Extron electronics MediaLink MLC 52 IR, MediaLink MLC 52 Series, MediaLink MLC 52 RS, MediaLink MLC 52 IR VC, MediaLink MLC 52 RS VC User Manual

MLC 52 Series

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MediaLink™ Controllers

68-1079-01 Rev. C

04 06

Precautions

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Safety Instructions • English

This symbol is intended to alert the user of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature provided with the equipment.

This symbol is intended to alert the user of the presence of uninsulated dangerous
voltage within the product's enclosure that may present a risk of electric shock.

Caution

Read Instructions • Read and understand all safety and operating instructions before using the

equipment.

Retain Instructions • The safety instructions should be kept for future reference.
Follow Warnings • Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the equipment or in the user

information.

Avoid Attachments • Do not use tools or attachments that are not recommended by the equipment

manufacturer because they may be hazardous.

Consignes de Sécurité • Français

Ce symbole sert à avertir l’utilisateur que la documentation fournie avec le matériel
contient des instructions importantes concernant l’exploitation et la maintenance
(réparation).

Ce symbole sert à avertir l’utilisateur de la présence dans le boîtier de l’appareil de
tensions dangereuses non isolées posant des risques d’électrocution.

Attention

Lire les instructions• Prendre connaissance de toutes les consignes de sécurité et d’exploitation avant

d’utiliser le matériel.

Conserver les instructions• Ranger les consignes de sécurité afin de pouvoir les consulter à l’avenir.
Respecter les avertissements • Observer tous les avertissements et consignes marqués sur le matériel ou

présentés dans la documentation utilisateur.

Eviter les pièces de fixation • Ne pas utiliser de pièces de fixation ni d’outils non recommandés par le

fabricant du matériel car cela risquerait de poser certains dangers.

Sicherheitsanleitungen • Deutsch

Dieses Symbol soll dem Benutzer in der im Lieferumfang enthaltenen
Dokumentation besonders wichtige Hinweise zur Bedienung und Wartung
(Instandhaltung) geben.

Dieses Symbol soll den Benutzer darauf aufmerksam machen, daß im Inneren des
Gehäuses dieses Produktes gefährliche Spannungen, die nicht isoliert sind und
die einen elektrischen Schock verursachen können, herrschen.

Achtung

Lesen der Anleitungen • Bevor Sie das Gerät zum ersten Mal verwenden, sollten Sie alle Sicherheits-

und Bedienungsanleitungen genau durchlesen und verstehen.

Aufbewahren der Anleitungen • Die Hinweise zur elektrischen Sicherheit des Produktes sollten Sie

aufbewahren, damit Sie im Bedarfsfall darauf zurückgreifen können.

Befolgen der Warnhinweise • Befolgen Sie alle Warnhinweise und Anleitungen auf dem Gerät oder in

der Benutzerdokumentation.

Keine Zusatzgeräte • Verwenden Sie keine Werkzeuge oder Zusatzgeräte, die nicht ausdrücklich vom

Hersteller empfohlen wurden, da diese eine Gefahrenquelle darstellen können.

Instrucciones de seguridad • Español

Este símbolo se utiliza para advertir al usuario sobre instrucciones importantes de
operación y mantenimiento (o cambio de partes) que se desean destacar en el
contenido de la documentación suministrada con los equipos.

Este símbolo se utiliza para advertir al usuario sobre la presencia de elementos con
voltaje peligroso sin protección aislante, que puedan encontrarse dentro de la caja
o alojamiento del producto, y que puedan representar riesgo de electrocución.

Precaucion

Leer las instrucciones • Leer y analizar todas las instrucciones de operación y seguridad, antes de usar

el equipo.

Conservar las instrucciones • Conservar las instrucciones de seguridad para futura consulta.
Obedecer las advertencias • Todas las advertencias e instrucciones marcadas en el equipo o en la

documentación del usuario, deben ser obedecidas.

Evitar el uso de accesorios • No usar herramientas o accesorios que no sean especificamente

recomendados por el fabricante, ya que podrian implicar riesgos.

ᅝܼ乏ⶹ

䖭Ͼヺোᦤ ⼎⫼᠋䆹䆒໛⫼᠋᠟ ݠЁ

䖭Ͼヺো䄺⫼᠋䆹䆒໛ᴎ໇ݙ᳝

⊼ᛣ

䯙䇏䇈ᯢк•
ֱᄬ䇈ᯢк• 䑩ㅸⷕ἞⪙⫊₩嬵㕏ᶧḦ⡈⭇㚦Ề䑩ɿ

䙉ᅜ䄺 • 䑩ㅸⷕ徶⫉󰶉␂ ⏍䑩ㅸ㉈⊘ᵋ䗅ㆁ㙊⫊₩

䙓ܡ䗑ࡴ

䑩ㅸỀ䑩嬦嫿 ⡈↎⼆枼敆嬼 ⶷䍇夤ㆁ㙊

ᵎ壂Ề䑩嬦󰶉␂⋃⒇㯢㙊㋩劑䗅⴦₸ㅗ弾

•

•

Ё᭛

᳝䞡㽕ⱘ᪡԰㓈ᡸ䇈ᯢDŽ

䴆ⱘ䰽⬉ˈ᳝㾺⬉䰽

⫊₩⏍Ề䑩嬵㕏ɿ

⏍㐎ẝ嬵㕏ɿ

⇡嫿⡈澤Ḧ忀₎⊲斪

Warning

Power sources • This equipment should be operated only from the power source indicated on the product.

This equipment is intended to be used with a main power system with a grounded (neutral)
conductor. The third (grounding) pin is a safety feature, do not attempt to bypass or disable it.

Power disconnection • To remove power from the equipment safely, remove all power cords from the rear

of the equipment, or the desktop power module (if detachable), or from the power source receptacle
(wall plug).

Power cord protection • Power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be stepped on or

pinched by items placed upon or against them.

Servicing • Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. To

prevent the risk of shock, do not attempt to service this equipment yourself because opening or
removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.

Slots and openings • If the equipment has slots or holes in the enclosure, these are provided to prevent

overheating of sensitive components inside. These openings must never be blocked by other objects.

Lithium battery • There is a danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace it only with the

same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the
manufacturer's instructions.

Avertissement

Alimentations• Ne faire fonctionner ce matériel qu’avec la source d’alimentation indiquée sur l’appareil.

Ce matériel doit être utilisé avec une alimentation principale comportant un fil de terre (neutre). Le
troisième contact (de mise à la terre) constitue un dispositif de sécurité : n’essayez pas de la
contourner ni de la désactiver.

Déconnexion de l’alimentation• Pour mettre le matériel hors tension sans danger, déconnectez tous les

cordons d’alimentation de l’arrière de l’appareil ou du module d’alimentation de bureau (s’il est
amovible) ou encore de la prise secteur.

Protection du cordon d’alimentation • Acheminer les cordons d’alimentation de manière à ce que

personne ne risque de marcher dessus et à ce qu’ils ne soient pas écrasés ou pincés par des objets.

Réparation-maintenance • Faire exécuter toutes les interventions de réparation-maintenance par un

technicien qualifié. Aucun des éléments internes ne peut être réparé par l’utilisateur. Afin d’éviter tout
danger d’électrocution, l’utilisateur ne doit pas essayer de procéder lui-même à ces opérations car
l’ouverture ou le retrait des couvercles risquent de l’exposer à de hautes tensions et autres dangers.

Fentes et orifices • Si le boîtier de l’appareil comporte des fentes ou des orifices, ceux-ci servent à

empêcher les composants internes sensibles de surchauffer. Ces ouvertures ne doivent jamais être
bloquées par des objets.

Lithium Batterie • Il a danger d'explosion s'll y a remplacment incorrect de la batterie. Remplacer

uniquement avec une batterie du meme type ou d'un ype equivalent recommande par le constructeur.
Mettre au reut les batteries usagees conformement aux instructions du fabricant.

Vorsicht

Stromquellen • Dieses Gerät sollte nur über die auf dem Produkt angegebene Stromquelle betrieben

werden. Dieses Gerät wurde für eine Verwendung mit einer Hauptstromleitung mit einem geerdeten
(neutralen) Leiter konzipiert. Der dritte Kontakt ist für einen Erdanschluß, und stellt eine
Sicherheitsfunktion dar. Diese sollte nicht umgangen oder außer Betrieb gesetzt werden.

Stromunterbrechung • Um das Gerät auf sichere Weise vom Netz zu trennen, sollten Sie alle Netzkabel

aus der Rückseite des Gerätes, aus der externen Stomversorgung (falls dies möglich ist) oder aus der
Wandsteckdose ziehen.

Schutz des Netzkabels • Netzkabel sollten stets so verlegt werden, daß sie nicht im Weg liegen und

niemand darauf treten kann oder Objekte darauf- oder unmittelbar dagegengestellt werden können.

Wartung • Alle Wartungsmaßnahmen sollten nur von qualifiziertem Servicepersonal durchgeführt

werden. Die internen Komponenten des Gerätes sind wartungsfrei. Zur Vermeidung eines
elektrischen Schocks versuchen Sie in keinem Fall, dieses Gerät selbst öffnen, da beim Entfernen der
Abdeckungen die Gefahr eines elektrischen Schlags und/oder andere Gefahren bestehen.

Schlitze und Öffnungen • Wenn das Gerät Schlitze oder Löcher im Gehäuse aufweist, dienen diese zur

Vermeidung einer Überhitzung der empfindlichen Teile im Inneren. Diese Öffnungen dürfen niemals
von anderen Objekten blockiert werden.

Litium-Batterie • Explosionsgefahr, falls die Batterie nicht richtig ersetzt wird. Ersetzen Sie verbrauchte

Batterien nur durch den gleichen oder einen vergleichbaren Batterietyp, der auch vom Hersteller
empfohlen wird. Entsorgen Sie verbrauchte Batterien bitte gemäß den Herstelleranweisungen.

Advertencia

Alimentación eléctrica • Este equipo debe conectarse únicamente a la fuente/tipo de alimentación eléctrica

indicada en el mismo. La alimentación eléctrica de este equipo debe provenir de un sistema de
distribución general con conductor neutro a tierra. La tercera pata (puesta a tierra) es una medida de
seguridad, no puentearia ni eliminaria.

Desconexión de alimentación eléctrica • Para desconectar con seguridad la acometida de alimentación

eléctrica al equipo, desenchufar todos los cables de alimentación en el panel trasero del equipo, o
desenchufar el módulo de alimentación (si fuera independiente), o desenchufar el cable del
receptáculo de la pared.

Protección del cables de alimentación • Los cables de alimentación eléctrica se deben instalar en lugares

donde no sean pisados ni apretados por objetos que se puedan apoyar sobre ellos.

Reparaciones/mantenimiento • Solicitar siempre los servicios técnicos de personal calificado. En el interior

no hay partes a las que el usuario deba acceder. Para evitar riesgo de electrocución, no intentar
personalmente la reparación/mantenimiento de este equipo, ya que al abrir o extraer las tapas puede
quedar expuesto a voltajes peligrosos u otros riesgos.

Ranuras y aberturas • Si el equipo posee ranuras o orificios en su caja/alojamiento, es para evitar el

sobrecalientamiento de componentes internos sensibles. Estas aberturas nunca se deben obstruir con
otros objetos.

Batería de litio • Existe riesgo de explosión si esta batería se coloca en la posición incorrecta. Cambiar esta

batería únicamente con el mismo tipo (o su equivalente) recomendado por el fabricante. Desachar las
baterías usadas siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante.

䄺

⬉⑤• 嬦嫿⡈⌫倾Ề䑩󰶉␂ᵋ㝈㕏䗅䑶㷑ɿ嫿 ⡈⼆枼

ɿ

ɿ

䩭ᵊ㚢一澠♱一澡㕰

• ᵻ⫊₩♱ḏ嫿⡈㈕㋊䑶㷑澤嬸㈕㋊ㆁ㙊嫿

ᢨᥝ⬉⑤

ㅗḼẖ㋦ⅱⵃ䑶䰼丠䗅

⬉⑤㒓ֱᡸ• ⣦Ⓟⵄ一澤忀₎埬嵪嵐澤ㅗ愎䆪㉥⋌ɿ

㓈ᡸ• ㆁ㙊丵Ἧ⼆枼䑲嫥嬂䗅丵Ἧ󰶜⎙弜垍ɿ嫿⡈⃆

ᵻ忀₎℻䋱大䑶⊲斪

䗮亢ᄨ• 㙊󰵽嫿⡈㙻⠴ᵋ㙊彛栏㤾ㅗ⪕澤⫄ḭ 㕰䑩㚦

ᵎ壂䑩Ḽẖᵝ壀㉢Ẑ彛

䫖⬉∴• ᵎ㪤䞯䗅㘵㊣䑶㮡ṛ㙊䅇㿹䗅⊲斪ɿ⼆枼Ề䑩

㉊䂨䑠󰶉⋃

⫊₩嫿㓾澤ᵎ倾ᵎ䑩ㅗ崴弈ɿ

䑶㷑一ɿ

ᵎ壂儫ⴲ嬖☿㆔⹁嫿⡈䘗⪑丵Ἧ嬦嫿⡈ɿ

栏⪕ɿ

䗅⸻嫯⡅䍇ⷠ⹄䑶㮡ɿ

Ề䑩㙊♱一䗅Ờ䑶䰼丠Ờ䑶ɿ

⡈⍏ㅗ㞍暣䑶㷑䗅䑶㷑一澤

怩㯢㙊䑩ㅸ⌰Ḧ㘵㊣䗅昷ḷɿ

敳㪣㙻⃆㒐だ₄ḷ弈䀮ɿ

ᵏ⋃⫷㋩劑 䗅䘹⍍ㅗ 䘹弒⛌⌸䗅䑶㮡ɿ

Table of Contents

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Chapter 1 • Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1-1

About the MLC 52 Series ................................................................................................. 1-2

Features and Options........................................................................................................ 1-2

Standard features .............................................................................................................. 1-2

Options and accessories ..................................................................................................... 1-3

MLC 52 Application Examples ...................................................................................... 1-4

Chapter 2 • Installation .......................................................................................................... 2-1

Installation Overview ....................................................................................................... 2-2

UL Requirements ................................................................................................................. 2-3

Installation Procedures .................................................................................................... 2-3

Preparing the site and installing the wall box ................................................................. 2-3

Replacing faceplates and button labels ........................................................................... 2-4

Replacing the faceplate ..............................................................................................2-4

Replacing button labels ..............................................................................................2-4

Mounting an electrical box ............................................................................................... 2-6

Rear panel/cable connections............................................................................................ 2-7

Wiring the control connector ..................................................................................... 2-9

Wiring for IR control ........................................................................................... 2-10

Wiring for RS-232 control (RS models only) ....................................................... 2-11

Wiring for IR remote control .............................................................................. 2-12

Wiring the IRL 20 ................................................................................................. 2-13

Wiring the power connector .............................................................................. 2-14

Wiring the VC faceplate ........................................................................................... 2-14

Mounting the MLC 52 ..................................................................................................... 2-15

Mounting the MLC to an electrical box or mounting bracket ............................... 2-15

Mounting the MLC to a wall or furniture ............................................................... 2-16

Chapter 3 • Operation ............................................................................................................. 3-1

Projector Control................................................................................................................. 3-2

Projector control memory ................................................................................................. 3-2

Front Panel Features and Operation ......................................................................... 3-2

Buttons on the front panel ............................................................................................... 3-2

Switch group ............................................................................................................... 3-2

Front panel components ................................................................................................... 3-3

Configuring the MLC 52 Using IR................................................................................ 3-4

Configuring using IR data transfer ................................................................................... 3-4

Configuring using IR Learning .......................................................................................... 3-7

Removing commands from a button ......................................................................... 3-8

Setting up button macros ................................................................................................. 3-8

Configuring a single button for input source selection .................................................. 3-9

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Table of Contents

i

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Using the MLC 52 VC Models with the MPA Series Power Amplifiers ... 3-10

Requirements for the MLC 52 with volume control knob .............................................3-10

Wiring and connections for the MLC 52 VC models ...................................................... 3-11

Configuring the MLC 52 IR and MLC 52 RS VOL buttons .............................................. 3-11

Powering the Projector/display On and Off ........................................................ 3-12

Powering on ..................................................................................................................... 3-12

Powering off .................................................................................................................... 3-12

Selecting Inputs ................................................................................................................. 3-12

Operating the MLC 52 Using IR Remote Control............................................... 3-13

Buttons on the IR 452 remote control ............................................................................ 3-14

Resetting ............................................................................................................................... 3-15

Locking the Front Panel (Executive Mode) .......................................................... 3-15

Chapter 4 • Special Applications ..................................................................................... 4-1

Application 1: Using Multiple Sources with an MLC 52 ................................. 4-2

Configuring the MLC 52 for multiple input selection ..................................................... 4-3

Configuring buttons for an IR controlled system ............................................................ 4-3

Projector remote control type A (application 1) ....................................................... 4-4

Projector remote control type B (application 1) ....................................................... 4-5

Configuring buttons for multiple inputs on an RS-232 controlled system ..................... 4-6

Application 2: Projector Requiring a Power Off Confirmation .................. 4-7

Configuring the MLC 52 for a power-off confirmation................................................... 4-7

Application 3: Controlling Projectors That Have Multi-coded
IR Functionality

Configuring the MLC 52 for multi-coded IR functionality .............................................. 4-8

Projector remote control type A (application 3) ....................................................... 4-8

Programming RGB inputs — type A remote control ........................................... 4-8

Programming video inputs — type A remote control ......................................... 4-9

Issuing input selection commands learned from remote control type A ......... 4-11

Configuring VC models — type A remote control ............................................ 4-12

Projector remote control type B (application 3) ..................................................... 4-12

Programming RGB inputs — type B remote control ......................................... 4-12

Programming video inputs — type B remote control ....................................... 4-13

Issuing input selection commands learned from remote control type B ......... 4-14

Configuring VC models — type B remote control ............................................ 4-15

