Vaux Electronics Marc Plus User manual

Vaux Electronics, Inc.
MARC+
Remote Control System
Table of Contents
Important Safety Information ............................................. 3
Introduction ...................................................................... 4
Parts Checklist ................................................................... 5
Installation ........................................................................
Using a Vaux RC-8 Remote Control .................................. 9
Infrared Learning ............................................................ 11
MACRO Programming ..................................................... 13
Default Lighting Group ..................................................... 14
Security ID Code .............................................................. 15
Operation .......................................................................... 1
Maintenance and Service ................................................... 20
Warranty ........................................................................... 21
Questions & Answers ......................................................... 23
Troubleshooting Guide ...................................................... 24
Record for Future Reference:
Model Number: 1080
Serial Number:
Date Purchased:
Place of Purchase:
Attach your sales receipt to this manual. Rev. 1.0
1

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy which
may interfere with residential radio and television reception if not
properly installed and used in accordance with instructions
contained in this manual. Reasonable protection against such
interference is ensured, although there is no guarantee this will not
occur in a given installation. If interference is suspected, and
verified by powering this equipment on and off, try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures: re-orient
the radio/television receiver's antenna; relocate the television or
radio equipment with respect to the MARC+ Receiver; plug the
equipment into separate electrical outlets. The MARC+ Remote
Control System complies with all limits for Part 95 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTI NS
©1993-199 Vaux Electronics, Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
All Rights Reserved
Vaux Electronics, Inc.
Arizona, USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
2

Important Safety Information
As with any product, basic safety precautions should be observed
during handling and use of this system.
• Before using your system, please follow and adhere to all
warnings, safety and operating instructions located on the product
and in this owner's manual.
• Do not expose the system to extreme temperatures, such as
found near a hot radiator or stove.
• Do not use while you are in a bathtub, shower or pool.
Immersion of the system in water could cause an electrical shock.
• Do not place lighted candles, cigarettes, cigars, etc. on the
system.
• Never install or modify wiring during a lightning storm.
• Care should be taken so that objects do not fall onto, or liquids
do not spill into, the system.
• Do not attempt to disassemble the enclosures. There are
no customer serviceable components inside.
• If this system operates on batteries, adhere to the following
precautions:
– Any battery may leak electrolyte if mixed with a different battery
type, if inserted incorrectly, or if all batteries are not replaced at
the same time.
– Any battery may leak electrolyte or explode if disposed of in fire
or an attempt is made to charge a battery not intended to be
recharged.
– Discard leaky batteries immediately. Leaking batteries can cause
skin burns or other personal injury.
– Always dispose of batteries properly.
– Remove batteries from your system if it will not be used for an
extended period of time.
3

Introduction
Thank you for selecting the MARC+ Remote Control System. It has
been designed for the utmost in convenience and reliability. Read
this owner's manual carefully to become familiar with the product
and how it works. The manual explains in simple steps how to
install, use, and care for your MARC+ System.
The MARC+ Remote Control System allows you to control virtually
any device from any room in your house, even outside — without
wiring your home!
With the MARC+ System, you can operate up to eight infrared-
controlled Audio/Video components, such as TVs, VCRs, and
stereos, with one remote control. Additionally, the MARC+ System
allows you to turn on/off appliances and lights (and dim also), all
at the touch of a button.
From the MARC+ Remote Control, you can operate up to 100 X-
10® Powerhouse™-connected lights and appliances. The X-10
modules are easy to install — just plug them into standard power
outlets.
The MARC+ System uses a small, hand-held Remote Control which
broadcasts radio frequency (RF) signals to the MARC+ Receiver.
Depending on the button you press, the MARC+ Receiver will take
one of the following actions:
• Replay “learned” infrared signals to control your audio/video
equipment,
• Send commands over the power lines to control your X-10
lighting and appliance devices, or
• Play a MACRO command to perform a sequence up to 10-steps.
• The “Auto-Source-Selection” feature make system operation
easy.
As with any radio control system, the operating range is limited;
this means that the MARC+ Remote Control can function only a
certain distance away from the MARC+ Receiver. Under typical
conditions, the MARC+ System will operate throughout an average
home and immediately outside it.
4

