General Tips to Capturing IR Codes
General Tips for Infrared Remote (IR) Integrating and Performance Expectations Capturing IR Codes
IR(Infrared) is one of the most popular modes of control for remote hand held operation of Audio Video Equipment. Keep in mind that not all remotes are created equal! Some remotes may be very easy to capture into other learning remote systems. Other remotes will be very difficult if not impossible to capture. Below are tips to help you, the programmer, capture IR commands. Definitions: Capture - The process of teaching an IR Command from the Original (OEM) remote that came with a piece of equipment to a learning remote or IR capture device. Infrared - A term used to refer to the part of the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum which lies just beyond the visible color RED. Infrared is invisible to the human eye but follows the same behavior patterns as visible light. Learning Remote refers to the remote system that the IR commands will be transmitted to and captured, the Student. IR Capture Device refers to a device that is used to capture, verify, store and then send IR to a Personal Computer for control systems, AMX and Crestron. IR Repeater System refers to a system which contains a IR receiving target, connection block or hub, IR emitters and a power supply through which the IR commands can be repeated or transmitted remotely Teaching Remote refers to the remote that came with the equipment which is to be integrated, the Teacher. Programmer refers to the individual that actually performs the required tasks to capture the IR commands.

Version 1.5 9/99

Section 3.9 Application Notes-General Tips to Capturing IR Codes

Escient Essentials

General Tips
Quick Button Press Some Learning remotes require that the programmer use a very short button press when capturing the commands from the Teaching Remote. Using long button presses will result in the controlled device responding as if the function button was pressed multiple times. The Niles IntelliPad and Audio Access PX-600 Programmer have this behavior. Long Button Press Some Learning remotes may except or require that the programmer use a long button press when capturing the commands from the Teaching Remote. The Marantz RC2000MKII and the Home Theater Master SL-9000 are examples of remotes that can except long presses. When these remotes capture a long button press, their operational behavior changes. After programming, a quick press will result in the command being issued only once. A press and hold will cause either of these two remotes to repeat the command, causing multiple hits. The AMX IRIS is an example that (typically) requires long button presses. Secondary Teaching Remotes On occasion, you may come across a teaching and learning remote combination that will not function. Try using another manufacturers learning remote to capture the codes. After capturing the commands, use this secondary teaching remote as the source for the originally targeted learning remote. Weak batteries Weak batteries will reduce/distort the output of a remote and make it difficult if not impossible to capture. Always try to stock a fresh set in your installation vehicles.
Direct Sunlight The Sun is the largest source of Infrared Energy in our solar system. Trying to capture IR codes into a system while the target is exposed to direct sunlight will prove to be frustrating. Also, having a remote target in another part of the house, which is connected to the common IR repeater system, bathed in direct sunlight can cause the entire IR system to perform poorly.
Lighting (lamps) Some interior lighting fixtures emit a relatively high amount of Infrared Energy and can
interfere with capturing IR codes. HID, Fluorescent and some incandescent lights may need to be turned off while trying to capture codes.

General Tips (continued)

Distance and Angle When trying to capture the signal into another remote system, placing the teaching remote too close to the target may overload the receiver. Too far away, the signal will not be strong enough. Use the General Rule of Thumb: Start with the distance between the teaching remote and the learning remote at about the length of your thumb. If you are not successful at capturing at this range, increase or decrease the distance and try again.
Performance Expectations and Design Considerations
Distance and Angle The angle and distance from the IR receiver will effect the performance. Too far off the center axis or too far away, the IR receiver will not see the incoming signal. This situation will become exaggerated with weak batteries. Weak Batteries Weak batteries will reduce the usable range of a remote. Battery life is dependent upon several factors. Frequency of Use If the remote is used daily, and the end user is an active button pusher, the remotes batteries will need to be replaced more frequently than that of an end user who does not use the remote as much. Also, remote batteries tend to mysteriously expire. This is usually due to one or more of the following: the remote gets stuck in couch cushions with buttons depressed, children playing with remote or batteries being replaced with dead batteries from another battery operated device.

Quality of the Batteries Always use fresh Alkaline batteries. Don use batteries recycled from another electronic t device.
Power Consumption Newer remote designs now have back lighting. This new feature is great for evening operation but comes at the cost of needing to replace batteries sooner.

