Matrix Audio MRC-8e Installation and operating manual

MRC-8e/8.4e
Multi-Room
ControllerAmplifier
MatrixAudioDesignsInc.
20HamiltonRoad
Barrie,OntarioCanadaL4N8Y5
CorporateHeadOffice(705)737-4926
TechSupport(888)485-9959
Fax [phone]
WorldWideWeb matrixaudiodesigns.com
InstallationReference

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MatrixAudioDesignsInc.
20HamiltonRoad
Barrie,OntarioCanadaL4N8Y5
Corporate HeadOffice [phone]
TechSupport(888)485-9959
Fax [phone]
WorldWideWeb matrixaudiodesigns.com
Copyright2001MatrixAudioDesignsInc.
Warning
Nouserserviceablepartsinside.
Openingthisunitmayexposeyoutoapotential
electricshockcapableof causinginjuryordeath.
Pleaserefersupporttoqualifiedtechnician,orcontact
usdirectlyforserviceandsupportinformation.
Thankyou forchoosingaqualityproductby
MatrixAudioDesignInc.

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Tableof Contents
5SystemOverview
5SystemDescription
6Source Components
6InfraredSignalling Emitters
7Keypad Controls
7Kp-10
7Kp-22
8Infrared Remote Controls
9SystemLayout
9CablingInstallationInstructions
9CableType
10 SystemIntegration Drawing
11 RFInterface
11 DistributionWiring
11 Installing TheSystem
11 New Construction
12 Existing Construction
12 ElectricalBoxes
12 RunningCable
13 TerminationOptions
13 OutsideWiring
14 Keypad Installation
14 MolexWiringConnections
15 CommonEquipment:
16 ZoneConnections
16 AudioComponent Connection:
16 Infrared EmitterLeads:
16 QuickFunctionalityTest:
17 ProgrammingSection
17 GeneralInformation
17 Source Documentation
17 Key ByKeyProgramming
17 ProgrammingWorksheets
19 Getting Started InProgramming
19 TheProgrammingPanel

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Tableof Contents
19 PlacementOf TheRemote:
19 TheMostImportantIndicator
21 SpecialCommands
23 Step-by-StepProgrammingOf SpecialKeys
25 Step-by-StepProgramForBasic/AdvancedCommands
26 OperatingAndTestingProcedures
26 BasicKeypadFunctions
26 On/Off
26 Source Select&Treble/Bass
27 VolumeControls
27 ProgrammableKeys
28 ZoneGroupings
29 Troubleshooting
30 Power
PowerConnections
PowerSwitches
Fuses
31 Cabling
DeadZone
LedDoesNotLight
LedDoesLight
31 Source Connections
33 Programming
34 SpecialWiringConfigurations
34 RemoteAmplifierConfiguration
35 Keypad 2WireControlOnlyConfiguration
36 SplitZone/AnalogueVolumeControl(Option1)
37 SplitZone/AnalogueVolumeControl(Option2MultipleControlKeypads)
38 Shared Speakers–PrioritySelection
39 MultipleKeypadsInZone
40 Null ModemCable
41 RS232InterfaceSpecifications& CommandReference
42 MRC-8e/8.4eSpecifications
42 Features
42 TechnicalInformation

