I just picked up an Extron Crosspoint 300 84HVA. For control, do you use the Extron software or some other app? Also, is there any way to integrate this switch with an existing IR distribution system?

Many of us use this as part of a full fledged HA solution. Something that can provide serial control. I personally use CQC. There is no IR solution for manipulating the switch unless you go to the expense of an IR to RS232 converter. However, the serial commands are fairly convoluted and determining all the IR combinations would be involved. You 'could' do it with a PC, IRMan or USBIRT and Girder.

Thanks, Robert. I was hoping you'd answer, since from reading many posts on these switchers, you seem to be the resident answer guy. If it were you, and this was the only RS-232 device you needed to control, what route would you go? Everything else in the equipment closet is controlled by a multi-zone Xantech IR system. I have no HTPC, but do have a spare PC that could be used if need be. The other computers in the house are laptops.

Maybe this???:

http://www.xantech.com/files/manuals/360_i_irs232a.pdf

I've not ever used one before, so I'm not entirely certain it would work. Here's the rub with using IR for the switcher. You need to be able to enter multiple IR commands and create the appropriate RS232 command on the fly. It's not as easy as say the IR command of PLAY equates to "PL01<CR>" as an ascii command on a CD player for example. You would need an IR command to indicate that you were starting a command, then enter a number for the source, then enter a number for the destination. Something like PLAY, 1, 6. Then, the unit would have to see the consecutive IR commands of PLAY, 1, and 6 and create an ASCII string like "1*6!<CR>" as an example of the crosspoint setting input 1 to output 6.

It may be doable, but read the above manual in detail to see if you can 'construct' these ASCII strings on the fly. If so, then when you get to the point, I can help you with the proper commands. I wrote the commercial Extron drivers for CQC so I have a bit of experience there.


EDIT: Here you go....Celadon already has one programmed for the Extron 88HV that should work for you.
http://www.celadon.com/infrared-receiver-rs232-device-tables/Extron-88HV-Crosspoint-Switcher-RS232-Codes.htm

EDIT2: Well almost....They are using the 1*2& command where & denotes video (RGBHV) only. They would need to change it to 1*2! to include Audio also. But they can do that no problem.

Thank you very much for the replies. I'll check into the Celadon unit. Something as off the shelf is appealing as I have no experience whatsoever with ASCII. I was also reading up on Girder and the like and it's all Greek to me. I can run cable, calibrate video displays, and tweak speakers and subs till the cows come home, but HA is where my brain runs out.

It appears that unit referenced above is for Pronto remotes. Does that mean my MX-700 is out of luck?

It appears that unit referenced above is for Pronto remotes. Does that mean my MX-700 is out of luck?

I don't think so. It appears they can customize it for any remote. My suggestion is to give them a call, explain what you have and see what they say. Let us know, as it could be a good solution for many.

Got an e-mail back from Celadon. They said $189 for a programmed and tested unit, plus the CCF file for my MX-700. Not bad.

Universal Remote's MSC400 would do the trick nicely, works with your remote, and isn't crazy expensive.

jcmitch

http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=108

I believe the MSC-400 runs about 5-600 MSRP. In the great scheme of the total cost of my A/V gear that's not much, but it is a lot to control one piece of equipment that cost half of that. On the plus side, it would do a lot more than just control the Extron and it would let me get away from a less than problem free Xantech IR setup.

If you're going to spend that much, you could buy a CQC license, use a spare PC and have full fledged control over everything. But be warned. Once you head down that path, be prepared to become an HA addict. On the plus side, birthday and christmas gifts for you will be easy :)

Say you have a spare PC running CQC.....What do you use to access the HA system? Laptop, one of those tiny tablet computers, iPhone? Is there any web site you know of that would give a sample diagram of the setup?

Eddie,

There are a number of devices you can use to access CQC:

A programmable remote: In conjunction with a USBIRT or IRMan (two methods of getting IR into the PC), you can use any remote to fire off actions/events in CQC to manage your equipment.

Anything PC: A Laptop, a tablet PC, an internet device like the Nokia 770 or 800, a small PC appliance like a Samsung Q1, a thin client running a touchscreen monitor. The beauty of CQC is that it is completely scaleable/networkable and operates on a true client/server platform.

A TV: Many take component or VGA straight into their TV from the PC running CQC or a thin client PC (around $100) and use their TV as an interface.

Keypads: Whole house audio systems like Nuvo or Russound have drivers that can capture the keypad touches. I use Nuvo Concerto for example. I can navigate my mp3 library from the keypad, call up the current weather on the display, see Caller ID or what have you.

