[wheeler]

Hello. I have a hefty investment in this unit and am trying to resurrect the Monster MCC AVL300-S remote and Omnilink RF to IR bridge with my recently updated AV components. I've done the internet-based setup for my components but have not been able to get anything out of the Omnilink IR blaster. When I changed the configuration for my components to be controlled directly from the AVL300 remote (via infrared), everything works fine. But I think I've not paired properly with the Omnilink. An internet search took me to a post that said that if you mess up the pairing the first time, or press the "connect" button on the Omnilink, you're screwed.


In the Monster Central online configuration interview, I checked the control via Omnilink box and specified ports and chose IR Blaster-- didn't work-- and then redid the setup choosing "All" and it still doesn't work.


I've read about two other users that had this problem. They found a solution (from Monster Central tech support) to get the Omnilink paired, but they didn't post their solution. I haven't been able to get thru to Monster support. Anybody? Thanks.

 

[wheeler]

I had tried to reach Monster Tech Support for several days prior to the holidays and never even got an answer. But today I was put through to tech support and they told me how to fix this, and now after this process the RF to IR bridge (Omnilink) works great. Unfortunately this procedure did not appear in the included instructions, nor could I find it anywhere online. In case this could help anyone else, here are the instructions I received:


Pairing Monster Light Modules/Omnilink with the MCC AVL300 Remote


1- Login to your account

2- Select “Modify Settings”

3- Select “Modify” Lights

4- Select “Pair Z-Wave Devices”

5- Ensure Remote is connected to the USB Cable

6- Select “Next”

7- After the remote updates you will get a screen with instructions to pair control net lights. Disconnect the Remote from the USB Cable.

8- Take Remote to Omnilink, Ensure that the Omnilink has power.

9- Select “Next” on Monster Remote

10- If you have lights then follow steps 11-15

11- Select individual light.

12- Walk to light Module select “Add”

13- Press and hold button on module

14- You should get the message at “added” on the Remote screen

15- Please follow steps 11-13 to pair all the light modules

16- Press “Done” once all the light modules have been paired

17- You will get a message as “You need to Add RF-Extender to the network”

18- Walk up to the Omnilink then select “Add”

19- Press and hold “Connect” on Omnilink for 3-4 seconds

20- You should get RF Extender Added

21- Connect remote to USB and select “Next”

22- After the remote Data is transferred you should have Green Check mark on all light modules and Omnilink as paired.

23- From the Home page run a final update on the Omnilink and the Remote


Feel free to contact Customer Technical Support on 1 877 800 8989 if you need further assistance.

 

[patgilm]

How do you like the AVL300? I am considering purchasing one from Ebay but wasn't sure if there are any issues getting the software with it. Does it come with a disk or do you get it online?

 

[wheeler]

Hi, patgilm, regarding the Monster Remote AVL300, I have mixed feelings. I bought it at full price probably three years ago and for a number of reasons never put it into good use. At the time, due to equipment being behind the viewing position in a cabinet, I really needed the RF to IR linking. I really like that the remote has an accelerometer, you just pick it up and the backlight turns on. The display on the remote is not terribly clear, but usable. Anyway given the money I have into it, I have been on a mission to getting it to work with my current AV equipment, and I'm about 90% there and so far I'm impressed. Just before the holidays I couldn't reach any support at Monster and that was a turn off, but it turns out they are still supporting this remote and I've spoken to first and second level support and they've been very helpful.


Regarding the software, yes, a CD does come with the remote... I think when you launch the Monster software it checks online for software updates and firmware updates for the hardware, etc. I don't know where the Monster software is available online but if your eBay purchase does not include the CD, I'm sure Monster would send you the software for a nominal charge or I could probably get it to you-- if you need that, send me a PM. Good luck.

 

[goondog]

i second the above reply.


after much research i found that for the price (low 200$ range at amazon) the remote was a better deal than the 890 and buying an extra ir/rf bridge.


the remote is built well although some of the buttons rattle is you shake hard.

the online software is helpful (has harmony guts/codes/setup) as was tech support when i had to call them to help sync the bridge with the remote.

i have not yet purchased any lighting yet but seems pretty straightforward, and was a bonus zwave feature that seems well supported by third party vendors.

i was hesitant to buy the monster brand but i dont think i overpaid and got a decent remote.

 

[patgilm]

Thanks to both of you. I am still considering URC remotes for my theater room and may still buy the AVL-300 for my bedroom if I get both. I really need RF in my bedroom whereas in my theater room, IR is all I need.