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SystemOverview
Thepurposeof thismanualistoprovideanindepthreviewof theMatrixAudioMRC-8e/
8.4eseriesof distributedaudiocontrolsystem.
Itwilloutlinerecommendationsandstep-by-stepinstallation,configuration,andprogram-
minginstructionstoassistyouinsettingupthesystemtosuityourclients’requirements.
SystemDescription
TheMRC- 8e/ 8.4e is an audiocontrolanddistributionsystemdesignedandmanufacturedby
MatrixAudioDesignsinOntario,Canada.Itsfunctionistoallowcentralizationof common
audioequipment,andthroughswitchingandcontroltechnologyprovidefor8independently
controlledmusiczones,eachcapableof remotelycontrolling oneof 4audiosources via
keypadoroptionalinfraredremotecontrol.Eachzoneisamusicenvironmentuntoitself and
canbeconfiguredindependentlyforcharacteristicssuchasvolume,bassand
treble.
TheMRC8e/8.4econsistsof asinglecentralized amplificationandswitchingsystem,with8
remotekeypadcontrolunits(eachzonemayalsobeconfiguredwith2controlkeypads).
Upto4sourcedevicessuchascompactdiscplayers(oramulti-discjukebox)radiotuners,
satellite,MP3playersandsimilardevicesmayallbeconnected.
MatrixAudioDesignsuniquesignallingtechnologyutilizesstandardspeakercabletoprovide
notonlymusictoeachzonebutusesthesamecabletointerfacewiththecontrollingkeypad.
Thistechnologypresentsattractiveinstallationoptions,whichmayallowyoutoutilize
existingcabledistributioninretrofitapplications.
Themodulardesignof theMRC-8e/8.4ealsoallowsexpansionfor twoMRC- 8e/ 8.4e devices
tobelinkedandstackedtogetheraccommodatingmorecomplexanduniqueinstallations.
Inadditiontothekeypad,andinfraredremote controlof theswitchingunit,theMRC- 8e/
8.4ecanbecontrolledvia astandard9-pinASCIIserialcommunicationsport.Thismakesthe
MRC-8e/8.4eaversatiledevicefullycapableof useinmanyhomeautomationsystems.

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SourceComponents
Upto4stereoaudiosourcecomponentsmaybeconnectedtothe
MRC-8e/8.4e.Devicessuppliedbymostmanufacturerswillworkwiththissystem,and
industrystandardRCAconnectorsattherearof the
unitprovideline-levelinputandoutputconnectionsfordevicessuchasTuner,CD,Tape,DSS,
MP3playersetc.
Eachsourcecomponentisselectedbasedonkeypadentrykey,which
correspondstooneof the4audiodevices(labelled asinput1,input2,input3,input4).For
maximumbenefit,eachof theseaudiosources
shouldbecapableof beingcontrolledviainfraredremote.TheMRC-
8e/8.4eiscapableof learninginfraredcommandsfromtheaudio
componentsremotecontrol,allowingyoutoassigncommandssuchaspause,play,shuffle,
changetracksorstationstokeysonanyof the8
remotekeypadsoradditionallyvia anoptionalhandheldinfrared
remotecontrol.
Pleasenote:Justasa radioisincapableof playingtwodifferent
stationsatthesametime,if multiplezonesarelisteningtothesame
source,theywillbelisteningtothesamemusic.Youmaywishto
considermultiplecomponentsof thesametype(suchasthetuner)if
differentzoneswishtolistentodifferentradiostationsatthesametime.
InfraredEmitters
InadditiontotheRCAlineinput/
outputconnectionsforeachof the
audiodevices,therearealso
connectionsforinfraredemitters
(notsupplied)whichcompletesthe
controlcircuitbetweentheMRC-8e
/8.4eandtheindividualaudio
devicesattachedtothesystem.
Anycommandsreceivedfromtheremotekeypadsareprocessedand
sentdownthiscontrolleadtotheaudiodevice.CommonlyavailableIRemitterleadsare
unobtrusive,andattachtotheaudiodevicesremote
controlsensorwithdoublesidedtape,andconnecttotheMRC-8e/8.4e
byinfrared3.5mmmonooutputjackslocatedatthebackof theunit.

