map-table entry. The factory settings provide a minimal map table which provides out-of-the-box
capability by programming MACROs 1 to 10, as well as demonstrating A/V switching and volume control,
using X-10 codes on House-Code G.
•
Disabling user programming:
Computer programming may disable remote control programming of infrared
learning and macro programming.
•
Program Zone-Group for Multi-Controller Installations:
An Aris Controller is programmed to respond to a
default
Zone-Group.
By programming different Controllers to unique zone-groups, multiple Controllers may be
configured together in a single installation, providing additional zones. The Zone Group factory setting for
a controller is Group 0, but it may be changed to Group 1, Group 2...up to Group 9 — a controller with a
Zone group of 0 is called the
Master
controller. An appendix gives additional information.
•
Volume/Bass/Treble ramping rate from Remote Control:
There is a additional delay parameter which may be
computer-programmed: VBT Ramp Rate for Remote Controls. This allows adjustment of
Volume/Bass/Treble ramping when the remote control’s buttons are pressed and held. This is a global —
not zone-specific.
•
Zone Turn-On/Off Volume Ramping:
When a Zone is switched On, it turns on to a fixed –44 dB Volume
level, and then ramps up to the programmed
Turn-On Volume Level
. The computer-programmable
Turn-On Volume
Ramp
is selectable for each zone, and gives the zone turn-on a “soft-start” — there is an corresponding
Turn-
Off Volume Ramp
which tapers the volume down at zone turn-off, and is generally set to a rate faster than turn-
on. When a zone turns Off, it ramps down from the Current Volume to –44 dB, and then switches off (to < –
80 dB).
The Turn-On/Off Ramps are controlled by “delay parameters” — a delay is inserted between each 2 dB
volume level step. The Turn-On Volume Ramp is programmable and has a Factory Setting of 20 ms-per-
2dB step, and the The Turn-Off Volume Ramp has a Factory Setting of 5 ms-per-2dB step. For example,
with the Factory Setting for the Turn-On Volume Level of –20 dB, this gives a total ramp-up time (from –44
dB) of 240 ms (twelve 2-dB steps times 20 ms/step). A ramp down from –20 dB (to –44 dB) takes 48 ms.
You may adjust as desired. If an active (On) zone gets a new source routed to it, the same ramp-down and
ramp-up tapers apply, to provide a smooth transition. Note that the zone’s previous bass and treble levels
will still be in effect.
•
Zone Passthrough:
Computer programming may configure a zone for
Passthrough
mode: the Turn-On Volume
is ignored, since the zone is routing the source at a fixed 0 dB level. Passthrough mode can be further
programmed to allow bass and treble adjustment, or to force a flat zone. When a zone is configured for
passthrough operation, the remote control Volume buttons now access infrared code locations. A typical
example of Passthrough use is for driving a surround sound preamplifier — volume/bass/treble adjustment
on the surround sound input may affect steering and separation. By learning the preamplifier’s IR
commands (globally, by storing them in all eight device locations), this Passthrough zone now appears to
the user as any other zone.
•
Stereo or Mono Zone selection:
Computer programming may configure a zone for stereo or mono operation.
A typical use would be for driving single speakers in bathrooms, hallways, closets, etc.
•
Zone Mute level:
The Remote Control
Mute
button (on all Vaux remotes) now directly mutes/unmutes the
default zone (or temporary zone using the Zone-X-Mute operation). Computer configuration may change
the Mute behavior to use either internal zone muting (the factory setting), or to use infrared codes.
Computer configuration also allows you to program a mute level to any volume level down to –80 dB (the
factory mute level setting is –80 dB).
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