Control 4 HC-800 Installation Manual

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HC-800 Controller
Installation Guide

Box Contents

The following items are included in the HC-800 box:

• Control4 HC-800 Controller

• AC to DC power adapter with power cord

• Six (6) IR emitters

• Three (3) antennas: One (1) for ZigBee and two

(2) dipole antennas for wireless (WiFi).

• Two (2) pluggable Contact/Relay connectors

• Warranty card

Accessories for Purchase

• Rack Ear Kit (C4-1UREK-B)

• 10’ Antenna Kit (C4-AK-3M)

Warnings

Supported Model

• C4-HC800-BL – HC-800 Controller, Black

Introduction

The Control4® HC-800 Controller (HC-800) provides
ways to control lights, home theaters, whole­home music and video systems, and other devices
controlled by IP, infrared (IR), Serial, Contact, or Relay
connections. The Controller has a fast processor,
built-in WiFi, HDMI for audio and video, improved
ZigBee radio, and more.

The HC-800 also provides extensive media
management support for audio and video content,
including CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, or digital media
stored in connected devices. You can use an external
storage device with USB, NAS, or eSATA connectivity,
and it supports multi-zone audio capabilities, sending
music to various rooms in the home. The device can
be stacked with AV devices or rack-mounted using
the optional rack ears.

After you install and configure the HC-800 (using
the Composer Pro software) along with the other
system components, your customers can control their
system using the On-Screen Navigator, the MyHome
app, System Remote Controls, Touch Screens, or any
other Control4-supported interface devices (sold
separately).

WARNING! To reduce the risk of electrical

shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.

AVERTISSEMENT! Pour réduire le risque de

choc électrique, n’exposez pas cet appareil à la
pluie ou à l’humidité.

WARNUNG! Um das Risiko des elektrischen

Schlages zu verringern, setzen Sie diesen
Apparat nicht Regen oder Feuchtigkeit aus.

WARNING! This CLASS I apparatus must

be connected to an AC mains socket outlet
that has a protective earthing connection
(e.g., third-prong ground conductor). DO

NOT DEFEAT THE PROTECTIVE EARTHING
CONNECTION!

AVERTISSEMENT! Cette appareil de classe I

doit être raccordé à une prise de courant qui
a une connexion Mise à la terre (par exemple,
conducteur avec troisième broche). NE PAS
DÉFAIRE LA CONNEXION DE MISE À LA
TERRE!

For general information about the product, see the
Product pages at http://www.control4.com.

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HC-800 Controller

Front View

Figure 1. Front View

WIFI DATA LINK

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Installation Guide

Requirements and Specifications

Prior to installing the HC-800, ensure that Ethernet
network wiring is in place. If you’re using WiFi, see
“Antenna Considerations.”

HC-800 Specifications

Model Number C4-HC800-BL

Network - Ethernet—required

- WiFi (only supported
when the device is used as a
Secondary Controller)

Media Recognition Online CD/DVD/Blu-ray

recognition and media
information service

Audio Playback Formats MP3: 32kbps to 320kbps, CBR,

VBR, AAC, and FLAC

Display LED indicators

Power Requirements 100-240 VAC, 60/50 Hz, 0.4

A MAX

Dimensions H x W x D: 2.80” (71 mm) x

11.98” (304 mm) x 7.24” (184
mm)

Weight 6.1 pounds (2.766 kg)

Shipping Weight 7.95 pounds (3.606 kg)

1 WiFi LED. This LED blinks Orange and then Blue

during the boot process. When the operating
system starts running, the WiFi driver changes
the LED color depending on the signal strength
of its connection to its associated access point.
Colors for signal strength: Orange=Fair to Good,
Blue=Excellent, and No Light=No connection or
not enabled.

2 Data LED. The Blue LED indicates that streaming

audio is received.

3 Link LED. The Blue LED indicates that the

Controller has been identified into a project.

4 Power LED. The Blue LED indicates that AC

power is present. The LED blinks during the boot
process.

5 IR Window/IR Blaster—Captures third-party IR

codes from hand-held devices (such as remote
controls) or blasting IR codes.

