Programming Manual for the MX-950, MX-900 and TX-1000 Unleashing the MX-950 Core Engine COMPLETE CONTROL BY Universal Remote Control ® ™
Programming Manual for the MX-950, MX-900 and TX-1000 © 2006 Universal Remote Control, Inc. The information in this manual is copyright protected. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced or distributed in any form without prior written consent from Universal Remote Control, Inc. unless you are an AUTHORIZED seller by prior written consent from Universal Remote Control, Inc.
Table of Contents i THE MX-950 “CORE ENGINE” 1 WHAT’S COMMON? SPEED!!! 1 New Programming Features: 1 Key Differences: 1 THE TX-1000 EDITOR WINDOW 2 THE MX-900 EDITOR WINDOW 2 THE MX-950 EDITOR WINDOW 3 PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW 4 A. New File, Existing File on PC or in Remote 4 B. Use SAVE AS 4 C. Use the Program Menu 4 D. Save and Reuse Customer Files 4 E.
Table of Contents ii Hiding Pages in Page View U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T LEARNING 19 20 Tips for Learning from Unusual Devices 20 Learning IR Codes One at a Time 20 Learning a Batch of Buttons Quickly 22 Standalone Learning 23 MACRO PROGRAMMING 24 Bullet Proof Macros or Point N Pray? 24 Finding Workarounds When There Are NO Discrete Codes 24 Using the Macro Window 25 Programming a System Power On Macro 26 Programming a Power Off Macro 29 Copying or Importi
The MX-950 “Core Engine” 1 The MX-950 “Core Engine” M X 9 5 0 T X 1 0 0 0 What’s Common? SPEED!!! New Programming Features: All three applications, MX-950, MX-900 and TX-1000 share all the convenience and speed of MX-3000 Editor combined with the simple, straightforward interface of the MX-850.
TX-1000 and MX-900 Editor Window 2 The TX-1000 Editor Window U A S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E D Edit Buttons Window E Macro Window \ B Tree View C Simulate View The MX-900 Editor Window A E N G I N E D C Simulate View T O E D I T Edit Buttons Window E B Tree View Macro Window
Introducing MX-950 Editor MX-950 Window Editor 3 The MX-950 Editor Window M X 9 5 0 A C D Simulate View Edit Buttons Window T X 1 0 0 0 E Macro Window M X 9 0 0 B Tree View F A Menus and Shortcut buttons for common tasks. The Program Menu activates each task in the correct order. B C Tree View of your configuration. Double clicking on any page enables you to quickly display that page on the simulator view. Right clicking on a device or page activates a context menu.
Programming Type in Section Overview Title 4 U S I N G Programming Overview A. New File, Existing File on PC or in Remote NEW - Starting from scratch on a new job, go to the File Menu, choose New from the File Menu and pick either the default file or a blank file. The default template is pre-programmed with IR commands and is useful for quick testing, but everything will have to be reprogrammed for your system. A blank file is completely empty. It is really personal preference which way you start.
Creating, Naming Type in Section and Arranging Title Devices 5 Creating, Naming and Arranging Devices A device is the basic grouping of a set of hard buttons and up to 255 soft button pages. You will need one device group for each remote control that the MX-950 is replacing. You can have a maximum of 255 devices in your configuration. When you create devices in the Create and Name Devices window, every device is automatically linked with a jump-link to the device via either the WATCH or the LISTEN menu.
6 Creating, Naming Type in Section and Arranging Title Devices 3 You must hit the SAVE button to create all the new devices. U S I N G M X 9 5 0 4 Tree View reveals the new devices you’ve created and the simulator shows the new WATCH page, with all the new device buttons displayed. C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T 5 Select SAVE from the File menu or click on the SAVE icon on the toolbar.
Creating, Naming Type in Section and Arranging Title Devices 7 2 Uncheck the Use Default Color checkbox, by clicking on it. M X 9 5 0 3 Adjust the sliders to the new color setting, then click on OK to save your changes. T X 1 0 0 0 M X 9 0 0 TIP - Use two colors or more for the brightest backlighting! 4 The new color now shows on the simulator.
Using Type in theSection IR Database Title 8 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Using the IR Database Applying a “Set” of IR Commands to each Device 1 Open the Database Window - Select IR Database from the Program Menu or the Toolbar. 2 Device - In the first list box, MX-950 Editor lists the names of the devices you’ve created and named in your configuration. Select the device you would like to program from the list box. 2 IR Data From - Select the type or category of component (i.e.
Using the IR Database 9 4 Model - Select the exact model number from the scrollable Model window. M X 9 5 0 If the MODEL number isn’t there, DON’T test the other model numbers! Instead... Scroll to the bottom of the list of model numbers for your brand. There you will find a number of “Inclusive” Code Sets. These code sets are always labeled BRAND1, BRAND2 (i.e.. Motorola1, Motorola2). Each will operate many different model numbers.