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KeypadControls
MatrixAudioDesignscurrentlyprovidestwostylesof remotekeypad,theKP-10thatprovides
basiccontrolfunctions,andtheKP-22thatprovidesextraprogrammablefunctionkeysfor
managementandcontrolof theMRC-8e/8.4eandconnecteddevice.
KP-10e
•ZoneOn/Off
•Sourceselection(Tuner/Tape/CD/Aux)
•Volume
•Bass
•Treble
•6Programmablefunctionkeys
•IRcommands
KP-22e
•ZoneOn/Off
•Sourceselection(Tuner/Tape/CD/Aux)
•Volume
•Bass
•Treble
•18Programmablefunctionkeys
•IRcommands
Theentirecomplimentof functionkeysisavailableforprogramming foreachdeviceon
yoursystem.Forexample,thiswouldallowtheusertoprogramallthebuttonstomanage
radiostationpresetswhilethetunerisselected,andthenwhentheCDsourceisselected
thesamekeyscanbeprogrammedtofunctionasshufflecontrols,trackselectionsorany
otherfunctionprovidedbytheaudiodevicesremotecontrol.
Sinceeachdevicecanbeprogrammedtouseall18-functionkeys,atotalof 72
programmablefunctionsareavailable!

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InfraredRemoteControls
Infraredtransmittersthatoperateanyof thesourcecomponentswillstilloperateinanormal
mannerwhenusedinthesamelocationasthesourceequipment.TheMRC-8e/8.4edoesnot
affectnormalcomponentoperation.
AnoptionalRC-10orRC-22infraredremotecontrolisalsoavailablefromMatrixAudio
DesignsInc.Theremotecontrolswilloperateallthefunctionsof theremotekeypad,andcan
beusedinanylocationwhereakeypadhasbeeninstalled.Eachkeypadhasanintegrated
infraredreceivertodetectandprocessinfraredcommandsas if thekeypadhadbeenaccessed
directly.
OptionalRC-10eorRC-22eInfraredRemoteControl

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SystemLayout
TheMRC-8e/8.4eisextremelyflexible.Thesystemcanbeinstalledinseveralconfigurations
dependingonyouraudioneeds.Thecapacityof thisunitis8independentzonesperchassis,
andistypicallywiredsuchthateachkeypadislocatedinthesamezoneasthespeakers
installed.
Insomecasesitisdesirabletooperateasecondsetof speakerswithinthesamezone
controlledbythesameordualkeypads(suchasapowderroomoff of themainbedroom.
TheMRC-8e/8.4ecanbeconfiguredtoaccommodatethisconfigurationaswell.
Asysteminstallationwillgomuchfasterandmoresmoothlyif jobplansarecompletedprior
totheactualinstallation.Accuraterecordkeepingwillassistnotonlyininstallation,butalso
inexplainingtheoperationof theunitto yourclient,and anyfutureservicing issuesthatmay
arise.
Thismanualisaccompaniedbyseveralpre-printedworksheetstoaidyouinthisinstallation.
Werecommendthatyoumakecopiesof theseworksheets,orcompletetheinformationinthis
manual,andleavethesebehindwithyourclient,aswellasanadditionalcopyinyourclient
files.
CablingInstallationInstructions
Pleasebesuretocheckforanywiringrestrictionsrequiredbythe
electricalcodeinyourarea.Thisinstallationislowvoltagecablingsimilar
totelephoneandalarmwiring,andassuchdoesnotcommonlyhavevery
manyrestrictionsontheirinstallation.Howeverrulesmayvaryindifferent
regions.Pleasecheckwithyourlocalelectricianif anyspecificconditions
mustbemettocomplywithlocalelectricalandcodes.
CableType
TheMRC-8e/8.4eiscabledusingstandard4-wirespeakercableoriginatingatthe
MRC-8e/8.4epassingthroughthekeypad,andterminatingatthespeakerlocation.
MatrixAudioDesignsgenerallyrecommendsusingabundled4conductor16gauge
strandedcopperwirein asinglecontinuousrun.