Back View

Connect all applicable devices to the HC-800 using
the connection options described next.

Figure 2. Back View

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Additional Resources

The following resources are available for additional
support.

• Control4 Knowledgebase or Forums

• Control4 Technical Support

• Control4 website: http://www.control4.com

• Composer documentation in online help or PDF

format available on the Dealer portal

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1 ZigBee. The antenna for the ZigBee radio.

NOTE: If you run ZigBee, use the external

antenna (provided).

2 Power Plug Port. AC to DC power adapter for the

power cord.

3 Factory Restore Button. A recessed button that

restores or resets the Controller to the factory
defaults. See “Troubleshooting” for details.

4 Identification Button. An easily-pressed button

used to identify this device in Composer Pro to
revert the device back to Ethernet with its default
settings.

5 RS-232 Serial. DB9 connectors for two (2) serial

devices, such as a receiver or disc changer. See
“Connect the Serial Ports” for information.

6 IR Out. 3.5 mm jacks for up to six (6) IR output

transmitters. See “Set Up IR Emitters or IR
Blaster” for information.

7 HDMI Out (Audio/Video). HDMI port for

displaying navigation menus on a monitor or TV.

NOTE: HDMI and Component cords can be

connected at the same time, but only one is
active.

8 Video Out (Component). Component jack used

for displaying navigation menus on a monitor or
TV.

9 WiFi 1. Reverse SMA connector to attach a WiFi

antenna. Supports 802.11 b/g/n.

NOTES: (1) WiFi cannot be used for Primary

Controllers; use WiFi for Secondary Controllers
only. See “Antenna Considerations” below. (2)
For best results, we recommend that you use

802.11 n.

10 Digital Audio Out. Digital audio output jack

for stereo line output for amplifiers or audio
switches.

11 Audio Out. RCA jacks for stereo channel

line output (line level) for amplifiers or audio
switches.

12 Audio In. (One (1) pair). RCA jacks for stereo

channel input (line level) for one (1) stereo analog
source.

13 eSATA. External serial ATA port for connecting a

hard drive on which to store media. See “Setting
up External Storage Devices” for information. For
information about eSATA storage limitations, see
eSATA Installation Guide in the Knowledgebase.

14 Ethernet. RJ-45 jack for a 10/100/1000 BaseT

Ethernet connection.

15 USB. For external storage device with USB

support. See “Setting up External Storage
Devices” for information. For information
about USB storage limitations, see the eSATA
Installation Guide in the Knowledgebase.

16 Relays. Pluggable terminal block connector for

four (4) switchable connections, such as a blind,
a fireplace, or a projector screen. The connectors
are for Normally Opened (NO), Normally Closed
(NC), and Common (COM).

17 Power. For troubleshooting purposes only. After

plugging in the HC-800, it it does not power on,
insert a paper clip into the pinhole to power it on.

18 Contacts. Pluggable terminal block connector for

four (4) Normally Closed or Normally Opened
switchable connections. Provides power for small
devices (12V), signal input (SIG), and return path
(GND).

19 WiFi 2. Reverse SMA Connector to attach a WiFi

antenna.

NOTES: (1) WiFi cannot be used for Primary

Controllers; use WiFi for Secondary Controllers
only. See “Antenna Considerations” below. (2)
For best results, we recommend that you use

802.11 n.

Installation Instructions

To install this Controller:

1 Ensure that your home network is in place before

starting your system setup. The HC-800 requires

a network connection (wired or WiFi) to use
all features as designed. When connected, the
Controller can connect to other IP devices on
the home network and access web-based media
databases and Control4 system updates.

2 Mount options. The HC-800 is designed to be

stackable with other AV equipment or mounted
in a rack or on a shelf using the optional Rack Ear
Kit (C4-1UREK-B, sold separately).

3 Connect the HC-800 to the network. To connect

using an Ethernet connection, plug the data
cable from the home network connection into the
Controller’s RJ-45 port (labeled “Ethernet”) and
the network port on the wall or at the network
switch.

4 Power up the Controller. Plug the HC-800 power

cord (provided) into the Controller’s power plug
port and an electrical outlet.

