Universal Remote Control MRF-300/RFX150 User manual

MRF-300/RFX150
INSTALLATION
MANUAL
Multi-Zone RF Base Station for the MX-3000, the Aurora ,
the Aeros , the Omega and the Osiris remote controls.
TM
TM TM TM
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MRF-300 Installation Manual ©2005 Universal Remote Control, Inc.
The information in this manual is copyright protected. No part of this manual may be copied
or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Universal Remote Control, Inc.
UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR OPERATIONAL,TECHNI-
CAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS/OMISSIONS MADE IN THIS MANUAL.
The information in this manual may be subject to change without prior notice.
Complete Control,Aurora, Aeros, Omega and Osiris are registered trademarks of Universal
Remote Control, Inc.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies or organizations.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
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TABLE OFCONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and Benefits 2
Parts Guide 2
Installation 3
Front Blaster Overload 7
Disabling the Front Blaster - Step by Step 7
Controlling An Array of Identical Components or Zones 8
Identical Components/Zones - Step by Step 8
Programming For Multiple Equipment Locations 11
Frequently Asked Questions 12
Warranty 12
Specifications 12
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Page 1
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Introduction
The MRF-300 base station is an “addressable” base station. It is only compati-
ble with Universal Remote Control’s line of Custom Programmed Remotes
with RF Addressing such as the MX-3000, the MX-950 Aurora, the MX-850 Aeros,
the MX-800, MX-650 Omega and the MX-350 Osiris. RF Addressing gives you the
ability to control as many as 90 identical components throughout a house.
4. Self-adhesive “Flashers” affix to the
Infrared sensors on the front panels of your
components. The Flashers relay commands
to components out of sight of the MRF-
300’s Front Blaster. The flashers plug in to
the MRF-300’s rear flasher line outputs via
their 10 foot cables. Uniquely, the MRF-300
can also connect to rear panel IR Inputs via
its adjustable IR Line Outputs.
3.The MRF-300’s built-in Front Blaster sends commands to
components in the same cabinet space as the MRF-300.
1. URC “Addressable” remote
controls send radio waves in
every direction, so you don’t have
to point the remote anymore!
2.The RFX-150 RF Sensor can be freely
positioned out of way of the interference
the A/V components create, connecting to
the MRF-300 via a 10’ cable (which can be
extended).
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Page 2
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Features and Benefits
Interference Rejection and Adjustable RF Range via RFX-150
The MRF-300 receives RF (radio frequency) signals via the RFX-150 RF Sensor.
The RFX-150 displays RF interference via a bright RED LED, which flickers when
interference is present. Simply relocate the RFX-150 out of the interference or
reduce the range to eliminate interference via the RF Range adjust screw.
Expand Range by Adding RFX-150 RF Sensors in Remote Areas
The MRF-300 can power up to three RFX-150 RF Sensors connected in parallel
to the RF Input connector.
Variable IR Output Matches Rear Panel IR Inputs
The MRF-300 is equipped with adjustable IR line outputs, each output can be indi-
vidually matched to rear panel IR inputs on any component that is designed to be
operated by a standard IR repeater.The outputs utilize a 3.5mm jack.
Up To Fifteen Equipment Locations With Identical Components
Each URC MX series “addressable” remote control can be programmed to
specifically control components in a particular room, by installing a base station at
each location. In operation it’s simple: when you select a device located in the
Den, the MX series remote only sends commands to the Den. When you select
a device located in the Family Room, the MX-3000 only sends commands to it.
A Single MRF-300 Can Control an Array of Identical Components
or Identical Zones of a Multi Zone Preamp/Matrix Switcher
Each MRF-300 has six “addressable” IR Line Outputs. For example, you can con-
trol up to six identical TV’s with one MRF-300 or route volume commands for a
specific zone to a particular zone IR input on a multi-zone preamp. If you have
more than six identical components or zones, up to 15 additional MRF-300’s can
be installed to control them (thus allowing up to 90 identical components or
zones in one house).
IR Input for Keypads or IR Repeater Systems
The MRF-300’s rear panel IR input will relay IR Data from IR repeaters or Multi-
Zone Keypads to all IR line outputs (does not support IR routing).The 5V, 100
milliamp output will directly power some brands and models of keypad directly.
Parts Guide
The MRF-300 RF Base Station includes:
1 - RFX-150 RF Sensor with integrated antenna
1 - MRF-300 Base Station
1 - Mounting Plate for wall mounting the MRF-300
4 - Screws for wall mounting the mounting plate
1 - 9V-300mA Power Supply
6 - Visible Flashers with 10 foot plug in cables.
