AMX DESIGN XPRESS HOME THEATER V1.3 On Site Installer Guide
Design XPress Home Theater
version 1.3
instruction manual
On-Site Installer’s Guide
Software
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview .......................................................................1
Introduction........................................................................................................................ 1
Overview ........................................................................................................................... 1
Scope ................................................................................................................................ 2
Related Documents.................................................................................................................. 2
One Step at a Time ........................................................................................................... 2
Label every wire termination point. .......................................................................................... 2
Don't get ahead of yourself. ..................................................................................................... 2
Use the auto-generated report file as your installation check list. ............................................ 3
The Design XPress Home Theater Application................................................................. 3
Note for ALD-D48 Lighting Systems ........................................................................................ 4
Note for Radia Lighting Systems.............................................................................................. 4
Supported Subsystems and Equipment ............................................................................ 5
Modero (G4) touch panels ....................................................................................................... 5
G3 touch panels ...................................................................................................................... 6
G3 panels do not support the following.................................................................................... 6
AMX NetLinx Integrated Controllers......................................................................................... 6
CD Players .............................................................................................................................. 6
DVD Players ............................................................................................................................ 6
MAX Servers by AMX .............................................................................................................. 7
Lighting..................................................................................................................................... 7
MP3 Players............................................................................................................................. 7
Plasma Displays ...................................................................................................................... 8
Receivers ................................................................................................................................ 8
User Interfaces ........................................................................................................................ 8
Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs) ......................................................................................... 8
Video Projection Devices ........................................................................................................ 9
Adding and Modifying Software....................................................................................... 10
Format of IR Files For Audio Sources ............................................................................. 10
Common Mistakes........................................................................................................... 11
Understanding the Report File ..............................................................................13
Overview ......................................................................................................................... 13
Installation Instructions........................................................................................................... 13
Device Addressing ................................................................................................................. 13
Wiring/Connections ................................................................................................................ 14
General Information ............................................................................................................... 15
Macros ................................................................................................................................... 17
XP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
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Table of Contents
AMX Recommended Equipment List ..................................................................................... 17
Using NetLinx Studio .............................................................................................19
Setting Up the Master ..................................................................................................... 19
Obtaining the Master's IP Address:........................................................................................ 20
Addressing the System ................................................................................................... 21
Addressing the Devices .................................................................................................. 22
Downloading Software and Transferring Files ................................................................ 23
Running the First Time.................................................................................................... 23
Startup.................................................................................................................................... 23
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DXP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
Introduction
Design XPress - Home Theater (DXP-HT)™ is a software package developed to assist AMX
dealers in quickly designing, installing and programming a home theater control system. A home
theater control system created using DXP-HT allows the selection and control of audio/video
sources, audio-surround modes, display devices and room lighting among other functions.
DXP-HT allows control via several types of AMX touch panels (see Supported Touch Panels for
details). A wizard-type front-end graphic user interface (GUI) helps you to quickly step through the
process of entering information specific to the home theater system being programmed.
The DXP-HT Project Wizard also allows you to specify the type of NetLinx Master Controller to
be used to control the system. DXP-HT supports NetLinx Integrated Controllers (NI-700/2000/
3000/4000 and the NXI equipped with an NXC-ME260/64 Master card). The wizard will only
allow you to choose a NetLinx Master that is able to accommodate the devices and functions
specified in your Project.
Once the steps outlined in the wizard are complete, the wizard will automatically generate all
NetLinx program files, touch panel files and a comprehensive report file for the system. While
these auto-generated program files can be used as-is, they can also be modified using NetLinx
Studio™, allowing the dealer to customize the NetLinx code and touch panel files to accommodate
specific client desires and those unique requirements always found in custom installations.
AMX University offers several courses that teach basic and advanced NetLinx
programming and system design concepts. Contact AMX University, or refer to the
Training@AMX University page at http://www.amx.com/ for details and scheduling
information.
Overview
DXP-HT was designed with the sole purpose of reducing the amount of programming and
integration time required for an installation. DXP-HT was designed to give the dealer/installer a
quick start on custom installations by automatically setting up common controls.