Parts Checklist
When unpacking your MARC+ System, make sure that you have the
following parts:
1. Vaux RC-8 RF Remote Control
2. MARC+ Receiver
3. Standard Antenna (25” wire w/ phono plug)
4. Power Adapter (12VDC, 200 mA)
You may also need some of these optional parts for your
installation:
• One X1 Powerline Interface (X-10 Interface module and cable)
• Up to four EC-1 Infrared Emitter Cables, or EC-2 Dual Emitter
Cables
• Additional RC-8 RF Remote Controls for other rooms
• ANT-3 Folded Dipole Antenna, or an APA-1 Antenna Preamp
to
increase RF reception range
5

Installation
(NOTE: For the purpose of this installation the MARC+ Receiver will
be referred to as the Receiver; the Vaux RC-8 RF Remote Control
will be referred to as the Remote Control. An audio receiver or
infrared remote control will be specifically referenced to as such.)
The rear panel of the MARC+ Receiver has the following
connections:
1. 12 VDC Power Adapter (2.1 mm, center negative)
2. Antenna Connector (phono jack) — Standard wire
antenna connects here, or, optionally, remotely-located antenna(s),
such as the ANT-3 Folded Dipole, may be connected via RG-59 or
RG- coaxial cable, and the appropriate adapter.
3. Four Infrared Emitter Cable Connectors (3.5 mm phone
jack) (Xantech®-compatible, center positive)
4. X-10® Interface Module Connector
("telephone-type" modular jack)
The bottom of the MARC+ Receiver also has a recessed pushbutton
RESET switch (Caution: pressing the Reset button will restore
factory settings and erase all infrared codes).
1. Place the Receiver beside your audio/video components. For best
RF reception, locate the Receiver as high as possible, and as far as practical
from cables and metal cases. Avoid placement close to large-screen TVs,
computers, or fluorescent fixtures — these devices generate RF noise which
can reduce range.
2. Attach IR emitters over each audio/video component's infrared (IR)
sensor window. The emitter affixes with a small section of peel-off, double-
sided, removable adhesive tape. Plug the connector end of the emitter cable
into one of the four rear-panel emitter jacks on the Receiver.
The Receiver has four connectors (3.5 mm phone jacks) on
the back panel for attaching infrared emitter cables. Each single
emitter can control one audio/video component. Optionally, you
can use dual emitters to control up to 8 A/V devices.

(NOTE: You may also choose to use a “Room Blaster”
instead of, or in addition to, the emitter cables. A Room Blaster
can transmit the invisible infrared (IR) signals across a room to a
wall of components; this provides more installation flexibility, but
the signals can also get blocked by people or objects in the IR path.
3. PTI NAL: X-10® Lighting/Appliance Interface Module
a. Plug one end of the X-10 Interface Cable into the "telephone-type" jack
on the back of the Receiver.
b. Plug the other end of the X-10 Interface Cable into the "telephone-type"
jack on the X-10 Interface Module.
c. Plug the X-10 Interface Module into an unswitched standard electrical
outlet. This allows the MARC+ System to send commands over the
powerlines to control X-10 devices.
4. Plug the Antenna into the Receiver and straighten the wire up and
away from cables and other metal.
5. Connect the Power Adapter to the Receiver and plug into an
unswitched standard electrical outlet.
6. Install the Remote Control's batteries: The RC-8 Remote
Control uses 3 “AAA” batteries to power it. Alkaline, Heavy-Duty
Carbon, or rechargeable NiCad batteries may be used. These
batteries will last up to months under normal conditions. Be
certain to observe polarity markings when installing batteries.
Remember to always dispose of batteries at a recycling center;
more information about battery use and disposal may be found on
page 3 of this manual.
When changing the batteries, lay the RC-8 keyboard-down on a
flat surface; protrusions on the case prevent the keys from being
pressed. Remove the old batteries and replace with new batteries
within one minute. This process will ensure that the user-
selectable settings are not changed. If you want to restore the
factory settings, remove the old batteries, press a key, and let the
RC-8 sit for a minute or so before installing the new batteries —
the red light will flash twice to indicate that factory settings have
been restored.
7

