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I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E
H O M E T H E A T E R A U T O M A T I O N A N D C O N T R O L S Y S T E M
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CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for purchasing the iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System from Niles. With proper installation and operation, you should enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems. To see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on the Internet at: www.nilesaudio.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Features and Benefits 2 Contents 4 Parts Guide 4 S
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INTRODUCTION The Niles iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System addresses an essential need of today’s consumers—the ability to easily control and manage the assortment of entertainment sources found in the home theater environment. Home entertainment systems should be fun, not frustrating, and Niles has always recognized the need for simple-to-use, cost-effective solutions. We also recognize that features and technologies change over time, and more so than ever, these changing technol
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS SIMPLE CONTROL OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS The iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System simplifies entertainment by allowing one- touch control of home theater components. Ordinary home theater system controllers require users to turn on (and off) multiple components, resulting in a confusing situation of hunting down the fugitive component that is “off,” when it really should be “on.” The iC2 System eliminates the confusion—a single touch of any of the eight installer-label
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INSTALLATION FLEXIBILITY With a low profile design, easy-to-access connections, and mounting wings with rack-mount spacing, the HT-MSU can be wall-mounted behind theater components or attached to the back of metal professional racks. The HT-MSU incorporates an infrared pass-through port allowing control over sources that use original remotes, even if the system is hidden from view. ® RELIABLE ZIGBEE RF COMMUNICATION The iC2 System uses a very reliable 2.4 GHz radio frequency that works ext
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CONTENTS Check that your iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System contains the following: • Home Theater Main System Unit (HT-MSU) • iC2 Remote + Battery • HT-MSU Power Supply • iC2 Remote Charging Power Supply • RF Antenna • Master Key Label Sheet • Antenna Wall Bracket • 10 iC2 Remote Master Key Caps • 10' (3 meters) Antenna Extension Cable • System Configuration Worksheet • End User Guide • Ferrite Bead PARTS GUIDE 5 THE IC2 REMOTE 4 3 1 � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
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Figure 2. iC2 Remote Bottom View 7 6 6) Reset Button - This button is used to reset the remote. Should the remote lock up and/or not communicate with the HT-MSU, use a paper clip to access the reset button. 7) Battery Door - The battery compartment is accessed via the battery door, which is secured with a Phillips head screw. Figure 3. iC2 Remote Rear View 8 9 8) USB Connection - The USB connection is a diagnostic connection used by the Niles Audio Corporation Service Center only. 9) Power Co
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THE HOME THEATER MAIN SYSTEM UNIT (HT-MSU) 7 1 8 10 9 2 3 13 4 6 5 11 12 Figure 4. HT-MSU Top View 1) IR Outputs - SRC1 – SRC6, TV/7, RCV/8 are eight dedicated 3.5mm jack source flasher outputs that output IR data specifically for that source. 2) RS232 Outputs - SRC1 – SRC6, TV/7 and RCV/8 are eight dedicated 3.5mm jack source serial outputs that output RS232 data specifically for that source. 3) Assignable 12V Outputs - Three 3.5mm jacks, output 12V DC 150mA when activated: a. 12V outpu
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5) IR Input - A 4-position removable quick connect plug for connecting an IR sensor to the HT-MSU. This connection allows IR control of the HT-MSU and/or IR pass-through for connected sources. 6) Global IR Output - A 3.5mm jack provides all IR codes that the HT-MSU generates and all IR codes that come in through the IR Input connection and can be configured via Niles QuickConfig ® for Normal or High output. Normal output is designed for a Niles MF1 IR MicroFlasher ; high output is designed fo
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SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS The Niles iC2 System is a highly flexible tool that allows system designers to create home theater systems that will delight customers. Simplicity in operation is at the core of the iC2 System’s design. Features like HDMI video switching surround receivers and televisions, high-definition DSS satellite receivers, and DVD managing media servers can make home theater systems extremely difficult to operate. The following section explains just some of the system design