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NOTES: (1) Only use the power supply

included in this box. (2) The HC-800 may
take several minutes to boot up and become
operational. Please allow sucient time for
bootup.

5 Connect system devices. Attach the devices as

described in “Connect the Devices” below.

6 Set up any external storage devices as described

in “Setting up External Storage Devices.”

Connect the Devices

NOTE: Use Composer Pro to step through

the connection process before or after the
Controller is physically connected.

switch between +12V (Power) and SIG (Signal).

Connect to the Contact Port

The HC-800 provides four (4) contact ports for the
pluggable terminal block provided.

See Figures 3 through 5 to learn how to connect the
device to a contact port.

Figure 3. Contact Port for Voltage Source (e.g.,
Motion Sensor)

RELAYS

COM

NO

NC

The following section provides more information
about other connection options.

Pluggable Terminal Block Connectors

For the Contact and Relay ports, the HC-800 makes
use of a pluggable terminal block connector—a
removable plastic part that locks in individual wires
(included).

To connect a device to the pluggable terminal block:

1 Insert one of the wires required for your device

into the appropriate opening in the pluggable
terminal block you reserved for that device (refer
to Figures 3 through 7).

For example, if you add a motion sensor (see
Figure 3), connect its wires to the following
Contact openings:

CONTACTS

+12V

GND

SIG

Figure 4. Contact for Dry Contact (e.g., Door Contact
Sensor)

RELAYS

CONTACTS

COM

+12V

NO

NC

GND

SIG

Figure 5. Contact for Self-Powered Voltage Source
Device

COM

NO

NC

RELAYS

CONTACTS

GND

SIG

+12V

a Power input to +12V
b Output signal to SIG
c Ground connector to GND

See the following sections for instructions about
connecting the various protocols.

2 Repeat Step 1 for all wires required for your

device.

NOTE: When you connect dry contact closure

devices, such as door switches, connect the

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Connect to the Relay Port

The HC-800 provides four (4) relay ports for the
pluggable terminal block provided. With most
applications, attach one (1) wire to the common
terminal and the other to the Normally Opened
terminal. The relay switches close when the relay is
activated.

The HC-800 can support applications that require a
Normally Closed contact.

Figure 6. Relay Port, Normally Open

COM

NO

NC

RELAYS

CONTACTS

GND

SIG

+12V

IR Emitters

1 Plug the 3.5 mm connector end of one of the six

(6) IR stick-on emitters provided into an IR Out
port on the HC-800.

2 Place the stick-on emitter end over the IR

receiver on the Blu-ray Disc player, TV, or other
target device to drive IR signals from the HC-800
to the target.

Figure 7. Relay Port, Normally Closed

COM

NO

NO GND

NC

RELAYS

CONTACTS

SIG

+12V

Connect the Serial Ports

The HC-800 has two (2) DB9-style serial ports.
Connect a device, for example, a receiver or disc
changer, to the HC-800 by aligning the pins and
tightening the screws.

See the next table for serial communication values.

Hardware
Flow
Control

Serial Port 1 X X X X

Serial Port 2 X X X X

Odd
Parity

Even
Parity

No Parity

Set Up IR Emitters or IR Blaster

IR Blaster

In addition to IR emitters, the HC-800 is also
equipped with an IR blaster located just left of the
front LEDs.

To use the blaster rather than an IR emitter:

1 In Composer, connect the Front IR Blaster Out

on the Controller to the IR In for the device you
want to control.

2 Test and verify that the HC-800 is positioned in

such a way that the blaster can reach the device
you want to control.

Antenna Considerations

Depending on the location of the HC-800 and the
network setup, you’ll need to consider which, if any,
antennas to connect to the HC-800.

Not Using as a ZigBee Access Point (ZAP)

In this case, the standard CAT5 Ethernet cable works
well with the HC-800 installed on a rack. No ZigBee
antenna is required.

The system may contain third-party products
that are controlled with IR commands (usually
through remote controls). To provide a way for the
Controller to control a device that only recognizes IR
commands, complete one of these setups for

• IR Emitters

• IR Blaster

NOTE: All IR ports deliver the same amount of

power.