 

[wheeler]

Followup info in case this is of any help to others. Getting the Omnilink linked via RF to the to handheld remote was part of the battle. Once that was working, the Omnilink was effectively controlling three out of four components. In order to get the last component working (a Smarthome IRLinc, an infrared receiver bridge to Insteon home automation signals) I spent several hours on the phone with second tier tech support at Monster. I didn't find an apt match in their online database for this controller, so I was learning the code from the transmitter that came with the IRLinc. But it wouldn't work at all. We played with the duration of the signal and so on, but the solution was in fact quite simple. In the online Monster setup interview, when you're learning the new codes, just check the little box that says "learn raw" -- that's all we did and now everything works perfectly. In fact, everything works incredibly well. I love the remote backlighting coming on when you pick it up-- the remote is working so well now, integrated with equipment in front of me, behind me, behind cabinet doors, and now with my home automation and lighting control-- well, I kind of can't believe it all works.... I love this remote and I think Monster tech support did a great job helping me.

 

[sippinronz]



Quote:
Originally Posted by wheeler /forum/post/15463788


I had tried to reach Monster Tech Support for several days prior to the holidays and never even got an answer. But today I was put through to tech support and they told me how to fix this, and now after this process the RF to IR bridge (Omnilink) works great. Unfortunately this procedure did not appear in the included instructions, nor could I find it anywhere online. In case this could help anyone else, here are the instructions I received:


Pairing Monster Light Modules/Omnilink with the MCC AVL300 Remote


1- Login to your account

2- Select Modify Settings

3- Select Modify Lights

4- Select Pair Z-Wave Devices

5- Ensure Remote is connected to the USB Cable

6- Select Next

7- After the remote updates you will get a screen with instructions to pair control net lights. Disconnect the Remote from the USB Cable.

8- Take Remote to Omnilink, Ensure that the Omnilink has power.

9- Select Next on Monster Remote

10- If you have lights then follow steps 11-15

11- Select individual light.

12- Walk to light Module select Add

13- Press and hold button on module

14- You should get the message at added on the Remote screen

15- Please follow steps 11-13 to pair all the light modules

16- Press Done once all the light modules have been paired

17- You will get a message as You need to Add RF-Extender to the network

18- Walk up to the Omnilink then select Add

19- Press and hold Connect on Omnilink for 3-4 seconds

20- You should get RF Extender Added

21- Connect remote to USB and select Next

22- After the remote Data is transferred you should have Green Check mark on all light modules and Omnilink as paired.

23- From the Home page run a final update on the Omnilink and the Remote


Feel free to contact Customer Technical Support on 1 877 800 8989 if you need further assistance.

I just purchased the AVL300 from ebay and I'm having problems pairing the Remote to the Omnilink. I was glad to find your instructions, but unfortunately, I still can't get it paired. Instead of "RF Extender Added" (Step 20), I get something like, can't connect/find RF extender. When I hold down the omnilink connect button for 3-4 seconds, the status light turns on, but a second later it blinks, disappears, and I get the 'can't connect/find RF extender.' I'm starting to think that the RF functioning of the remote is messed up. I'll try that tech support # you posted. Thanks!

 

[sippinronz]

I called Monster tech support and the tech specialist provided me with similar (but different) instructions. I followed them I got everything to work. Here are the instructions he gave me.


Pairing Monster Light Modules/Omnilink with the MCC AVL300 Remote


1- Login to your account

2- Select “Modify Settings”

3- Select “Modify” Lights

4- Select “Pair Z-Wave Devices”

5- Ensure Remote is connected to the USB Cable

6- Select “Next”

7- After the remote updates you will get a screen with instructions to pair control net lights. Disconnect the Remote from the USB Cable.

8- Remove and Reinstall Battery on AVL 300

9- Take Remote to Omnilink, Ensure that the Omnilink has power.

10- Press and Hold “Connect Button” for 60 secs. Until indicators flash alternating

11- Select “Next” on Monster Remote

12- If you have lights then follow steps 13-18, if not skip to step 19

13- Select individual light.

14- Walk to light Module select “Add”

15- Press and hold button on module

16- You should get the message at “added” on the Remote screen

17- Please follow steps 11-13 to pair all the light modules

18- Press “Done” once all the light modules have been paired

19- You will get a message as “You need to Add RF-Extender to the network”

20- Walk up to the Omnilink then select “Add”

21- Press and hold “Connect” on Omnilink for 3-4 seconds

22- You should get RF Extender Added

23- Connect remote to USB and select “Next”

24- After the remote Data is transferred you should have Green Check mark on all light modules and Omnilink as paired.