10 U S I N G Using the IR Database 7 After you click on the SAVE button, the LCD Button Editor appears, revealing the pages and codes that will be created. Re-arrange the codes by clicking and dragging any label to any blank position. In this screen shot, you can see that the Live TV DVR command is being dragged to an empty position on page one. This empty position was created by dragging some less important commands to page three.
Finding Discrete Commands for Reliable Macros 11 Finding Discrete Commands for Reliable Macros Discrete Commands versus Toggle Commands When a remote control’s only button to turn on and off a TV set is labeled Power, it is usually a “toggle” command. Test it by pressing the button twice. If the power button turns on the TV, then turns it off, it is a toggle command. You cannot predict whether the component will power on or not.
12 U S I N G Finding Discrete Commands for Reliable Macros 2 Select the IR DATA FROM (category of component), then the BRAND, then the MODEL. If you do not see the model number, utilize the INCLUSIVE CODE SETS (i.e BRAND1, BRAND2, etc). Once you see a command that has a promising sounding name, click on it so that it is highlighted (selected), then click on the TEST button. You can test any IR command in the list.
Finding Discrete Commands for Reliable Macros 4 After you’ve dragged it to its new position, the new label and a pre-programmed code flag (the red dot) is placed on the button. TIP - Vary the number of REPEATS to sustain an IR command for a few seconds. Many projectors require a two or three second burst to power on or off. You can program this to occur without the customer having to press and hold the button for several seconds by utilizing the repeat window in IR Database Navigator.
14 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 Finding Discrete Commands for Reliable Macros 3 Use Tree View to Navigate to the Panel containing LEARNED IR codes you want. Click on the panel name in Tree View to make the panel appear in Panel View. 4 Click on a button in Panel View and the Action List view will reveal whether it has Learned Data or not. Only buttons with Learned Data can be transferred. 5 Click and drag the button to the MX-950 simulator.
Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation 15 Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation Before programming any further, you should rigorously test all of the codes you have programmed using the IR Database and label the buttons with names that the customer will find easy to understand. The best approach is to download, test all the commands, and as you test, use MX-950 Editor to modify labels, and hide or delete unnecessary commands.
16 Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation 3 Now drag any unimportant commands from the first page to the last page of the device. U S I N G M X 9 5 0 4 Take a look at all the other pages, drag any buttons you consider important to the first page. C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T 5 MX-950 Only: Select a button you’d like to convert to Single Column and click on the Single Column button at the top of the window.
Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation 17 6 Select a button to relabel with a new easier to understand name and type it in. M X 9 5 0 7 Repeat Steps 2-6 and continue to test all commands for all of your devices by selecting a new device from the Device list box, then editing as needed. If you are missing a command and need to learn it, delete any buttons that you don’t need and relabel to prepare for learning.
18 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation 2 In Tree View, expand the device you would like to EDIT. In Tree View Double Click on each page of the device to display them. You can have as many pages open as you like. Tip - In Page View, you can drag and drop codes from one device to another. 3 After you’ve opened all the pages you want to edit, go to the Window Menu and select “Tile”, “Cascade” or if you’d like to clean things up, “Close All”.
Test All Commands and Relabel for Easy Operation 19 6 Select a button to relabel with a new easier to understand name and type it in. M X 9 5 0 7 Repeat Steps 2-6 and continue to test all commands for all of your devices by double clicking in Tree View, then editing the pages as needed. If you are missing a command and need to learn it, delete any buttons that you don’t need and relabel to prepare for learning. Tip - Remember to periodically SAVE your work. MX-950 Editor does not save automatically.
Type in Learning Section Title 20 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Learning Learning should be a last resort for professional installers. We make every effort to provide you with any codes you need via our database. If they are not, please make a note to email us at the first chance with the learned file you created, the type of device it is and the Brand and Model Number.
Type in Learning Section Title 21 2 Select the button that you want to teach to by single clicking it on the simulator. 3 Click on the LEARN Tab or choose Learn from the Program. There will be a pause, while the PC communicates with the MX-950, then the info window will display “Ready”. The Learning Information window prompts you when the system is Ready to learn a new command and when a learned command is Good, or if it Fails.
Learning 22 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T 5 If the code doesn’t operate the component you can try the DoubleTap learning method. This is particularly useful for components using the Philips RC5 ‘togglebit” protocol. Many high end audio companies use these codes. Just click on the 2 Time Learn radio button and you will be prompted to learn every code twice. 6 Click on SAVE - You must click on SAVE to save the LEARNED command.
Learning 23 3 Watch the LEARNING Window - When the info window says READY, press and hold the button on the original remote control. When it says GOOD, release the button. If it says FAIL, reteach the same command. When you see that a new button has been selected and the LEARNING window says READY, then teach the new command from the original remote control. Tip - To skip a buttons in the automatic sequence, select the next button you want.
Macro Programming 24 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Macro Programming Bullet Proof Macros or Point N Pray? Professional Installations Require “Bullet-Proof” macros (all discrete codes or workarounds, no toggle commands). A Point and Pray macro is created when you place a toggle command in the macro (like a TV Power command).
