in that I can use an RP1 and just use the power sense to keep track of the cable box with a (7 dollar 12volt DC converter) and I have saved quite a few bucks for my customer.

(Usually end up running IR to the lights because a flasher spliced with cat-5 also costs less then a 232 plug, serial extender over cat-5, cat-5, null modems, serial cable at the lights side etc.)

My only bummers with the JVC have been
1) the one setup for picture settings. You have to use the mode buttons instead. Seems pretty obvious that different inputs are going to need different settings.
2) no 12 volt trigger on the projector to drop a screen.
(but I think the SR6001 has that built in with discretes so its not a problem.)

So like I said I can save the customer like several hundred dollars on the control system... and not compromise it. Well I will. We can use that saved money on upgrading something else then they are real happy I took the time.

You need multi room? YOU ARE GETTING A RP-6! (Just in case for the antenna stuff... you know)

Thanks again.

Looks like I will just use IR for the Marantz. Probably just do some practice with the rs232 commands for future use.

No multi room on this job, just a dedicated theater. I am getting the rp-6 so that i could do IR routing to control two different spacer system dimmers independently. Also, I was planning on using rs-232 for a couple items. Probably add a media server over the next year so I want to be ready.

It sounds like you really know this product well. How long have you been programming RTI products?

Does the old Lexicon they used to make count???

I have been working with IR and remotes for about 11 years now.

When I first saw the T2 my buddy at another store just loved them. But the failure rate was like 90%. NO F'ING WAY am I gonna mess with something like that. Plus the price for the black and white was too close to a color Philips.. so stayed away for several years. Then I saw a T3 and I found a form factor I liked. Price was a little more then the Philips but other advantages offset the slight cost difference. So I have been with RTI remotes in this incarnation for around 2 and 1/2 years???

Back up about 6 months and Philips lowered the price while RTI stayed the same. Now RTI raises the price right when Philips discontinues Pronto 7500s... hmmmm. Actually I think the price change was more to do with that UEI Legal crap I mentioned in another thread. But when you ask RTI... NO COMMENT! :)

The SA boxes are sometimes hard to deal with and the ability to turn them on with a discrete command varies from area to area. Do a search in these forums for the various ways of possibly sending a discrete ON.

I ended up using a power sensing module, using a 12V transformer that was plugged into the back of the SA box. I think that I did so because the video sensing did not work for me, but my memory is hazy on that.

CJ

If your boxes are anything like mine.. you used the 12volt sensor. (Nice that the RP1 has that built in isn't it) Here when you turn off the cable box the video out is still hot. So the video sensor is for DVD players, vcrs, LDs and the like that lack discretes for me.

But with DVD players I explain that a new player that is going to work from Panasonic/Sony/Oppo/Marantz is gonna not cost much and usually an upgrade to what they have. Then you get them into a better picture and more controllability for like $100~200. Not that hard a sell when they look at the cost of a sensor...

(One more thing that lets me use RP1s when I can.)

I will experiment with the cable boxes here. We have the 3250hd and 8300hd. Do they have different SA boxes for different areas or just different firmware?

Just got home to start playing with the T4. Pretty slick. This is gonna be fun.

I would go ahead and purchase the IR learner from RTI if you haven't already. Their database is fair, but you'd much rather have it and not need it...
I know, it's initially a pain, and slightly costly for what it is, but they went in that direction for the right reasons, and it is far superior to anything that couldv'e been built in.

Different internal software as well as each provider having the ability to choose which options to include in the boxes they purchase.

CJ