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SOURCE POWER STATUS CONNECTIONS To properly automate home theater sources, the HT-MSU needs to “know” when the source is powered On or Off. There are three ways that sources are powered on: 1. Toggle Power: A source via its remote control has one button for turning that source On and Off. When trying to automate such a device, you must provide the HT-MSU the “Power Status” as feedback using the Status connection on the HT-MSU’s top edge (detailed below). 2. Separate On and Off Power: A s
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ASSIGNABLE 12 VOLT OUTPUTS These three ports are completely assignable and can be used to trigger out-board automation devices such as: • 12V Triggered AC Power strips like the Niles AC-3 • 12V Triggered subwoofers like the Niles SW300, SW12, SW10, and Pro15SW • 12V Triggered Dipole/Bipole rear effects speakers like the StageFront IW650FX • Motorized drapery systems and projection screens 12V Output #1 has a default setting to output 12V DC whenever the home theater receiver is turned on
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SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 1 SINGLE TV WITH A COMBINATION OF IR AND RS232 CONTROLLABLE SOURCES Flat Panel Display HT Receiver Satellite Receiver Media Server CS12V 12 V DC Power DVD Player Supply Portable Docking Station CD Disc Changer HT-MSU WS110 Motorized Lift Flasher RF ZigBeeAntenna 12 Volt AC-3 RS232 2 Conductor Figure 5. Video Synch System Configuration 1 iC2 Remote Remote In System Configuration #1 (Figure 5), the flat panel TV is controlled via the RS232 connection TV/7 on the HT-MSU. A
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SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 2 DUAL TV MODE AND INTEGRATION WITH AN IR CONTROLLED MULTIZONE RECEIVER HT Receiver Flat Panel Display Portable Docking Station 12 V DC Power Supply Projector RS232 Controllable Listing System Motorized Projection Screen RF ZigBee Antenna HT-MSU Multizone Receiver with IR Interface CS12V iC2 Remote See Figure 7 DVD Player Flasher 12 Volt ® TiVo RS232 Video Synch Figure 6. System Configuration 2 System Configuration #2 (Figure 6) demonstrates the Dual TV Mode feature of
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System Configuration #2 also shows an RS232 controllable lighting system connected to the HT-MSU RS232 SRC6 port. In this configuration, there are 2 sources (a DVD and a DSS satellite receiver) being “shared” with the house-wide multizone distributed audio receiver. The HT-MSU sends IR codes for both of the shared sources out of the Global IR Output port into the multizone’s IR IN port. The HT-MSU’s 12V Output #1 is connected to the multizone’s HT SYNC port, which ensures that the “shared” s
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The final design feature in System Configuration #3 uses a Niles Radio Frequency Gateway (RFG) to extend the antenna away from the HT-MSU. The Niles iC2 HT-MSU comes with an RF antenna that can be connected directly to the HT-MSU antenna socket. Reception range is approximately 75 feet (22.86 meters). We recommend using the 10 foot antenna extension cable to position the RF antenna away from the home theater sources. Use the extension cable and the antenna bracket to get the antenna up and aw
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The HT-MSU is supplied with a 10 foot antenna extension cable to allow the antenna to be placed away from the HT-MSU. An antenna wall-bracket is also supplied so the antenna can be attached high on the wall behind the equipment. NOTE: HOME THEATER EQUIPMENT, DIGITAL SOURCES AND RACKS ARE MADE OUT OF METAL AND CAN CAUSE INTERFERENCE OR “SHADOWS” IN RF RECEPTION. NILES HIGHLY RECOMMENDS YOU PLACE THE ANTENNA AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE AND AWAY FROM THE MAIN SOURCE GEAR AND EQUIPMENT RACK. The Niles R
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5) 12V Output and Relay Wiring: The HT-MSU has three 12V and three “Dry Contact Closure” Relay Outputs that can activate mechanical devices such as motorized drapery and projection screen systems, as well as a number of other automation devices. For each device these outputs will control, standard 22 gauge 2-conductor cable (“zip- cord”) can be used. Niles Accessory Cables (FG00724 or FG00933) can also be used (SEE THE ACCESSORIES SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION). 6) IR Sensor Wire: The HT-MSU
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3) If your system design involves a RFG and sharing sources with a future Niles multizone receiver (see System Configuration #3 in the System Design Considerations section), the programming connection must be made on a future Niles multizone receivers’ Communication and Control connection ports. Configuration of the entire system can be accomplished with one connection and the Niles QuickConfig Configuration wizard-based software “through” future Niles multizone receivers. A Worksheet is pr
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INSTALLATION Before you begin, make sure that all of the cables and wires, as well as the power supply cable will reach the proposed location of the HT-MSU. Mark the cables with labels that describe where the cable originates (rather than which terminal on the HT-MSU it connects to). STEPS: 1) IC2 REMOTE BATTERY The iC2 Remote rechargeable battery needs to be connected and charged. The installer needs to remove the battery cover with a Phillips screwdriver. The plug on the battery is keyed a
