Is it just me, or does anyone else find it a little odd, that the MRF was not designed so that it could be placed near A/V components without RF problems???

I spend hours trying to get devices to work properly, and once I get one thing working, something else gets buggy. I think it is a great idea, but I am tempted to go back to the straight IR of the MX700 which seems like a more reliable approach.

Dear Free,

There is no reason to spend hours at this. Give me a call when you are near the equipment. I can help. The MRF is a radio reciever, and when there is a signal broadcast at 418mHz, it will pick it up. It is a fact of life that some gear does broadcast interference. By moving the base station you can lessen the interference and get good results.

Dear IDG,

I am afraid that you are continuing to mix variables. Now that you are connected to the rear IR port of the HK, you might be overpowering the internal circuits or you might still have RF interference.

I understand that your status LED only lights when you press the button, but the RF interference check should include this test:

In ten pushes and releases, does the Status LED go OUT instantly when you release the button?

If it does, then the amount of RF interference is quite modest and you should either try to reposition a flasher on the front panel (with the HK device routed to only ONE flasher output) or if you intend to continue to use the rear panel input, place a rheostat in series with the line (something that does 0-1000 ohms of resistance) and experiment with output variations. If you get some flickers after a release, you need to move the MRF-200 base station and eliminate the interference.

You are welcome to call.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Phone 1-800-247-7001

Hi Eric,

I followed your suggestions:

1. Pressed the remote control buttons (mainly the HK receiver buttons like Vol Up, Down, Vid1-4, DVD, Ch Up/down, but also other devices...) at least 20-30 times each and observed the MRF LED. The LED flickers when the button is pressed and always goes off after the button is released. I assume there is absolutely no interference of any kind.

2. Put a poteniometer in series with the IR-In from the MRF until the HK stopped responding. Turned the potentiometer back slightly until the HK started responding (at a resistance of about 4K of a 10K potentiometer). The Vol Up and Down behaviour has not changed from what I described in both the IR or the direct connection (no potentiometer).

I must conclude again it is the MRF response time!

Hi IDG,

Thanks for going to the trouble of eliminating the other variables. We appreciate your diligence. I have discussed this at length with URC engineering and we have a theory we would like to test. We have arranged for the loan of an HK 525 reciever (the current model). Hopefully, it will respond in the same way and we will be able to program a workaround for you and other HK 520 owners that will allow you to get RF and quick response.

It would help if I could email or call you directly when we have some new information or a trial technique for you to download. You are welcome to call me to discuss our theory as well. I have information that is a little too detailed to type in a timely manner.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
[email protected]

Phone 1-800-247-7001

Hi IDG,
For the benefit of those of us who read this thread, please let us know once your issue gets solved. Or, if no solution is found, please inform us still.

Many Thanks.

To All,

On the whole I do not view this issue as a problem, just a minor annoyance. I am very pleased with the Mx-700 and Mx-800 I have. The problem with the HK-520 is not a major bother (my wife probably hasn't noticed it) and has been more of a technical curiosity (once I get into something, sometimes I have a hard time letting go). At most, the effect is a minor inconvenience especially when you adjust the volume up and "overshoots" your target, the tendency is to immediately adjust back with volume down. It works great with direct IR but not consistently through the MRF.

Once I know of any resolution, I'll post it if no one else does it before I do.

You can be sure I will post as well. Anyone who is interested can call me for updates as well.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Phone 1-800-247-7001

Hi Eric,

Any feedback from the URC engineers regarding the Mx-800 response time, especially with the HK receiver?