25- From the Home page run a final update on the Omnilink and the Remote


Feel free to contact Customer Technical Support on 1 877 800 8989 if you need further assistance.



The main difference is holding the Omnilink for 60 seconds until is does some funky flashing. I guess this resets the device, which was needed for me.


Hope this helps some others.

 

[fungineer]

This worked for me too. Thanks. You have to configure lights even if you do not have lights. Weird.

 

[BJamUT]

The 60 second reset made the difference for me. The 2-3 second one didn't work to get it paired properly.

 

[dun4cheap]

First thanks for posting your solution, and thanks for google. I was getting frustrated trying to pair the omnilink with my remote. It kept telling me they were synced.


I recently bought 2 of the AVL 300 remotes from geeks.com for $59.99 last week so I thought maybe one was defective yet I had the same problem with the other omnilink. Trying to remove the rf extender from the tools options on the remote was futile as well. So I did a simple search on google, and it brought once again to the AVS forum for my answers. I have not managed to pair my remote and things are working perfect as can be.


I only had confusion in one spot which was step 4. "Pair Z-Wave Devices". Maybe this changed in the most recent software version but the option is 4. "Lighting Setup" . It then updates the remote and omnilink which forces the remote into network setup mode. so you can then pair your omnilinks.


This is an ugly way to get it going, but it worked. So thanks for the fix, my wife is now happy, therefore I am happy.

 

[michaeljc70]

I also got the Monster remote from geeks.com and it is great. My only issue is every time I change a button in the software, it asks me to update the omnilink and remote. This doesn't seem necessary as I am not changing anything on the omnlink. It is a huge hassle as the omnilink is in the basement with the rest of the equipment in a closet.

 

[bryansj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by michaeljc70 /forum/post/19411747


I also got the Monster remote from geeks.com and it is great. My only issue is every time I change a button in the software, it asks me to update the omnilink and remote. This doesn't seem necessary as I am not changing anything on the omnlink. It is a huge hassle as the omnilink is in the basement with the rest of the equipment in a closet.

That is the way it is with this remote and the Harmony 890 that it is based on (and the 1000 and 1100 as well). The Harmony 900 doesn't require the base to be updated, only the remote.


One thing that might make it less painful is that even though it might say to unhook the power, I never did and it always worked. If access is an issue then you could leave a USB cable connected and fished through to an easier to access location.

 

[michaeljc70]

The computer is on a completely different level. However, if it is okay to keep the usb plugged in, I do have a PC in the closet I could use.


If I want to transfer the settings (activities,etc) from one PC to another, do you know what file/directories I have to move?


If the USB is always plugged in to the OmniLink, does that power it or do you still need the power adapter?

 

[loretta]

mmm.. interesting info...

 

[ctbundy]

I purchased this remote off eBay last week for a great price. It took me forever to update it.


I believe there are some serious issues between the software and windows 7.


Has anyone else had these issues? I was getting a lot of "network timeouts" and freezes. All told it probably took me 4 hours. But now that it is set up. It works great. Although I fear the next time I get a new piece of equipment I'm going to have to go through all this BS again.

 

[TheWind]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbundy /forum/post/19420195


I purchased this remote off eBay last week for a great price. It took me forever to update it.


I believe there are some serious issues between the software and windows 7.


Has anyone else had these issues? I was getting a lot of "network timeouts" and freezes. All told it probably took me 4 hours. But now that it is set up. It works great. Although I fear the next time I get a new piece of equipment I'm going to have to go through all this BS again.

Monster never updated the software from the original WinXP. Like you, I had a very difficult time programming the Monster AVL300-S Remote on my WinVista machine.


See if you can use ithe AVL-300 to download the most current Logitech Harmony software and try the workaround I came up with in my second post Here .
.

 

[ctbundy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWind /forum/post/0



Monster never updated the software from the original WinXP. Like you, I had a very difficult time programming the Monster AVL300-S Remote on my WinVista machine.


See if you can use ithe AVL-300 to download the most current Logitech Harmony software and try the workaround I came up with in my second post Here .

.

Thank you. I actually have the Harmony software on my computer. I use a H1000 in my basement. I'll check out your workaround the next time I need to update the Monster Controller. Thanks!

 

[michaeljc70]

Since the topic is pairing the AVL300 and omnilink, does anyone know how multiple remotes/omnilinks work? I'm sure you can have 2 completely separate systems (remote and omnilink pairs). I am wondering if you could use 2 remotes with one omnilink with 1) both remotes operating exactly the same (mirrors of each other) or 2) independently programmed remotes, but sharing the omnilink.