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SystemIntegrationDrawing
FourConductorSharedKeypad/Speakerwire

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RFInterference
Shieldedcableisgenerallynotrequiredforaudioinstallations.AlthoughtheMRC-8e/8.4e
doesgenerateradioemissions,andusesadigitalsignallingpathduringcommandentry,
thesehavebeenaccommodatedforindesignandconformtoRFemissionstandards.
Thereisnormallynoongoingdatacommunicationsinthecircuitpath,butonlyatthetimea
keyisdepressed.
Howevermanyothersystemsdousemicroprocessorsystemswherethecablingmaybein
closeproximitysuchastelephoneandsecuritysystems,anditispossiblefordifferentsystems
tointerferewitheachother.If youfaceaninstallationwhereyourcablerunsareinparallelto
thesetypesof systemsyoumayconsidershieldedcabletothekeypads.Inthiscaseground
thedrainwirebyconnectingittothechassisof theMRC-8e/8.4e.
DistributionWiring
IngeneralwiringisinstalledinasinglecontinuousrunbetweentheMRC-8e/8.4e,remote
keypadandthespeakerlocation.Othercableroutingoptionssuchasahomeruntoa
commonwiringdistributionpoint,integrationwithhomeautomationsystems,orsplitzone
applicationscanbesignificantlydifferentthanthegeneralinformationpresentedhere.
Theseapplicationsarelefttotheinstaller’sdiscretionandexperience.Examplesof common
wiringoptionscanbefoundintheSpecialWiringConfigurationssectionof thisdocument.
InstallingTheSystem
NewConstruction
Runthecablesinsidewalls,intheatticandbetweenthejoistsinthebasementorcrawlspace.
When runningcablesin walls,drilltheholesinthemiddle of thestudstoavoidhavingthem
damagedbyscrewsornailsthatcouldpenetratethecable.Usemetalnailplateswhere
necessarytoprotectthecable.
Whenrunningcablesintheatticorcrawlspace,runtheminsuchawaythattheywill be out
of harm,wheretheywillnotbestepped on,snagged,puncturedorotherwisedamaged,or
couldposeasafetyhazard.Werecommendusingelectricalcablestrapstokeepthe
installationneatandsecure.Wedonotrecommendstaplingthecablesas a singlemisplaced
staplecancauseashortandcausestroubleduringoperations,andset-up.Donotleavethe
wireslyinginthedirtunderthecrawlspace.Neatnesscountsinaprofessionalinstallation.

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Thekeypaddeviceitself willalsofitinastandardelectricalbox,andyoushouldinstall1or2
gang(asrequired)standardelectricalboxestoaccommodatethembeforethedrywallhas
beenputintoplace.
ExistingConstruction
Forexistingconstructionsuccessfulimplementationcanbeachievedbyusingretrofit
electricalboxesthatdonotrequirestudmounting,ormetalelectricalframescommonlyused
fortelephoneandcableinstallations,whichcanbeplacedinastandardopeninginthewall.
Caremustbetakenwhenusingtheseframesthattheymustnotcomeincontactwith
thebackof theunit,orprovideashortingpathatthecableconnections.
Wheninstallingnearotherswitches,makesuretheboxesaredeadlevelandlinedupwith
existingelectricalboxes.
ElectricalBoxes
Toinstall,duetothevaryingmanufacturedsizesof electricalplatesandboxes,carefullymark
alevelandplumboutlineof theswitchboxusingtheboxitself asatemplate,andmakeahole
intheexistingwallwithadrywall,orreciprocatingsaw.
Pleasebecarefulandensurethatthespaceyou’recuttingintodoesnothideanyplumbing,
electricalorheatingfixturesthatcouldbedamaged,orcausepersonalinjury.
Caremustalsobetakenwhendealingwithoutsidewallsthatthevapourbarriershouldbe
repairedif damaged.
RunningCable
Aneatandcarefulinstallationwillincreasethecustomersatisfactionlevelaswellasreduce
thechanceof servicecallsinthefuture.Runcablesinsidethewallstotheattic,basement,or
crawlspace.If aroomiscarpetedyoucancarefullyplacethecablesunderthebaseboard,or
bycarefullyliftingtheedgeof thecarpetandplacingthewiringbetweenthecarpetstack
stripandthewall.Becarefulgoingpastdoorways,oracrossawalkingpath.A cabledoesn’t
seemtoobiguntilit’strippedover,orcausesanunsightlylumpinthecarpet.