.................................................................................................................... 4-8

Chapter 5 • Serial Communication ................................................................................. 5-1

Using the MLC 52 Configuration Program ............................................................. 5-2

Installing the software ...................................................................................................... 5-3

Starting the configuration program ................................................................................. 5-3

Overview of the MLC 52 configuration program screen ................................................. 5-4

Using the Help program .................................................................................................... 5-5

About Extron drivers ......................................................................................................... 5-5

Viewing RS-232 drivers ............................................................................................... 5-6

Viewing the IP Link IR package version ..................................................................... 5-6

ii MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controllers • Table of Contents

Key to file names ............................................................................................................... 5-6

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Configuring the controller ................................................................................................ 5-7

Overview of the Controller (MLC) Config. tab .......................................................... 5-7

Saving and restoring the configuration .................................................................... 5-8

Saving a configuration .......................................................................................... 5-8

Restoring a configuration ..................................................................................... 5-9

Assigning functions to buttons using IR drivers ...................................................... 5-10

Assigning functions to buttons using RS-232 drivers .............................................. 5-13

Loading Extron drivers for RS-232 communication ........................................... 5-13

Configuring buttons using RS-232 drivers.......................................................... 5-15

Removing commands from a button ....................................................................... 5-18

Setting up projector volume control ....................................................................... 5-19

Types of volume control ......................................................................................5-19

Reprogramming the volume control buttons .................................................... 5-20

Grouping buttons ..................................................................................................... 5-21

Setting up button macros using macro mode ......................................................... 5-21

Linking buttons to create macros ............................................................................ 5-22

The MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen ................................................... 5-23

Button linking procedure .................................................................................... 5-23

Linking buttons in macro mode ......................................................................... 5-25

Removing a link from a button .......................................................................... 5-25

Linking buttons in a series (“daisy-chaining”) ................................................... 5-25

Programming the MLC 52 for control by the IR 452 Remote ........................................5-26

Removing commands from an IR 452 button .......................................................... 5-30

Performing IR Learning via software .............................................................................. 5-30

Using the Advanced Projector Config. tab .....................................................................5-32

Creating a volume table ........................................................................................... 5-35

Buttons for the IR 452-accessible functions .............................................................5-38

Misc. Options tab ............................................................................................................. 5-39

Using emulation mode .................................................................................................... 5-40

Uploading firmware ........................................................................................................ 5-43

Using Simple Instruction Set (SIS™ ) commands ...............................................5-45

Host-to-MLC communications ......................................................................................... 5-45

MLC-initiated messages ............................................................................................ 5-45

Error responses .......................................................................................................... 5-45

Using the command/response tables ....................................................................... 5-45

Symbol definitions .................................................................................................... 5-46

Command/response table for SIS commands ................................................................. 5-47

Command/response table for advanced instructions

(for the MLC 52 configuration program) ....................................................................... 5-48

Appendix A • Specifications, Part Numbers, and Accessories .................... A-1

Specifications....................................................................................................................... A-2

Part Numbers and Accessories ......................................................................................... A-3

Included Parts .................................................................................................................... A-3

Accessories ......................................................................................................................... A-4

Cables ................................................................................................................................ A-5

iiiMLC 52 Series MediaLink Controllers • Table of Contents

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Appendix B • Dimensions and Templates ..................................................................B-1

Dimensions ............................................................................................................................ B-2

Standard MLC 52 IR and MLC 52 RS (one-gang size) ....................................................... B-2

MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC (two-gang size) ............................................................ B-3

Templates ................................................................................................................................ B-4

All trademarks mentioned in this manual are the properties of their respective owners.

68-1079-01 Rev. C

04 06

iv MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controllers • Table of Contents

MLC 52 Series MediaLink™ Controller

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Chapter One

1

Introduction

About the MLC 52 Series

Features and Options

MLC 52 Application Examples

Introduction

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About the MLC 52 Series

The Extron MediaLink™ Controller 52 (MLC 52) provides infrared (IR) and/or
RS-232 remote control of a projector or plasma display. It is an economical,
compact (one-gang or two-gang sized), easy-to-use controller for use with
audiovisual equipment in sites such as an elementary or high school classroom, or
a small conference room. The MLC 52 acts as a universal projector remote control
panel, providing control for a projector’s power, input selection, and volume. The
MLC 52 can be configured using three different methods:

• IR Learning

• IR data transfer (“beaming”) from another MLC 52

• Using projector control drivers with the Windows

Features and Options

The MLC 52 is available in four models:

MLC 52 IR — 1-gang sized; controls the display device by IR.
MLC 52 RS — 1-gang sized; controls the display device by either IR or RS-232.
MLC 52 IR VC — 2-gang sized; controls the display device via IR. This model has

MLC 52 RS VC — 2-gang sized; controls the display device by either IR or RS-232.

®

-based configuration

program

a volume control knob to control an Extron MPA Mini Power Amplifier
(purchased separately).

This model has a volume control knob to control an Extron MPA Mini Power
Amplifier.

The terms “MLC,” “MLC 52,” and “controller” are used interchangeably in
this manual to refer to all four models of the MediaLink controller unit,
regardless of which faceplate is attached to it. The cabling, operation, and
setup are identical for both models; the models differ only in how they are
controlled.

Standard features

IR and RS-232 ports for universal projector control — The MLC 52 has a

Discrete On and Off projector power controls — These controls simplify system

Configurable, backlit buttons — The configurable buttons can be set up to control

Macro and toggle button modes — Each button can be set to send out multiple IR

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Introduction1-2

dedicated port for communicating with virtually any projector or display via
infrared (IR) signal. The MLC 52 RS models also have ports for
unidirectional RS-232 wired serial control. Projector control drivers can be
downloaded from the Extron Web site or created using the Windows
control software program.

operations and eliminate the need for a handheld IR projector remote.

display power, volume, input selection, or any other IR or RS-232 command
supported by the display. The buttons are backlit and can be custom labeled,
offering easy operation for presenters in low-light environments.

or serial commands. A button configured for macro mode can issue up to
four commands in sequence. A button configured for toggle mode can
sequence up to four different commands, sending out a different command
each time the button is pressed.

®

-based

Front panel configuration port — This serial port enables advanced configuration,

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driver downloads, and firmware updates to be performed from the front
panel without the need to remove the controller from its mounting. The
optional Extron configuration cable (part #70-335-01) connects the MLC 52 to
the PC’s RS-232 port.

Three configuration methods — The MLC 52 can be configured easily using the

following methods:

• IR Learning — Allows the MLC 52 to be set up directly from the

projector’s remote control without the need for software.

• IR data transfer — Duplicates complete configuration information from

one MLC 52 model to another without cables or software.

• Windows-based configuration software — Combined with one of the

many IR drivers available on the Extron Web site, Extron’s MLC 52
Control Program software provides fast and simple setup.

Inactivity timer for display shutoff — Adjustable timer control provides automatic

shutdown to conserve energy, prevent plasma burn-in, and extend projector
lamp life.

Front panel security lockout — Front panel lockout (executive mode) can be

implemented if the MLC 52 is installed in an unsecured environment where
easy access is not desirable.

High-impact mounting faceplates — The standard MLC 52 models are provided

with two one-gang sized high-impact plastic faceplates (one black and one
white), that are durable enough for demanding environments.

The MLC 52 VC models include two two-gang sized high impact plastic
faceplates (one black and one white).

Flexible mounting options — With a standard electrical box or one of the included

mounting brackets (“mud rings”), the MLC 52 can be mounted in a wide
variety of locations, including walls, lecterns, and tables.

Volume control faceplate — The two-gang sized MLC 52 IR VC and the

MLC 52 RS VC each have a volume control knob in addition to the six control
buttons. To use this knob, you must connect the MLC 52 to an Extron
MPA Series Mini Power Amplifier (purchased separately), to which you also
connect the projector (see the application diagram on page 1-4). The volume
control knob adjusts the volume on the MPA. This option frees up the two
Volume Control buttons on the MLC to be used or reconfigured for other
projector functions.

Options and accessories

MPA series mini power amplifier — Connect an MPA 122 (part #60-668-01) or an

Remote control — The optional IR 452 Remote Control and optional IR signal

MPA 181T (part #60-747-01) to the volume control knob of the MLC 52 VC
models, and to the projector and speakers. This enables you to use the MLC
volume knob to control the volume of the speakers via the MPA.

repeater provides infrared remote control of the MLC unit from up to 30'
away.

1-3MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Introduction

Introduction, cont’d

C

U

S

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MLC 52 Application Examples

DVD

Composite
Audio RCA

Projector w/
Internal Speakers

PC

VGA w/
Audio Cable

IR or RS-232
Control

DISPLAY

O

V

V

FF

O

N

C

P

EO

OL

ID

V

OL

MLC 52

Extron
MLC 52

Basic MediaLink
Controller

Application diagram for a standard (1-gang sized) MLC 52

PC

VGA w/
Audio Cable

S
U

C

TE

O

S
T
U

REM

P
N
I

UTE

10V

/M

VOL

R

L

L

ER

W

O

P

R

Switched Audio
Output

Extron
MPA 122

Mini Power
Amplifier

S

T

MPA 122

U

P

T

U

s

O

m

h

O
/8
4

R

L

IR or RS-232
Control

Projector

Volume
Control

VCR

Composite
Audio RCA

DVD

S-video
Audio RCA

Extron
SPC 62

Ceiling Speakers
(in parallel)

E

M

U

L

O

V

Extron
MLC 52 RS VC

Basic MediaLink
Controller

Y

A

L

P

S

I

D

OFF

ON

PC

DVD

VCR

2

5

C

L

M

Application diagram for a 2-gang sized MLC 52 RS VC

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Introduction1-4

MLC 52 Series MediaLink™ Controller

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Chapter Two

2

Installation

Installation Overview

UL Requirements

Installation Procedures

Installation

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Installation Overview

To install and set up the MLC, follow these steps:

CAUTION

If applicable, prepare the installation site: cut a hole in the wall, install the

1

electrical box or mounting bracket (mud ring), and prepare the cables.
Instructions are included in this manual and/or with the optional faceplate,
mounting device, or wall box.

See Preparing the site and installing the wall box, later in this chapter.

Make and/or install button labels as desired. See Replacing button labels, later

2

in this chapter.

If you want to use a different faceplate from the one that is attached, remove

3

the installed faceplate from the MLC, and replace it with the new one. See
Replacing the faceplate, later in this chapter.

Attach cables to the rear of the MLC and to the projector; MPA Mini Power

4

Amplifier (if applicable); and optional IR Link, IR Emitters, and/or IRL 20.

Installation and service must be performed by authorized personnel only. UL
listed electrical boxes are recommended. See UL Requirements, on the
next page.

Metal versions of the one-gang and VC faceplates are available as options.

Connect power cords and turn on all the devices, including the MLC.

5

Configure the controller by using one of the following methods:

6

• IR Learning (See Configuring using IR Learning, in chapter 3, Operations.)

• IR Data Transfer (cloning) (See Configuring using data transfer, in
chapter 3, Operations.)

• Windows
configuration program in chapter 5, Serial Communications, for detailed
information on the configuration software.)

Test the system: press the MLC’s buttons, watch the display, and listen to the

7

audio output to determine whether the output devices are responding
correctly (powering on/off, switching inputs). If not, ensure that all devices
are plugged in and receiving power. Check the cabling, and make
adjustments as needed.

Mount the MLC to the wall or furniture.

8

a. Disconnect the MLC’s power supply at the power source end (not at the

MLC end).

b. Disconnect the other devices’ power.
c. Secure the faceplate onto the UL-approved electrical wall box, the

mounting bracket, the wall, or the furniture. See Mounting the MLC 52,
later in this chapter.

d. Restore power to the MLC and to the connected devices.

®

-based configuration software program (See Using the MLC 52

2-2

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

UL Requirements

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The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requirements listed below pertain to the
installation of the MLC into a wall or furniture.

1. This unit is not to be connected to a centralized DC power source or used

beyond its rated voltage range.

The Extron P/S 100 and other Extron power supplies may be used with the
MLC.

2. This unit must be installed in a UL listed junction box.

The UL approved electrical wall box (junction box) is not included with the
MLC; the installer is responsible for obtaining and installing the box.

3. This unit must be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

Installation Procedures

The MLC 52 can be installed into a wall or furniture. Follow the instructions
appropriate to the mounting option you have selected.

Preparing the site and installing the wall box

The installation of the MLC 52 must conform to national and local electrical codes
and to the equipment’s size requirements.

Installation using a UL listed wall box is recommended for most mounting options,
but mounting brackets can be used instead. To mount the controller using an
electrical box and/or a mounting bracket, use one of the rough-in templates
provided in appendix B as a guide to measure and mark the hole in the wall or
furniture through which the MLC will be mounted. The templates provide
measurements for installing the panel with either an electrical box or a mounting
bracket.

The templates are not to scale and are provided for reference only.

• The MLC 52 models include a one-gang plastic faceplate, which can be
installed in a standard one-gang sized electrical wall box that is at least 1.75"
deep. Mounting brackets (“mud rings”) are also included.

• The MLC 52 VC models have two-gang plastic faceplates, which can be
installed in a standard two-gang sized wall box. Mounting brackets (“mud
rings”) are also included.

• Optional faceplates are available that accept the MLC 52 and can be installed
into one-gang or two-gang sized electrical wall boxes or directly mounted
into furniture. Templates for these optional faceplates are included with each
faceplate.

To prepare the site, do the following:

1. Choose a location that will allow cable runs without interference. Allow

enough depth for both the wall box and the cables. You may need to install
the cables into the wall or furniture before installing the controller. If using an
electrical box to wall mount the controller, locate a stud to which the box will
be attached.

2. Use the appropriate template and faceplate dimensions in appendix B as a

guide to measure and mark the area to cut out. If you are using a mounting
bracket, refer to the template that came with the bracket.

3. Cut out the opening in the wall or furniture.

2-3MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

Installation, cont’d

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Replacing the faceplate and button labels

The MLC’s faceplate and the backlit button labels can be replaced. You can replace
the provided plastic faceplate with an optional metal one — the MLM 52 1GWP
one-gang metal faceplate (part #70-528-02 or -03) or the MLM 52 VC two-gang
metal faceplate (part # 70-538-02 or -03), both of which are available in black or
white. You may also wish to replace your plastic faceplate with one of a different
color (two plastic faceplates are provided, one black and one white).

Replacing the faceplate

1. Hold the MLC face down. Use an Extron

Tweeker or a small Philips screwdriver to
remove the three attachment screws
(marked
back of the MLC, and keep them to replace
later.

CAUTION

2. Lift the MLC off the faceplate.

3. Place the MLC onto the new faceplate, aligning

the MLC’s buttons with the openings
in the new faceplate and the three screw holes
in the MLC with the faceplate standoffs.

4. Replace the three screws removed in step 1, and hand tighten them.

in the diagram at right) from the

a

If installing a metal faceplate, do not
remove the screws from the front of the
faceplate.

1

E

4

3

ON

2

1

1

234

Tx

IR OUT

GND

IR IN

GND

1

+ 12V

1

Screws to remove
from the MLC faceplate

Refer to the MLM 52 1GWP and/or the MLM 52 VC user’s guides for further
information on faceplates for the MLC 52.

Installing the MLC onto a new faceplate

Replacing button labels

The button caps are pre-labeled for your convenience by default. However, you
can change them with the included button labels.

The button assembly consists of a clear lens cap, the button label, and a white
diffuser. (See the diagram on the next page.) Remove the button assembly from
the MLC 52 as follows:

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-4

MLC 52

Standoff

Faceplate

1. Remove the button assembly by inserting a small,

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flat-bladed screwdriver, such as an Extron
Tweeker, between the button’s base and the
diffuser to gently pry the button assembly off the
button plunger, as shown in the drawing at right.

2. Locate the small corner notch on the lens cap, and

slide the screwdriver between the lens cap and the
diffuser. (See

in the illustration below.)

b

3. Using a rotating motion of the screwdriver,

carefully pry the two pieces apart. (See

c

in the

illustration below.)

Plunger

Pry the button
from the base.

Base

Clear Lens

Separating the two­piece button here at
the corner.

TEXT

3

Pry the two

2

pieces apart.

Notch

Diffuser

Button Label

Replacing a button label

4. Lift out the transparent square label that you want to replace, being careful

not to damage the circuits beneath it. You may need to use the small
screwdriver to gently pry the label out.

5. Detach one of the preprinted labels or one of the blank labels from the label

sheets included with the MLC 52. Remove the label from the backing, and, if
applicable, peel the protective film from the front of the label.

If you want to create customized labels, you can use a label maker, such as the

®

Brother

P-touch®, and clear label material to print text to place on the blank

labels. Cut the labels so that they are square and measure ½ inch on each edge.

6. Insert the new label into the clear button cap, align the white backing plate

with the cap, and firmly snap it into place.

7. Gently, but firmly, press the reassembled button into place on the MLC 52

front panel.

8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 as needed to relabel other buttons.

2-5MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

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Mounting an electrical box

If you want to install the MLC 52 in an electrical box (in a wall or in furniture),
follow these steps:

1. Refer to the appropriate template diagram (later in this manual) to find out

the dimensions of the opening required for the size of the wall box that you
are using. If you are using a mounting bracket with the wall box, refer to the
templates provided with the bracket.

2. Using a ruler or tape measure and a soft pencil, draw guidelines on the

installation surface (wall or furniture) in the desired orientation and location
where the opening for the bracket or wall box will be cut.

CAUTION

3. Cut out the wall/furniture material inside the marked area.

4. Check the opening size by inserting the wall box or mounting bracket into the

opening. The equipment should fit easily into the opening. Enlarge or
smooth the edges of the opening if needed.

5. Feed cables through the wall box punch-out holes, and secure them with cable

clamps to provide strain relief.

6. Exposed cable shields (braids or foil) are potential sources of short circuits.

Trim back and/or insulate shields with heat shrink.