Performance (continued)

Multiple emitters (blackouts and masking) Infrared targets can be confused by receiving multiple IR commands at once. If two IR signals strike the same receiving target at slightly different timing, the IR target will adds both signals together. The result looks nothing like what the decoder logic expected to see and therefore does nothing. If you have multiple emitters within a system that ALL FLASH the same codes, it is possible for the intended receiving target to see the signal from the emitter directly attached and the signal from another emitter on an adjacent component. Most manufacturers of emitters supply blackout masks/ hoods and/or blackout shells for their emitters. Applying the blackout hood and shells will greatly reduce the amount of stray IR being transmitted and remote operation performance will increase.
Reflective Cabinets Cabinets with light colored surfaces or glossy finishes can reflect IR. This can result in poor performance or no performance at all. Having to press a button several times to activate a function is a sign. See Multiple Emitters.
Direct View Televisions Direct View Television tubes can lock up an IR receiver that is placed too close to the picture tube. Relocate the IR receiver to a new location where the TV does not interfere. Interference typically coincides with very bright images being displayed.
Lighting (dimmers, ballast, wire pulls) Electronic switching dimmers and ballast can emit enough RF energy to render IR s systems useless as well. When designing the system layout and pre-wiring, avoid placing IR receivers and associated wiring in close proximity to these devices. Keep in mind that the wiring connecting the lamp to the dimmer or ballast acts as a transmitting antenna. Example of interference: Placing an IR receiver on/near a projection screen, which has rope lighting controlled by a dimmer, has a good chance of intermittent operation. Also follow the manufacturers suggestions for correct wire type and termination.

* Suggested Integration Functions for TuneBase 100 Play Stop Pause Previous Track Next Track Prev Song Next Song * Keys for cursor navigation Left Arrow Right Arrow Up Arrow Down Arrow Enter/Select Advanced Back
* Keys for advanced functions Advanced Top Bottom Prev Page Next Page Done Setup ABCs (scan) Power (places Changer and TB100 in Stand-by)
* Function key legend for TuneBase 2000i, Pro MK-I, Pro MK-II F1 = Play F2 = Stop F3 = Pause F4 = Next Track F5 = Previous Track F6 = Next Disc F7 = Previous Disc F8 = Return to last play mode F9 = Single Play Mode F10 = Random Play Mode F11 = 5-Disc Play Mode F12 = Jukebox Play Mode * Keys for cursor navigation Left Arrow Right Arrow Up Arrow Down Arrow Enter Key Escape Key

1999 Home Theater of the Year

INTERIORS

ELECTRONICALLY REPRINTED FROM SUMMER 1999

Meridian

Palace
An exciting and unique undertakingthe largest Meridian residential project in the U.S. By Clint Walker
The Meridian Palace project, by Atlanta Home Theater, blends theater into interior design, while still keeping pace with the homes flawless decor.
To build a palace with all the comforts of home can be more of a challenge than one might expect. Forget about turning the blueprints into structure, a home of such size, beauty, and comfort has taken a lifetime of drafting in the mind of the ownerlong before making its way onto the drafting table. Its difficult for people of any taste not to fall in love with this magnificent home. The interior and architecture itself warrants feature coverage, while the impeccable design by Atlanta Home Theater is simply the icing on the cake. Located on Lake Lanier in Georgia, the Meridian Palace (as it has become affectionately known by the industry as the largest Meridian residential project in the world) is constructed almost completely of concrete and glass with scattered drywall and wood beams throughout. Divided by sheets of specialmade shatterproof glass, each room has been individually decorated in a variety of neocon and neuvo stylesrendering a clean, simple, and contemporary look. The unique concrete used throughout the home both inside and out was coated with a protective sealant that gives the otherwise dull concrete a polyurethane-like shine and smooth mirror finish. The concrete was mixed with earthy, dark dyes
specially blended to suit the homeowners taste; speckled, blurred, and cracked in different areas for effect. Due to the concrete structure of the home, wiring plans had to be carefully laid-out before the walls were poured, since changes couldnt be made after the concrete solidified. This called for an experienced installation firm and a homeowner who was sure of his needs: Enter Scott Ross. The Meridian Palace project began from the homeowners dream to have an unique homestead with the best of everything. Realizing the complexity and extent of his needs, the homeowner sought Scott Ross as a highly referred expert in the field to be the brains behind his dedicated home theater, wholehouse audio, and multi-zoned, home automation. Atlanta Home Theater held a series of complicated meetings, involving the superintendent, architect, and interior desiger. This gave the client the opportunity to observe (on a large scale) what would be necessary to make it all happen and to insert opinions, ideas, and preferences. Once Scott combined all the information, blueprints were drafted at the gallery, along with a comprehensive quote for the client. Such was the case in the Meridian Palace project.
Although an extensive list of components are featured, they are virtually invisible in the home.
With wiring plans in hand, the installation team began construction. Maintaining the overall goal, the home itself was wired for an elaborate yet simple to use audio/video and lighting network controlled by Meridian automated keypads in several locations throughout the home. And what would a palace be without a dedicated home theater, which is absolutely spectacular in its own right. Making your way through the interior of the Meridian Palace youll discover something different at each turn. Atlanta Home Theater designed and installed fiber-optic lighting throughout the ceilings and in the bottom of the swimming pool to give the effect of a starry evening after dark. Throughout the home, rare artifacts and sculptures pay homage to the owners world travels, but the most breathtaking aspect of this estate is the incredible view (through walls made entirely of glass from any room, on the back or side of the home) of Lake Lanier. Sitting on several acres of land high above the trees, hawks can be seen soaring at eye-level as Striper Bass herd shad towards the bay for an evening feast on the lake below. For convenience, a three-level elevator was installed to provide quick access from the lobby area to the home office or indoor pooland we have still yet made it into the theater itself. The main theater in the home remains consistent with the rest of the overall themesimple. At the heart of the main theater system beats a Meridian 565 surround processor, 504 tuner, 562V/517 multimedia switcher, 500 CD ransport, and of course,