PDAs: CQC supports .Net so any device like a handheld PDA.

iPhone: There is ongoing work for iPhone support. I don't have an iPhone so I haven't followed the progress closely.

There really is an endless combo of devices to use to interface to CQC. Although much of the power is no interface at all. For example, I can set my alarm panel to ARM at night and it can cut off the lights, turn off all music zones, turn off TVs, etc. I can have lights come on due to motion in a room.

I will be completely up front and tell you that although much is plug-n-play, it takes some forethought and imagination to put a seamlessly integrated system together. If you have the time and inclination and the willingness to learn it is great fun. But it is addictive. There's a reason that CI's get the money that they do. While I put my system together and have helped others, I don't know that I would want to do it for a living.

I would suggest you download the free trial of CQC and play around with it. It is a full blown trial, with the only limitation the time you can use it (30 days I think). It's an unobtrusive install on a PC, installing in a single directory tree (it doesn't litter your system with system dlls). Join the CQC forum and you can download many of user's templates that have blazed the trail before you. Watch the tutorial videos on the website (www.charmedquark.com) to get a feel for what you can accomplish. The one thing you'll find is that the CQC community and forum is very active, very knowledgeable and very helpful. There are new people with new systems everyday and their questions are almost always promptly answered.

Last thing. I am in no way affiliated with CQC. I'm not an owner, partner, salesperson and have never received a dime from CQC. I have written several drivers for them only because I believe in pay it forward. Many helped me in the early stages so I returned the favor. I wrote the Extron drivers, most of the Nuvo drivers, and a few other odds and ends (TVs, water sensors, etc.). I'm not advocating that you run out and buy a license tomorrow. What I am advising is that you take advantage of the free trial, load it on a PC, connect up your Extron and any other equipment you have that's supported and see what you can do. Only then can you make the decision for yourself.

Many thanks, Robert. You have been quite helpful. It seems there's several different directions that I can go, but the CQC software is looking more and more appealing.

Maybe this???:

http://www.xantech.com/files/manuals/360_i_irs232a.pdf

I've not ever used one before, so I'm not entirely certain it would work. Here's the rub with using IR for the switcher. You need to be able to enter multiple IR commands and create the appropriate RS232 command on the fly. It's not as easy as say the IR command of PLAY equates to "PL01<CR>" as an ascii command on a CD player for example. You would need an IR command to indicate that you were starting a command, then enter a number for the source, then enter a number for the destination. Something like PLAY, 1, 6. Then, the unit would have to see the consecutive IR commands of PLAY, 1, and 6 and create an ASCII string like "1*6!<CR>" as an example of the crosspoint setting input 1 to output 6.

I've read the manual and do not understand why you cannot just create an IR command that would be translated by the Xantech module as follows:

If, for example, the HD PVR's component video output and LR audio was connected to input port 1 and the output port for the master bedroom was 6 and you were in the master bedroom and wanted to watch the HD PVR you'd just have a key programmed on the IR remote that would send out one IR command string that would first let the IR receiver know that you were choosing the matrix switch and then send out a command that would be translated by the Xantech module into 1*6!<CR> and send this to the switch. (Or alternatively you could have one button on the IR remote that sends out a command that chooses the device, similar to the CBL, TV, AUD, DVD, AUX keys on a remote) and then another key to choose the proper input and output. If the Satellite was connected to input port 2 and the HDTV in the living room was connected to output port 3 then IR remote would send out a string instead that translated into 2*3!<CR>. Doesn't the IR remote just send out commands first choose the proper device and then send out strings that are translated properly by that device so that the device does what you want?

Now I know that with an 8x8 matrix switch and all of the input and output ports connected that you would have a possible 64 combinations, but I know for me, although I will be purchasing a switch of at least this configuration, I will only have 3 inputs and 3 outputs to start which is only 9 keys and those are easily assignable to the input/output combinations I need.

So I guess my question is why do you have to choose the input and output ports on the remote on the fly? Shouldn't the entire macro for your input and output choice be programmed into different keys on the remote? What am I not understanding properly?

So I guess my question is why do you have to choose the input and output ports on the remote on the fly? Shouldn't the entire macro for your input and output choice be programmed into different keys on the remote? What am I not understanding properly?

You don't if you don't need the flexibility of choosing them on the fly. In otherwords, If you could create the string, for an 8x8, you would only need the 1 to 8 buttons plus maybe a button to indicate source and destination. That's 10 buttons. If you pre-program each, then you'll need 64 buttons. Now, as you said, if you KNOW that you'll only have a few sources, and your remote stays in the room, then really all you need is the # of buttons for each source, as you can program that remote for that destination always.