For installations where one install is relatively similar to another, DXP-HT can generate 90 - 100%
of the software required.
DXP-HT consists of several functional elements:
1. Design XPress Home Theater application/wizard running on a PC for defining the system
2. NetLinx software generated by the DXP-HT application
3. NetLinx Studio application for compiling, managing, and modifying the NetLinx software, as
well as downloading NetLinx files to the master.
4. Auto-generated touch panel files
5. Auto-generated text files for CD titles, tuner presets, satellite favorites, etc.
XP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
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On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
DXP-HT will generate all of the program and configuration files the installer needs. It will also
generate a report file that contains an equipment list, addresses for all devices in the system, a
device wiring and connection list detailing where the devices should be plugged in, and installation
instructions.
It should be noted that DXP-HT can be used by anyone. However, because the software will be
compiled and downloaded using NetLinx Studio, it is highly desirable to be familiar with that
application. Also, a good understanding of the NetLinx programming language is beneficial; if
changes are to be made to any of the auto-generated software files, then a working understanding of
NetLinx programming is required.
Scope
This document is intended to help an installer understand how DXP-HT operates. By understanding
the basic behavior of the software package the installer can avoid common mistakes and, therefore,
get in and out of a job more quickly. This document will explain the layout of the system but only
at a high level. It will also address the things that should be avoided and the steps required for
installing the system.
Related Documents
The following related documents are available for download at www.amx.com:
Related Documents
• Design XPress - Home Theater
User-Interface Guide
• Design XPress - Home Theater
Programmer’s Guide
• NetLinx Studio Instruction Manual Provides a detailed description of the NetLinx Studio application.
• NetLinx Programming Language
Reference Guide
Provides a detailed description of the DXP-HT user-interface.
Provides how-to information for setting up a system using DXP-HT.
Provides a comprehensive listing of the commands that comprise the
NetLinx programming language.
One Step at a Time
DXP-HT is easiest to install if taken one step at a time. Because of the number of devices, wiring
connections and files, it can quickly become confusing, especially the first time one does an
installation. There are some common sense rules that apply, as in most installations:
Label every wire termination point.
This is critical. Unless the cables are properly labeled it will take a time consuming search-untilyou-find-it approach to discover the proper cable. However, if the cables are labeled as they are
pulled this becomes a very simple exercise.
Don't get ahead of yourself.
Skipping steps in the installation process can cause problems in later steps. This will cost you more
installation time.
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DXP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
Use the auto-generated report file as your installation check list.
DXP-HT generates a report file named report.html, which can be opened in any web browser. It
identifies each step in the installation process. Follow the steps in the report and installation
problems will be minimized.
The Design XPress Home Theater Application
The first step in defining the system is to run the DXP-HT application. This Windows® based
wizard should probably be run in the office well in advance of going on-site. With this wizard you
define the locations of all equipment, the number of user interface devices, lighting scenes, audio
source equipment, etc. The DXP-HT Programmer’s Guide gives a good overview of this
application. One note, however, related to the lighting addresses. Lighting addresses consist of
keypad address and button. The keypad address is the address of the keypad for the lighting system
being used and must be represented in the format for that lighting system.
For the AMX ALD-D48, the address is the 7-digit ID number of the ALD-D48 Device
Server.
For the AMX Radia the address is the AXlink address of the Radia MC.
The only valid keypad address characters are 0-9, A-F, and : (colon). For reference, here
are the formats for the various supported lighting systems:
Lighting Controller Address Format DXP-HT Example
• AMX ALD-D48 The Address value is fixed at a value of one
and is disabled. This value corresponds to the
Device ID of the keypad.
• AMX Radia AXlink Device ID (1-255)The Address is the
• Clipsal C-Bus Group Address:Network Address (using a hex
• DynaLite DynaLite area (positive integer) 18
• Lehigh DX2 Lehigh area (1 - 16) 1
• Lutron GRAFIK Eye Master (positive integer) 17
• Lutron Homeworks
Interactive
• Lutron RadioRA Keypad Address (positive integer)
• LiteTouch 5000LC Keypad Address (3 nibble hex value A3E
• Tridonic DALI Tridonic group address (0 -15) 0
• Vantage Qlink Master:Keypad (positive integers) 1:5
AXlink device ID of the Radia MC.
value and a local network address)
Processor:Link:Keypad (positive integers) 1:4:9
Note: keypad address 12 is reserved as the
RS-232 RadioRA interface. This interface is a
virtual keypad, and does not contain any buttons.
