DESIGNING THE SYSTEM
Infrared Learning Memory Layout
Learned infrared codes are stored in the Controller in one of eight “Device-pages” (or banks). For each of
the Devices (CD, Laser...), there are locations for storing the appropriate IR codes for functions such as
“Play,” “Pause,” etc. Essentially, there are eight separate “keyboards” which may be programmed with
independent IR codes for up to 30 functions, for a total of 240 IR learned codes.
NOTE: INFRARED CODES ARE STORED IN THE ALTRIX CONTROLLER/RECEIVER NOT IN THE REMOTE
CONTROLS.
You can learn as many IR buttons as you wish — one or all. If you want to change a button that already has
been taught, just learn it again. It will replace the old command with the new infrared command. All of the
commands are stored in the Altrix Controller, which has a battery backup — you may unplug it without your
codes being lost.
IR Programming Considerations
Learned infrared codes can be associated with all RC-8 keypad buttons except: Shift, Zone, Sec, Learn, and
the eight Source-Select (Device) buttons (Tuner, CD...). This leaves 30 IR-programmable buttons per Device
page.
The Aris system has individual buttons for each of the eight device pages. If you wish to make these
buttons common for various devices, simply program the same codes in all locations you wish to be
common. For example, if you wish to have a television’s channel buttons common to both the VCR-1 and
VCR-2 Devices, just program them in both pages — then connect the TV’s IR emitter to the common blaster
port so it will see the commands from both pages.
The
IR Emitter
connectors, on the rear panel of the Aris Controller, can be programmed for
device-specific
or
zone-
specific
operation. Device-specific operation allows you to use identical source components in your system,
for example, identical CD jukeboxes or DSS tuners. Zone-Specific mode allows identical devices, for
example A/V Reveivers, to be controlled based on the zone you are in. An appendix gives additional
information.
Each Source-Device page will be programmed using the keys that make sense for the functions — for tuner
section control, you may program AM/FM on A/B, Seek Up/Down on Channel, and perhaps station presets
on the number buttons. Volume and Mute will be programmed on the appropriate buttons. If you wish to
“hide” some commands (to prevent accidentally hitting one when your have a normal page active), you may
locate them in an unused device (e.g. Tape-2) which you will not normally have active — you then need to
connect the device’s IR emitter to the common blaster port in order to share Device pages.
For a Controller which is configured for “Zone-Specific” IR Output, all device codes must reside in the same
page, and all devices must either be identical, or at least respond to the same IR commands (e.g. different
models from the same manufacturer, with identical IR commands). An example is using zoned TVs, auto-
powered from the TV/Tape-2 device page.
For functions which have no obvious buttons (such as PIP, surround sound modes, etc.), you can program
them on the F1-F4 buttons, and identify their function on the optional rear label for the RC-8 remote
control. This keeps the remote uncluttered, yet provides a lot of control by defining the less-used special
functions on the rear label. This label also allows you to define a programmed Default Zone, MACROs, radio
station presets on the number buttons, etc.
If you have identical source devices, such as two DSS receivers, three CD jukeboxes, or a couple of identical
TVs in a wall, they may be individually controlled since the Aris system is Factory-set for “Device-Specific” IR
outputs. The same IR command set will be programmed in multiple device pages, but will independently
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