USING A VAUX RC-8 REM TE C NTR L
The Vaux RC-8 Remote Control supports the IR commands for up
to 8 A/V components, as well as up to 100 X-10-connected lights
and appliances.
When the batteries are first installed, the RC-8 will use the "factory
settings" for the programmable features it stores. Upon battery
insertion, the red light flashes twice to indicate that the factory
settings have been loaded. The user may at any time change these
settings.
The factory settings are:
Current A/V Device: 1
( Tuner )
Default Light Group: 1
( X-10 House Code A )
Default Security ID Code: 1070
Default Zone: 1 (not used by the MARC+)
Batteries should be changed when the low-battery indication is
given, that is the red and green lights flashing simultaneously
when a button is pressed. Although you may continue to operate
the RC-8, operating range will be reduced and remaining battery
life is short.
8

The RC-8 has a three-position slide switch which selects the
operating mode; Audio/Video, Lights/App, or MACROs.
The Audio/Video mode is used to operate infrared-controlled
components whose control codes have been learned by the MARC+
Controller.
The Lights/App mode is used to operate X-10 connected lights and
appliances. The MACRO mode is used to invoke up to a 10-step
key sequence by using the number pad (0-9), for ten different
MACROs.
There are several special buttons on the RC-8: the SHIFT button,
eight Device buttons (Tuner, CD, etc.), the Sec button, the Learn
button, and the Zone button.
In the Audio/Video mode, the “keyboard” buttons correspond to
the currently-selected “Device”. These eight separate keyboards
are also referred to as “pages” of infrared control codes. There are
30 programmable buttons which access the infrared codes for the
currently-selected device. That is, each of the eight selectable
Devices has a 30-button "keyboard" (or page) for a total of 240
infrared control codes.
Besides the standard buttons (FF, Play...) there are four general-
purpose “function” buttons, F1 - F4, which may be used for less-
frequently used infrared commands, for example, PIP, VCR
tracking, surround modes, etc.
One way to change the Device you are controlling is to press the
Shift key, followed by one of the Device buttons (e.g.: Shift-CD).
This changes the Current Device which the RC-8 is ready to
control, without transmitting any commands to the MARC+
Receiver.
A second way to change the Current Device is to simply press the
desired Device button (e.g.: CD). This changes the Current Device
which the RC-8 is ready to control, AND transmits a special
“Source-Change” command to the MARC+ Receiver. Each of the
Device buttons has an IR code associated with it, which is used to
store the source-selection commands for your A/V receiver. You
simply press CD: the A/V receiver automatically selects the CD
input, and the RC-8 keyboard now accesses the CD’s controls.
9

