One of our clients is having some major issues with his MX5000 &/or MRX1. I will start out by saying that I have never been to this client’s house. My job on a lot of projects is to get the remote programming about 95% of the way done a let one of the other lead technician finish it off on-site. We also don't do a lot of MX5000's (usually 980's) so our experience is a little limited.

Here is a list of the major components that might be contributing to his issues:

NAD T187 Surround Sound Processor, URC MX5000, URC MRX1, Mac Mini, & Fios box.


So here is the first issue; when the client goes to turn up or the volume it's running away on him. When it happens the volume goes all the way up & then the system shuts down.

Here is what we tried to fix it:

Tried the ir input on the back of the preamp, put a flasher on the front of the preamp, trimmed the ir level, & adjusted the ir code for the number of repeats that are sent when the volume up command is pressed. The URC rep said to try updating the firmware on the MRX1, we did this & it didn't solve the problem.

Here is what I think the problem may be:

The other installer decided to use Wi-Fi instead of RF when sending communicating with the mrx1. I think the customer is either not waiting for it to connect to the network or when it is connected to the network it's taking a while to process the commands. The reason he used Wi-Fi instead of RF was he said there was a lot of interference. In my opinion I think it should be RF, but it's not my job & he's not my customer. Is anyone else using Wi-Fi over RF? Any issues or suggestions?

We have never had any issues with runaway volume on NAD products like with other brands (i.e. Krell or Rotel) so I don't think the preamp is the problem unless it's defective.

Any other thoughts on what could be causing this?

The second problem is when he is controlling the Fios box. When he has the guide up & he is moving up or down it is also running away on him. I think that this could either have to do with some of the problems I mentioned above or the fact that the Motorola box is a piece of shit & it doesn't like when he starts button mashing the up & down buttons.


The final problem is the error message he receives which is:

Application RC.EXE has
Performed an illegal
operation and will be shut
down. If the problem
persists, contact the program
vendor.

PROGRAM: EXE
Exception: 0xC0000005
Address: 01A762D4

Here is what I think the problem & solution is:

I am not sure when it is coming up but it's happening a lot. We put a call into URC & sent them a copy of the file, but haven't heard anything back yet. We aren't sure when what is causing it, but the other installer said it happened to him when he was trying to use the 2-way module for the Mac Mini. I also disagreed on using the two-way module. He can look at the Mac Mini on the TV and a lot of these modules seem problematic so I think we should try removing it.

The file is corrupt & I have to rebuild the remote file; I have had to rebuild 4 different files from scratch in the last few weeks & don't feel like reprogramming another one. I did some templates for the MX5000 & MX6000 awhile back & lately it seems like those files are the ones we are having issues with. I read a few places that some of the firmware updates in ccp could have be causing this. I also used a lot of my own graphics, not sure if this could be causing the problem.

Any other thoughts?

If anyone has any other ideas or experience on how I could resolve this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Matt

We learned a long time ago to use RF only for control with the 5000. WiFi is painful...

Found by leaving remote connected to WiFi for 3 hours before going to sleep helped a lot and cured any response time issues. Customer always places remote on charging base every night so no issues with battery. Have seen the RCEXE error and a flash player error as well. We've only done 1 of the MX5000 but won't be selling anymore until they get it working properly.

URC tech support is useless!!! Standard answers: update firmware, re-upload file, replace remote no matter what the problem is.


Replace remote with an RTI?

Same here, get rid of wifi dependency as much as possible but particularly as it relates to volume and other repetitive actions. Two-way apps are not worth the hassle (apple tv and itunes among the worst examples). Having said that I use them for a couple of limited things. Pandora and AM FM on denon receivers. Note that the volume is still punched through to the IR commands of the AV receiver.

I've seen this happen on 980's, mine and a handful of clients. It happens with volume or page up or down while in the guide. It's like the button sticks and keeps sending out the command but it's not the button. It's a bug in the firmware. Lately if page up sticks in the guide, I've been able to get the remote back by hitting page down until I gain control back.

I've only done one 5000 so haven't seen it happen there.

To clarify, you say maybe the client is not waiting for the wi-fi to connect, but you don't say that the volume runs away after not responding immediately. Seems if there's a delay in the start of volume change and the client just sits on the volume up button, it might be accurately responding to commands... just ten seconds late and therefore ten seconds of volume up; that sounds just like runaway volume.

And this does not happen when using the factory remotes; it does not happen when using the 5000 in IR mode (if that can even be done). Right?