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Tip:Whenrunningeachcablecarryafinetippermanentmarkerwithyouandmark
bothendsof thecable.Whenyougettothekeypadlocation,markacoupleof arrows
onthecabletoshowwhichdirectionthespeakersarein,andwhichdirectionthe
MRC-8e/8.4eisin.Thiswillsaveyou‘ohming-out’thecableslatertofindtheone
you’relookingfor,andknowingwhichendgoeswhereattheswitchbox.
Afewsecondsspentnow,willsaveyouhoursof chasingcableslater.
QuickTip:Someinstallerscutthelongstraightsectionfromacoathangerandchuck
itintoadrilltohelpestablishareferencemarkerthroughceilingsandfloorsupagainst
theedgeof awall.Thecoathangerwireistoughenoughtodrillthroughmost
materialswithoutsnaggingthecarpetfibres,isfairlyunobtrusiveandthelengthmakes
iteasytospotontheotherside.Thesmallholeleftbehindisusuallyhiddenbythe
carpet,oreasilyrepaired.Holesinthestudwallforthewiringcanthenbemadeby
taking intoaccountthewidthof the baseboard,drywall,and half thestud
(usually 1/2”+ 1/2”+ 1- 1/ 2 or 2- 1/ 2”fromthepilothole.)
Terminationoptions
Terminationsof thecableatthespeakersidearelefttotheinstaller,althoughspringclip
assembliesthatfitintoastandardelectricalboxareavailable,andofferanattractivealternative
toloosewiring.If used,youshouldalsoinstallelectricalboxesatthedesiredspeakerlocations.
Alsocommonareinstallationsthatterminateinin-wallspeakers.
Pleasereadandfollowtheinstructionsthataccompanythespeakersforinstallationdetails.
Outsidewiring
Specialcareshouldbetakenwhencablestransitoutsidethehome.Itisnotrecommendedthat
keypadsbeinstalledinenvironmentssubjecttoextremetemperatures,ormoisture.
Typicallykeypadsareinstalledinsidethehomeandbesidethedooradjacenttotheoutside
musiczone.Keypadsthatmustbeinstalledoutsidearedoneatyourownrisk.

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Theseshouldbesafelymountedinsideaweatherproof electricalboxwithadoorcoveringthe
keypadandadequatewaterbarriersealstoprotecttheunit.
Externalcablingshouldrunthroughconduit(plasticelectricalconduitworkswell)toprotect
itfromtheelementsandsmallanimalsthatmaywishtochewonthecable.
Youmaywishtoconsideraqualifiedelectricalcontractortoinstallcableconduitforexternal
applications.
Cableandinstallationaccessoriestocompleteyourinstallationarenotpartof thesystem
package,andcanbeobtainedatyourlocalelectricalsupplyretailer.
KeypadInstallation
ConnectionspointsattheMRC-8e/8.4eandkeypadaresolder-lessand
completedbyscrewtypeMolexconnectors(provided).
MolexWiringConnections
Lookingattherearof thekeypadwith
theconnectorsatthebottom,youwill
seethereare2plugtypeconnectors
(Molex).Generallythematingpartis
alreadyinstalledintheunitwhen
shipped,andliftinggently,andpulling
theconnectorawayfromthekeypadcan
removeit.
Eachconnectorterminates4conductors
thateitherarrivefromtheMRC-8e/8.4e,
orcontinueontothespeakersinthe
zone.TheKP-10easviewedfromthe
back,theleftsideof theunitisforthe
lineleadingtotheMRC-8e/8.4eandthe
rightsideof theunitisfortheline leading
tothespeakers.
Toolsyou’llneedtocompletethispartof theinstallation.Wirestrippers,smallstandard
slottedscrewdriver,andapermanentmarker.Optionalisanohmmetertodeterminewhich
sideof thewireyouareworkingwith,andwherewiresarenotsecuredtoanelectricalbox,
somemaskingtapetohelpsecurethecablewhileyouareworkingonit.
Thereisnothingmorefrustratingthanhavingthecablefallbackbehindthewallwhentrying
toworkonit.

