Roomie Remote - Page 23

I was noticing latency issues in the previous version. Devices not responding for a few seconds, etc. Was that one of the bugs? I'll download the update tonight..

I am not sure, now that you mention it I was having issues with devices not powering on &/or I can't say I've noticed a difference yet. Only time will tell.

Anyone here using Roomie with Lutron RadioRa2?

I have my main repeater set up on a static IP.
I cannot get it to function with my RadioRa2 system at all. The last thing Roomie support told me was this, after I sent them diagnostic info from the app while sending commands to the Lutron system:

"The Lutron isn't responding at all on port 23. So that would either be an issue with your network or your repeater or the network configuration of your iOS device. Given that the Onkyo is responding, the former two are where you would focus.

But I have no idea of any additional settings needed in my network router or with the main repeater itself.

EDIT: Got it to work. While troubleshooting I guess I had the IP right when the login credentials were wrong and somehow changed the IP once the login credentials were right. Now both are inline and working great.
Edited by hifiaudio2 - 12/20/12 at 8:01am

That's good. I have a lutron ir dimmer in my theater. I'm switching everything to Roomie from my mx-3000, only problem will end up being the lights. I would hate to have everything working with Roomie, but then have to grab the mx-3000 or the lutron remote for the lights. What are my options do I need to purchase the radia? It's only one switch. Thanks

Experience using Roomie Remote and Harmony Link for iOS to control and Anthem-centric setup

Greetings all, some time ago, I had posted some thoughts in the Anthem forum on Harmony Link and Roomie as iOS-based remotes that would be used to go from IP to IR. Currently, I have a fairly extensive setup on an RF-based Harmony 900 and I've been looking for an iOS-based solution that would give me ease of use, great power, and tremendous flexibility and customization options. I hope you all don't mind if I make my first post here in the Roomie form to share my experiences using the setup in an Anthem-centric setup.

For those who want this kind of setup or who have complexity in their setting and don't want to pay for custom integration services for Crestron, etc. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Roomie and absolutely tell you to avoid the Harmony Link. I purchased both and have been putting both through some extensive testing.

Harmony Link
The limitations on only 8 devices was difficult (and talked about), but the limitation on only 8 activities was a deal-breaker. I have an extensive setup with two home theater rooms and 3 audio zones and I could not accommodate the granular control and number of activities in the Harmony Link. What I found to be great was the ability to copy the setup from my existing Harmony 900, but everything else after that was a disappointment. If you have a relatively simple setup, it may be a good option, but for complex or extensive setups, avoid it. I head that there was a system-wide outage at Logitech early December and that the Harmony "phones home" every day; so if it can't get to the main logitech servers, the unit won't work. The forums are riddled with complaints on this.

Roomie
The Roomie remote was initially a turn-off. I had to buy the app and then the limitation on rooms and devices was a handicap. Then the need to purchase additional software packs added to the aggravation; however after purchasing all the software packs and the IP2IR unit, I can only say that I'm thoroughly impressed with the Roomie. I'm about 80% complete with my setup that includes 2 home theater setups (a 7.1 and a 4.1) powered with 2 TVs and two different receivers (an Anthem 50v in the main and a Marantz in the secondary room) and I'm also using Roomie to control a second office site.

Roomie allows you to setup rooms and then activities within each room. This is a huge plus over the Logitech approach. You can thus have a "bedroom", a "kitchen", or a "theater" setup as main rooms and then individual activities in those rooms. Example, you can have activity "music" in the bedroom, "watch TV' in the kitchen, etc. I found Roomie's approach to be fantastic. Another fantastic feature is that if you have multiple iOS devices, you can instantly synchronize settings and updates across devices. You can even backup and update settings via DropBox or iCloud or iTunes Sync. Emailing yourself the settings is also supported.

iTunes support is fantastic. It allows you to browse your entire library and supports cover art on the iOS device including play time, etc.