7. Insert the wall box into the opening, and attach it to the wall stud or furniture

with nails or screws, leaving the front edge flush with the outer wall or
furniture surface. The illustration applies to all sizes of wall boxes.

The template diagrams in this guide are not to scale. Do not trace
them or use them as patterns on the installation surface. Use these

diagrams only for reference to obtain the dimensions of the hole that needs
to be cut. Use a ruler to measure and draw the cutting guidelines.

To prevent short circuits, the outer foil shield can be cut back to the point
where the cable exits the cable clamp. Both braided and foil shields should
be connected to an equipment ground at the other end of the cable.

Installation
Cable

Cable Clamp

Attaching a wall box to a wall stud

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-6

Wall Stud

Screws or Nails

Wall opening
flush with
edge of box

• If you are attaching the wall box to wood, use four #8 or #10 screws or

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10-penny nails. A minimum of ½ inch (1.3 cm) of screw threads must
penetrate the wood.

• If you are attaching the wall box to metal studs or furniture, use four #8 or

#10 self-tapping sheet metal screws or machine bolts with matching nuts.

• If you are using a mounting bracket with the wall box, follow the directions

included with the bracket to attach the clips that fasten the bracket to the wall
or furniture.

8. If desired, replace the faceplate and/or button labels on the MLC. (See

previous section.)

9. Cable and test the MLC before fastening it into the wall box, mounting

bracket, or furniture.

Rear panel/cable connections

The following diagrams show the location of the connector, switches, LEDs, and IR
sensors located on the back of the MLC 52 with standard and VC faceplates.

1

6

Tx

MLC 52 rear view

E

4

3

2

1

GND

IR OUT

5

ON

1

234

GND

+ 12V

IR IN

2

3

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2

3

1

E

4

3

Tx

2

1

IR OUT

GND

5

ON

1

2 3 4

IR IN

GND

+ 12V

6

VOL/
MUTE

+ 10V

4

MLC 52 VC rear view

IR Learning indicators — Each button on the MLC front panel has four

1

memory blocks, which can be programmed with up to four IR (or RS-232)
commands. The IR Learning indicator LEDs provide visual feedback,
indicating the following:

• Which of the four memory blocks contains a command

• Which of the four memory blocks is ready to be programmed or
configured

• The IR Learning status of the controller

Enable Macro LED — The LED located immediately above the four green IR

2

LEDs is labeled E, for Enable Macro. This LED lights amber when you place a
button in macro mode. (See Setting up macros, in chapter 3.)

3

4

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-8

IR Learner/transmitter — These sensors allow for IR control of the MLC and
for IR learning. The two LEDs (one for transmitting, one for receiving) send
and receive IR signals, enabling the MLC to learn commands and clone
configurations from another MLC.

The IR remote control must be pointed directly at these LEDs for best results.
The MLC can “learn” IR commands in order to control the projector. IR
learning of projector control codes is necessary only if there are no RS-232
codes available for that projector or if you need to customize the driver. The
IR learning procedure is discussed in chapter 3.

Configuration switches — These DIP switches place the MLC in IR learning
mode or data transfer mode.

• Switch 1: Enables IR learning.

• Switch 2: Enables data transfer, such as cloning the MLC’s configuration

onto another MLC 52.

• Switch 3: Disables IR repeats during playback. For most applications,

this switch is placed in the off position.

Switch 4 is not used.

Volume control (VC faceplate only) — Connect this volume control

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5

connector to the MPA 122 or MPA 181T audio amplifier to enable the volume
control knob on the MLC 52 to raise and lower the volume on the display
device via the MPA.

Display control and power connector — This six-pole, 3.5 mm captive screw

6

connector is used for IR and RS-232 control of the projector and for DC power.
(See Wiring the control connector, in the next section, for information on how to
connect supported devices to this connector.)

The RS-232 projector control port is present but not functional on the IR
models. This port is functional only on the RS models.

Wiring the control connector

The display and source control connector allows you to connect cables for IR
devices, RS-232 devices (RS models only), and AC power to the MLC. The
illustration below shows the pin assignments of the MLC’s control connector that
are covered in detail on the following pages.

RS-232 Tx (RS Models Only)
IR out

IR in

12V DC in

F E D C B A

Pinout guide for the MLC 52 display/source control connector

The ports in this connector, from left to right, perform the following functions:

F (Tx) — Transmits the RS-232 signal for projector control.

Although this port is present on both the IR and the RS models, it is functional
only on the RS models.

E (IR OUT) — Used for connecting an IR emitter to issue IR commands. Up to two

emitters can be wired to this port. There is a maximum of 50' wiring distance
from the port to the emitter.

D (GND) — Ground for IR and/or RS-232 projector control
C (IR IN) — Used for connecting an optional IR Link or IRL 20, so that an IR

remote can control the MLC.

B (GND) — Ground for the +12 VDC power
A (+12V) — Power input for the product (12 VDC)

The two-gang MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC have the same control
ports as the one-gang models.

2-9MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

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Wiring for IR control

If you intend to control the projector via IR, you can connect Extron IR emitters or
an IR Broadcaster to the IR Out pin on the display and source control connector to
control display and/or input devices via infrared commands from the MLC. Up to
two IR emitters can be connected via this connector at one time. Wire the connector
as shown in the following illustrations.

F E D C B A

IR

For the IR Emitter only

MLC 52
control
connector

E

Modulated IR

D

Ground

100 feet (30.5 m) maximum

White striped wire only

IR

Emitter

Connect up
to 2 IR
Emitters
(max.)
(#70-283-01).

Place the head of each IR Emitter
over or directly adjacent to the
controlled device’s IR receiver.

Demodulated IR

E

D

Ground

+12VDC output

A

MLC 52
control
connector

F E D C B A

IR

For the IR Broadcaster with emitter port

Demodulated IR

E

Ground

D

MLC 52
control
connector

F E D C B A

IR

For a wired projector remote port

Wiring for IR control

To IR Broadcaster
with Emitter port
(#60-272-02)

To the projector's
wired remote port

(Connector type and
pin configurations may
vary depending on the
projector model.)

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-10

Wiring for RS-232 control (RS models only)

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The MLC 52 RS and the MLC 52 RS VC send out RS-232 commands via the Tx port
for controlling a projector or a plasma display.

If you have an RS model and want to control the display device via RS-232, connect
a cable between the device and this 3.5 mm, 6-pole direct insertion captive screw
connector. Use the illustration below as a guide to wiring the connector. Wiring
varies depending on the display device model. In most cases only the transmit (Tx)
and ground connections are needed.

Guides for connecting and controlling specific models of devices are available on
the Extron Web site.

To the

MLC 52

F Transmit (Tx)

D Ground ( )

F E D C B A

RS-232

To the
display/projector's
RS-232 port

Wiring for RS-232 control (RS models only)

Extron recommends using the UC 50’ universal projector control cable for this
connection. One end of the cable is terminated with a female 9-pin D connector,
and the other end is unterminated. The UC 50’ pin assignments are as shown in
the following illustration.

Refer to the display device manual for the device’s pin assignments in order to
determine which of the cable’s wires to connect to which of the MLC’s RS-232 pins.

Black

9

Grey

8

Purple

Blue

Green

Ye l l o w

Orange

Red

Brown

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Pin # Color

Shield

UC Cable

Connector Shell

1

5

To the

6

display

9

device

UC 50’, 100’, and 200’ cable color codes

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Wiring for IR remote control

An optional IR Link or IRL 20 can be connected to the IR In pole of the control
connector to enable the MLC to receive IR signals from the IR 452.

To wire the IR Link for use with your MLC, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the site where the IR Link will be installed and install a wall box,

following the directions in the IR Link User’s Manual, provided with your
IR Link equipment.

2. Cut the required length of Extron CTL (Comm-Link) cable to go between the

MLC 52 and the IR Link. The power cable length should not exceed 150'
(45.7 m).

3. Attach a 3.5 mm, 5-pole captive screw connector to one end of the cable and a

6-pole captive screw connector to the other end. Only three wires are
required:

•A (MLC) to A (IR Link)

• B (MLC) to B (IR Link)

• C (MLC) to D (IR Link)
Connect the wires as shown in the illustration below. Connectors are

included with the IR Link, but the cable must be purchased separately.

4. Plug the 5-pole connector into one of the IR Link’s communications

connectors.

5. Plug the 6-pole connector into the rear panel control port of the MLC 52.

Only one IR Link or one IRL 20 can be attached to the MLC 52.

IR in

F E D C B A

MLC 52
Control
Port

C

Modulated IR

B

Ground ( )
+12VDC

A

D
B
A

A B C D E

SYSTEM REMOTE

IR 452

IR 452 Remote
Control

IR Link

Wiring and using the IR Link for IR remote control

Connect only one IR Link. Do not connect more than one IR Link, either in
parallel or in series.

VCR

DVD

VCR

VOL

VOL

FRONT PANEL

DVD

CHANNEL

VIDEO

TV/VCR

PC

(12 m)

IR Link
IR Signal
Repeater

30'

SIGNAL

SIGNAL

IR LINK

IR LINK

Total distance
from MLC is
150' (45.7 m) max.

DISPLAY

ON

OFF

VOL

VOL

VIDEO

PC

MLC 52

MLC 52 or MLC 52 VC

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-12

Wiring the IRL 20

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The Extron IRL 20 is a hardwired IR signal receiver, which can be used with the
MLC 52 and the IR 452 remote control. The IRL 20 receives a signal via its front
panel from the IR 452 remote control, and outputs a modulated IR signal via an
IR Emitter or the IR Link.

Wire and connect the IRL 20 to the MLC 52 as described below.

Mod IR

C
B
A

2

GND

+12 V

D
B
A

Tx

IR OUT

GND

IR IN

Control Connector

GND

+ 12V

V
12

+

GND

IR

V
2

M

CP

1

C

S

+

Mod

GND

IR SNSR

M

CP

C

S

GND

ModIR

SIG

IRL 20

for MLC 52 Series
(Rear Panel)

+12 VDC

Ground ( )

A
B

External Power Supply
(12 VDC, 1A Max.)

Wiring the IRL 20

1. If it has not already been done, cut the required length of Extron CTL

(Comm-Link) cable to go between the MLC 52 and the IRL 20. See
appendix A for cable part numbers.

The maximum total distance between an Extron controller and the IRL 20 is
150’ (45.7 m).

2. Attach a 3.5 mm, 5-pole captive screw connector to the end of the cable that

will be plugged into the IRL 20.

3. Connect the wires on the other end of the cable to the provided 3.5 mm 6-pole

captive screw connector.

•A (MLC) to A (IR Link)

• B (MLC) to B (IR Link)

• C (MLC) to D (IR Link)

Do not connect more than one IRL 20 or IR Link (either in parallel or in series)
to an Extron device.

4. Plug the 5-pole connector end of the cable into one of the IRL 20’s

communications connectors.

5. Plug the 6-pole connector end of the cable into the control port on the MLC 52

back panel.

6. Connect power to the MLC or the IRL 20.

+12 VDC Power is shared between the MLC 52 and the IRL 20 when they are
connected. You can wire the power supply to either the MLC or the IRL 20.

+5V

2-13MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

Installation, cont’d

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Wiring the power connector

The control connector also contains a power connector for the MLC 52. Connect
the supplied external 12 VDC power supply to this port to power the MLC as
shown in the following diagram.

MLC 52
Control
Connector

Ground ( )

B

+12 VDC input

A

An External
Power Supply
(12 VDC, 1A Max.)

F E D C B A

Ground all devices.

Connecting the MLC 52 to the external power supply

Check the power supply’s polarity before connecting it to the MLC.

Wiring the VC faceplate

If you have the MLC 52 IR VC or the MLC 52 RS VC controller, it can be connected
to an optional Extron MPA Mini Power Amplifier. To set up this configuration,
wire the volume control potentiometer to the MPA as shown in the following
diagram.

VOL/
MUTE

10V

VOL

10V

MLC 52 VC Potentiometer
Rear Panel

1 2 3

10V

VOL

MPA 122

or MPA 181T
Remote Port

Wiring the VC potentiometer to the MPA remote volume control port

Set up the volume control, following the instructions in the MPA 122 or MPA 181T
user’s manual.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-14

Mounting the MLC 52

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Once the system has been cabled, configured (see chapter 5, Serial Communication),
and tested, the controller can be installed in the wall or furniture.

Mounting the MLC to an electrical box or mounting bracket

You can mount the MLC 52 in an electrical box or a mounting bracket. Follow these
steps to mount the MLC:

1. If you want to install a different faceplate, attach the MLC to the desired

faceplate using the provided screws. (See Replacing the faceplate, earlier in this
chapter.)

2. Connect all cables to the MLC, and disconnect power at the source.

3. Insert the MLC into the wall or furniture.

4. Secure the MLC to the wall box or mounting bracket with the provided

machine screws (as shown in the following illustrations), or attach it directly
to the furniture with wood or metal screws.

If the MLC (and the IR Link, if applicable) is not mounted to a grounded metal
wall box,

• Ground each faceplate directly to an earth ground, or

• Tie each faceplate to its circuit board and power supply via a ground pin on
one of the connectors.

Do

not tie a product’s faceplate to both a separate earth ground and the circuit
ground (via a connector pin). If you tie a product to two different ground
sources, you may introduce ground loops or other grounding-related problems
into the system.

Mounting the MLC 52 in a wall box

Wall opening
is flush with
edge of box.

DISPLAY

FF

O

N

O

C

P

L

O

E

VO

ID

V

L

VO

MLC 52

MLC 52

2-15MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation

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Wall

Extron

Wall Mounting Bracket

DISPLAY

FF

O

ON

PC

OL

V

VIDEO

L

VO

MLC 52

MLC 52

Mounting the MLC 52 to a mounting bracket

Mounting the MLC to a wall or furniture

1. With all cables attached to the MLC and power disconnected at the source,

insert the MLC into the wall or furniture.

2. Fasten the MLC and faceplate directly to the furniture or wall using wood

screws.

If the MLC (and the IR Link, if applicable) is not mounted to a grounded metal
wall box,

• Ground each faceplate directly to an earth ground, or

• Tie each faceplate to its circuit board and power supply via a ground pin on
one of the connectors.

Do

not tie a product’s faceplate to both a separate earth ground and the circuit
ground (via a connector pin). If you tie a product to two different ground
sources, you may introduce ground loops or other grounding-related problems
into the system.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Installation2-16

MLC 52 Series MediaLink™ Controller

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Chapter Three

3

Operation

Projector Control

Front Panel Features and Operation

Configuring the MLC 52 Using IR

Using the MLC 52 VC Models with the MPA Series Power Amplifiers

Powering the Projector/Display On and Off

Selecting Inputs

Operating the MLC 52 Using IR Remote Control

Resetting

Locking the Front Panel (Executive Mode)

Operation

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Projector Control

Projector control memory

The MLC 52 IR models can control a projector or other display device by using IR.
The RS models can control a display device by IR or RS-232 control. The MLC
must be configured for projector control in one of the following ways before it will
send commands to the projector:

• An IR or an RS-232 driver file can be downloaded from a disk or the Extron
Web site and used to configure the MLC.

• RS-232 command strings can be entered directly from a host computer using
the supplied Windows-based configuration software (RS models only).

See chapter 5, Serial Communications, and the Windows-based configuration
software Help for details on setting up the MLC and for downloading,
programming, or learning projector control commands using the software.

• IR commands can be entered directly from an IR remote control into the MLC
through IR learning. IR learning is convenient for installing new or updated
commands into the MLC in the field. It can be performed with or without the
use of software.

• An MLC 52 can transfer/configure (duplicate or clone its configuration) to
another MLC 52 via IR data transfer without the use of cables or software.

Each time a new projector driver is used to configure the MLC, previous
configurations are replaced (overwritten) by the new driver. Configurations are
stored in non-volatile memory. Therefore, if the power to the unit is interrupted,
the MLC retains its settings and configuration.

Front Panel Features and Operation

The MLC 52 front panel contains six buttons, each of which can be programmed
with up to four IR or RS-232 commands/functions. It also contains a configuration
port, through which the MLC 52 can be connected to a PC‘s RS-232 port to program
the MLC’s buttons, update firmware, and save the MLC’s current configuration to
the PC’s hard drive.

The two-gang sized MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC each have an integrated
volume control knob. This knob allows the two buttons normally used for volume
control on the standard, one-gang MLC to become available to control additional
outputs or other projector functions.

Buttons on the front panel

The front panel backlit buttons light amber when the MLC 52 is powered on.
Buttons that are not currently selected and active are lit more dimly (25%
brightness) than the selected ones (100% brightness).

When the MLC is delivered, the buttons are labeled. (You can relabel them by
replacing the labels with others provided with the MLC. See Replacing button labels
in chapter 2, Installation.) You can program commands into these buttons (up to
four commands per button) using IR learning, the Windows-based control software
via the configuration port, or IR data transfer from another configured MLC 52.

Switch group

Some of the buttons are preconfigured to be part of a switch group. This means
that only one of the buttons that are in the switch group can be active at a time.
When one button is pressed and activated, it becomes fully lit, while the other,
inactive, button(s) are dimmed to 25% brightness.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-2

If you want to remove any buttons from the switch group in order for them to

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operate independently, you must use the Windows-based control software. (See
Using the MLC 52 Configuration Program in chapter 5, Serial Communication, for the
process.)

Front panel components

The diagrams below show the front panel features of the standard one-gang sized
MLC 52 and of the two-gang sized MLC 52.

5

DISPLAY

ON

VOL

4

VOL

OFF

PC

VIDEO

1

2

VOLUME

ON

VCR

DVD

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

1

2

MLC 52

3

MLC 52 IR and RS

MLC 52 IR VC and RS VC

MLC 52

3

MLC 52 front panel

Display power buttons — The display power buttons turn power to the

1

projector or plasma display on and off. Because the display device can be
only on or off at a given time, these buttons are programmed in an exclusive
switch group. (A 2-second hold requirement can be enabled or disabled via
the configuration software; see Misc. Options tab in chapter 5, Serial
Communication.)

