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Topic:
MSC-400 ignores simultaneous key presses from two remotes.
This thread has 10 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 14:27
Ernie
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Hi guys.  I know the 400 is getting a bit long in the tooth but it still works well and I have not gotten around to identifying a modern day replacement.  I recently (not sure why it took 10 years) noticed a problem when two remotes are being used at the same time.

My setup - MSC-400 in the closet with 2 RFX-250s.  Serial: Key Digital 8x8 HDMI switch.  IR Sources: 2x Fios box, Roku, Nvidia Shield, Vero (kodi).  Remotes: 2x MX-980s, 2x MX-900.

The problem is that if I press ANY button on two or more remotes at the EXACT same time that route to the 400 via the RFX-250s, it is ignored.  The RFX-250 does light up that it is receiving but the 400 does NOT light up the blue indicator on the front nor does the IR emitter blink.

I have tried various combinations of remotes.  I have IR, Serial, and Triggers on the remotes to send to the 400.  They all work when sent by themselves but not simultaneously with other remotes.

I have also tried using a second MSC-400 that I have as a backup and the result is the same.  I did this is a completely separate location just in case there is some kind of RF interference even though I did not see any indication in any of the RFX-250s.

Is this the expected behavior?

Thanks
Ernie
Post 2 made on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 14:41
Duct Tape
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this is a known issue that they warned about in training classes.  not sure if it's actually documented anywhere though.  it's part of the reason why I rarely used a single msc400 for more than one room.
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OP | Post 3 made on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 15:52
Ernie
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Thanks Duct Tape!

Wow, that is really disappointing.  I still cant believe it took this long to notice.  I use to have RF interference with some of the devices in the closet so i may have chalked it up to that.  Now that is resolved, I guess I finally noticed this.

When you say "rarely used a single". are you saying that you would actually stack multiple 400's, like one for each remote?

What about something like MRX-2?  I see it is compatible with Complete Control.  I would be loosing the ability to program on the device I suppose but if it solves the multiple click thing I could probably make due.

Ernie
Post 4 made on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 19:20
Duct Tape
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On December 31, 2020 at 15:52, Ernie said...
Thanks Duct Tape!

Wow, that is really disappointing.  I still cant believe it took this long to notice.  I use to have RF interference with some of the devices in the closet so i may have chalked it up to that.  Now that is resolved, I guess I finally noticed this.

When you say "rarely used a single". are you saying that you would actually stack multiple 400's, like one for each remote?

What about something like MRX-2?  I see it is compatible with Complete Control.  I would be loosing the ability to program on the device I suppose but if it solves the multiple click thing I could probably make due.

Ernie

i would end up using multiple msc400s even though one would have covered the number of devices for both rooms.  this was just a precaution since our boats often have guests and rooms would be used at the same time very often.

the mrx2 won't really help you if you need it for rs232, sensor, or relay connections.  those only work with the network remotes and apps (mx5000, mx6000, kp4000)  If you are using them with an MX980 remote, you can only use it for IR, in which case you may as well use an MRF350 basestation.
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OP | Post 5 made on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 20:20
Ernie
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Gotcha, thanks a bunch for that, I hadnt realized.

So, something like the MRF350 does NOT have the same limitation from simultaneous button presses?  If so, that seems really backwards.

Appreciate all of the info.
Ernie
Post 6 made on Friday January 1, 2021 at 12:32
tomciara
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All URC remotes get dicey if two remotes transmit at the same time.

I’ve seen it with MRF-350.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
OP | Post 7 made on Friday January 1, 2021 at 14:26
Ernie
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Ok, thanks Tom.  I guess that makes sense.  I may have to go with a slave MSC-400 just to get a second RF ID :/
OP | Post 8 made on Friday January 1, 2021 at 18:58
Ernie
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On January 1, 2021 at 14:26, Ernie said...
Ok, thanks Tom.  I guess that makes sense.  I may have to go with a slave MSC-400 just to get a second RF ID :/

Ok, ya, thats not going to work either.  I did some more testing and it seems that even giving a different RF ID to a separate MSC-400 doesnt help.  (Also tried to it with a spare MRF-260 I had laying around).

Seems the problem is not so much the 400 but the RFX-250.  Even if "listening" for a separate RFID, it still receives all transmissions of the other RF IDs.  So, pushing buttons on two remotes configured for different RFIDs still results in the presses being ignored.  I guess you can think of it as RF interference in that regard.

So, SOL I guess. :(  Is Total Control any better at this?

Ernie.
Post 9 made on Saturday January 2, 2021 at 08:35
goldenzrule
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You can try using a "I" series remote and antenna in one room.  They are 433 MHz versus 418 MHz on the regular series.. URC RF opens a gateway that accepts all signals in their frequency for a set amount of time (forget exactly how long).

I had a client that moved from the city where the 433 MHz is commonplace and we installed it along with a new 418 MHz in another room.  I wasn't aware they had the i series until time of install, so tested it, being I was of the believe that the gateway would be open and accept signal no matter which frequency it was on.  I did not experience the issue when testing.

Last edited by goldenzrule on January 2, 2021 09:55.
OP | Post 10 made on Saturday January 2, 2021 at 10:07
Ernie
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Huh, thats really interesting and makes total sense.  Did you run two base stations or just one with two RF receivers?  In other words, could I, say, run a single MSC-400 and have one RFX-250 to one of the RF INs and an RFX-250i to the other RF IN?  That would avoid alot of clutter.

Thanks for the great info!

Ernie
Post 11 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 11:22
tomciara
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On January 2, 2021 at 10:07, Ernie said...
Huh, thats really interesting and makes total sense.  Did you run two base stations or just one with two RF receivers?  In other words, could I, say, run a single MSC-400 and have one RFX-250 to one of the RF INs and an RFX-250i to the other RF IN?  That would avoid alot of clutter.

Thanks for the great info!

Ernie

That makes sense, probably have to try and see for yourself.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.


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