Xantech Signal Processor System
Introduction
Based on the award-winning MRC44 keypad (judged by many to be the most aesthetically appealing and easiest-to-use keypad on the market today), the MRC88 keypad is a flush mounted piece that snaps into the special MRC88 keypad bracket (about the size of a double-gang J-box.) Its slim profile and unique mounting bracket make it appealing to both dealer and customer alike.
MRC88 Keypad Front
The front of the MRC88 Keypad contains a total of 20 buttons, including the Power button. In addition, there is a multi-colored LED to indicate ON/OFF, System Busy, IR output and other system functions, an IR eye that receives IR signals from a remote control and a large LCD screen.
The MRC88 Keypad cover is available in 4 colors-almond, black, ivory and white. All buttons are made of soft rubber and are back-lit, producing a beautiful, soft glow around each. (This soft light times out after use to not be a distraction...the backlight duration is variable based on user preference.)
The buttons are arranged in a way to maximize ease of use and elegant appearance. Use of the source or volume buttons is automatically reflected in the LCD screen, which displays the available sources, currently selected source and volume level.
The center of the Keypad is a multi-function cursor array for controlling source components such as CD, VCR, DVD and Satellite receivers.
The large, easy to read backlit LCD, indicates the source component selected, volume, mute and "Link" mode.
For convenient easy chair control, the Keypad also features an infrared receiver. Hand-held remotes can be used to control the system and source components from across the room.
Xantech's highly acclaimed and proprietary software, Dragon Drop-IR™,, is used to program the sources in each system. Using this software, dealer/installers can program MRC88 Keypads for basic or sophisticated sequences (macros) to send out strings of commands to turn the system on, dim the lights, close the draperies, select a source, and play that source component all from a single button press.
MRC88 Keypad Rear
In addition to the two mounting prongs that go into the special mounting bracket, the back of the Keypad contains two RJ45 connectors, one for easy connection to a CAT5 cable back to the Controller/Amplifier and one for expansion to a maximum of four keypads in each zone.
Other Keypad Features
- Keypad IR receiver sensitivity adjustment
- Keypad IR receiver enable/disable jumper
- LCD backlight brightness adjustment
- Keypad zone termination jumper
- External IR receiver/keypad input connections allowing use of other Xantech IR receivers, Smart-Pad3 keypads or Waterpad keypads in the zone
- In-the-zone IR emitter output connections to allow the system to control components physically located in the zone
Rear view of MRC88 Keypad
Source Selection - The MRC88 System allows for the selection of any one of the eight stereo audio/video source inputs in each of the eight zones and allows for the same source to be selected in multiple zones.
Music Server Inputs - The MRC88 provides eight zone-specific stereo audio server inputs. When activated, this capability overrides source one audio inputs and maps server audio input one to zone one/source one, server audio input two to zone two/source one, etc. This allows each zone to have their own dedicated music server output simply by selecting source one.
Control - Control of the system is not limited to the MRC88 Keypads. It can also be accomplished via the MRC88 Keypad's built-in IR receiver and a hand-held remote, another IR generating device such as the Xantech SmartPad3 or WaterPad keypads or via RS232 using the Controller/Amplifier's com port.
RS232 - RS232 connectivity, both into and out of the Controller, allows the MRC88 to integrate with certain home theater components, lighting, HVAC and other devices that communicate via RS232.
IR Routing - The MRC88 sends control codes to the proper device so that one zone can specifically select and control a source component, such as a satellite receiver, while another room can select and control another component of the same brand/model without interfering. As would be expected, IR commands originating in a zone will be routed to the selected source component via the source-specific IR output. They will also be routed to the zone components via the zone-specific IR output for that zone. In addition, zone loopback allows IR commands originating in the zone to be looped back to that zone to provide IR in-the-zone via the MRC88 Keypad rear panel IR-in-zone emitter output. This in-the-zone IR signal allows the MRC88 to control components physically located in the zone.
Audio Amplification - Amplified stereo speaker outputs, at 35 Watts per channel, are provided on zones one through six. Zones seven and eight are designed to make use of external power amplifiers such as the Xantech PA435X (four channels at 35 Watts per channel), the PA4100X (four channels at 100 Watts per channel) or other external audio amplifier, such as a surround-sound system. The MRC88 provides for individual control of volume, mute, treble, bass, and balance in all eight zones.
Controller/Amplifier Front Panel Programming and A/V Connections
IR Learning - IR commands used to control external components can be learned using the included Dragon Drop-IR software and the MRC88's built-in IR learning eye and then downloaded into the Controller or they can be generated from the MRC88's built-in IR code library.
Macros - The Dragon Drop-IR software is used to program all of the MRC88's parameters and functionality. It also allows a macro, or series of commands, made up of IR, audio control, RS232, repeat or delay commands to be built and associated with a specific button or event. These macros can then be triggered by a keypad button press, an RC68+ IR code, an MRC88 compatible keypad command, control sense status, video sense status, or by RS232.
Modes of Control - the MRC88 System has considerable flexibility to adapt different modes of control for different applications.
- Whole-House - If the system is going to be controlled by a single user from multiple locations, the system can be set to allow selection and control of any source from any zone.
- Priority - In a situation where there will be multiple users on the system, the MRC88 can be set to allow selective control of a source from a zone, so once a source is selected, only the first zone to select that source can control that source. Other zones can monitor the source by selecting the input, but would not be able to control the device.
- Link - Multiple zones can be tied together to act as one zone. At times, it may be desirable to have the dining room and living room be two separate zones giving each the ability to select its own source, adjust volume, etc. At other times it may be desirable to link the two zones so that when a souce is selected in one room, the other room will automatically have the same source selected. These rooms can be turned ON or OFF as a group from any of the linked zones. Each room will maintain independent volume and mute controls.
- Monitor Lockout - Prevents particular zones from selecting certain sources allowing parental control of program material.
Power Management - The MRC88 utilizes two sensing methods to provide power management to keep source components in sync with system activity. The first is video sensing via the eight source video input jacks. The second method is via the sense input jack on each source input and a CSM1 Current Sensing Module to detect current drawn by components that do not have a video output.