Meridian speakers are self-powered. The Parasound HCA 750 powers other things. Warming up the low frequencies for the system is a pair of Velodyne HGS-12, 12-inch subwoofers. The Meridian Theaters circular shape extends over the indoor pool as a glass cylinder that provides a backdrop for the video screen. Such awesome sound wouldnt be complete unless matched by a projection system of the same caliber. Atlantic Home Theater didnt hesitate to use a Vidikron Image Two projector operating on an automated ceiling lift, coupled with a Vidikron VP20 line doubler. The pair creates an outstanding image on the 90-inch Stewart Stealth screen; all are completely invisible when not in use.

EQUIPMENT

G Marantz CC-870 CD changer G Marantz RC-2000 MKII remotes G Meridian DSP5000C speakers G Meridian DSP5000 speakers G Meridian DSP5500 speakers G Meridian A500 speakers G Meridian 565 surround processor

C O N TA C T

Atlanta Home Theater 880 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Roswell, GA 30076 (770) 642-5557 www.hometheaters.com
G Meridian 562V/517 multimedia switcher G Meridian 500 CD transport G Meridian 504 tuner G Niles OS-20B outdoor speakers G Niles OS-10B indoor/outdoor speakers G Niles HD-800 in-wall speakers G Niles SVL-6 tabletop volume control G Niles SPS-4 speaker selector G Niles SMS-10 speaker transformer G Niles VCS-2D in-wall volume controls G Niles MS-2 infrared eyes G Niles IRZ-6 infrared repeater system G Niles IRP-6 infrared repeater system G Niles IRC-2 mini-infrared flashers G Niles WVC-1 weather-proof volume control G Niles Intellipad keypads G Parasound HCA-750A amplifiers G Parasound ZAMP amplifier G Pioneer Marine in-wall speakers G Sonance video relay switch G Sony SLV-687HF VCR G Sony SAS-BD3 DSS system G Sony SAT-B3 DSS receivers G Sony KV-32XBR48 TVs G Stewart 90-inch Stealth electric screen G Velodyne HGS-12 subwoofers G Vidikron Image Two projector G Vidikron VP20 line doubler G Vidikron CPL 40 projector lift
The 12,000-square-foot Meridian Palace represents over 200 hours of labor; total cost of the project is estimated at over $200,000. The completed estate is valued between 6-7 million dollars and to date, is the largest Meridian residential installation in the world.

About the Installer

Atlanta Home Theater, owned and managed by Scott and Jennifer Ross, opened to the Atlanta public in 1996 and quickly became Atlantas only turnkey designer for complete low-voltage projects. The sales team, along with two designers, seven installers, and office manager, is the key building block behind AHTs phenomenal success. AHT is 100 percent referral-based, is partnered with select Atlanta area builders, and is operated from a 3,000-square-foot gallery of showrooms. Each showroom demonstrates individual services provided by AHTfrom custom home theater, lighting design, central vacuum systems, phone and security, and more. AHT is well known in the local building community for consistency, reliability, and workmanship, and is highly regarded for their attention to detail and professionalism from beginning to end.

Posted with permission from the Summer 1999 issue of Home Theater Interiors Copyright 2009, Source Interlink Media. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by Wrights Reprints. For more information about reprints from this magazine, contact Wrights Reprints at 877-652-5295