1 - 10’ cable with Tinned leads to 3.5 mono mini plug (connects RFX to MRF)
1 - 10’ cable with 3.5 to 3.5 (connects MRF to MRF for expansion)
1 - RF Adjustment Tool (Screwdriver for RFX-150 adjustment)
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Page 3
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Installation
Step 1 - Set the RF ID # rotary switch on the bottom of the MRF-300 to a
VALID ID# (any address other than ID# 0). If you leave it set to ID# 0, the MRF-300
operates with some restrictions:
a. Accepts RF signals from any 418MHZremote control regardless of
the address set when programming the remote control.
b. Front Blaster will be OFF and all IR line outputs are set to ALL).
Step 2 - Mount or place the MRF-300 conveniently and run flashers
to each component’s front panel sensor or connect the Line Out to
a components rear panel IR Input.
Slide off the mounting plate to reveal the RF ID# rotary switch. Use a small flat blade
screwdriver to set the RF ID# to the address you used when programming the remote
control (1-9 or A-F are valid addresses, while 0 is not a valid address).
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Page 4
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Daisy Chain Multiple MRF-300’s to One RFX-150 RF Sensor
Step 3 - Connect the RFX-150 to the RF IN, but DO NOT MOUNT IT!
Copper colored
conductor is
GROUND
(Sleeve of
the Plug). Silver colored
conductor is IR
DATA (Tip of
the Plug).
When connecting to a components rear panel
IR Input, cut the flasher off of the wire, strip the
two conductors and connect to the rear panel
IR Input.The MRF-300 is only compatible with
standard IR Inputs, not proprietary control sys-
tems such as Control S.
Use the cable with 3.5mm Stereo Mini
plugs on both ends to daisy chain as
many MRF-300’s as you need. Simply
connect the RF OUT of the first to the
RF IN of the next and so on down the
line.
By daisy chaining MRF-300’s, you can
easily control up to 90 identical com-
ponents.
When connecting a single RFX-150 to the MRF-
300 utilize the cable with 3.5 mm plugs on both
ends. When you need a longer wire or are con-
necting up to three RFX-150’s, use the cable
with a plug on one end and tinned ends. These
can be extended as much as 200’, then connect-
ed to the green removable screw connector
(which plugs into the alternate RF IN). The RED
connects to 5V, the WHITE to DATA and the
BLACK connects to GROUND.
Plug the 3.5mm plug
into the RFX-150’s RF
OUT jack.
Connect the other
end of the cable to
one of the two RF IN
on the MRF-300,
RF OUT of the
RFX-150 to the
RF IN of the
MRF-300.
RF OUT of the
first MRF-300 to
the RF IN of the
next MRF-300.
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Page 5
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Step 4 - Connect the Power Supply to the MRF-300.
Step 5 - Power on the entire Audio/Video System
Test for RF Interference
The RF LED lights when any RF signal is
detected. If the RF LED flickers WITHOUT
pressing a button on the remote control,
you are receiving RF Interference and you
must move the RFX-150 to another loca-
tion.You can extend the wire up to 200’
using standard CAT 5 cable. Place the RFX-
150 in another room or crawlspace to avoid
interference.
If you are restricted to a very small range of mounting locations and the LED
flickers, reduce the range via the RF Range attenuator screw on the RFX-150.
Step 6 - Mount the RFX-150 and adjust for Optimum Range
Have someone press buttons on the remote control from the farthest distant
operating position and adjust RF range screw and the angle of the RF-150
receiving antenna until the RF LED lights with every button push.
If the desired range cannot be reli-
ably maintained, you can opt to
extend range by adding another
RFX-150 RF Sensor in a location
closer to the area where reception
is unreliable. Each RFX-150 can pro-
vide coverage of 50 to 100 feet in
normal conditions. Up to three
RFX-150 Sensors can be connected.
The POWER LED’s on both the RFX-150 and the
MRF-300 should light up when the Power Supply
is connected.
Each RFX-150
can be connect-
ed via up to 200
feet of standard
CAT 5 cable to
the MRF-300.
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Page 6
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Step 7 - Test RF Address
Test that pressing a button
on the remote control
lights the STATUS LED of
the MRF-300.The STATUS
LED only lights when the
correct RF address is
received.
Step 8 - Adjust IR Line
Output Levels
Adjust each of the IR Line Output levels for best operation.