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InstallationTip:WhenworkingwiththeMolexconnector,onlystripaway
about1/4”inch(about6mm)of theinsulationfromeachwire.Mostcommon
electricalproblemsoccurwhenthewireisstrippedtoolong,andcanshortout
againstneighbouringwiresbehindthewall.Thecompleteassemblyshouldnot
haveanymorethan1/16 th of aninch(or1mm)barewirevisiblyexposed
fromthebottomof theconnector.Aquicktwistof thecopperstrandswill
ensureeasyinstallationintotheconnector.Tightenthefasteningscrewsecurely.
Tip: TIP: Keepingitsimple…Youdon’treallyneedtoknowwhichpindoes
what.Thatinformationislocatedatthebackof thisbookif you’reinterested,or
tryingtodiagnoseaproblem.Fornowsimplypickacolourpatterneasyforyou
toremember,andsimplyrepeatthispatternatalltheconnectionpoints.For
example,if youwirealltheconnectorssothatfromlefttorighttheyareblack/
green/red/white(alphabetically)youwillalwaysconfigurethewiringproperly.
Whenyougettothespeakers,black/greenwillbeforonespeaker,andred/
whitewillbefortheother.Mostcommonwiringerrorscanbeattributedtonot
followingastandardcolourpattern.
Sinceyouwillbecuttingthiscableatthekeypadlocationtoperformtheconnectionsitisa
goodideatomarkthecablewithapermanentmarkertoidentifywheretheotherendgoes.
If thecableisrunbehindawall,youmayneedtouseyourohmmetertohelpdeterminewhich
endof thecablegoesinwhichdirection.
CommonEquipment
Placeallthecommonaudioequipmentonindividualshelves.Stackingequipmentisnot
recommendedasthispresentssituationsinwhichairflowmayberestricted,orcomponent
coolingisimpaired.Audioequipmentsources,andtheMRC-8e/8.4edo generatesmall
amountsof heatthatmustbedissipatedtoextendcomponentlife.
Equipmentshouldhaveadequateroomonallsidesforproperaircirculationandheat
dissipation,aswellasroomforallthecablestoreside.If rearaccess,orarackmounted
structurehasbeenprovided,thencableinstallationwillbemucheasier.

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ZoneConnections
Thecablesthatrunfromeachof the
keypadsconnecttotheMRC-8e/8.4e
viathesameMolexconnectorsused
atthekeypads.Inthiscase,the
connectorswillnotalreadybeinstalled
intheMRC-8e/8.4e,andwillbefound
inabagintheequipmentbox.
Again, pleasenote: WhenstrippingcableforuseintheMolexconnector,onlystripawayabout1/4inch
(about6mm)of theinsulationfromeachwire.Thecomplete assemblyshouldnothaveanymore than1/16th
of aninch(or 1mm)barewirevisiblyexposedfromthebottomof the connector.
AudioComponentConnection
PlugtheaudiocablesfromeachsourcedeviceintotheRCAjacksprovidedonthebackof theMRC-8e/
8.4e.Aswitchedpoweroutletisprovidedontherearof theMRC-8e/8.4e.Plugapowerbarintothe
switchedoutletandthenplugthepowercordsfromalltheaudiosourcesintothepowerbar.
Thepowerlimitationof theswitchedoutletis200 Wattswhichshouldbesufficientfortheaudiosources
inyoursystem,howeveryoushouldcheck thepowerratingof each devicetoensurethetotalload doesnot
exceedthisamount.
WhentheMRC-8e/8.4epowersonoroff,itwillthenpoweronalltherelatedequipment.
TheMRC-8e/8.4eremainsinastandbymodeuntilthefirstzoneisactivatedatwhichtimetheunitwill
powerupallcomponents.Similarly,whenthelastzoneinthesystemisturnedoff,the MRC- 8e/ 8.4e will
powerdownallaudioequipment(afterabout10seconds)andreturntostandbymode.
InfraredEmitterLeads
Finallyconnecttheinfraredemitterleadforeachaudiosourceintotheappropriateconnectorontheback
of theMRC-8e/ 8.4e,andrunthe opticalendof theemitterleadto thesourcedevice’sIRreceiverwindow.
QuickFunctionalityTest
Withallthecomponentsnowwiredinplaceyoushouldbeabletopowereachzoneonandoff fromthe
remotekeypads.Totestthesystemconnections,activateonezone,andmanuallyactivateoneof theaudio
sourcessuchasthetuner,orCD(sinceprogramminghasnottakenplaceyet),andmovethrougheach
zoneandtestthatkeypadsrespondtotheon/off andvolumecommandsandthatthesourcecanbeheard
atallzones.Basicfunctionalityof on/off volumeup/downandtreble/bassarefunctionsthatcanbe
performedwithoutprogramming.