Input selection buttons — These buttons are pre-programmed to select input

2

sources. By default, they operate as a switch group; that is, only one of the
buttons may be selected at a time. If you want these buttons to operate
independently of each other, use the Windows-based control software to
remove the group configuration from them.

The inputs are pre-labeled for convenience. They can be changed to other
labels that are provided. See Replacing button labels in chapter 2,
Installation, for this procedure.

Configuration port — This port is used for configuring and communicating

3

with the MLC. Commands can be received through this port from the PC,
using the Windows-based configuration software.

Use the provided 2.5 mm TRS to 9-pin D-sub connector cable (part #70-335-01)
to connect the MLC to your PC via this 2.5 mm female TRS connector.

This cable is optional for the MLC 52 IR.

3-3MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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The protocol for this configuration port is as follows:

• 9600 bits/second

• 8 data bits

• 1 stop bit

• No parity

1

5

2.5 mm connector cable for the configuration port

See chapter 5, Serial Communication, for details about using the software to set up
the system, and downloading drivers.

4

5

6

9

Tip

Ring

Sleeve (Gnd)

9-pin D Connection TRS Plug

Pin 2 Computer's RX line Tip
Pin 3 Computer's TX line Ring
Pin 5 Computer's signal ground Sleeve

Volume adjustment buttons — (Standard MLC 52 IR and MLC 52 RS only)
These two buttons are used to adjust the volume of the projector up and
down.

If your A/V system does not require the volume up and down function (for
example, if the MLC is configured with the VC faceplate containing the
volume control knob), you can reprogram these buttons for input selection or
additional projector functions.

The volume buttons are pre-labeled for convenience. They can be changed to
other labels that are provided. See Replacing button labels in chapter 2,
Installation, for the procedure.

Volume control knob — (MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC only) The
volume control knob on the VC models enables you to adjust the volume of
the display device via the MPA power amplifier.

Configuring the MLC 52 Using IR

The MLC 52 can be programmed/configured via IR by the following methods:

• IR data transfer from another MLC 52 that has been configured

• IR learning from your projector’s remote control

Configuring using IR data transfer

You can configure your MLC 52 by transferring button configuration data to it from
another configured MLC 52 via the two IR LEDs on the back panels of the MLCs.
With this method, you replicate (clone) the other MLC’s configuration on your own
unit without the use of software or cables.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-4

The following transfers are allowed:

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• From an RS model to another RS model

• From an IR model to another IR model

• From an IR model to an RS model
To transmit configuration data via IR, both the transferring and the receiving MLCs

must be free of the wall, electrical box, or furniture, and both must be powered on.
The MLC that is already configured can be powered by an external power supply,
or it can share a power supply with the unit that will be configured.

The MLC 52 IR VC and the MLC 52 RS VC use the same IR data transfer
procedure.

1. On the MLC from which the configuration will be transferred
(the donor unit), set all configuration switches to off.

1ON234

Transmitting MLC

2. On the MLC that will receive the data, set switch #2 to on and
all other switches to off.

1ON234

Receiving MLC

3. Position the two units so that the IR Transmit and Receive LEDs of both MLCs
are facing each other, and no more than 6 inches apart.

Tx

IR OUT

GND

IR IN

GND

+ 12V

Less Than 6”

IR Beaming

E

4

3

ON

2

1

1

234

Tx

IR OUT

GND

IR IN

GND

+ 12V

1

234

1

2

ON

3

4

E

1ON234

Transmitting MLC

1ON234

Receiving MLC

Setting up donor and receiver units for wireless data transfer

3-5MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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The data transfer begins when the receiving unit detects the transmitting unit,
and the process takes 15 to 20 seconds to complete. (It may take longer if the
transmitting unit has multiple commands programmed on each button.)

The front panel buttons act as data transfer progress indicators. While data is
being transferred, the buttons on both the transmitting and the receiving
MLCs blink sequentially in clockwise order, starting with the ON button in
the upper-left corner (see the diagram on the next page). This cycle repeats
until transfer is complete.

ON

VOL

VOL

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

VIDEO

VOLU ME

MLC 52

DISPLAY

ON

VCR

DVD

Order in which the buttons blink during data transfer

After approximately 17% of the data has been transferred, the ON button
lights brightly and remains lit to maximum brightness. After another 17% has
been transferred, the OFF button lights to maximum brightness. The buttons
continue to light brightly in clockwise order after each increment of 17% of
data has been transferred. When a button becomes permanently lit, the
remaining buttons continue to blink in clockwise rotation, until the transfer
process is complete and all buttons are permanently lit.

The following table shows how each percentage of transferred data is
indicated by button lighting:

OFF

PC

MLC 52

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-6

Percent Complete MLC 52 MLC 52 VC Models

Buttons Lit Buttons Lit

Less than 17% ON ON
18% to 36% OFF OFF

37% to 54% PC PC
55% to 72 VIDEO (blank)

73% to 90% VOL
90% to 100% VOL

<
> VCR

DVD

When the transfer is complete, all buttons on each unit remain brightly lit
until a button is pressed on the unit.

If the transmission is interrupted (for example, the two units

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become separated so that the IR LEDs are no longer in direct line
of sight of each other), and the conditions necessary for transfer are
then restored, the two units restart the transfer process.

4. When data transfer is complete, do either of the following:

• Return configuration switch #2 on the receiving MLC to the Off position.

Press any button on both units to return them to the state they were in
before the transfer. All buttons dim except for those that were bright
previously. Reinitialize the receiving unit by pressing any of its front
panel buttons.

• If you want to repeat the transfer process to configure another MLC 52,

repeat steps 2 and 3 for the unit that is to be configured. Press any button
on the donor unit. The transfer process restarts.

Configuring using IR Learning

You can also configure the MLC 52 by using IR Learning, which does not require
configuration software. By this method, you can program the functions on your
projector’s remote control into the buttons on the MLC front panel. This procedure
must be performed before the MLC is mounted, so that the IR Transmit/Receive
LEDs are accessible.

To program the MLC via IR Learning, follow these steps:

1. Apply power to the MLC 52.

2. On the rear panel, set configuration switch #1 to on. All front

panel buttons should be dimly lit.

3. Press the button on the MLC that will store the IR code that
you want the MLC to learn. The following takes place on the MLC:

• The button that you pressed on the front panel begins to blink, indicating

that it is ready to be programmed. While the button is blinking
(5 seconds), you can program it with the desired command. If no IR
command is entered within 5 seconds, the button stops blinking.

• On the rear panel, the IR Learning LED that indicates the button memory

block currently available for programming begins to blink. (See IR
Learning indicators,
chapter 2, Installation, for further information about the IR Learning
LEDs.)

• The LED that indicates how many commands have been programmed

onto the button illuminates and remains lit.

a

1ON234

in the Rear panel/cable connections section of

Activation of LEDs during button configuring

LED Off

LED Blinking

LED On

E

4

3

2

1

Command 1 ready to
be learned

E

4

3

2

1

Command 2 ready
to be learned.
Command 1 learned.

E

4

3

2

1

Command 3 ready
to be learned.
Command 2 learned.
Command 1 learned.

E

4

3

2

1

Command 4 ready
to be learned.
Command 3 learned.
Command 2 learned.
Command 1 learned.

3-7MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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4. Point the projector’s remote control at the IR Transmit/Receive LEDs on the

MLC, and press the button on the remote whose function you want the
selected MLC button to learn. When the IR command has been learned
successfully, the IR Learning LEDs blink in rapid progression from the top to
the bottom, then back to the top.

If no IR command is detected within 5 seconds, the LEDs and the front panel
button time out and stop blinking.

• If the IR code was learned, the rear panel LEDs blink rapidly in

• If the IR code was not learned, the rear panel LEDs blink in random

5. If you want to program another command to the same button (you can

program up to four commands on one button), press the button again. The
next Learning LED on the rear panel begins flashing; for example, if you have
already programmed two commands on this button, the third LED from the
bottom flashes.

If you do not want to program additional commands on the button, repeat
steps 3 and 4 for the next button that you want to program.

6. When you are finished programming buttons on the MLC, set configuration

switch #1 on the rear panel to Off.

7. Press the buttons that you configured to verify that the commands you

entered have been learned. An IR Emitter connected on the IR output should
blink. (See Wiring for IR control in chapter 2, Installation.)

For repeating command codes, such as those that increment/decrement a
function (for example, turning the volume up and down), hold the button on
the projector remote control for at least 3 seconds.

succession, down, then up.

order.

Removing commands from a button

If you want to delete a command that has been programmed onto a button, you
must remove all the commands programmed to that button. Follow these steps:

1. While the MLC 52 is powered on, set configuration switch #1 to on.

2. Press the button for which you want to delete commands, and within

2 seconds press the same button again. The Learning LEDs turn off.

3. Verify that the button’s commands were erased by pressing the same button

again. If the commands have been erased, only LED #1 (the bottom LED)
blinks; and the other LEDs are off.

4. When finished removing commands, set configuration switch #1 to off.

Setting up button macros

Buttons function in either toggle mode or macro mode. By default, the buttons are in
toggle mode, which means that each press of the button initiates the next in
sequence of the four commands saved to the button (each button can store up to
four commands).

In macro mode, a single press of a button issues all the commands (up to four) that
have been programmed on that button, in the order they were programmed, at

1.5-second intervals. An example of a button macro application would be turning
on multiple projectors/plasmas by pressing one button, one time.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-8

To program a macro on a button, follow these steps:

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1. Ensure that power is applied to the MLC 52.

2. Set configuration switch #1 on the rear panel to On. All front panel buttons

light dimly.

3. Program the buttons with the desired commands. See Configuring using IR
data transfer or Configuring using IR Learning, earlier in this chapter, for

programming procedures.

You must program the commands onto the button prior to setting it for macro
mode.

4. To put the button in macro mode, press and hold it for 3 seconds. The orange
LED, labeled E on the back panel, flashes rapidly five times, then turns off,
indicating that the button is now configured for macro mode. Release the
button. The next time that the button is pressed while configuration switch #1
is in On position, the orange “E” LED lights, indicating that the button is in
macro mode.

To take a button out of macro mode, press and hold the button for 3 seconds.
The orange “E” LED turns off.

5. Set configuration switch #1 to Off. Verify that the commands have been
properly learned by pressing the button you programmed. The commands
should be issued in succession at 1.5-second intervals.

A button is able to learn commands while in macro mode if any of its four
command memory blocks are open (not yet programmed with a command).

Configuring a single button for input source selection

If you want to use only one button to select your input sources, you must program
the button with one command for each source (up to four). Only one button has to
learn IR commands; and it has enough memory blocks to learn four input selection
commands. To use this programmed button to select an input, you must press it
repeatedly to cycle through all the inputs until you reach the desired one.

To program a single button to select multiple inputs, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect power from the MLC 52.

2. Replace all but one of the input (VIDEO, PC, DVD, or VCR) button labels with

the provided Not Used label, or remove the input label(s) and leave the
button(s) blank.

3. Apply power to the MLC.

4. Set configuration switch #1 to On. The front panel buttons light dimly.

5. Press the button on the MLC 52 that will store the input selection IR codes.

The button blinks for 5 seconds, during which time it is able to learn codes.
On the rear panel, the first (bottom) Learning LED starts flashing.) (If a
command is not entered within 5 seconds, the button and LED stop blinking,
and you must press the button again to put it in back in learn mode.)

6. Press the IR 452 remote control button from which the MLC button will learn
the first input selection command. If the command has been learned
successfully, the Learning LEDs on the rear panel blink in rapid progression
from the top LED to the bottom, then back to the top.

7. To program a second input selection command on the same button, press the
button again. The button and the second rear panel Learning LED begin to
blink. On the IR 452 remote control, press the next button that you want the
MLC button to learn.

3-9MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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8. Repeat the procedure described in steps 5 and 6 for additional commands you

want to add to the button you are programming. Each MLC button can be
programmed with up to four commands.

9. When finished programming the input selection button, set rear panel DIP

switch #1 to Off. Verify that the button has been programmed correctly by
pressing it repeatedly to cycle through the inputs.

Using the MLC 52 VC Models with the MPA Series Power
Amplifiers

The dedicated volume control knob on the MLC 52 IR VC or the MLC 52 RS VC
controls the audio output of an Extron MPA 122 or MPA 181T audio amplifier, to
which speakers for the system are connected.

The following diagram shows an example of a system that uses an MLC 52 VC
model with an MPA amplifier.

DVD

S-video with
Audio

VCR

Composite Video
with Audio

PC

VGA wit h
Audio

U

P

N

I

L

R
E

W

O

P

R

Switched
Audio
Output

Extron
MPA 122

Mini Power
Amplifier

2

2

1

A

P

S

T

M

U

P

T

U

s

O

m

h

O
/8

4

S
U

C

TE

R

O

S

T

REM

L

TE

U
0V
1

L/M

O

V

R

L

RS-232
Projecto r Control

MPA
Volume
Control

Extron
SI 26X

Ceiling Speakers
(in parallel)

DISPLAY

N

O

E

UM

OL

V

VCR

VD

D

FF

O

PC

Extron
MLC 52 RS VC

AUTO

AGE

IM

Basic MediaLink Controller
with IR or RS-232 hardwired

2

projector control

5

C

L

M

Application diagram using MLC 52 VC with an MPA series amplifier

Requirements for the MLC 52 VC with volume control knob

To set up and operate a system that contains an MLC 52 VC model, which has a
volume control knob on the faceplate, and an Extron audio amplifier, you must
ensure that the following conditions are met:

• The projector must have dedicated video and audio inputs for each source

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-10

Projector

used in the system.

• The projector must have a switched audio output. On most projectors, this

US

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connector is labeled as “Monitor Output” or “Audio Output,” as shown in the
following illustration. With a switched audio output, the projector outputs
the audio from the selected video source.

• The system must incorporate an Extron MPA series audio amplifier.

Wiring and connections for the MLC 52 VC models

Connect the cables to the MLC 52 IR VC or MLC 52 RS VC controller with the MPA
Series amplifier as shown in the diagram below.

E

4

3

ON

2

1

1

2 3 4

Tx

IR OUT

GND

IR IN

GND

+ 12V

INPUTS

C C US

L

R

L

COMPUTER IN-1 AV IN

PC

COMPUTER IN-2

R

G H/Cs

B V

COMPUTER

OUT

Y/C VIDEO

AUDIO

AUDIO AUDIO

CONTROL

RS-232

REMOTE

L Y

R

AUDIO OUT

P

PR/R-Y

RS-232 or IR
Projector Control

MLC 52 VC Series

/B-Y

B

POWER

12V

3A MAX

MPA 122

VOL/
MUTE

+ 10V

MPA 122
OUTPUTS

4/8 Ohms

REMOTE

R

10V

L

R

VOL/MUTE

Projector

Any input on the MPA
can be used.

To Loudspeakers

Wiring an MLC 52 VC controller and an MPA series audio amplifier to a
typical projector

Audio is now controlled from the MPA instead of from the projector. For best
results, ensure that the audio volume of the projector is set to maximum
(assuming that the monitor output for audio is variable).

Configuring the MLC 52 IR and MLC 52 RS VOL buttons

By default, the MLC 52 has two buttons on the front panel programmed for volume
control (VOL
these buttons are not needed for volume control and can be programmed for other
uses. To reprogram the VOL buttons, you can use IR Learning (see Configuring
using IR Learning, earlier in this chapter,) or the Windows-based configuration
software (see chapter 5, Serial Communication).

and VOL <). However, on the MLC 52 IR and RS VC models,

>

3-11MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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Powering the Projector/display On and Off

The Display ON and OFF buttons on the MLC 52 front panel are used to turn the
projector or other display on and off.

Powering on

Press and release the MLC 52’s ON button to turn the display device’s power on.
The MLC sends an RS-232 or IR power-on command to the projector, and the ON
button blinks for 4 seconds, then remains steadily lit.

Powering off

To turn the projector/display off, press the OFF button. The OFF button blinks for
4 seconds, then remains steadily lit.

(A 2-second hold feature, requiring you to press and hold the OFF button for 2
seconds in order to turn off the display device, helps prevent accidental powering
off of the projector or display. This feature can be disabled and enabled through the
configuration software. See Using the Misc. Options tab, in chapter 5, Serial
Communications, for further information.)

Selecting Inputs

The four buttons below the Projector ON and OFF buttons on the MLC 52 front
panel can configured to select inputs on the projector. The PC and VIDEO buttons
have been preconfigured to select inputs—the desktop or laptop computer (PC); the
VCR or DVD (VIDEO).

Using IR Learning, IR data transfer, or the Windows-based control software, you
can reconfigure these buttons and/or add commands to them to select other inputs
if desired. The two volume (VOL) buttons can be configured to select inputs as
well, if you do not need them to control projector volume. Up to four commands
can be programmed on any button. See Using the MLC 52 Configuration Program, in
chapter 5, Serial Communication, for information on configuring MLC buttons.

Input Selection
buttons

Input selection buttons on the MLC 52 front panel

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-12

ON

VOL

VOL

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

To select an input, press and release the appropriate input selection button. The

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command that was programmed in the button’s first memory block is executed.

• All buttons are lit at 25% intensity while the MLC receives power. A selected
(active) input button lights more brightly than those of the other inputs.

• If there is more than one input selection command programmed in the
button’s memory blocks, you can execute the commands in memory blocks 2,
3, and 4 by pressing the button a second, third, and fourth time.

For example, if you have programmed memory block 1 on the VIDEO button
for a VCR, and memory block 2 for a DVD player, you would press and
release the VIDEO button once to select the input to which the VCR is
connected on the display, then a second time to select the input to which the
DVD player is connected on the display. (Pressing it a third time re-selects the
VCR, etc.)

• If an input selection button is programmed with a macro, pressing the button
once executes all the commands stored on that button, in memory block order
(i.e., the command in memory block 1 is performed first, then block 2, etc.).
See Setting up button macros, earlier in this chapter, for more information.