NOTE: TiVo, Replay TV, Satellite Receivers and Cable Boxes are all extremely
sensitive to IR overload or saturation. Put up the on screen guide and test the
navigation arrows. If operation is inconsistent or sluggish, LOWER the IR line
output.
If you still have sluggish operation, check that the remote control is set to a
particular LINE OUT, rather than ALL.When IR commands are sent to all the
flashers in a cabinet, you can have difficulty adjusting the IR Output.
Reprogram the remote control to send IR commands only via a specific (1-6)
Line Output, then readjust the IR Line Output level.
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Page 7
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Front Blaster Overload
A few models of audio/video components can be OVERLOADED by the Front
Blaster. If you are having intermittent or inconsistent results with a particular
component, try repositioning the MRF-300 and facing the Front Blaster in a
different direction. If this improves the situation but is impractical, it may be
necessary to utilize the self-adhesive flashers only and follow the steps below
to Disable the Front Blaster. This will limit the number of components your
MRF-300 can control to six. If you have more than six components you can
purchase an additional MRF-300.
Disabling the Front Blaster - Step by Step via PC
Note: If you are programming a URC MX “addressable” remote control that sets
up without a PC, refer to the owners manual to disable the Front Blaster.
Open the PC software, then plug the MX PC programmable remote control
into the PC. Open your saved configuration and follow these steps to turn off
the front blaster:
Step 1 - Open the RF Setup Window
The RF Setup window opens after selecting RF
Control from the Program Menu.
Step 2 - Setup the Receiver
Extend the RF Setup window by click-
ing on the Receivers button.
Step 3 - Turn off the Front Blaster
Click on the cell in the IR LED
OUTPUT/IR BLASTER column.A list
box will appear. Select OFF from the
list.
SAVE your changes using File|Save and DOWNLOAD to the remote control.
Next, click on OK to apply
your change.
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Controlling An Array of Identical Components or Zones
There are several considerations to take into account when you are installing
an MRF-300 to control an array of identical components:
1.The RF ID# cannot be set to Code 0, the universal setting.You must use
one of the fifteen unique IR Routing addresses.
2. Each identical component must receive IR commands ONLY from a dedicat-
ed Flasher affixed to it’s front panel or a rear panel direct IR input. The SIG-
NAL of the remote should be set to RF ONLY for each identical compo-
nent. IR can still be utilized for other devices in your system!
3. You must note the NUMBER of the Flasher Output you have utilized for
EACH of the identical components.
4. When you use a wired connection to a component’s rear panel IR input,
you must cut off the LED emitter, strip the two conductors, connect the
copper conductor to the DATA input and the silver colored conductor to
the GROUND connector of the component’s rear panel IR input. Then
adjust the line output of the MRF-300 for the best performance if needed.
Identical Components/Zones - Step by Step via PC
Note: If you are programming a URC MX “addressable” remote control that sets
up without a PC, refer to the owners manual for setup of identical components.
Step 1 - Create a Device for Each Component/Zone in the MX
Editor Software.
In this example, six iden-
tical TV’s are utilized in a
Media Room array.The
programmer has created
devices for all of the
equipment in the cabinet
on Main Page 1. On
Main Page 2, he/she has
created a device for
each of the TV’s.
Step 2 - Program One Device With IR commands.
Using either the IR Database or Learning, program one of the identical devices
to operate one of TV’s (leave the others powered off right now).Test all com-
mands, correct if necessary, then click on SAVE from the FILE menu.
Page 8
MRF-300 BASE STATION
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Page 9
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Step 3 - Copy The Programmed Device
In tree view, right click on the device you programmed.
From the context menu that appears, select COPY.
Step 4 - Paste The Programmed Device
In tree view, right click on the first device that is NOT
PROGRAMMED. From the context menu that appears,
select PASTE.
Repeat this PASTE on all of the other identical device. Save
your work.
Step 5 - Open the RF Setup Window
The RF Setup window opens after selecting RF
Control from the Program Menu.
The RF Setup window is composed of a “spread sheet” of options for EACH
of your devices. By looking at the Signal column, you can see that the factory
default programming sets all of the devices to send both IR and RF commands.
If you look at the column for Flashers, you can see that the default sends IR
commands for all devices to ALL of the flashers. Both options must be
changed for identical components.Additionally, if you are not using it, you may
wish to disable the Front Blaster (see page 7 for directions).