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ProgrammingSection
GeneralInformation
Allprogrammingactivitiestakeplaceinfrontof the MRC– 8e/ 8.4e device.
Youwillneedtohavetheremotecontrolfromeachof youraudiosources.
Wesuggestyoureadthissectionthroughcarefullyinitsentiretybeforestartingtoprogramthe
MRC-8e/8.4e.Withageneralunderstandingof whattoseeandexpect,whenyougothroughthe
programmingexerciseyouwillunderstandthebehaviourof theMRC-8e/8.4ethroughoutthe
step-by-stepexercise.
Programmingonlybecomesacomplicatedprocedurewhenyouaretryingtosolvealloperating
issuesatthesametime(learningtheequipment,learningthesourcesoperationalbehaviours,and
learningtheMRC-8e/8.4eprogrammingroutines).Carefulplanning,documentationandexperi-
mentationonyourpartwiththesourcespriortotakingonprogrammingwillpayoff inaneasy
andpainlessinstallation.
SourceDocumentation
Ensureyouhavereadilyavailablethedocumentationforeachdeviceincaseyouneedtoreference
theoperationof thesource.Thekeytosuccessfulprogrammingistounderstandhoweachof the
sourcecomponentsworkfirst,andthendeterminehowyouwouldlikethemtobehaveaspartof
thehomeaudiosystem.
KeybyKeyProgramming
TheMRC-8e/8.4elearnsthespecificcodesforeachfunction,one-at-a-time,byrecognizingand
mimickingtheinfraredsignalgeneratedontheoriginal(ordonor)remotecontrol.
Toexplainthisadifferentway,youaretrainingtheMRC-8e/8.4etorecognizewhattheinfrared
signallookslikethatmeans“stop”,whattheinfraredsignallookslikethatmeans“play”foreachof
thedevicesinyoursystem.Byprogrammingkeysoneatatime,itallowsmaximumflexibilityin
allowingyoutoassigneachkeyaspecificfunction.Youdonothavetoprogrameverykeyif you
don’twant/needto,keypadprogramsshouldbesimple,functionalandintuitive.
Fromaclientsperspective,sometimeslessismore.
ProgrammingWorksheets
Beforegettingstarted,toassistinsettinguptheremotetrainingsessionspleaseusetheprogram-
mingworksheetsaccompanyingthisguide.