Operating the MLC 52 Using IR Remote Control

The MLC 52’s optional hand-held IR 452 remote control can be used in conjunction
with the MLC 52 to operate your projector, plasma display, and input devices. The
IR 452 remote control is delivered with commands for a variety of device functions
(e.g., VCR On, VCR Off, Stop, Pause, etc.). These commands can be programmed
onto the MLC’s buttons only via the Windows-based control software.

The IR 452 cannot control the volume knob on the MLC 52 IR VC or the
MLC 52 RS VC. All other functions on the IR 452 are available on the

MLC 52 VC models.

The IR 452 remote control also requires
the optional IR Link in order to send
commands to the MLC, which in turn
issues the commands to the input or
output devices.

1. Wire the IR Link to the MLC 52
and mount it. (See Wiring for IR
remote control, in chapter 2, for
IR Link wiring instructions. See
the IR Link User’s Guide for
mounting instructions.)

2. Using the MLC 52 Windows-
based configuration software,
program the desired buttons on
the MLC with commands that are
available on the IR 452 remote
control buttons. (See Using the
MLC 52 Configuration Software in
chapter 5, Serial Communication,
for button programming
instructions.)

VCR

DVD

VCR

VOL

VOL

FRONT PANEL

DVD

SYSTEM REMOTE

IR 452

CHANNEL

VIDEO

TV/VCR

PC

IR 452 Remote
Control

IR Link
IR Signal
Repeater

30'

(12 m)

SIGNAL

SIGNAL

IR LINK

IR LINK

Total distance
from MLC is
150' (45.7 m) max.

DISPLAY

ON

OFF

VOL

VOL

VIDEO

PC

MLC 52

MLC 52 or MLC 52 VC

Using the IR Link with the
MLC 52 and the IR 452

3-13MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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3. To operate a device using the IR 452, point the remote control directly at the

IR Link’s signal pickup window. The IR 452 has a range of approximately 30'
(12 m) within 40 degrees on either side of the axis (see the illustration
on the previous page).

4. Press the button for the function you want to perform. The following takes

place:

• The remote control sends the pressed button’s programmed command

• The IR Link sends the command to the MLC through the MLC’s IR IN

• The MLC recognizes the command it receives via the IR INpole, and

See Wiring for IR remote control in chapter 2, Installation, for information on wiring
the IR Link.

Buttons on the IR 452 remote control

The buttons on the optional IR 452 Remote
Control duplicate the MLC 52’s front panel
controls for normal operation. The controller
responds to commands from the IR 452 as if
the corresponding button were pressed on the
controller.

From a distance of no more than 30' and
within 40 degrees of the axis, the IR 452 sends
infrared (IR) signals to an MLC 52 via the
optional IR Link IR signal repeater.

via infrared (IR) signal to the IR Link.

pole on the control connector, to which the IR Link is connected.

responds as if its own equivalent button were pressed, issuing the
command to the appropriate device.

Setup operations cannot be performed from the IR 452 remote control.

CHANNEL

FRONT PANEL

VOL

TV/VCR

PC

MLC 52 configuration cannot be
performed from the IR 452.

The IR 452’s Display Power button and the
VCR and DVD control buttons cannot control
a device through the MLC until commands
have been stored in the MLC’s memory. The
IR 452’s VCR buttons control the first (lowest
address numbered) VCR connected to the
MLC. The DVD buttons control the first
(lowest address numbered) DVD connected to
the MLC.

The IR 452 cannot control the volume
knob on the MLC 52 IR VC or the

MLC 52 RS VC. All other functions
on the IR 452 are available on the
MLC 52 VC models.

Commands are transmitted from the MLC’s
control connector (via hard wiring) and IR
ports (via IR Emitters or the optional
IR Broadcaster) when the corresponding
button is pressed on the IR 452 or on the
controller’s front panel.

DVD

VCR

VCR

VOL

VIDEO

DVD

IR 452

SYSTEM REMOTE

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-14

Resetting

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In the event that the MLC 52 needs to be reset, you can do so by one of the
following methods:

Factory firmware reset — Press and hold the VIDEO button (on standard models)

or the blank button (on VC models) while applying power to the MLC. This
method resets the MLC firmware to the version with which the unit was
delivered from the factory. Any codes that you previously programmed on
the buttons remain in effect.

Factory configuration reset — Press and hold the ON and OFF buttons

simultaneously while applying power to the MLC. This method removes all
codes from the buttons.

Locking the Front Panel (Executive Mode)

To prevent access by unauthorized users, or accidental presses of the button to
issue unwanted commands to devices, the front panel controls can be locked using
executive mode. When the MLC 52 is in executive mode, all front panel functions
are locked, so that pressing the buttons has no effect.

If a button is pressed while the MLC 52 is in executive mode, all the front panel
buttons blink, indicating that the front panel is locked out.

Follow these steps to place the MLC in executive mode:

1. Power off the projector or plasma display. Executive mode cannot be enabled
if the display device is on.

2. On the standard MLC 52 models, press and hold the VOL
buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.

On the VC models, press and hold the unlabeled button (bottom right) and
the VCR button simultaneously for 5 seconds.

and VIDEO

>

Buttons to press for executive mode

When the MLC enters executive mode, all front panel buttons flash three times,
then return to their original state.

To exit executive mode, press the same two buttons again, holding them for
5 seconds.

ON

VOL

VOL

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

VOLU ME

ON

VCR

DVD

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

MLC 52

3-15MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation

Operation, cont’d

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MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Operation3-16

MLC 52 Series MediaLink™ Controllers

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Chapter Four

4

Special Applications

Application 1: Using Multiple Sources with an MLC 52

Application 2: Projector Requiring a Power Off Confirmation

Application 3: Controlling Projectors That Have Multi-Coded IR Functionality

Special Applications

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This chapter describes some special types of applications that represent unique
conditions. For the MLC 52 to operate properly in these situations, it is important
that the controller be configured correctly. On the following pages, three
application examples are described, along with their requirements for the MLC 52.

Application 1: Using Multiple Sources with an MLC 52

Following is an example of an application in which the system contains more than
two inputs. This system has two PC inputs (a laptop and a desktop) and two video
inputs (a VCR and a DVD).

PC

(on RGB 2 input)

VCR

(on VIDEO input)

Laptop

(on RGB 1 input)

DVD

(on S-VIDEO input)

R/Cr

RGB 2 IN

RGB 1 IN

S-VIDEO IN

Projector

G/Y B/Cb H V

AUDIO

RGB OUT

L R

Projector Inputs

VIDEO IN

AUDIO

AUDIO

L R

Application 1: Projector with more than two inputs

For best results, a projector that has dedicated audio and video input connectors for
each PC and each video source should be chosen. Do not use a projector on which
multiple video inputs share one audio input.

• IR control: If the projector is to be controlled by the MLC 52 using IR, its IR

remote control will have one of the following types of button configurations
for video selection:

 Projector remote control type A: A different remote control button is

used for each video input source. Each button selects the input source
with the signal type that matches the button’s label (e.g., the RGB1
button may select the laptop computer; RGB2, the desktop PC.)

 Projector remote control type B: One remote control button is used for

each video format (RGB, S-video, and/or composite video). This type of
button must be pressed repeatedly to toggle through all the inputs with
the same format.

• RS-232 control: If the projector is to be controlled by the MLC 52 RS via

RS-232 commands, the projector typically has a discrete (specific) command
for selecting a particular video input. That is, the projector does not have an
RS-232 command to toggle through its video inputs. See chapter 5, Serial
Communication, for procedures for RS-232 programming.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-2

VIDEO

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RGB1

S-Video

VIDEO

SET

UP

TIME/
LEVEL–

REW

LEFT RIGHT

TV

INPUT

EFFECT
ON/OFF

INPUT SELECT

CD TAPE TUNER

1 2 3

PHONO

4 5 6

TV/DBS

7 8 0 9

ENT DISP

RGB2

POWER

PRG+

UP

PLAY

TIME/

DLY/CNT/REAR

LEVEL+

PAUSE

FF

STOP

DOWN

PRG–

– +

SKIP/CHAPTER

D

EC

K

DIR A

DIR B

A/B

+100

REC/

SLEEP

T

V

PAUSE

M

U

TE

DVD/LD VCR

TEST

INPUTS

S-Video

INPUTS

RGB1

RGB2

COMPUTER

COMPUTER

VIDEO

VIDEO

AUDIO

A/V

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

ENTER MENU

CONT/

CENTER

PHASE

COL/

BRT

TINT

ASPECT
RATIO

SIZE

SHARP

VIDEO

Projector Remote Type A

Projector Remote Type B

Examples of projector remote control types A and B

Configuring the MLC 52 for multiple input selection

The MLC 52 must be configured differently, depending on the type of projector
remote control that will be used, and on whether the MLC will use IR or RS-232
projector control. Because each button on the MLC 52 can store up to four
commands per button, the PC and VIDEO buttons on the MLC should be
programmed as shown in the illustrations on pages 4-4 and 4-5.

Configuring buttons for an IR controlled system

The following illustrations show the commands to program on the MLC’s input
selection buttons from the two types of projector remote controls, when the
projector is controlled via IR. Determine which of these two types most resembles
your projector’s hand-held remote control, then select the appropriate instruction
set from the following sections to program IR commands to the MLC 52.

4-3MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications

Special Applications, cont’d

– +

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Projector remote control type A (application 1)

This remote control has a discrete button for each input. Two buttons are
designated for RGB inputs, one for S-video, and one for video (composite).

• Use IR Learning to program the command from each of the projector remote’s
RGB input selection buttons onto the MLC’s PC button.

• Use IR Learning to program the commands from the projector remote’s Video
button and S-video button onto the MLC’s VIDEO or blank (VC models)
button.

See Configuring using IR Learning in chapter 3, Operation, for the IR Learning
procedure.

The MLC now has two commands each on the PC and VIDEO or blank (VC
models) buttons. This enables you to switch between the two PC inputs by
repeatedly pressing the PC button, and between the two composite/S-video inputs
by repeatedly pressing the VIDEO or blank button.

If you are using an MLC 52 IR or an MLC 52 RS (one-gang models) with a type A
remote, configure the buttons using the following scheme:

PROJECTOR

ON

VOL

VOL

OFF

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #1 / RGB 1
Command #2 / RGB 2

Command #1 / Video
Command #2 / S-Video

S-Video

VIDEO

SET

UP

TIME/
LEVEL–

REW

LEFT RIGHT

TV

DIR A

INPUT

REC/

EFFECT

PAUSE

ON/OFF

INPUT SELECT

CD TAPE TUNER

1 2 3

PHONO

4 5 6

TV/DBS

7 809

RGB1

PRG+

UP

PLAY

TIME/

DLY/CNT/REAR

LEVEL+

PAUS E

STOP

DOWN

PRG–

SKIP/CHAPTER

DECK

A/B

+100

SLEEP

DVD/LD VCR

INPUTS

RGB2

POWER

FF

DIR B

T

V

M

U

T

E

Configuring MLC 52 input selection buttons from projector remote
type A

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-4

ENT DISP

TEST

Projector Remote Type A

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If you are using an MLC 52 IR VC or an MLC 52 RS VC (two-gang models) with a
remote type A, configure the buttons using the following scheme:

VOLUME

Command #1: Video IR
command

Command #1: S-video
IR command

ON

VCR

DVD

DISPLAY

OFF

PC

MLC 52

Command #1: RGB 1 IR
Command

(If applicable)
Command #1: RGB 2 IR
Command Button also must be
placed in “group” and labeled
appropriately.

S-Video

VIDEO

SET

UP

TIME/

DLY/CNT/REAR

LEVEL–

REW

LEFT RIGHT

TV

DIR A

INPUT

REC/

EFFECT

PAUS E

ON/OFF

INPUT SELECT

CD TAPE TUNER

1 2 3

PHONO

4 5 6

TV/DBS

7 809

ENT DISP

INPUTS

RGB1

RGB2

UP

DOWN

SKIP/CHAPTER

DECK

A/B

+100

SLEEP

TIME/
LEVEL+

POWER

FF

DIR B

T

V

M

U

T

E

PRG+

PLAY

PAUS E

STOP

PRG–

–+

DVD/ LD VCR

TEST

Projector Remote Type A

Configuring the MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC with a remote type A

Projector remote control type B (application 1)

This remote control has only two input buttons—one for the RGB inputs and one
for the S-video and composite video inputs. Each of these buttons contains one
command that causes the projector to toggle between inputs.

• Program the command from the projector remote’s Computer or RGB button
onto the MLC’s PC button.

• Program the command that is on the projector remote’s Video button onto the
MLC’s VIDEO button.

The MLC now has one command each on the PC and VIDEO buttons. You must
still repeatedly press an input button to switch between selected sources; however,
the button actually contains only one command (a projector input toggle
command).

4-5MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

Special Applications, cont’d

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PROJECTOR

ON

OFF

COMPUTER

VIDEO
MUTE

AUDIO

MUTE

VIDEO

ENTERMENU

MUTE

A/V

VOL

VOL

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #1 Computer

Command #2 Video

SIZE

SHARP

CENTER

PHASE

CONT/

BRT

COL/
TINT

ASPECT

RATIO

Projector Remote Control Type B

Programming MLC 52 input selection buttons from projector remote
type B

If you are using an MLC 52 IR VC or an MLC 52 RS VC with a type B remote
control, configure the buttons using the following scheme:

DISPLAY

VOLU ME

Leave blank and do not
program. Button should not
be “grouped”.

ON

OFF

PC

Command #1: Computer

VIDEO
MUTE

COMPUTER

AUDIO

MUTE

VIDEO

MUTE

ENTERMENU

A/V

Leave blank and do not
program. Button should not
be “grouped”.

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #1: Video button
should also be “grouped”.

SIZE

SHARP

Projector Remote Control Type B

Configuring MLC 52 IR VC and MLC 52 RS VC with a remote type B

Configuring buttons for multiple inputs on an RS-232
controlled system

If the MLC 52 RS is to control the projector via RS-232, the projector remote control
does not need to be involved. Program the MLC buttons directly via the front
panel configuration port using Windows-based control software (see chapter 5,
Serial Communication, for information on using these control methods).

1. Program commands 1 and 2 on the PC and VIDEO buttons with the

projector’s RS-232 command for discrete input selection.

2. The MLC now has two commands each on the PC and VIDEO buttons. Press

these buttons repeatedly to switch between the two input selection commands
that you entered on each button.

CENTER

PHASE

CONT/

BRT

COL/
TINT

ASPECT

RATIO

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-6

Application 2: Projector Requiring a Power Off

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Confirmation

Some projectors controlled via IR require the Power Off button on the hand-held
remote control to be pressed twice to turn off the projector. These projectors
usually present a prompt (similar to the one shown below) on the image,
instructing you to press the Power Off button again to confirm your intent to power
off the projector. (If the projector is controlled via RS-232, this prompt is usually
not displayed.)

Turn Power OFF?

Yes: Press Again No: Please Wait

Typical projector power off confirmation prompt

Configuring the MLC 52 for a power-off confirmation

The MLC 52 can be configured so that the projector Power Off button does not need
to be pressed twice for confirmation. Using the macro mode feature, you can send
two power off commands sequentially from a single press of the MLC OFF button.

To configure the MLC OFF button to issue both a power off and a confirmation
command, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that power is applied to the MLC 52.

2. Set configuration switch #1 on the rear panel to On.

3. Program the MLC OFF button’s first two command memory blocks

(commands #1 and #2) with a projector off command. See Configuring using
IR Learning, in chapter 3, Operations, for procedures.

DISPLAY

ON

VOL

Configuring the OFF button for a projector that requires a
confirmation

VOL

OFF

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #1: Off
Command #2: Off
Set button to macro mode.

4-7MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

Special Applications, cont’d

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4. Put the MLC’s OFF button that you have just programmed into macro mode

by pressing and holding the button for 3 seconds. The orange LED, labeled E
on the back panel, flashes rapidly five times, then turns off, indicating that the
button is now configured for macro mode.

5. Set configuration switch #1 on the MLC rear panel to Off.
Now, with one press of the MLC OFF button, you can issue the two projector off

commands needed to answer the projector’s confirmation prompt and turn the
projector off. The commands are issued in succession at 1.5-second intervals.

Application 3: Controlling Projectors That Have
Multi-Coded IR Functionality

Certain projectors, such as Philips projectors, have multiple IR codes for the same
function. Projectors with multi-coded IR functionality issue two commands for
each IR remote control button. Command “A” is initiated by the first press of the
button; command “B,” by the second press. Because the buttons on the MLC 52 can
store up to four commands, the MLC 52 is ideal for projectors of this type.

If controlled via RS-232, projectors that have multi-coded IR functions typically
have a specific RS-232 command that selects or performs each desired function.
Therefore, there is no command “A” or “B” for RS-232 control.

Configuring the MLC 52 for multi-coded IR functionality

This section provides instructions for using IR Learning to program multiple input
selection commands onto the MLC 52’s buttons from two common types of hand­held projector remote controls that have multi-coded IR functionality.

For best results, select a projector that has a dedicated audio and video input
for each source used in the system. Video inputs should not share the same
audio input.

Projector remote control type A (application 3)

This remote control has a discrete button for each input. Two buttons are
designated for RGB inputs, one for S-video, and one for video (composite). Each of
these input selection buttons on remote type A has a command “A” and a
command “B” coded on it.

Following these steps, use IR Learning to program the input selection commands
from the projector’s type A hand-held remote control onto the MLC’s PC and
VIDEO buttons.

Programming RGB inputs — type A remote control

1. Place the rear panel configuration switch #1 in the on (up) position to enter

learning mode.

2. Using IR Learning, program command “A” from the RGB 1 input selection

button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #1 of the
MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from the
projector remote control’s RGB 1 button. On the rear panel, the bottom
IR Learning LED should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB 1 button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “A” for RGB 1.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-8

When a command has been successfully learned, the IR Learning LEDs on

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the MLC rear panel flash in rapid progression from the top to the bottom, then
back to the top.

