TECH TIP
W
IRE
SIZE
IS
EXPRESSED
BY
ITS
AWG (A
MERICAN
W
IRE
G
AUGE
)
NUMBER
–
THE
LOWER
THE
NUMBER
,
THE
LARGER
THE
WIRE
,
FOR
EXAMPLE
, 20 AWG
IS
PHYSICALLY
LARGER
THAN
22 AWG.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373
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 Radio Frequency Gateway (RFG) is available as an option and can be used instead of the
supplied antenna. The RFG allows the “radio antenna” to be placed up to 330 feet (100 meters)
away from the HT-MSU. It can also be used if the HT-MSU (and home theater gear the HT-MSU is
controlling) is further than the effective range of communications (75 feet/22.86 meters open air).
15
WIRING CONSIDERATIONS
The HT-MSU requires several different types of wires runs:
1) Antenna Cable:
The supplied extension cable is 10 foot long and is a RG59 CL rated
cable so it can be run through the wall. Extending the cable or using longer cable is not
recommended as this will drastically affect the RF reception.
2) Flasher Cable:
Niles infrared flashers (not supplied with the iC2 System) include a 10
foot cable. Flasher wires can be extended up to 200 foot (61 meters) using 2-conductor
22 gauge (“zip-cord”). Shielding is not necessary for a flasher.
3) RS232 Cable:
The HT-MSU can control home theater sources using one-way RS232
control cable. Niles does not supply RS232 cables. Home theater sources that are
RS232 control capable will usually supply or recommend the wire and the pin-out that
will control their devices. Traditionally, RS232 one-way communication can be sent
over three wires (transmit, receive and ground), but not for very long distances. (Niles
recommends placing the HT-MSU in close proximity to the sources it is controlling.)
4) Status Wiring:
The Niles HT-MSU has status (power synchronization) ports for eight
home theater sources. The status connections for sources 1 through 6 (labeled SRC1
– SRC6) are RCA jacks that can sense video or a 12V DC voltage signal. The TV/7 and
RCV/8 (receiver) status connections are 3.5mm jacks that sense voltage signals. When
using video for status, a standard RCA cable can be used from that source. Alternatively,
when using 12V for status, a 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
).