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Youwillfindtheywillnotonlyhelpyouplaninadvancewhichkeypadkeyperformsa
function,butwillassistintheeventthatcodesneedtobere-learnedorchanged,andreduce
thetimeneededtoprogram/reprogramthedevice.Aswell,shouldanyof theaudiodevicesbe
changedorupgradedinthefuture,youwillknowwhattheconfigurationlookedlikeforthe
originaldevice,so theykeypadcanbeprogrammedinasimilarconfiguration.Consistencyin
keypadprogrammingacrossalldevices,andcleardocumentationwillreducefrustrationand
shortentheoperationallearningcurveforyourclient.
Tip: Newequipmentisrarelyshippedwithbatteriesinstalledintheremote.
Besureyou’resourcesremoteisfunctioningproperlybeforecontinuingto
programtheMRC-8e/8.4e.
Tip:Youshouldtakesometimetofamiliarizeyourself withthebasicoperation
of theaudiodevicesremotecontroltobetterunderstandtheoperatingcharac-
teristicsof thedeviceandwhichfunctionsyouwishtoprogramintotheMRC-
8e/ 8.4e.If youcanoperateandmanagetheaudiodeviceasastandaloneunit,
itwillaidyouindeterminingwhichfunctionsyouwanttoprogramintothe
MRC-8e/8.4e.
TechniqueTip:Programmingisaninteractiveexercisebetweenyou,theMRC-
8e/8.4eandtheaudiosourcesremotecontrol,andresultsmayvaryfromunitto
unit.YouwilllearnthetechniquestobesttraintheMRC-8e/8.4ethroughsome
trialanderrorandobservation.Youmayneedtomodifyyourprogramming
techniqueonaremote-by-remotebasis.Someremotesmayneedtobecloser
to,orfurtherawayfromthereceiver,somemayprogrambetterwithquickkey
presses,andsomewithlongkeypresses,somemayrequireachangeinangle
betweentheremoteandthe MRC- 8e/ 8.4e.
If aparticularmethoddoesn’tseemtobeworkingforyou,trytomodifyyour
approachtounderstandthecharacteristicbehaviourof thedonordevice.

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GettingStartedinProgramming
TheProgrammingPanel
Theprogrammingcontrolsarelocatedbyremovingthecoverplateonthe MRC- 8e/ 8.4e.
Thiscoverislocatedfrontandcentretotheunit,andissimplyheldinplacewithseveral
smallmagnets.Toremove,firmlygraspthesmallcover,andpulldirectlyawayfromtheunit.
Youwillfindunderneathakeypadthatresemblesthelayoutof the
KP-22remotekeypad.Thiswillaidyouinworkingwiththe
correctkeysforprogramming.Notethatthesekeysareunlabeled,
sinceeachkeycanbeprogrammedformultiplefunctionsare
notlabelledtoavoidconfusion.
Thisiswheretheprogrammingworksheetswillassistyouin
keepingtrackof thekeysyouprogram,andwhatfunctionthey
perform.
Placementof theRemote
Theaudiosourceremote(donorremote)shouldbelocatedabout6inchesawayfromthe
infraredportontheMRC-8e/8.4e,thepathbetweenthedevicesshouldbeunobstructed
withaclearlineof sight.
Thegeneralstepsyouwillfollowforeachdevicewillbe:
1.)Enterprogrammingmode
2.)Selectthesourcedevicetoprogram
3.)ProgramtheSpecialCommands(Play,PowerOn&PowerOff)
4.)Programbasic&advancedfunctions(next,back,pause/stop,etc…)
5.)Exitprogrammingmode
6.)Testtheprogram
TheMostImportantIndicator:
Trainingconsistsof firstidentifyingwhichkeypadkeyyouwanttoprogram,andthengetting
theMRC-8e/8.4etorecognizeaninfraredsignal.TheLEARN/ERRORLEDisthemost
importantindicatorof thisprocess.

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Memorizethefollowinglightingsequencestounderstandhowtheprogrammingis
proceeding.
Readyto Learn slowflashingREDof theLEARN/ERRORLED
GoodSignal willmaketheLEDquicklyflashGREEN3times.
BadSignalwillmaketheLEDquicklyflashRED3times.
If yougetabadsignal,yousimplyhavetoreselecttheykeyyou’retryingtoprogramtogetthe
MRC-8e/8.4ereadytolearnacodeagain,andretrytheremoteuntilyouaresuccessful.
If youarehavingdifficulty,refertothetechniquetipsearlierinthisdocument.
Formany,apictureisworth1000words.If youarecomfortablewithfollowingflowcharts,
thenyoumayrefertothemthroughyourprogrammingexercise.
If youareuncomfortable,andneedmoreinformation,thenthestep-by-stepsequenceisalso
outlinedhereindetail.
Special
Function
Keys
Basic
Function
Keys
Advanced
Function
Keys