However, most importantly, and this is why I'm posting in this forum, I found the support for the Anthem pre-pros to be great and comprehensive. I was able to control all three zones flawlessly. The only caveat is that zones 2 and 3 required a higher order command repeat (setting 4 worked in my setup). Right now, what I don't see in the Roomie configuration is support for the enhanced inputs (DVD1, DVD2, DVD3, TV1, TV2, TV3, etc) that are part of the newer 50v and D2v units. I've inquired about this from Roomie and I'll either send over the current IR set or just configure it myself as a Plist file and send over to Roomie after testing. This is the only "missing" thing I've found in the setup.

So, bottom line. If you have an Anthem-based setup and you want to have granular capability on setting up your activities, the Roomie seems like a very promising solution for iOS devices. So far, I give Roomie a big thumbs up. If I can get the multiple input issue resolved, then I will have as close to a perfect iOS remote solution as I can imagine.

Then again, if there was an IP interface that would allow bi-directional communication over IP from the Anthem to the Roomie, then that would be the perfect solution. Not sure if Anthem has planned on providing any IP-support interface for the pre-pro series.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas holiday and New Year.

Regards,
Theo

Hi guys. Just finished setting up a ht system and started programming roomie. My forst supported device, tv, works perfectly. I moved on to my Dish VIP-222 and have had no luck. I am using an emitter and it is blinking when I issue a command. I have tried all "all model ir address" settings and all retransmit counts. No luck. Has anyone successfully set one of these up? Are there any known issues? Any help appreciated.

I just purchased Roomie Remote and have spent a bit of time playing with it.

I created a new Activity called "Listen Outside", which turns on the party mode on my Yamaha Receiver and allows me to listen outside on my deck.

What I would like for this activity is a single control to control the volume for Zone 2. Is this possible?

Got it! In case anyone else is stuck, here is what I found that worked.

When trying to control a Dish Network Satellite box, there are two things to make sure are ready:
1. The Dish Network box is setup to be controlled through IR (and thus not RF)
2. The Remote Address of the Dish Network box is set to 1-8.

CHANGING THE REMOTE CONTROL ADDRESS
If you start doing this procedure and then do not press any button
for 20 seconds, the remote will end the procedure. Just start over again.

1. Press the Sys Info button on the Dish receiver to display the
Important System Information menu.
Note the Remote Address shown on this menu.

2. Using the original Dish Network remote, Press and hold the Sat Mode
button until all the mode button backlights come on
(it takes about three seconds).
Release the Sat mode button.

3. Use the number buttons to enter the number 1-8 that you want to use.

The Sat mode button backlight will blink off after you enter

each digit, and then come on again.

4. Press the Pound button. If the address you entered is valid for
the remote control, the Sat mode button backlight flashes three times.

5. Press the Record button. The Remote Address on the
Important System Information Screen menu should match
the one you entered.

6. To check the address, press and hold the Sat mode button for
three seconds. Then press the Pound button twice.
The Sat mode button backlight flashes the same number of
times as the address.

7. Press the Select button.

8. You can now program the corresponding remote address for your remote!

Has anyone tried using roomie with matrix switchers? I had been emailing back and forth with the guys at reswitch before I came across roomie. They said they havent specifically tried it and were leery about it. Anyone try using their switchers with roomie?

Yes, I am using it with a Octava 4x4 Cat 7 HDMI Matirx, flawlessly - codes were already there.

Can you explain to me how that works? I was thinking everything goes through my receiver but the receiver can only output two signals at once so you couldn't do four. Do you just go to the matrix first so then the receiver only has one or two inputs?/

If your asking about a matrix switch, I'm presuming your understand that all sources on the switch route to any available zone, each zone receiving a single hdmi connection. So one hdmi connected for those sources, no switching on the receiver, and all source switching on the matrix.

Yes, I'm trying to use the roomie with a monoprice 4x2 HDMI matrix switcher. I've just started programming that part and haven't yet had 100% command success. Specifically, the "A" series of inputs don't appear to work but the "B" series does as does power. All the inputs have required custom IR commands as none of the standard Roomie codes worked out of the box for the matrix switcher.

My question was more about how you handle the receiver, I understand how the matrix works. If you wernt using the matrix then typically all of your inputs are routed through the receiver. The receivers I was looking at then typically had two outputs.

