In a unique
synthesis of hardware and software engineering, Universal Remote Control has
revolutionized the standards of custom installers for color touch screen
automation. The Home Theater Master MX-3000 offers some superficial similarities
to previous touch screen offerings. However, in this review of the hardware and
software specifications, it should be clear that the power of this new design
offers custom installers and end users long needed relief in a number of key
areas.
The twin goals of the design team were to improve the elegance and usability
of touch screens through the physical design while streamlining the programming
process to REDUCE THE TIME required to install a touch screen.
Ergonomic
Principles
Touch screens for automating and controlling home theaters have been an
important tool in the arsenal of custom installers for years. The usefulness of
the touch screen lies in the installer’s power to control the user interface
and customize it to the client’s needs specifically. To end users, the success
of touch screens in the high-end home theater market has been a double edged
sword. On the one hand, a touch screen offers understandable controls, powerful
automation and a delightful aesthetic alternative to the clutter of conventional
remote controls on the coffee table. On the other hand, touch screen users have
traditionally suffered from ergonomic challenges that conventional remote
controls do not.
Easy
Operation
By assigning the important home theater operational buttons to the natural
resting place of the end users thumbs, the MX-3000 achieves a new standard in
use and comfort.
Physical
Ergonomics
For an end user who surfs or loves to make fine adjustments to the home theater,
the touch screen is constantly in their hands. The MX-3000 has a number of
refinements to keep it comfortably in their hands. The most important is the use
of advanced technology and materials to make the touch screen as light in weight
as possible. Through the use of lithium ion battery technology and other
innovations, the weight of the touch screen has been reduced to less than 11
ounces.
Automatic
Backlighting
The integral motion sensor detects any movement of the touch screen and
automatically backlights the screen. The user does not have to press any button
to display the screen. Any movement of the MX-3000 renews the backlighting.
Without movement, the touch screen stays lit for 1 to 99 seconds (programmed by
the installer). The backlighting is extremely effective, even under direct
sunlight. Utilizing the latest CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) technology,
the screen is vividly illuminated in a dark room and perfectly readable
outdoors.
Animated
in 65,535 Colors
Powered by a 206MHz RISC microprocessor, the MX-3000 offers installers the first
touch screen designed for animation. The powerful central processor enables
quick, fluid page transitions and animated macros that entertain the client as
your programmed automation goes to work configuring their system for them. The
3.8” screen offers a 240x320 pixel window to any graphic you as the installer
care to provide. You can place BMP’s, JPEG’s, GIF’s or animated GIF’s on
any button.
The World
of Sound
Equipped with a speaker and any PC recording, you can add talking help buttons
(recorded on any PC with a microphone) or music to your macros via any WAV file.
Long
Macros via Reliable, Robust RF/IR Repeating Add-On
Traditional touch screens generate their automation via macros of IR commands.
During a long macro, the user must hold the remote steady and pointed at the
equipment to ensure that all commands are received by the components. The
MX-3000 includes remarkable new RF technology that provides seamless
communication between the remote and the components via RF. As a result, the end
user no longer needs to point the remote during a long macro. Once the button is
pressed, the MX-3000 transmits the macro to the MRF-250 RF Base Station (sold
separately), which repeats the commands flawlessly regardless of whether the
remote is even in the customers hands.
The MRF-250 Base Station receives RF signals from the MX-3000 and transmits
commands to all components in the space (cabinet or room) either through the
MRF-250 Base Station’s Front IR Blaster or the six plug-in flashers.
The MX-3000 and MRF-250 consistently achieves a range of 75 to 100 feet
without any interference, even in hostile RF environments with multiple
satellite receivers, computers or PVR’s (all these components generate
significant interference to RF remote control). The combination of
troubleshooting LED’s and the easy repositioning of the base station and its
antenna leads to easy, trouble free installation in the most active
environments.
Eliminate
Plasma TV Interference Without Expensive “Plasma-Proof” IR Sensors
Because the MX-3000 can issue both line-of-sight IR and omnidirectional RF,
plasma television sets can be controlled directly via IR, while out of sight A/V
components are controlled via RF without the need for any IR repeater
installation. Whether equipment is behind closed doors, inside cabinets, in
other rooms of the house or even outdoors, the MX-3000 will send the necessary
commands without pointing the remote controller at any A/V components.
