Question 1:

I've studied the guides and watched the self paced training, but I've still got a disconnect.  Hoping someone can help fill in the blank.

I am converting a IR only MX-980 to use a MSC-400 with RS232 for some devices. 

My question is related to programming the RS232 devices:

If I understand it right, I have to have individual smart macro's for each individual device RS232 function.  I understand how to build those either manually, or from the database.  What I'm missing is how to link those with the MX-980.

For example programming a receiver to use RS232:  Normally, via the IR setup, it has its associated hard buttons and about 5 LCD screens of softkeys.  If I build that same device on the MSC-400, and generate the associated RS232 smart macros for each function, how do I link them to the remote?

Do you have to basically replace the original devices buttons (or use a blank device) on the MX980 and program every single hard and soft button by dragging the MSC400 RS232 smart macro to its respective button? 

I was hoping not, but that appears to be it.  If some one can confirm, or point me to how to do it right that would be great.

Question 2: 

For a RS232 device that I am building from scratch (not in the database), Does it make any difference where you add the commands?  Under hard buttons, or LCD sections?  If you get a device from the databse, the functions appear to have a "place" in that list, placing particular hard buttons on particular lines for example.  But the lines aren't labelled so I am assuming the headings (Hard, LCD1, LCD2, etc) are irrelevant when adding manually.  Is that right?

 

 

As far as creating RS-232 smart macros, you are correct. You must convert the RS-232 device to individual smart macros, then drag them to the corresponding button on the remote. RS-232 is running on the processor and the remote is sending triggers. Not following you on the second question.

For question 2 it doesn't matter hard button, lcd etc where you create the commands.

Write your macros in the 400, make sure under the "view" menu hot functions are selected. Have the 980 on screen and from the view window to the right select Base Station. Scroll down to your smart macros and drag to the button on the 980 you want to use. If done properly a purple "T" will appear to bottom left of button.

**** Remember on the 980 to set the appropriate pages to RF and choose the base station!!

You are correct in that you will need to replace all the IR codes with triggers from the msc-400. It's easiest to start with blank pages.

When you start a system from scratch you create IR devices in the remote and skip all RS-232 devices. The RS-232 devices are later created in the MSC-400, made into smart macros and then dragged to pages (buttons) that are later created in the remote.

You're right that it isn't very intuitive and it's very time consuming.
CCP probable could have handled this better..........

Thanks guys.  Unfortunately, I had it right :)