For example sake lets say I have my theater w projector, and then the rest of the basement has 3 other tvs. I then have satelite, blu ray, ps3 and Xbox.

Do you wire it so it goes to the matrix first or receiver first?

Matrix, then your theater is one of the zones sharing the matrix sources. I suppose if your avr has completely independent second zone hdmi output, you cod try connecting sources to your and and the second hdmi to the switch, but you are severely limiting what you can choose to watch in each room.

I plug in the sources that I want to have available in multiple rooms connected to the matrix first then to the receiver or pre-pro. Sources I don't want replicated, I plug in directly to the main receiver. This cuts down on any points of failure. I've found HDMI to be flaky, so I try to limit the number of handshakes.

The minor problem with the maxtrix is that you have a blackout across the source regardless of room when the handshake on HDMI is established. The receivers and pre-pros that have two HDMI outputs typically mirror them. Just now you are starting to see receivers that have independent HDMI output for zone 1 and a second output for zone 2.

In my specific setup, I have two receivers--one is HDMI enabled and the other isn't--so I put the maxtrix before and then split out the signals there and route between the two receivers. My receivers are running four zones and four rooms with two of the zones being home-theater/multi-channel music setups. So my setup is a bit complex.

Hope that helps.

Anyone have any luck in getting an Oppo BDP-103 to work with IP control? I have the Oppo connected to my LAN via ethernet. The OPPO IOS app can power it on, and control it. However, Roomie is unable to discover it. I tried to manually add it via IP address and port 19,999 but that did not work. Any ideas?

Schmidrj,
Do you have the Oppo set to quick start in the device setup menu?
My 103 works fine with Roomie manually set for IP and using port 19,999.
Go to device setup==>standby mode==>quick start.

Jeff

So I have a question about Roomie.

Can it basically control any piece of equipment that can get an IP and be on the network?

Currently I have a Verizon Fios STB, Xbox 360, PS3, Denon 4311ci, Panasonic 8000, and an EP4000 amp.

I know the Panasonic 8000 can become networked via a serial cable + adapter and be supported by Roomie (seen someone do it). I also know the Denon 4311ci and Xbox 360 can as well because the same guy who has the projector has it.

But can the PS3 and Fios box be controlled no problem? I know they both have network jacks on them and can get online. I also know that the PS3 has had trouble with universal remotes due to the IR/Bluetooth stuff.

I'm figuring the amp will have to be manually turned on/off everytime I want to use it though as there are no network jacks or serial ports on it.

But other than the amp, would I be okay with Roomie to control everything, considering that everything will be hidden in a closet and won't be in direct line of sight?

Roomie has a list! of known supported IP controlled devices on their site. So just because something has a network jack doesn't mean that manufacturer has IP control enabled. That being said, they sell an IP to bluetooth adapter for the PS3, and an IP to IR adapter for pretty much everything else. There is also a section of their site listing devices known to have codes in their database for IR.,

Okay so I'm a little confused by this.

I see on the site that my receiver is straight up compatible with the IP so that should be fine.

But then I see that the Xbox 360 is compatible with the IR2IP device.

I then saw this for the PS3: http://store.roomieremote.com/ps3ir-1000

So if I wanted to have both PS3 and Xbox 360 work with the Roomie, would I need to purchase that adapter there, as well as 2 of the IR2IP adapters? Or do I only need 1 IR2IP adapter?

How do you connect the devices such as the Xbox 360 to this adapter? I can't really tell from the pictures.

EDIT:

also will this Harmony adapter work with the PS3 and Roomie?

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Adapter-PlayStation-3/dp/B00267S7XW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356712630&sr=8-1&keywords=ps3+infrared+adapter

Does it simply turn the Bluetooth into IR? It doesn't really give specifics on the page, and I'm sure it is because Logitech wants you to use their remotes with the adapter.

It's 1/2 the price and has just as good reviews.
Edited by purbeast - 12/28/12 at 8:41am

Hey Folks
Am looking for some help/feedback on my newly purchased roomie setup. After much research (and going thru the entire AVS "Roomie" thread) I downloaded the roomie software to run on my IOS devices (all IOS 5.1 or higher).