For the AMX ALD-D48, the Address field value is fixed at a value of one (1) and is
read-only. This value corresponds to the Device ID of the keypad.
1 (read-only)
96
A1:D4
12
Click the Apply button after editing a preset to apply the changes.
XP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
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On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
The Button # refers to the button number or scene number the DXP-HT system is to
emulate when communicating to the lighting system.
For AMX Radia, the button # is the scene number to be recalled when this scene is
selected on the touch panel.
For Clipsal C-Bus and Dynalite systems (used primarily outside the U.S.), the button #
consists of the button number plus the fade rate, separated by a semi colon.
For example:
(C-Bus): K:P:[A4:E1]:75:8 indicates network $E1, group address $A4, go to 75%
(Dynalite): K:P:[14]:12:25 indicates area #14, go to preset scene #12 at 25-second
The Clear button clears the Preset Name, Address and Button Number information for a
selected preset.
Note for ALD-D48 Lighting Systems
The ALD-D48 is not controlled by Send Commands, so each button on the touch panel or keypad
corresponds to a specific dimmer.
at 8-second fade rate.
fade rate.
For instructions on developing NetLinx code to program scenes for the D48, refer to Tech Note #
TN 543, available via www.amx.com (Dealers > Tech Center > Tech Notes).
For detailed configuration information on the ALD-D48, refer to the ALD-D48 Network
Lighting Solution Instruction Manual, also available via www.amx.com (Dealers >
Tech Center > Tech Docs > Instruction Manuals).
Note for Radia Lighting Systems
On Radia lighting systems, channels 1-128 represent Radia lighting presets 1-128. If a channel is
on, then the corresponding preset is on. However, on startup NetLinx resets all channels to 0 (OFF).
Radia does not report the status of its channels when the master comes up, and consequently the
software believes the state of all of the presets is OFF. Therefore, until a preset changes in the
system, the channel states are not reported.
It is important to have the Lighting Preset information prior to finishing the project.
Enter a new Preset Name, Address and Button Number, and click the Add button to add a
new preset to the bottom of the list.
Select a Preset in the list and click the Delete button to delete that preset from the list.
The Insert button inserts a new preset at the order number of the currently selected
preset.
Click the Apply button after editing a preset to apply the changes.
The Clear button clears the Preset Name, Address and Button Number information for a
selected preset.
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DXP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
On-Site Installer’s Guide - Overview
Supported Subsystems and Equipment
DXP-HT (version 1.3 or higher) supports the following subsystems and equipment:
AMX touch panels
AMX NetLinx Integrated Controllers
CD (Compact Disc) Players
DVD (Digital Video Disc) Players
MAX Integrated Content Servers by AMX
Lighting
MP3 Players
Plasma Displays
User Interfaces (AMX Touch Panels)
Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs)
Video Projection Devices
Receivers
Serial-Interface Devices
For a more up-to-date list of supported devices, refer to the DXP-HT Supported
Devices document, available online at www.amx.com.
Modero (G4) touch panels
• Modero CV7 (NXT/NXD-CV7) 7" Touch Panel with video
• Modero MVP-7500 Wireless Panel
• Modero MVP-8400 Wireless Video Panel
• Modero CA12 (NXT/NXD-CA12) 12" Touch Panel
• Modero CV12 (NXT/NXD-CV12) 12" Touch Panel with video
• Modero CA15 (NXT/NXD-CA15) 15" Touch Panel
• Modero CV15 (NXT/NXD-CV15) 15" Touch Panel with video
• Modero CV17 (NXT/NXD-CV17) 17" Touch Panel with video
The nomenclature " NXT" indicates the table-top (tilt) model, and "NXD" represents
the wall-mount version.
XP-HT v1.3 - On-Site Installer’s Guide
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