Step 6 - Adjust the Signal For Each of the Identical Devices
The RF Setup window enables you to adjust the Signal output for each device
individually, by clicking on the intersection of a row and a column and then
selecting RF from the three options shown in the pull down list box .
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Click on the “cell” for the first
identical TV, by crossing the
device row with the Signals col-
umn.
Select RF from the three options shown for EACH of the identical
TV’s.You may leave the other components of the system set to IR &
RF.
Step 7 - Adjust the Flashers For Each of the Identical Devices
The RF Setup window enables you to adjust which Flashers output by the
remote control for each device individually, by clicking on the intersection of a
row and a column and then selecting 1-6 from the seven options shown in
the pull down list box.
Click on the “cell” for the first
identical TV, by crossing the
device row with the Flashers
column.
Select the correct Flasher (refer to your connection notes) for
EACH of the identical TV’s.You may leave the other components of
the system set to ALL.
Step 8 - Apply, Save, Download and Test
First click on the OK button of the RF Setup window. Next, Save your work.
Finally, download to your remote. When you select TV1 with your remote, com-
mands are only sent to it. Likewise for the rest of your identical TV’s!
Page 10
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Signal Column
TV1 Device Row
Flasher Column
TV1 Device Row
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Page 11
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Programming For Multiple Equipment Locations
You can operate up to 15 different equipment locations, each with an MRF-
300 assigned a unique Receiver ID#. You program each of your remotes to
talk to the equipment locations you want by assigning each of your devices to
a receiver. First, you must add and name your receivers for the locations they
are placed in:
Step 1 - Open the RF Setup Window in MX Editor
The RF Setup window opens after selecting RF Control from the Program
Menu.
Step 2 - Reveal the Receiver settings
Extend the RF Setup window by clicking on the
Receivers button of the RF setup window.
Step 3 - Add, Name and Assign Receiver ID#
Using the controls at the bottom extended portion of the RF Control win-
dow, add new receivers and rename them for the
Step 4 - Save and Download to your
remote.
You may rename the
Default receiver to
something more
descriptive by clicking
on the Rename button.
Add new receivers
by clicking on the
Add button.
Delete receivers by
selecting them first
by clicking on their
Name, then clicking
the Delete button.
Assign the correct Receiver
ID# for each LOCATION by
clicking on the desired CELL
and selecting the ID# you
want from the pull down list.
Each LOCATION should have
a unique ID#. It is ok to
install multiple MRF-300’s in
one location.
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Page 12
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use flasher/emitters that I have already installed in the system
to connect to the MRF-300?
Yes, the flashers are compatible if they use 3.5mm mono mini plugs with the same
polarity (Tip is data, sleeve is ground).
I am getting inconsistent operation regardless of flasher level or
position.
Some components are easily overloaded with IR from nearby flashers. Prevent IR from
affecting the problem component from other flashers or the front panel blaster by set-
ting the device to a specific IR Line Output instead of ALL, then adjust the Line Output.
I have a row of identical TV’s. I’ve correctly set the flasher outputs
using the Editor software, yet when I send a command to one of
them, the TV next to the selected TV also responds. How do I stop
this?
First, check the RF ID#, if the RF ID# is set to 0, IR routing does NOT work.The RF
ID# from 1-9 or A-F must be set on both the remote control and the bottom of the
MRF-300. Second, check that an opaque material like electrical tape is used to cover
the flasher and the front panel sensor of each of the TV’s. Sometimes several layers are
necessary.
How can I increase the range of the remote control?
Often, you can increase range by adjusting the range screw and/or repositioning the
RFX-150. If you still can’t get the range you need, consider installing additional
RFX-150 RF Sensors in the areas with poor range by concealing wire runs to
nearby attic or crawl space locations.
Warranty
The MRF-300 is covered against any manufacturers defects or workmanship
for a period of one year from the date of purchase if purchased from an
authorized Universal Remote Control dealer. Units purchased from online auc-
tion sites or other unauthorized resellers have no warranty.This warranty
does not cover the following items:
-Damage from misuse, neglect, or acts of nature.
-Products that have been modified or incorporated into other products.
-Products purchased more than 12 months ago.
-Units purchased from unauthorized dealers or companies.
Specifications
Power Supply: 9V 300mA
IR Flasher Line Outputs: 3.5mm Mono Mini Jack
RF Frequency: 418MHz
Size: 8” x 3.5” x 1.25”
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500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.universalremote.com
The Complete Control
Remote Control System
TM
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