3. Program the input selection command “A” from the RGB 2 input selection
button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #2 of the
MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from the
projector remote control’s RGB 2 button. On the rear panel, the second
LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB 2 button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “A” for RGB 2.

4. Program the input selection command “B” from the RGB 1 input selection
button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #3 of the
MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from the
projector remote control’s RGB 1 button. On the rear panel, the third
LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB 1 button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “B” for RGB 1.

5. Program the input selection command “B” from the RGB 2 input selection
button on the projector’s hand-held remote control into memory block #4 of
the MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from the
projector remote control’s RGB 2 button. On the rear panel, the fourth
LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB 2 button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “B” for RGB 2.

6. If finished programming the MLC 52 buttons, return configuration
switch #1 to its Off (down) position, and test the system.

If you want to program video input selection at this time, proceed to
Programming video inputs — type A remote control, below.

Programming video inputs — type A remote control

1. Place the rear panel configuration switch #1 in the on (up) position to enter

2. Using IR Learning, program command “A” from the Video input selection

learning mode. (If the MLC is already in learning mode, proceed to step 2.)

button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #1 of the
MLC 52’s VIDEO button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from
the projector remote control’s Video button. On the rear panel, the
bottom IR Learning LED should be flashing.

4-9MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

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b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO button on the MLC 52 is blinking),

press the Video button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “A” for video.

When a command has been successfully learned, the IR Learning LEDs on
the MLC rear panel flash in rapid progression from the top to the bottom, then
back to the top.

3. Program the input selection command “A” from the S-video input selection

button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #2 of the
MLC 52’s VIDEO button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from
the projector remote control’s S-video button. On the rear panel, the
second LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO or blank button on the MLC 52 is

blinking), press the S-video button on the projector’s remote control. The
MLC has learned command “A” for S-video.

4. Program the input selection command “B” from the Video input selection

button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #3 of the
MLC 52’s VIDEO button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from
the projector remote control’s Video button. On the rear panel, the third
LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO or blank button on the MLC 52 is

blinking), press the Video button on the projector’s remote control. The
MLC has learned command “B” for Video.

5. Program the input selection command “B” from the S-video input selection

button on the projector’s hand-held remote control into memory block #4 of
the MLC 52’s VIDEO button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from
the projector remote control’s S-video button. On the rear panel, the
fourth LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO or blank button on the MLC 52 is

blinking), press the S-video button on the projector’s remote control. The
MLC has learned command “B” for S-video.

6. When finished programming the MLC 52 buttons, return configuration

switch #1 to its Off (down) position. Test the system.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-10

S-Video

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VIDEO

SET

UP

TIME/
LEVEL–

DISPLAY

ON

OFF

VOL

VOL

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #1 / RGB 1 / IR Command “A”
Command #2 / RGB 2 / IR Command “A”
Command #3 / RGB 1 / IR Command “B”
Command #4 / RGB 2 / IR Command “B”

Command #1 / Video / IR Command “A”
Command #2 / S-video / IR Command “A”
Command #3 / Video / IR Command “B”
Command #4 / S-video / IR Command “B”

REW

LEFT RIGHT

TV

DIR A

INPUT

REC/

EFFECT

PAUSE

ON/OFF

INPUT SELECT

CD TAPE TUNER

1 2 3

PHONO

4 5 6

TV/DBS

7 809

ENT DISP

Projector Remote Type A

RGB2

POWER

PRG+

UP

PLAY

TIME/

DLY/CNT/REAR

LEVEL+

PAUS E

FF

STOP

DOWN

PRG–

– +

SKIP/CHAPTER

D

E

C

K

D

IR B

A

/B

+100

SLEE

TV

P

M

UT

E

DVD/LD VCR

TEST

INPUTS

RGB1

Programming MLC 52 input selection buttons from projector remote
type A

Issuing input selection commands learned from remote control type A

The MLC now has four commands each on the PC and VIDEO buttons. When you
press an MLC input button repeatedly, the following occurs:

Using the PC button (RGB):

• First press (memory block #1): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for RGB 1

input selection. The projector switches to its RGB 1 input.

• Second press (memory block #2): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for
RGB 2 input selection. The projector switches to its RGB 2 input.

• Third press (memory block #3): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for RGB 1
input selection. The projector switches to its RGB 1 input.

• Fourth press (memory block #4): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for RGB
2 input selection. The projector switches to its RGB 2 input.

Using the VIDEO button (S-video or composite video):

• First press (memory block #1): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for
composite video input selection. The projector switches to its video input.

• Second press (memory block #2): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for
S-video input selection. The projector switches to its S-video input.

• First press (memory block #1): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for
composite video input selection. The projector switches to its video input.

• Second press (memory block #2): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for
S-video input selection. The projector switches to its S-video input.

4-11MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

Special Applications, cont’d

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Configuring VC models — type A remote control

If you are using an MLC 52 IR VC or an MLC 52 RS VC with a type A remote,
configure the buttons as indicated in the illustration below.

DISPLAY

Command #1: Video 1 IR Command “A”
Command #2: Video 1 IR Command “B”

Command #1: S-video 2 IR Command “A”
Command #2: S-video 2 IR Command “B”

VOLUME

ON

VCR

DVD

OFF

PC

MLC 52

Command #1: RGB 1 IR Command “A”
Command #2: RGB 1 IR Command “B”

Optional:
Command #1: RGB 2 IR Command “A”
Command #2: RGB 2 IR Command “B”
Label button accordingly and place it in
“group”.

S-Video

VIDEO

SET

UP

TIME/
LEVEL–

REW

LEFT RIGHT

TV

DIR A

INPUT

REC/

EFFECT

PAUSE

ON/OFF

INPUT SELECT

CD TAPE TUNER

1 2 3

PHONO

4 5 6

TV/DBS

7 809

ENT DISP

INPUTS

RGB1

RGB2

POWER

PRG+

UP

PLAY

TIME/

DLY/CNT/REAR

LEVEL+

PAUS E

FF

STOP

DOWN

PRG–

–+

SKIP/CHAPTER

D

E

C

K

DIR B

A

/

B

+100

SLEEP

T

V

M

U

T

E

DVD/L D V CR

TEST

Configuring an MLC 52 VC model with a type A projector remote
control

Projector remote control type B (application 3)

This remote control has only two input buttons—one for the RGB inputs and one
for the S-video and composite video inputs. Each of these buttons contains two
commands (commands “A” and “B”) that cause the button to toggle between
inputs.

Following these steps, use IR Learning to program the input selection commands
from the projector’s type B hand-held remote control onto the MLC’s PC and
VIDEO or blank (VC models) buttons.

Programming RGB inputs — type B remote control

1. Place the rear panel configuration switch #1 in the On (up) position to enter
learning mode.

2. Using IR Learning, program command “A” from the RGB input selection
button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #1 of the
MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from the
projector remote control’s RGB button. On the rear panel, the bottom
IR Learning LED should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has learned
command “A” for RGB.

When a command has been successfully learned, the IR Learning LEDs on
the MLC rear panel flash in rapid progression from the top to the bottom, then
back to the top.

Projector Remote Type A

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-12

3. Program the input selection command “B” from the RGB input selection

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button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #2 of the
MLC 52’s PC button as follows:

a. Press the PC button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to blink,

indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from the
projector remote control’s S-video button. On the rear panel, the second
LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the PC button on the MLC 52 is blinking), press

the RGB button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has learned
command “B” for RGB.

4. If finished programming the MLC 52 buttons, return configuration

switch #1 to its Off (down) position, and test the system.

If you want to program video input selection at this time, proceed to
Programming video inputs — type B remote control, in the next section.

Programming video inputs — type B remote control

1. Place the rear panel configuration switch #1 in the On (up) position to enter
learning mode. (If the MLC is already in learning mode, proceed to step 2.)

2. Using IR Learning, program command “A” from the Video input selection
button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #1 of the
MLC 52’s VIDEO or blank (for VC models) button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “A” from
the projector remote control’s Video button. On the rear panel, the
bottom IR Learning LED should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO button on the MLC 52 is blinking),

press the Video button on the projector’s remote control. The MLC has
learned command “A” for Video.

When a command has been successfully learned, the IR Learning LEDs on
the MLC rear panel flash in rapid progression from the top to the bottom, then
back to the top.

3. Program the input selection command “B” from the Video input selection
button on the projector’s remote control into memory block #2 of the
MLC 52’s VIDEO button as follows:

a. Press the VIDEO button on the MLC front panel. The button begins to

blink, indicating that the MLC is now ready to learn command “B” from
the projector remote control’s Video button. On the rear panel, the
second LED up from the bottom should be flashing.

b. Within 5 seconds (while the VIDEO or blank button on the MLC 52 is

blinking), press the Video button on the projector’s remote control. The
MLC has learned command “B” for Video.

4-13MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

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4. When finished programming the MLC 52 buttons, return configuration
switch #1 to its off (down) position. Test the system.

DISPLAY

ON

VOL

VOL

OFF

Command #1 / RGB / IR Command “A”

PC

VIDEO

MLC 52

Command #2 / RGB / IR Command “B”

Command #1 / Video / IR Command “A”
Command #2 / Video / IR Command “B”

Programming MLC 52 input selection buttons from projector remote
type B

COMPUTER

VIDEO

VIDEO

AUDIO
MUTE

CONT/

BRT

MUTE

ENTERMENU

COL/
TINT

ASPECT

RATIO

A/V

MUTE

SIZE

CENTER

SHARP

PHASE

Projector Remote Type B

Issuing input selection commands learned from remote control type B

The MLC now has two commands each on the PC and VIDEO buttons. When you
press an MLC input button repeatedly, the following commands are issued.

Using the PC button (RGB):

• First press (memory block #1): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for RGB

input selection.

• Second press (memory block #2): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for
RGB input selection.

Using the VIDEO button (S-video or composite video):

• First press (memory block #1): The MLC 52 issues command “A” for
composite video input selection.

• Second press (memory block #2): The MLC 52 issues command “B” for
S-video input selection.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-14

Configuring VC models — type B remote control

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If you are using a type B remote with an MLC 52 IR VC or an MLC 52 RS VC,
configure the buttons according to the diagram below.

DISPLAY

VIDEO

MUTE

COMPUTER

AUDIO

VIDEO

A/V

MUTE

MUTE

Leave blank and do not program. The
button should not be “grouped”.

Leave blank and do not program. The
button should not be “grouped”.

VOLUME

ON

VCR

DVD

OFF

PC

MLC 52

Command #1: Computer IR Command “A”
Command #2: Computer IR Command “B”

Command #1: Video 1 IR Command “A”
Command #2: Video 2 IR Command “B”
Label button accordingly and place it in
“group”.

Configuring an MLC 52 VC model with a type B projector remote
control

ENTERMENU

CONT/

COL/

BRT

TINT

ASPECT
RATIO

SHARP

SIZE

CENTER

PHASE

Projector Remote Type B

4-15MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller MLC 52 • Special Applications

Special Applications, cont’d

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MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Special Applications4-16

MLC 52 Series MediaLink™ Controller

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Chapter Five

5

Serial Communication

Using the MLC 52 Configuration Program

™

Using Simple Instruction Set (SIS

) commands

Serial Communication

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The MLC 52 can be remotely configured via a host computer connected to the
front panel configuration port. Through this port, you can program the MLC’s
buttons with commands by using the Windows
(MLC 52 Configuration program) or SIS
The 9-pin D to 2.5 mm stereo mini TRS RS-232 configuration cable (part #70-335-

01) can be used for this connection.

The connector has the following pin assignments:

®

™

(Simple Instruction Set) commands.

-based configuration software

1

5

RS-232 configuration cable pin assignments

The MLC 52 uses the following protocol:
9600 baud

8 bits
1 stop bit
Parity: None
Flow control: None

6

9

9-pin D Connection TRS Plug

Pin 2 Computer's RX line Tip
Pin 3 Computer's TX line Ring
Pin 5 Computer's signal ground Sleeve

Using the MLC 52 Configuration Program

To perform advanced configurations (e.g., removing a button from a switch
rotation, updating firmware, and using display drivers), you must use the
included Extron Windows-based configuration software. The MLC 52
Configuration program’s graphical user interface includes the same functions as
those on the MLC’s front panel, plus some additional features that are available
only through the configuration software.

To install and run the MLC 52 Configuration program software, ensure that your
PC meets the following minimum requirements:

• Windows 2000, XP, or higher

• 400 MHz processor

• 32 MB free hard disk space

Extron’s Windows-based configuration software is provided on CD with the
MLC, and updates can be downloaded from the Extron Web site
(http://www.extron.com).

Tip

Ring

Sleeve (Gnd)

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-2

Installing the software

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The configuration program requires approximately 32 MB (megabytes) of hard
disk space.

To install the software onto the hard drive:

1. Insert the CD ROM into your CD drive. The disk starts automatically.

2. If the disk does not start automatically, run LAUNCH.EXE from the CD.

3. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

By default the installation creates a directory called “MediaLink” on the PC hard
drive, and places the following two icons in it:

• MediaLnk52.exe (MediaLink Configuration program)

• MediaLnk52.hlp (MLC 52 Help)

Starting the configuration program

Many items in the MLC 52 Configuration program are also accessible via front
panel controls described in chapter 3, Operations. Refer to that chapter for details
on features and settings. The MediaLink Help Program provides information on
settings and on how to use the configuration program itself. Some features,
including the miscellaneous options, are available only via this configuration
program. These features are described in the sections of this chapter that
correspond to the parts of the configuration program where the features are
found.

1. To run the configuration program, do either of the following:

• Double-click on the MLC 52 Configuration program icon in the
MediaLink group or folder on your PC hard drive.

• Access the program from the Start menu on your PC:

a. Click Start on your PC screen.
b. Select All Programs from the Start menu.
c. From the Programs menu, select Extron Electronics.
d. From the Extron menu, select MLC 52 + DVCM 50

e. Select MLC 52 Control Program.
The Comm Port Selection menu appears on the screen.

Comm Port Selection menu

2. Select the comm port through which your computer will communicate with

the MLC.

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3. Click OK. After a few seconds, the Extron MLC 52 Configuration program

screen appears, displaying the Controller (MLC) Config. tab.

Overview of the MLC 52 configuration program screen

The MLC 52 Configuration program screen

The MLC 52 configuration program main screen contains the following:

• Three tabs, which you can select in order to access the configuration and

control functions available in the control software:
Controller (MLC) Config. — Enables you to program the buttons on the

MLC 52, perform IR Learning, and use display drivers with the system.

The software shows a one-gang sized model on this tab.
However, the buttons on all of the MLC 52 models are
configured by the same methods.

Advanced Projector Config. — Enables you to enter user-defined RS-232

commands, define parameters for projector volume control, and change
the name of the projector driver.

Misc. Options — (MLC 52 RS only) Lets you adjust baud rates, data bits,

parity bits, and warm-up and cool-down times for the projector.

• Two pull-down menus:
File menu — Provides options to load Extron drivers, save and restore

configurations, and update the MLC firmware.

Help menu — Displays the MLC 52 Help, which provides information on

procedures for performing all tasks required to configure the MLC 52
using the configuration software.

• The RS-232 projector driver, communication port, and firmware version
information are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-4

• Exit Program button:

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Click this button to exit the MLC 52 Configuration program and close the
main screen.

Using the Help program

For information on program features, do one of the following to display the
context-sensitive MLC 52 online Help:

• From the Help menu on the MLC 52 Configuration program screen, select
Contents.

• Press the F1 computer key.

• Double-click on the MediaLnk52.hlp file in the MediaLink52 folder on your
PC hard drive.

For explanations of buttons or functions, click on the tabs in the help screen to
reach the desired screen. Use a mouse or the Tab and Enter keys to select a
button/function. A description and tips on using the program will appear on
screen.

About Extron drivers

Extron drivers are control files (libraries) of Extron-created projector commands
that are specific to a particular projector. When you install your MLC 52
configuration software, the installation program loads the Extron drivers onto
your PC, in the folder called MediaLink. Before using the configuration software
to configure the MLC’s buttons, you must load the appropriate driver for your
projector or plasma display to the MLC 52.

IR drivers are loaded via the MLC 52 Configuration program as part of the
process to program MLC buttons. RS-232 drivers must be loaded/selected prior
to choosing RS-232 commands to program the buttons. (See Loading Extron

drivers for RS-232 communication, later in this chapter.)

The MLC 52 is compatible with IP Link IR drivers found on the IPL Driver
Package, version 6 or higher. (See Viewing the IP Linkn IR package
version, later in this chapter.)

Pre-configured control files (drivers) should be used whenever possible. If
no driver is available for the display you want to control, it is possible to
create your own via IR Learning (see Programming the MLC 52 Using
IR, in chapter 3), or by entering the control command strings for your
projector on the Advanced Projector Configuration tab (see Using the
Advanced Projector Config. tab, later in this chapter). Command strings
can be obtained from the projector manufacturer.

CAUTION

Loading a new driver causes the MLC’s existing configuration to be
overwritten. If you know that you will want to use the previous
configuration again, be sure to save it when the screen prompts you.

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Viewing RS-232 drivers

To view the settings and commands in each projector driver file without loading
the driver into the MLC, run the MLC 52 control software in emulation mode. See
Using emulation mode, later in this chapter.

1. Open the MLC 52 configuration program.

2. On the Comm Port Selection screen, select Emulate.

3. Locate and open the drivers folder on your PC hard drive, at the following

location:
c:\Program Files\Extron\Medialink\drivers.

4. Select and open the file for the desired projector driver in the Drivers folder.
For information on loading a driver to the MLC 52, see Loading Extron drivers for

RS-232 communication, in the Assigning functions to buttons using RS-232 drivers
section, later in this chapter.

Viewing the IP Link IR package version

To find out the version number of the IP Link IR package that you have, do the
following:

1. Open the MLC 52 configuration program.

2. Click Help on the menu bar to display the Help menu. The item
DriverBase Version = n gives the IP Link IR package version.