Macro Programming TV to EXT3 = 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 25 Ch Up (takes TV to ANT A regardless of what input was last selected) Input (takes TV to next input - ANT B) Input (takes TV to next input - EXT 1) Input (takes TV to next input - EXT 2) Input (takes TV to desired input - EXT 3) Using the Macro Window The Macro Window controls macro recording as follows: Record- This is the fastest way to record a macro.
Macro Programming 26 U S I N G Programming a System Power On Macro Set up your laptop and the connected remote within operational range of the home theater system while programming a macro. Macros that the client will use to turn the system on require extensive testing of delays and you can expect to do a lot of experimenting while programming.
Macro Programming 27 6 Program steps to power on the other components in the system. In this example, the cable box is powered on all the time, since it is a DVR, so the only other component to power on is the surround sound receiver. 7 Program steps to select the correct TV and Receiver input for the client’s favorite activity. In this example the client’s favored activity is watching Cable TV.
Macro Programming 28 U S I N G 11 Select the Delay icon , then when the delay window opens, click on the preset amount of delay or enter any time between .1 second and 30 seconds in the “Customize” window. M X 9 5 0 12 The new step appears in the list. Now, drag the delay step to the correct location. C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T TIP - Sometimes a change in order can provide the delay you need. Each IR command lasts approximately 1/3 of a second, so if you have 3 commands, one second has elapsed.
Macro Type Programming in Section Title 29 Programming a Power Off Macro A Power Off macro is much simpler than a Power On macro, since there are rarely any delays to test, etc. Usually, to give the client some feedback that the macro is working, the TV is turned off first. When you are forced to “workaround” a DVD player or VCR without a discrete off command, you will make the macro more reliable if you place the time consuming anchor (the play command) at the beginning of the macro.
Type Macro in Section Programming Title 30 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E Push and Hold Macros By selecting this option, you now have the ability for one button to issue two different macros. One macro is issued if the button is pressed briefly, another completely different macro is issued if the button is pressed and held. Here is a way to use Push and Hold macros that we think you might find useful for power user clients.
Macro Programming 31 4 Click on the Tab at the bottom of the Macro Window labeled AFTER, and program the full macro (in the example shown; everything this system needs to Watch a DVD). M X 9 5 0 T X 1 0 0 0 Tip - Reverse priority for systems with both casual users and power users... Program the simple jump to occur after a press and hold, while the Activity macros occur with a normal tap. Variable Macros (MX-950 Only) This is another method for one button to issue two different macros.
Macro Programming 32 2 In the Type list box at the bottom of the Macro Window, select Variable as the type. U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T 3 In the Variable list box that now appears, select New Variable. 4 In the New Variable window that opens, type in a descriptive name, then click on OK. 5 Verify that the new variable name appears in the Variable window as the selection. 6 Now your macro window displays two different tabs.
Macro Programming 33 Tip - You must program all your activity and power macros to be Variable macros Now, you must program all macros that the client might use to turn on the system with a variable change that changes the variable ProjectorPower to “1”. Thus no matter what button you use to turn on the system, the MX-950 will know the true status of the projector is on. Likewise all macros that turn the system off must change the variable ProjectorPower to “0”.
Sounds and Images 34 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Using Sounds (MX-950 Only) Setting the Default Sound MX-950 Editor enables any button to have a sound play when the button is pressed. You can set a default sound for every button throughout the configuration as follows: 1 From the File menu select User Preferences. The User Preference window will open. 2 Select one of the three options: None - Your buttons will only make sounds if you drag a sound from the sound gallery to a button.
Punch Through 35 Punch Through allows you to set the same functions on all devices very quickly. You can punch through any of the groups of buttons on the MX-950. In this exampe, the Power On and Power Off buttons on every page and every device are set to punch through to the WATCH Power On and Power Off buttons, thus the user can power off the system without returning to WATCH to press Power Off.
RF Control 36 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 C O R E E N G I N E T O E D I T Programming RF Control Options The RF Setup Window The RF Setup window opens after selecting RFControl from the Program Menu or clicking on the shortcut button. Adjusting Signal and IR Output Options The RF Setup window enables you to adjust the properties of RF Control by clicking on the intersection of a row and a column and then selecting from the pull down list box the property you want. All of your devices are displayed.
RF Control 37 IR OUTPUT controls the Line Outputs for Flashers affixed to the front panels of components.
Enable or Disable Standalone Editing 38 U S I N G M X 9 5 0 Enable or Disable Standalone Editing You can disable the Edit menu of the MX-950. This is the menu that appears when you press and hold LISTEN and ENTER for five seconds. Though the ability to change the labels and to learn codes standalone is useful to some installers, you may want to prevent your customer from accessing these settings. 1 Open the Remote Control Setup window by selecting it from the Communications Menu.
Finishing the Program 39 Downloading You download to the remote control by: 1 Make sure the remote control has charged batteries. 2 Connect the cable between the PC and the remote control. 3 Verify that the file you have open in MX-950 Editor is the one you want to download to the remote control. 4 Click on the Download to Remote Control shortcut button on the toolbar or choose Download from the Communications Menu. Do not move the mouse or touch the keyboard during the download.
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