Infrared Learning
1. Slide the mode switch to “Audio/Video”, and then Press and hold the
Learn button on the Remote Control for 2 seconds until the green
light on the Remote Control illuminates, then release. When the
button is released, the yellow Learn light on the Receiver will
illuminate. You are now in IR learning mode.
2. Select a Device: Press Shift-Device for the component you
are about to teach to the MARC+ System (for example, Shift-
Laser). You may change the Current Device at any time; you have
eight separate “keyboards” (or IR pages) to program.
3. You are now ready to map all of the buttons from your existing infrared
remote control(s) to the buttons on the MARC+ Remote Control.
You can learn as many buttons as you wish — one or all. If you
want to change a button that already has been taught, just learn it
again. It will replace the old command with the new infrared
command. All of the commands are stored in the Receiver, which
has a battery backup — you may unplug it without your codes
being lost.
Press the button on the MARC+ Remote Control that you want to teach
(for example, Ch Up); the green Data light on the Receiver will go
on, and the yellow Learn light will go off.
4. Hold the infrared remote control up to the sensor window on the front
of the MARC+ Receiver (approximately 2 to 4 inches away) and press
and H LD D WN the button — that you want to learn — on your existing
infrared remote control (for example, Ch Up) until the yellow Learn light
on the Receiver illuminates, then release. Note: the green Data
light on the Receiver will flash as the code is being learned.
IMP RTANT: You must H LD D WN the infrared remote
control button, while you are learning the code, until the yellow Learn light
on the Receiver illuminates. This may take a second depending on the type
of A/V device.
If there has been an error while learning, the red Error light on
the Receiver will blink; repeat steps 2 through 4 until all of the primary
10

device buttons have been learned. You may change the Current
Device setting at any time; you have eight separate "keyboards" to
program.
Note: If you wish to have a global button (e.g. Volume, Mute,
Power...) which is always available regardless of the Device page
you are in, simply program the same code in all eight device pages.
5. To program the eight special “Source-Change” codes, press a Device
button (e.g.: Laser) when the Receiver's yellow Learn light is on.
Then program this location with the appropriate source-select
code for the A/V receiver. Repeat for the other Device buttons.
6. To exit IR Learning mode, press and hold down the Remote Control's
Learn button for approximately 2 seconds until the Remote Control's
Green light goes on, and then release the button. Note: You may
exit Learn mode only when the Receiver's yellow Learn light is on.
When completed, the green Data light flashes and the yellow Learn
light will go off.
11

MACR Programming
Multiple command MACRO support allows you to define one-
button sequences, for example, adjust room lighting, lower the
projection screen, power-up the laserdisc, and play. There are Ten
10-step MACROs available using any combination of audio/video
IR command, X-10 for light control, even time delays (using X-10
commands). MACROs are stored in the Controller, which has
battery back-up.
There are 10 different MACRO buttons available using the number
keypad (0-9).
a. Slide the Mode switch to the Macro position.
b. Press the Learn button (do not hold down — if held down,
system will go into Infrared Learning Mode, not MACRO Learning).
c. Press and hold down the MACRO button that you would like to
program (for example, 1) for 2 seconds until the Green light on the
RC-8 is on, then release. The Controller's Learn and Data lights
will illuminate.
d. In the desired operational sequence, slowly press the sequence
of buttons, one right after the other waiting a second between
button presses for the data transmission to complete (lights on the
RC-8 will flash during transmission). The Data light on the
Controller flashes off briefly as the button-press is added to the
MACRO's sequence. You can program up to 10 different
audio/video IR and/or X-10 steps per MACRO button.
Example: • slide to Macros, press Learn, press/hold 2, release
• slide to Lts, press 2, 3, On (B3 On) (1 step)
• press VolDn, VolDn, VolDn (dim about 50%) (3 steps)
• slide to A/V, press Laser, press Play (2 steps)
• slide to Macros, press any number key to exit
MACRO Tip: if you wish to insert short delays between commands,
enter an unused X-10 function (e.g. H1 OFF, if H1 is not used in
your house) to obtain approximately one second of delay per X-10
command.
12