My current setup:
Marantz AV 7005 pre-processor
Elite Pro -70X5FD TV
PS3
Multi-zone Sonos system
Apple TV (brand new this christmas)

After researching the roomie site, I determined that my TV, Processor, and ATV were IP compatible, and I could handle PS3 w/the Schmartz device. So I pulled the trigger on the roomie purchase. When I began the installation, the only devices that roomie detected were my Sonos components. Apple TV appeared briefly with a "verifying" notice…then would disappear. I realize that devices can be manually added, but prefer not to do this for reasons I'm sure many of you are aware.
Why would these compatible devices which are in the database not show up? Everything is on a single network. The Marantz is hardwired enet..while remaining devices are all wirelessly connected (via Linksys wireless router). I tried manually adding the ATV and the TV but had no luck with either. I did add the designated port ID from the Roomie IP compatibility list.

Finally, other than the Roomie tutorial vid, is there anything with a bit more substance that would help a new roomie owner? I've programmed many universal remotes from Pronto's to Harmonies and understand all the fundamentals..ie..rooms,activities, devices, etc and am familiar with many of the usual "gotchas" when doing so, but would like to see if there is some type of manual or user guide available. Did search, but could find nothing of note, other than the forums.

Make sure the network stanby is switched to ON in the Marantz. Can you get to Marantz to show up after it's switched on manually?
The ATV is not IP controllable.
You can access it through iTunes on roomie but cant control it. It will never show up in the devise list.
Check FAQ on the Roomie site.
Contact Roomie they are very good at responding quickly.

Posted this in the iRule forum also:

Don't think this specifically applies to this forum; it is primarily a Denon AVR deal (I think).

I discovered today that the Denon 4311ci network implementation will only work with a single IP remote at one time. If I fire up my iPhone with roomie installed on it and begin to operate the Denon, and then subsequently use iRule, the Denon will not respond to iRule. If I reverse the order, the Denon will not respond to roomie.

I realize probably not many are using both; just thought I would point the Denon thing out. I do think that once I have been using both pieces of software for some time I will start a remote software shootout thread. It is a fairly interesting comparison.

Willie

Thanks Cabra for the reply and the idea to verify that net standby was set to on. I thought I had done that when I initially setup the system, but when I checked it was not enabled. I also recognize that the ATV was infrared, but I misread the Roomie FAQ on it, and assumed that I could use IOS/airplay within roomie to control it via IP. In a seperate response to my note from Roomie support they clarified that.

So far Roomie is awesome, with a little work, and some recent upgrades I'm now controlling my theater and other rooms with my iPad or our phones. Denon 3313ci, Oppo 103, and all my directv receivers and Sony tv in living room. My mx-3000 was garbage in comparison. I purchased the wifi to ir Itach device and am planning to add my benq w7000 projector and an old hd-DVD player. At least I hope, may need a little help with that....

Is anyone using roomie with a bell express vu receiver in canada? I wonder if the guide and all that good stuff is available.

Also I bought the infra red code pack, i dont have an itach yet, but will in a month or two. But i wanted to try to add some IR devices just to see the user interface but I cant seem to do that, and the forum has not offered any comment to help.

Is it safe to assume roomie does not let you add IR devices until you setup an itach?

Your assumption is correct - unless Roomie can see the output target (such as the IR emitter port on an iTach or GC-100) it won't allow you to add the device.

I had a vacation in the summer when I had planned to devote some quality time to my Roomie config, but discovered that I had to actually be at home, with all the appropriate hardware, in order to do anything meaningful. I pinged Roomie support to ask about the chances of creating an "offline mode" and they thought it would be a "good idea", but I haven't seen anything since....which is a shame.

Hi all, I've read through most of the roomie thread but either it wasn't asked or I missed it but I'm unable to turn in my new panasonic 2012 gt50 using wake up LAN . I have it set to on in the TV, I've copied the MAC address into the rommie app but it will not work. The TV is connected to the Internet via wireless. Any help would be appreciated