Using as a ZigBee Access Point (ZAP)

Attach one (1) of the antennas provided to the HC­800 RSMA connector labeled ‘ZigBee’ as needed.
If the HC-800 is mounted in a metal rack, use the
optional 10’ Antenna Kit (C4-AK3M, sold separately).

Using with a WiFi Connection

NOTES: (1) This option is not recommended

if the HC-800 is mounted in a rack. (2) WiFi
is not supported on HC-800s as Primary
Controllers.

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In this case, you’re stacking the HC-800 with other
devices and you’re connecting wirelessly.

Use the WiFi antenna when you don’t have an
Ethernet connection and if you’re using the HC-800
as a Secondary Controller.

NOTE: For best results, we recommend that

you use 802.11 n.

preferred video mode. The default is 720p @ 60
Hz for Component and HDMI. HDMI also uses
auto configuration to select the best possible
resolution for the display device. After making
the selection, click Set Resolution. If the video
resolution has to change, the Controller will
reboot; this is normal. See “Configuring an HC-

Class Controller” in the Composer Pro User Guide
on the Dealer website for more details.

Install in a Rack (Optional)

To install the Controller in a rack:

1 Turn the Controller over and remove the four (4)

screws that secure the feet (each corner on the
Controller).

2 Remove the rubber feet.
3 Use the same screws to attach the rack ears

(Rack Ear Kit, C4-1UREK-B, sold separately) into
the screw holes.

4 Attach the Controller to the rack.

Setting Up External Storage Devices

You can store and access media from an external
storage device, for example, a NAS or eSATA drive, or

USB memory device by plugging the USB drive into
the USB port and then configuring and scanning the
media (if required) in Composer Pro. For information
about adding storage devices, see eSATA Installation
Guide in the Knowledgebase.

Troubleshooting

Factory Restore Button

• Pull out the power cord and push it back in.

• Press and hold the Factory Restore button until

the UI on the HDMI or component indicates that
the recovery is in progress. Release the button.

IMPORTANT: The Factory Restore process will

remove the Composer project.

During the recovery process, the WiFi LED blinks
Blue, and the LED bootup sequence starts.

At the end of the restore, the Power LED is solid
Blue, and the WiFi LED blinks.

Factory Resets

• Press the Factory Restore button, but do not
hold it down. The Controller will reset.

NOTE: When using eSATA or USB storage

devices on an HC-800, you can only use one
(1) partition with a 2TB maximum size. This
limitation applies to the USB storage on all
other Controllers also.

Composer Information

• Driver. Choose the Home Controller HC-800

driver in Composer (OS 2.2 and later) and add
it to your project. See Composer Pro Getting
Started for details.

• Properties. There is a special section for

configuring the video resolution. Select the video
output you are using from the Connections
view (HDMI or Component), and then select the

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Identification Button

• Identify. Press the Identification button to
identify the device to the system.

• Network and Password Resets. To reset the HC-
800 to the network and password defaults, hold
the ID button and apply power to the unit. Wait
for either a prompt on the display/monitor or
wait for the Power, Link, and Data LEDs to all turn
on (solid) at the same time. Immediately release
the button and the network and password will be
reset.

• Boots/Reboots. Press and hold the Identification
button for five (5) seconds to initiate a Controller
reboot. This sequence of LEDs follows:

- The Power LED blinks briefly, and then turns
solid Blue.

- The Link LED blinks Blue briefly, and then turns
o.

- The Data LED blinks once, and then turns o.

- The WiFi LED blinks Orange, blinks Blue until
the system reboots, and then turns o.

If the device is configured for WiFi, the WiFi
LED reports the status (Red=Bad; Orange=OK;
Blue=Good).

Regulatory/Safety Information

To review regulatory information for your particular
Control4 products, see the information located on
the Control4 website at: http://www.control4.com/
regulatory/.

Warranty

Limited 2-year Warranty. Go to http://www.control4.
com/warranty for details.

About This Document

Part number: 200-00241, Rev. A, 1/27/2012

control4.com |

©2012 Control4. All rights reserved. Control4, the Control4 logo, the Control4 iQ logo and the Control4 certified logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Control4 Corporation in

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