MACRO Tip: a “System On” Macro is handy, but many A/V devices
have a toggling power command and can lead to synchronization
problems. Use an X-10 Appliance power strip to power these
components; in the Macro, first turn the module Off, then On
(devices now in standby), followed by all of the component IR
power commands.
Default Lighting Group (X-10 House Code)
The MARC+ System allows access to 100 lights and appliances
using a 2-digit operation (00-99), but also provides a shortcut 1-
digit operation to control up to 9 X-10 modules that are used most
frequently; these nine modules must have the same House Code
and will use Unit Codes 1 to 9. The House Code used in 1-digit
operation is stored in the RC-8 Remote Control.
When batteries are first inserted into the RC-8, it is initially
programmed with a House Code Factory Setting of "A". For initial
1-digit X-10 Operation, a House Code of "A" will automatically be
used and you do not have to specify a House Code.
To set a new default House Code for 1-digit operation:
a. Press the Learn button, then press the Shift button, then
press and hold down the Zone button until the Green light on the
Remote Control is on, then release.
b. Press a digit (0 through 9), corresponding to the desired
default House Code. This will be saved until it is changed or reset.
RC-8 Digit Pressed X-10 House Code
1 A (Factory Setting)
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 E
F
7 G
8 H
9 I
0 J
13

Security ID Code
The MARC+ System can be set to a unique identifying number,
not unlike dialing up a number on a garage door opener. This
allows systems to exist in adjacent houses, or multiple Vaux
Systems to be installed within one house. There are 10,000 code
combinations possible. Only power one Receiver at a time when
setting SecIDs.
Before you begin, make sure the MARC+ Receiver is plugged into a
standard electrical outlet and has power. Also, make sure that you are within
transmitting distance.
a. Press and hold down the Sec button on the RC-8 Remote
Control for two seconds until the Remote Control's green light is on,
then release.
b. Press 4 buttons corresponding to the 4-digit security code
desired (0000 through 9999).
c. For verification, press the new 4-digit security code (0000
through 9999) again. Once verified, the command to change the
security ID code will now be transmitted to the MARC+ Receiver
and the green Data light on the Receiver will flash.
If an incorrect button is pressed during the second code
entry, the red Error light on the Remote Control will flash to indicate
that the security code was invalid; please start all over again. No
command will be sent to the Receiver.
If there is an error during transmission and the Receiver
does not receive a valid security id code change, the red Error light
on the Receiver will flash. Or, possibly, if you are too close to the
Receiver, no light will flash. At this point, the Remote Control's
security id code has been changed, but not the Receiver's. The
Remote Control will need to be changed to match the Receiver
(start from step a. and enter the previous setting — the command
will be ignored by the Receiver) or reset to the factory settings.
IMP RTANT: If for some reason, either the Remote Control's or
the Receiver's security id code changes, but not the other, reset to the factory
settings of 1070; see page 23.
14

peration
Audio/Video peration
1. Slide the Mode switch to the Audio/Video position.
2. Select the Device you wish to control by either:
• pressing a Device button (e.g.: Cab/Sat) to change the
Current Device AND use Auto-Source-Selection, or
• pressing Shift-Device (e.g.: Shift-Cab/Sat) to change the
Current Device without changing any source selection.
3. Press the button for desired operation (e.g., Vol Up).
Note: You may control system power individually over each
component, or you may program MACROs to turn your entire
system on and off.
MACR peration
1. Slide the Mode switch to the Macro position.
2. Press a digit key (0-9) corresponding to the desired Macro.
15

Lights/Appliances (X-10) peration
Controlling your lights and appliances can be performed by
using either the 1-digit or 2-digit operation. With the 2-digit X-10
operation, you can control up to 100 lights and appliances. The 1-
digit operation is used to reduce the number of keystrokes for the
lights/appliances control for up to 9 X-10 modules that are used
most frequently and have the same House Code.
1. 2-digit operation:
a. Slide the Mode switch to the Lts/App positions
b. Press a digit (0 through 9), corresponding to the desired
House Code.
RC-8 Digit pressed X-10 House Code
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 E
F
7 G
8 H
9 I
0 J
c. Press a digit (0 through 9), corresponding to the desired X-
10 Unit Code.
RC-8 Digit pressed X-10 Unit Code
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
7 7
8 8
9 9
0 10
d. Press the On or Off button to control the X-10® Module.
(NOTE: In order to dim or brighten a light, the light must
first be turned on and then dimmed/brightened. This an X-10-
1