Utilize
Identical TV’s or Other Components Without External “Black Box Routers”
A single MRF-250 RF Base Station can route the IR commands of up to six
identical components. In houses with identical TVs or Satellite receivers spread
around the house, you can install additional MRF-250 RF Base Stations. Each
MRF-250 is assigned one of 16 unique ID Numbers allowing up to 16 equipment
locations in a single installation. Each MRF-250 can be controlled from any
MX-3000. A system can be comprised of any number of MX-3000’s and MRF-
250’s. If desired, each MRF-250 Base Station can have a dedicated MX-3000
programmed only for the components in that room. For instance, a single MX-3000
may be used to control three different locations, or each location can have its
own MX-3000.
Software
Designed for the Professional Installer
Home Theater Master created new standards with the introduction of the MX-700
and MX-800 Editor programs for the combination LCD/Hard Button IR/RF remote
controls. For the first time, the custom installation professional has software
designed to speed programming and installation. Around the world, the MX series
of hybrid LCD remotes has found huge success because of the professional
orientation of the software. Touch Screens introduce many complications for the
professional installer. Yes, now you can label any button with any length label,
but now you have the added chore of selecting, arranging and aligning all of the
graphical buttons of the user interface. In some installations, the artistic
part of the programming can take days with other touchscreen programming
packages.
The MX-3000 Editor enhances the reputation earned by the MX-700 and MX-800
software. In every operation, the design team found ways to speed the process of
programming a touch screen for a professional installation. Rather than forcing
installers to create their own graphics and buttons, Home Theater Master GUI
designer, Dale Crawford (renowned for his EasyTheater template for touch
screens) unleashed a torrent of creativity, producing hundreds of icons and new
button designs, organized into templates and themes that can be instantly
swapped into place by the installer.
MX-3000 Editor allows you to create your own designs as well, but with an
added twist. You can save your designs as templates or themes and reuse them
over and over again, without the labor of programming each button individually.
The end result is a totally customizable production environment for professional
installers.
Quick and
Easy Understanding of Uploaded Configurations
The age old problem. One installer is asked to fix the problems of another
installer. With MX-3000 Editor, understanding the programming of another
installer is effortless. Simply upload the file from the remote, and examine it
in Simulator View. Each button is flagged with a symbol identifying whether it
is programmed with a Macro, a pre-programmed code, a learned code, an alias or a
punch through. By browsing through the pages of the configuration, you quickly
identify the change you need to make since every button is instantly
identifiable without clicking or double clicking.
Powerful
Macros With Sounds, Text Changes, Multiple Page Jumps, Variables, Press Times,
Delays and IR Commands
The MX-3000 supports unprecedented macro flexibility and power. Utilizing a
spreadsheet style of action list, the installer can program macros with much
more flexibility than any past touch screen program. Each row in the spreadsheet
represents a macro step, but the installer can now program several functions to
occur at the same time. Thus a command can be issued, a sound played, a message
displayed on the button and a variable can be set all at once.
IR Code
Editing
Extensive editing of learned and database codes is possible. Now, projectors
that require a sustained burst of 4 to 5 seconds can be automated, since the
software enables you to edit the time the code is sent during a macro. Carrier
frequency, single code repeats and labels can be saved.
Use
Variables For Personalization of Macros
Macros can set up to 255 custom variables. By creating variables for each of
your users, you can program macros that perform different steps for different
users. Advanced programmers may utilize variables for their own purposes,
creating dynamic interfaces for clients that shift with activity or purpose.
Import CCF
and other Tools For Professional Installers
During programming, you can call on a number of powerful tools to ease the
process. Import ccf configurations, open galleries of button art or pre-recorded
sounds. An emulator of the remote control itself enables you to quickly check
navigation and button art in use. Timers and clocks can be added to any button
for display or automation.
Unprecedented
Control of Text, Graphics and Animation
With the MX-3000, you can instantly set the parameters of any buttons text and
graphics. You can select fonts, styles, and colors for your text and align
multiple lines of text on one button if you like. Button art can be
automatically inverted after a press or swapped out for an alternate image.
Animated GIF files can be looped or run once at your discretion.
| MX-3000
Features/Specifications: |
| LCD
Screen: |
|
| Range: |
| RF
- 50-100 feet
IR (line of sight) - 30-50 feet
|
|
| Power
Source: |
| MX-3000
- Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery (included) |
|
| Dimensions: |
| MX-3000
- 7.0" x 4.75" x 1.1" (L x W x H) |
|
| Weight: |
| MX-3000
- 8oz (with batteries) |
|
| Warranty: |
|