IR drivers are stored at the following location:

c:\Program Files\Extron\driver2

Key to file names

File name Description

________.MLL Extron-supplied projector driver library files. These files contain

________.MLK User-saved MLC/MLC-MLS/MLS configuration file. This

________.EIR IP Link IR drivers

commands and settings pertinent to a particular projector.

includes adjustments/settings and whatever driver (if any) was
installed in the MLC at the time the file was saved.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-6

Configuring the controller

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The Controller (MLC) Config. tab, shown below, is where you configure the
controller and initiate IR Learning through software. This tab lets you perform
IR Learning of commands to MLC button memory blocks, pick and assign IR or
RS-232 driver functions to memory blocks, remove programming from buttons,
and group buttons to operate in a mutually exclusive operation (switch pattern).

Main screen with Controller (MLC) Config. tab

Overview of the Controller (MLC) Config. tab

The Controller (MLC) Config. tab contains graphical representations of the
MLC 52 and the IR 452 remote control. When you click on the button
representations in these diagrams, menus are displayed, enabling you to
configure the MLC 52 and its remote control.

The software shows a one-gang sized model on this tab. However, the
buttons on all of the MLC 52 models are configured by the same methods.

The Programming Legend below the MLC 52 diagram shows the following:

•A

•A

• If the button displays no colored dots (all empty circles), there is no code

Each button has four memory blocks, which are indicated by four
circles on the button diagram. As each memory block is
programmed, the circle becomes a red or green dot. The button
shown at right has an RS-232 command in the first memory block
(the first dot is green) and an IR command in the second memory
block (the second dot is red).

green dot on a button in MLC 52 or the IR 452 diagram indicates that an

RS-232 code has been associated with one of that button’s memory blocks.

red dot on a button indicates that an IR code has been learned for one of

that button’s memory blocks.

stored in that button’s memory blocks.

5-7MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication

Serial Communication, cont’d

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In the upper-right corner of the screen is the Macro... button. Clicking this button
displays the MediaLink Macro Configuration window, which lets you link an
MLC button with another button, so that pressing the first button once executes
its commands, then those of the button to which it is linked.

Linking buttons via the MediaLink Macro Configuration tab is not the same
as placing the button in macro mode so that all the commands on that one
button are executed when you press it once. See Setting up button macros

using macro mode and Linking buttons to create macros, in this
chapter, for information on creating the two types of macros.

The following sections describe the tasks you can perform on the Controller
(MLC) Config. tab to configure the MLC 52 buttons.

Saving and restoring the configuration

Before downloading drivers or programming buttons, you may want to save the
MLC 52’s current configuration in case you want to restore those settings in the
future.

Saving a configuration

1. From the File menu, select Save CONFIGURATION as... .

File menu

The “Save Current MediaLink Configuration as...” window opens.

2. If necessary, browse to locate the folder in which you want to save your
configuration. (It is recommended that you save it in the MediaLink folder,
or in another directory where the file can be found easily.)

3. Make sure the Save as type field is set to MediaLink Configs (*.MLK).

4. If desired, enter a name for the configuration in the File name field, in the

format filename.mlk. (By default, the configuration has the name of the
RS-232 driver on which it was based. To avoid confusion with the original
driver file, it is recommended that you give the configuration file a new
name.)

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-8

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Save Current MediaLink Configuration as... window.

5. Click Save. The current configuration is saved as a file with a .mlk

extension.

Restoring a configuration

Restoring a configuration allows the software to quickly program an MLC 52
from an existing configuration. To restore a configuration, follow these steps:

1. From the File menu, select Restore CONFIGURATION from... . The

following confirmation prompt opens:

Restoring configuration confirmation prompt

2. Click OK. The Restore Saved MediaLink Configuration from... window

3. If necessary, browse to locate the configuration file that you want to restore.

4. Select the desired configuration file. It must have the extension .mlk.

5. Click Open. After a few seconds, the saved configuration is uploaded to the

opens.

Configuration files are usually stored in the MediaLink folder.

MLC 52.

5-9MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication

Serial Communication, cont’d

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Assigning functions to buttons using IR drivers

Two types of drivers can be used to configure the MLC 52: IR and RS-232. This
section discusses programming buttons using the IR drivers. Follow these steps
to configure the MLC’s buttons with IR commands on the Controller (MLC)
Config. tab:

1. On the Controller (MLC) Config. tab, click the MLC button to which you
want to add a command. In the example below, the PC button was selected.

Each button on the MLC diagram contains four circles that represent the
button’s four memory blocks. When a command is programmed to one of
these memory blocks, its circle becomes red (for IR commands) or green
(RS-232 commands).

PC button selected on Controller (MLC) Config. tab

When you select the button, the following occurs on the screen:

• The selected button turns pale yellow, surrounded by a square black

border. The Button field in the upper-left corner of the tab displays the
name of the button that was selected.

• Radio buttons for the selected button’s four command memory blocks

(Cmd 1 through Cmd 4) are displayed at the top of the tab. The radio
button for the memory block you are currently programming is selected.

• Switch Mode and Actions buttons are displayed in a column down the

center of the tab.

2. Click the Pick IR Driver Functions button in the
Actions section.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-10

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Pick IR Driver Functions button on Controller (MLC) Config. tab

The Driver Selection window is displayed on top of the Controller (MLC)
Config. tab.

3. In the Driver Selection window, make selections in the following list boxes:
Driver Category — Type of product to be controlled (usually a projector or a

plasma display)

Device Models — Model name/number of your projector or other display

device. When you select a model, the fields below the Device Models
section display the selected driver’s version and origin (Status):

• Released: The driver was created by Extron.

• User-Learned: The driver was created by a user or another non-Extron

person.

Functions Available in Driver — Functions that the selected button can be

programmed to perform

Driver Selection window for IR

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4. Click the Take Button Config button to implement your selections. The

command is programmed into the button’s selected memory block.

• On the Driver Selection window, the radio button for the command
memory block you just programmed is surrounded by a red field. This
indicates that the block contains an IR command.

Driver Selection window showing that memory block 1 (Cmd 1)
contains an IR (red) command

• On the MLC diagram, the circle representing the memory block that
you just programmed on the selected button appears

5. If you want to assign another command to the same button, select the next
Cmd radio button, then repeat steps 3 and 4.

red.

For each button, you can perform this procedure up to four times, until the
button’s four memory blocks are all assigned.

You must program the next command in order. You cannot, for example,
program memory block #1 (Cmd 1 radio button) then skip to block #3 or #4.

For IR commands, you can mix driver functions from different devices on
the same button. For example, you can program a power ON button with
one command to turn on a Sanyo projector, and another command to turn on
an NEC projector. You can also add IR commands to a button on which
RS-232 commands have also been programmed.

6. When finished programming commands to the button, click Close to close
the Driver Selection window.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-12

Assigning functions to buttons using RS-232 drivers

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To assign button functions using RS-232 drivers, you must first load the drivers
to the MLC 52 from the MediaLink file on your PC hard drive.

Loading Extron drivers for RS-232 communication

To load an Extron driver, follow these steps:

1. From the File menu on the MLC 52 Configuration program screen, select

Load New EXTRON DRIVER from... .

File menu

2. The following confirmation prompt window appears.

MediaLink Control confirmation prompt for loading a driver

On this window, do one of the following:

If this is the first time you will be configuring the MLC 52 with the
configuration software, follow these steps to load a driver:

a. Click No. (There is no configuration to save.) The “Build MediaLink

Configuration from...” window opens.

b. Open the drivers folder by clicking on its file name, then clicking Open.

(You can also open the folder by double-clicking on its file name.)

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“Build MediaLink Configuration from...” window, drivers folder

c. From the list on the “Build MediaLink Configuration from...” screen,

select the driver for your projector, then click Open.

d. Another confirmation prompt appears, reminding you that any

previous settings will be overwritten by the new driver you are loading,
and asking if you want to continue. Click Yes.

The small Downloading Page n to MediaLink window displays the
incrementing percentage of the driver package that has been loaded.

When the driver is completely loaded, the window disappears (this
takes approximately 30 seconds).

If you have used the MLC 52 configuration program previously to
configure the MLC 52, and you want to save your current configuration

before loading a new driver to replace the existing one, follow these steps:
a. Click Yes on the confirmation prompt window. The “Save Current

MediaLink Configuration as...” window opens.

b. If necessary, browse to locate the folder in which you want to save your

configuration. (By default, the MediaLink folder opens.)

c. Click Save. The current configuration is saved as a file with a .mlk

extension, and the “Build MediaLink Configuration from...” window
opens (this takes approximately 30 seconds).

d. Follow steps b through d in the “First time” procedure, above, to load

the desired driver.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-14

Configuring buttons using RS-232 drivers

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After you have selected and loaded an RS-232 driver, you are ready to assign
commands from the selected driver onto the MLC buttons. Follow these steps to
configure the MLC’s buttons with RS-232 commands on the Controller (MLC)
Config. tab:

1. On the MLC 52 diagram on the left, click on the button to which you want

to add a command. In the following example, the PC button was selected.

PC button selected on Controller (MLC) Config. tab

After you select an RS-232 driver, by default the projector power ON and
OFF buttons and the VOL UP and VOL DWN buttons are preconfigured
with the appropriate commands from the driver. If the VOL UP and
VOL DWN buttons will not be used for volume control, remove the
commands from them. See Removing commands from a button, later in
this chapter.

When you select the button, the following occurs on the screen:

• The selected button turns yellow, surrounded by a square black border.
The Button field in the upper-left corner of the tab shows the name of
the button that was selected.

• Radio buttons for the selected button’s four command memory blocks
(Cmd 1 through Cmd 4) are displayed at the top of the tab. The radio
button for the memory block you are currently programming is selected.

• Switch Mode and Actions buttons are displayed in a column down the
center of the tab.

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2. Click the Pick 232 Driver Functs button, circled in the following illustration.

Pick 232 Driver Functs button on Controller (MLC) Config. tab

The Driver Selection window for RS-232 is displayed over the Controller
(MLC) Config. tab.

If the Pick 232 Driver Functs button is grayed out, reload the RS-232 driver
whose name is displayed in the Projector Driver field at the bottom of the
MLC Configuration program screen. See Loading Extron drivers for
RS-232 communication, earlier in this chapter, for the procedure.

3. From the Functions Available in Driver list box on the Driver Selection

window, select the function that you want to program onto the button.

Driver Selection window for RS-232

4. Click the Take Button Config button to implement your selections. The

command is programmed into the button’s selected memory block. The
following changes appear on the screen:

• On the Driver Selection window, the radio button for the command
memory block that you just programmed is surrounded by a green
field. This indicates that the block contains an RS-232 command.

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Driver Selection window showing that memory block 1 (Cmd 1)
contains an RS-232 (green) command

• On the MLC diagram, the circle representing the memory block that you
just programmed on the selected button appears

green.

MLC diagram showing an RS-232 command programmed on the PC
button

5. If you want to assign another command to the same button, select the next

6. When finished programming commands to the button, click Close to close

Cmd radio button, then repeat steps 3 and 4.
For each button, you can perform this procedure up to four times, until the

button’s four memory blocks are all assigned.

For RS-232, you can not mix driver functions from different devices on the
same button. Only one RS-232 driver can be used at a time.

the Driver Selection window.

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Removing commands from a button

You can remove either one command from a button, or all the button’s commands
at once.

1. Select the button from which you want to remove commands. The button

becomes yellow.

2. If you want to remove only one command, select the Cmd radio button for

the memory block containing the command to be removed.

If you want to remove all the commands, you do not need to select a Cmd
radio button.

3. Under Remove IR/232 Codes in the Actions field, click one of the following

buttons:

• One Command — Removes the command only from the selected

memory block.

If you want to remove only one command at a time, you must
remove the commands in descending order; e.g., remove
command 4 before removing commands 3, 2, and 1.

• All Commands in Button — Removes all the commands from all the

memory blocks on the button.

Remove IR/232 Codes buttons

Confirmation prompt for removing one command

4. Click OK. The specified command(s) are removed from the selected button.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-18

A prompt window like the following appears:

On the screen, the red or green field is removed from around the Cmd radio
button(s).

Setting up projector volume control

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The MLC 52 can control the audio volume adjustment of the projector or plasma.
By default, the two buttons labeled VOL UP and VOL DWN are configured to
increase and decrease projector volume. When the Use for VOLUME control
check box is selected, these two buttons control the projector’s volume. When
you press and hold one of these buttons, it issues its programmed command
(increasing or decreasing the volume) continuously until you release the button.

If you clear the Use for VOLUME control check box, these two buttons still
control projector volume, unless they were programmed with a volume table (see
the next section). However, if you press and hold them, they issue their
commands only once; i.e., they perform the same as if you pressed and released
them.

Types of volume control

Volume is controlled by one of two methods, depending on the type of projector:

Increment/decrement — Only two commands are issued to the projector:

Increase Volume or Decrease Volume. If you press and hold a volume
control button, the projector increases or decreases the volume steadily until
you release it or it reaches its limit.

Volume table — The volume level is set by issuing commands, each of which

correlates to a specific number in a “table” of values. For example, a
projector may have a volume table that ranges from 0 to 100. Therefore,
more than two commands are used to increase and decrease volume. Each
time the projector needs to adjust the volume, a command for a specific
number (value) must be sent to it.

If you press and hold a volume control button that has a table setup, the
volume increases or decreases in increments specified in the projector driver,
up to the limit imposed by the projector’s table.

If you deselect the Use for VOLUME control check box when the VOL
buttons contain tables, all volume control commands are removed .

Your projector’s method of issuing commands is communicated to the MLC by
specification in your projector driver, which you load to the MLC at setup. If your
projector uses a volume table, “(table)” is displayed on the volume buttons.

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MLC 52 diagram on Controller tab, showing volume table enabled

Reprogramming the volume control buttons

If you do not want to use these two buttons for volume control — for example, if
you have the MLC 52 IR VC or the MLC 52 RS VC, which have volume control
knobs, you can reprogram them for other functions. To reprogram the VOL
buttons,

1. Clear the Use for VOLUME control check box. The VOL UP and VOL DWN

names are removed from the diagram.

2. If the projector has a volume table, the following prompt is displayed:

Click Yes to remove the table in order to continue programming the button.
Removing the table removes all commands from the volume buttons; you do
not need to do anything else. (If you later want to restore the table
management to the button, reload the driver to the MLC.)

If the projector does not have a volume table, you must use the Remove
IR/232 Commands buttons to remove the volume commands from the
button you want to reconfigure. See Removing commands from a button,
earlier in this chapter, for the procedure.

3. Add the desired commands to the button, following the procedure

described in the Assigning functions to buttons using IR drivers or the
Assigning functions to buttons using RS-232 drivers section as appropriate.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-20

Grouping buttons

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Buttons can be grouped together so that they operate in a mutually exclusive
(switch) group; that is, when one button is pressed, all others in its group are
deselected. The active button lights brightly; the inactive button(s) are dimmed.

You can group together any of the front panel buttons, except the Projector ON
and OFF buttons, in any combination. (Only one group of buttons can exist at a
time.)

• Select the Group check box above or below each button that you want to
group.

• To remove a button from a group, clear the button’s Group check box.

MLC diagram with PC and Video buttons grouped

To group the buttons labeled VOL UP and VOL DWN, you must first clear
the Use for VOLUME control check box.

Setting up button macros using macro mode

Buttons function in either toggle mode or macro mode. By default, the buttons are
in toggle mode, meaning that each time the button is pressed, one of its
programmed commands is issued. (Each button can store up to four commands.)

When a button is in macro mode, one press executes all the commands
programmed onto that button, in the order they were programmed, at 1.5 second
intervals. One example of a button macro application would be turning on
multiple projectors/plasma displays by pressing one button, one time.

Switching to macro mode is not the same as clicking the Macro... button in the
upper-right corner of the Controller (MLC) Config. tab. The Macro... button
enables you to link a memory block from one button to a memory block of
another button, so that pressing the first button issues the commands
programmed onto both buttons. (See Linking buttons to create macros, in
the next section.)

Switching to macro mode, on the other hand, enables you to issue all the
commands programmed onto one button by pressing it once.

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To place a button in macro mode, follow these steps:

1. On the MLC 52 diagram, click the button that you want to configure. The

button becomes yellow.

2. Program onto the selected button the commands that you want to be part of

the macro. See Assigning functions to buttons using IR drivers or the Assigning
functions to buttons using RS-232 drivers, earlier in this chapter, for the
procedure.

3. In the Switch Mode field, select the Macro radio button.

Switch Mode field with Macro selected

You must program the commands onto the button prior to setting it for
macro mode.

Linking buttons to create macros

Linking gives you an additional way to create button macros. It provides a way
to associate MLC 52 buttons with each other. Using the MediaLink MACRO
Configuration screen, you can link a memory block of one button to a memory
block of another button. Once two buttons are associated, you can press one
button to trigger its own functions, and also trigger all the commands associated
with the other button. Linking, in effect, adds more functionality to a button. If
all four of a button’s memory blocks are filled, you can link it to another button
and thereby issue up to eight commands when the trigger button is pressed.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-22

The MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen

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MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen (no links established)

The MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen is divided into two sections:

• Trigger: The buttons in this section represent the button that you press on

the MLC to issue the commands from both the linked buttons’ selected
memory blocks.

• Destination: The buttons in this section represent the memory blocks to

which you link buttons from the Trigger section. When you press the MLC
trigger button, the destination button’s function is performed after the
trigger button’s function.

In each section, each MLC 52 button is shown as a set of four buttons,
representing the MLC button’s four memory blocks. If a button memory block
has been programmed with an IR code, it is shown in red; if it has an RS-232
code, it is shown in green.

Other items of interest on the screen include:

• Trash can icon: Dragging a linked button from the Trigger section to this

• Return button: Click this button to return to the Controller (MLC) Config.