defined operation. See Steps 3 and 4.)
Example of 2-digit X-10® peration:
For example, either a lamp module or an appliance module set
to a house code of "D" and a unit number of "5", would be
addressed by pressing the two-digit code, 4 5. An X-10 module
set to a house code of "F" and a unit number of "9", would be
addressed by pressing the two-digit code, 9.
2. 1-digit X-10 peration (Default House Code Used):
The 1-digit operation can be used in addition to the 2-digit
operation; it is used to reduce the number of keystrokes for the
lights/appliances control for up to 9 X-10 modules that are used
most frequently and have the same House Code.
The MARC+ System is initially programmed with a House
Code Factory Setting of "A". For initial 1-digit X-10® Operation, a
House Code of "A" will automatically be used and you do not have
to specify a House Code.
If you wish to use a different House Code, other than "A", you
must change your Default House Code — See previous section.
1. 1-digit operation:
a. Slide the Mode switch to the Lts/App positions
b. Press a digit (0 through 9), corresponding to the desired X-
10 Unit Code.
RC-8 Digit pressed X-10 Unit Code
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
7 7
8 8
9 9
0 All lights on/All units
off
Use the zone mapping provided on the rear label of your
17

MARC+ Remote Control for the 1-digit X-10® operation. This
gives you a quick reference guide.
Zone "0" commands all modules, on the default House Code,
to respond to the X-10 "All Lights On" and "All Units Off"
commands.
c. Press the On or Off button to control the X-10 Module.
(NOTE: In order to dim or brighten a light, the light must
be turned on, then dimmed, then brightened. This an X-10
defined operation. See steps 3 and 4.)
Example
With the 1-digit operation method, the factory-setting house
code is set to "A". For example, either an X-10 module placed in
the Living Room should be set to a house code of "A" and a unit
number of "1". A module placed in the Dining Room should be set
to a house code of "A" and a unit number of "2", etc.
If you hear a noise at night, 0-On turns on lights in the whole
house.
3. Dimming/Brightening Lamp Modules:
In order to dim a light, the light will be first be turned on
and then dimmed. Only the last module which was turned on is
affected. Actually, the last light turned Off will also dim (from full
bright), but will not brighten from full off. This an X-10 defined
operation.
Note: Macros can be used to preset modules On and fully
dimmed. They can then be brightened from this pseudo-off point.
Note: Appliance modules do not respond to the Dim/Bright
commands, since they use relay switching.
a. Slide the Mode switch to the Lts/App positions
b. Press Chan Up/Down, or the Vol Up/Down buttons, and hold until
the lamp is dimmed/brightened to the desired level.
18

Note: The Dim/Bright operation does not apply to the "All Lights"
zone; this is an X-10-defined operation.
19

Maintenance
The MARC+ System is designed to be maintenance-free, but it
does contain sensitive electronic parts. Treat it with care to assure
best performance.
Avoid Rough Treatment
Avoid dropping the MARC+ Remote Control and Receiver. Use the
original packaging (or equivalent) for protection, if you must ship
the system.
Cleaning
The hard plastic cases of the MARC+ System have a durable finish
that should retain its luster for many years. Clean exposed parts
with a soft, slightly damp soft cloth. Never use detergents, excess
water, treated cloths, harsh cleaning agents or sprays.
Service
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires this
product be serviced only by the manufacturer or its authorized
service agents. For instructions on how to obtain service, refer to
the warranty included in this manual or call the Vaux Electronics
Service Department at ( 02) 813-8577.
Attach your sales receipt to this manual for future reference and
write down the date this product was purchased on page 1 of this
manual. This information will be valuable if service should be
required during the warranty period.
According to some State laws, in the event service should be
required, you may need both Model and Serial Numbers. Please
record your Serial Number on page 1 of this manual. The MARC+
System Serial Number can be found on the rear panel of the
Receiver.
20