Power-On-Delay and Power-Off-Delay
This five-second “Power-Off-Delay” is actually programmable via the computer port. Also, there is a
computer-programmable “Power-On-Delay,” which is normally zero seconds — it may be programmed to
add a fixed delay after each IR and X-10 device turns on, to allow the device to stabilize before receiving
configuration commands, etc.
Power State Incorrect?
The power states of source devices are managed intelligently by the controller, but the user may manually
turn a device on or off and get the system out-of-sync. It is obvious when a device is in the wrong state; it
is easily rectified by manually correcting the power state of the device in question. For some devices (e.g. a
VCR which will be used for recording when the system is not in use), may be best to not auto-power the
device, and either leave it on always, or allow the user to manually power it as necessary.
Auto-Receiver-Power Option
A refinement of the above concept provides an additional feature: Auto-Receiver-Power. This allows one of
the devices (Device 1: Tuner) to power an A/V receiver for one of the zones, and intelligently turn the
receiver on when the system is in use. Powering of a receiver is more commonly used with a Vaux Altrix
Controller, but for an Aris system, this feature may be used to power a global IR device whenever the system
is active (e.g. a multi-source device). Enabling the Receiver powering simply requires programming a
couple of IR power codes for Device 1. This option provides global or zoned powering of A/V receivers (or
other IR devices). If desired, this feature may be disabled via the computer port, allowing normal Tuner
source device powering.
To use this feature, the device's IR power commands must be learned into the Device-1 (Tuner) bank ON
and OFF locations, the system configured for device- or zone-specific operation, and the IR emitter for the
device(s) connected as follows: In device-specific IR mode, a global "system-active" IR device is connected
to the Tuner port (1) or Blaster port. This single IR device is powered up when system is active, and off
when inactive -- e.g. an Aris system's multi-source input device (e.g. CD/tape unit). In zone-specific IR
mode, zoned IR devices (one or more identical devices) are connected to Zone ports 1, 2, 3... (not Blaster
port) -- e.g. a multi-zone Altrix system using identical receivers in different zones. Another option, while
in zone-specific IR mode, is to program the Tuner device to force global operation -- e.g. an Aris system in
zoned-IR mode (perhaps for multi-zone-TV powering), but needing global IR powering for a multi-source
input device (e.g. CD/tape unit). In this case, the "Tuner" device powers up when system is active, and off
when the system goes inactive -- the IR device must be connected to the Blaster port in this case, since the
other IR emitter ports are zoned.
Auto-TV-Power Option
Another refinement of the above concept provides an additional feature: Auto-TV-Power. This allows one
of the devices (Device 8: TV/Tape-2) to power a television monitor for one of the zones, and intelligently
turn the TV on only for audio/video sources, and off for audio-only sources. Enabling the TV powering
simply requires programming a couple of IR power codes for Device 8. This option provides zoned
powering of TVs, based on sources defined as Audio-only or A/V (this definition is programmable, via the
computer port). This feature may be disabled via the computer port, allowing normal Tape-2 source
powering.
To use this feature, the TV's IR power commands must be learned into the Device-8 (TV/Tape-2) bank ON
and OFF locations, the system must be configured for zone-specific operation, and the IR emitter for the TV
(s) connected as follows: In zone-specific IR mode, zoned IR TVs (one or more identical TVs) are
connected to Zone ports 1, 2, 3... (not Blaster port) -- e.g. a multi-zone Aris system using one or more
identical TVs in different zones. In device-specific IR mode, TV powering is disabled (there is no global
source-specific TV powering possible, since different zones may have A/V or Audio-only sources activated)
-- in this case, the system provides normal Tape-2 source powering.
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