Follow these steps to set up button associations:

Button linking procedure

1. If needed, load a projector driver into the MLC, and program the buttons as

2. Click the Macro... button in the upper-right corner of the Controller (MLC)

icon removes the link from the button.

screen.

desired.

Only buttons that have been configured with IR or RS-232 codes can be used
as macro triggers.

Config. tab. The MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen is displayed,
covering the Controller tab.

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3. Select any of the command memory block buttons in the Trigger section (left

side) that contains a command (i.e., is red or green). Hold the mouse button
down as you drag the trigger button across the screen to the desired
memory block button in the Destination section (right side), then release it.

The selected trigger and destination buttons turn yellow, and both buttons
display the number of the selected destination memory block. A dropdown
menu appears also, giving you options for the amount of delay between
execution of the trigger button’s command and that of the destination
button. (See the illustration below.)

MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen with the delay times
dropdown menu displayed

4. Select the length of delay that will occur between when the trigger button’s

command is sent and when the destination button’s command is sent.

The trigger and destination buttons change to lighter shades of green
(RS-232) or red (IR) once they have been associated with each other.

MediaLink MACRO Configuration screen with one link

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-24

Linked buttons can be identified by their lighter shade of red or green, and

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by the destination button number displayed on the linked trigger and
destination buttons. In the example above, pressing the MLC’s projector
ON button also selects the VIDEO button command number.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all desired pairs of trigger and destination buttons

that you want to link.

6. When finished linking buttons, click Return in the lower-right corner of the

Macro screen to return to the Controller (MLC) Config. tab.

Linking buttons in macro mode

If an MLC button was placed in macro mode (see Selecting macro mode, earlier in
this section) before you clicked the Macro... button, all the memory block
rectangles in the Trigger section for that button also appear on the MediaLink
MACRO Configuration screen as green or red.

You can still link a button with a macro to another button. Drag the first of the
button’s memory block buttons from the Trigger section to the target memory
block button under Destination. When you press the trigger button, it issues all
its macro commands, then the command on the button to which it is linked.

Removing a link from a button

1. Click and drag the linked trigger memory block button to the trash can icon

at the bottom of the Macro screen, and release the button.

2. From the pop-up menu that appears, select OK - Remove Link. (If you do

not want to remove the link, select Cancel.)

3. If a confirmation prompt appears, click OK to confirm the

unlinking (or Cancel if you do not want to unlink).

Linking buttons in a series (“daisy-chaining”)

You can ”daisy-chain” trigger-destination links together to allow even more
control commands to be sent as a result of one button press.

For example, you could link the projector ON button to the VIDEO button, then
link the VIDEO button to the PC button, as shown in this example:

Macro screen showing the ON button linked to the VIDEO button
(#16), and the VIDEO button linked to the PC button (#8)

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When the ON button is pressed, the VIDEO button command 1 is issued, then the
PC button command 1.

If a daisy chain of button ties has been set up, pressing a linked button causes
commands to be sent out for only the links made from the pressed button to
subsequent buttons in the daisy chain. Button presses do not affect buttons
that come earlier in the chain. Also, input changes are executed for only the
pressed button, not for other buttons in the linking chain.

Programming the MLC 52 for control by the IR 452 Remote

The optional IR 452 Remote Control can issue commands to a projector, DVD,
VCR, or other device via the MLC 52, which can be programmed to pass on
commands received from the IR 452 via the optional IR Link. After programming
the MLC to recognize commands sent from the IR 452, you can control the
projector or other device by pressing the IR 452’s buttons while pointing the
remote control at the IR Link.

In the right section of the Controller Config. (MLC) tab, there is a diagram of the
IR 452. You can store remote control button commands on the MLC by adding IR
and/or RS-232 driver functions to these virtual buttons. The procedure for
programming IR 452 button commands is similar to the way you program
commands on the MLC 52 buttons in the left section of the tab.

In order to use the IR 452 remote with the MLC 52, you must install the
IR Link or IRL 20 and connect it to the MLC. (See Wiring for IR remote
control, in chapter 2.)

You cannot configure the MLC 52 from the IR 452 Remote Control.

To program the MLC to accept and send commands to the projector or other
device from the IR 452, follow these steps:

1. For RS-232 commands only: If you intend to program MLC to respond to

RS-232 commands via an IR 452 button, load the RS-232 driver for your
device to the MLC 52. See Loading Extron drivers for RS-232 communication,
earlier in this chapter.

2. Click on the button to which you want to add a command.

The IR 452 Remote Control buttons are represented as black rectangles on
the IR 452 diagram. When a button contains commands, a dot appears on
it. If the button’s first programmed memory block contains an IR command,
the dot is red. If the button’s first memory block contains an RS-232
command, the dot is green. (In the following example, the Display POWER
ON and POWER OFF buttons contain RS-232 commands.)

When you select a button, it becomes gray. In the example on the next page,
the Mute On button was selected.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-26

Mute On button selected on IR 452 diagram

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When you select the button, the following also occurs on the screen:

• The Button field in the upper-left corner of the tab displays IR 452,
followed by the name/function of the button that was selected. In the
previous example, this field contains “IR452-DISPLAY MUTE.”

• Like the MLC 52 buttons, each button on the virtual remote has four
memory blocks. The CMD radio buttons at the top of the tab (Cmd 1
through Cmd 4) also represent the memory blocks for the remote
buttons. The radio button for the memory block you are currently
programming is selected.

• Switch Mode and Actions buttons are displayed in a column down the
center of the tab.

3. In the Actions section, click the Pick IR Driver Functions or the Pick 232

Driver Functs button, depending on the type of command you want to store.
In the following example, an IR command will be added.

Pick IR Driver Functions button on Controller (MLC) Config. tab

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The Driver Selection window is displayed on top of the Controller (MLC)
Config. tab.

4. On the Driver Selection window, make selections in the following list boxes:
Driver Category — Type of product to be controlled (Video Projector, Web

TV, etc.)

Device Models — Model name/number of your projector or other device
Functions Available in Driver — Functions that the selected button can be

programmed to perform

Driver Selection window for IR command on IR 452

5. Click the Take Button Config button to implement your selections. The
command is programmed into the button’s selected memory block.

On the Driver Selection window, the radio button for the command memory
block you just programmed is surrounded by a red field (for an IR
command) or a green field (for an RS-232 command). In the following
example, an IR command was added.

Driver Selection window showing that IR 452 memory block 1
(Cmd 1) contains an IR (red) command

6. If you want to assign another command to the same button, select the next
Cmd radio button on the Driver Selection window, and repeat steps 4 and 5.

For each button, you can perform this procedure up to four times, until the
button’s four memory blocks are all assigned.

For IR, you can mix driver functions from different devices on the same
button. For example, you can program a DISPLAY POWER ON button
with one command to turn on a Sanyo projector, and another command to
turn on an NEC projector. You can also add IR commands to a button on
which RS-232 commands have also been programmed, and vice versa.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-28

7. When finished programming commands to the button, click Close to close

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the Driver Selection window.

On the Controller Config. (MLC) tab, the following is displayed:

• At the top of the tab, the radio button for the command memory block
you just programmed is surrounded by a red field (for an IR command)
or a green field (for an RS-232 command). In the example above, an IR
command was programmed in memory block 1 (Cmd 1).

• A dot appears on the button to indicate that it contains commands. If
the button’s first programmed memory block contains an IR command,
the dot is red. If the button’s first memory block contains an RS-232
command, the dot is green. (In the same example, the MUTE ON
button now contains an IR command.)

IR 452 diagram showing an IR command programmed on the
MUTE ON button

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Removing commands from an IR 452 button

You can remove either one command from an IR 452 button, or all the button’s
commands at once.

Similar to the MLC 52 front panel buttons, removing commands one at a
time is allowed only in descending order. For example, you must remove
command 4 before removing commands 3, 2, and 1.

1. Select the button from which you want to remove commands. The button

becomes light gray.

2. If you want to remove only one command, select the Cmd radio button for

the memory block containing the command to be removed.

If you want to remove all the commands, you do not need to select a Cmd
radio button.

3. Under Remove IR/232 Codes in the Actions field, click one of the following

buttons:

• One Command — Removes the command only from the selected

memory block

• All Commands in Button — Removes all the commands from all the

memory blocks on the button.

A confirmation prompt window appears.

4. Click OK. The specified command(s) are removed from the selected button.

On the screen, the red or green field is removed from around the Cmd radio
button(s).

Performing IR Learning via software

The MLC 52 can “learn” commands from your projector’s remote control in order
to control the projector or devices such as VCRs or DVD players. Using IR
Learning, you can program command codes to each of the button’s four memory
blocks. You can also use IR Learning to program the IR 452 button functions on
the MLC. (The MLC cannot be mounted in the wall or furniture when you are
doing this.)

Follow these steps to initiate IR Learning via the Configuration program:

1. Set configuration DIP switch #1 on the MLC rear panel to

On (up).

2. Open the MLC 52 configuration software.

3. On the MLC 52 or the IR 452 diagram on the Controller (MLC) Config. tab,

select the button for which you want the MLC to learn IR codes.

4. Select the Cmd radio button for the memory block where you want the

command to be stored.

5. Click Learn IR to Button.

1ON234

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-30

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Learn IR to Button on the Controller (MLC) Config. tab

If you have not set Configuration Switch #1 to On (step 1), the following
dialog box opens, prompting you to do so. Flip the switch, then click OK.

6. The following dialog box opens, indicating the button to which IR codes

will be learned, and to allow you to OK or cancel the IR learning process.

7. When you are ready to start, click OK. A Status of IR Learning message area

appears beneath the Actions field, instructing you to aim the projector
remote control and press the button whose function you want the MLC to
learn.

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Status of IR Learning field with instructions to aim remote control
and press button

8. Hold the projector’s remote control 4" to 14" (10 cm to 36 cm) away from

and directly facing the MLC’s IR Learning LEDs. (You may need to
experiment to determine the best IR learning distance for each remote
control.) Press the desired button on the projector remote within 5 seconds.

If the command was learned successfully, the Status of IR Learning message
field briefly displays “Learn Succeeded,” then disappears.

If the command was not learned for any reason, the following dialog box
appears, telling you that the learn failed, and giving you the opportunity to
retry or cancel.

9. Repeat steps 2 through 8 for each button to be set up with IR codes.

10. Place configuration DIP switch #1 back in the Off position. (All four

Using the Advanced Projector Config. tab

The Advanced Projector Config. tab, shown on the next page, provides a way to
check the type, length, and location of codes (IR and RS-232), if any, that are
stored in the memory blocks for the MLC buttons. On this tab you can also edit
or enter RS-232 codes (not IR), define the steps by which your projector’s audio
volume will be increased and/or decreased, and change the name of the
projector driver. If you want to enter your unidirectional RS-232 codes that are
not included in any of the downloadable drivers, you can program them on this
screen using Hex or ASCII.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-32

switches should be down.)

You cannot edit IR commands; the advanced projector functions are
available for RS-232 only.

For additional details on using the features of the Advanced Projector Config.

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tab, refer to the MLC 52 Help file.

Advanced Projector Config. tab example

To view and program RS-232 commands to the MLC buttons using the Advanced
Projector Config. tab, do the following:

1. In the top section of the tab, click on the diagram of the button that you

want to program with RS-232 commands. In the example below, the PC
button has been selected.

Input selection button representations

2. Select the Cmd radio button for the button memory block that you want to

program.

3. In the Sends field, select the RS-232 radio button, if it is not already selected.

Sends radio buttons

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• If the selected MLC button currently contains no commands, the None
radio button in the Sends field is filled. Select the RS-232 radio button
to add commands to the button.

• If the MLC button already contains commands, the Sends radio button
for the command type on the button is filled. To add RS-232 commands
to this button, select the RS-232 radio button.

4. In the middle section of the tab, set the scroll bar below the Bytes box to the

number of bytes required for your command.

Bytes box and slider

If the button already contains IR commands, the IR radio button
is selected, but it is grayed out and unavailable. You can add
only RS-232 commands to these buttons from this tab.

The large HEX box displays an “FF” pair for each byte of the number
shown in the Bytes box. In the example above, the Bytes box shows 2, and
there are two pairs of FFs in the large HEX field.

5. Click in the small HEX or ASCII box.

6. Enter the text for your command in either the HEX or the ASCII small text

box (located above the large HEX and ASCII fields). Hexadecimal
commands are entered in pairs of characters; ASCII commands are entered
in single characters. (See your projector’s user manual for the available
commands.)

As you enter text in the small box for the first time, the characters you enter
are also inserted in the large box in front of the small rectangle. With each
subsequent entry you make, the rectangle moves to the next position,
indicating the insertion point for your next entry.

Keep the following in mind when programming commands on the
Advanced Projector Configuration tab:

• You can enter only as many characters (ASCII) or pairs of characters
(Hex) as the number of bytes you specified in the Bytes box. If you
attempt to enter more characters than you have bytes for, the last entry
you make replaces the previous one inside the small rectangle.

• Hexadecimal commands can be made up of numerals 0 through 9 and
letters A through F. The HEX text box accepts only those characters.

• Hex commands must be entered as two characters. If you want to enter
a single-character command, you must enter a 0 (zero) in front of it. For
example, the Hex command D would be entered as 0D.

• The maximum number of bytes of programming that a button can

accept is 32—four commands consisting of up to eight bytes each.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-34

7. When finished entering commands for the selected button, click the Take

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button in the lower-right corner of the screen to send the commands to the
MLC.

Take button on Advanced Projector Config. tab

8. If you want to program any additional buttons, follow steps 1 through 6 for

each button you want to configure. If you are finished programming, it is
recommended that you save these button settings as a configuration file.
(See Saving the configuration, earlier in this chapter.)

Creating a volume table

If a projector driver does not already exist for your projector, and the projector
requires discrete audio volume commands (for each percent of maximum volume,
for example), as opposed to a pair of volume up/down commands, you can
program those commands in the Volume Table section.

Use the volume table only if you plan to use the display device’s audio
inputs.

When you click the Volume Table button on the Advanced Projector Config. tab,
slider bars and buttons are displayed, by enabling you to set volume adjustment
step parameters. You can do this either by dragging the slider button right or left,
or by clicking on the right or left arrows at the ends of the slide bars.

If you select the Tools button, a pop-up menu (shown
at right) appears, giving you further options for
displaying the volume table.

Refer to your projector user manual for information
on the size and number of steps required for your projector’s volume table; or
contact the projector manufacturer.

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Follow these procedures to set up a new volume table:

1. Click the Volume Table button in the top section of the Advanced Projector

Config. tab. The volume table slide bars and buttons are displayed.

Volume Table fields on Advanced Projector Config. tab

2. In the Sends field, select the RS-232 radio button, if it is not already selected.

3. In the Max step size field, select the maximum number of bytes the steps to

increase/decrease the volume will be. (The default is 15 bytes.)

Max step size radio buttons

Always perform this step before you perform the rest of this procedure.
Once you begin making entries for the volume table, the Max step size field
is locked, and you are unable to change your selection.

4. Use the Total Steps slider to set the total number of volume adjustment steps

that will be in the volume table.

5. In the Bytes field below the Sends field, set the scroll bar for the number of
bytes that will be in the first step in your volume table.

In the example below, the number of bytes for the first step is set to 9. Note
that the large HEX and ASCII boxes both display nine byte representations.
The Current Step box below the slider displays 1, indicating that Step 1 is
currently being programmed.

Bytes scroll bar

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-36

6. Each volume adjustment step is a separate command, for which you enter

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text for each byte. Enter the text for the first byte of your Step 1 command in
either the HEX or the ASCII small text box (located above the large HEX and
ASCII fields). Hexadecimal commands are entered in pairs of characters;
ASCII commands are entered in single characters.

Entering Step 1 command

In the example above, the first byte of the Step 1 command was entered as
hexadecimal 1D. Note that the ASCII equivalent was automatically entered
in the ASCII box at the same time. (Each byte can be entered in either hex or
ASCII, regardless of what you used for the previous byte.)

After the first byte is entered, the cursor frames in both large boxes move to
the next position, which is filled when you enter the next byte of the
command in one of the small boxes.

7. Repeat step 6 until you have programmed all the bytes for the first step. The

example on the next page shows the command for the first step of a volume
table.

Example of a Step 1 command of a volume table

8. Enter command strings for the rest of the steps in your volume table.

If most of the steps for volume increments in your table have similar RS-232
codes, the following method will save you time:

a. Click the Tools button. From the Tools pop-up menu, select Fill table

w/ copies of step 1. This copies the command string for the first step

into all the subsequent steps.

b. Move the Current Step slider to the right until 2 appears in the box

below it. The large HEX and ASCII boxes display the Step 1 command.

c. Select and change only the bytes that are different for the second step.

(Refer to your projector user manual to find out the codes for each step.)

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In the example below, the ninth byte was changed from F3 to E7 for
Step 2, and two more bytes were added (00 and 16). Note that the Bytes
field was set to 11. These are the only difference between volume Steps
1 and 2.

Sample command for Step 2 of the same volume table

d. Move the Current Step slider until the next step number appears.
e. Repeat steps c and d for the rest of the volume adjustment steps you

want to program.

If you have a small number of volume steps to program, and/or the step
command strings vary significantly, repeat steps 6 and 7 to program each
volume adjustment step.

9. When you are finished programming all the steps of your volume table,

click Take to save your entries. If you want to abandon the changes you
made most recently, click Cancel.

Clicking Cancel abandons only the volume step command entered most
recently. The rest of the volume table that you created remains in place. If
you want to remove the entire volume table, you must clear the Use for
VOLUME control check box on the Controller Config. (MLC) tab.

To remove a volume table from the MLC, see Removing commands from a button,
earlier in this chapter.

Buttons for the IR 452-accessible functions

The Display Mute, Display UnMute, DVD, and VCR buttons on the Advanced
Projector Config. tab can be programmed with commands that must be
transmitted to the MLC via the IR 452 Remote Control and the IR Link. These
buttons represent buttons on the IR 452 diagram on the Controller Config. (MLC)
tab, and selections on this screen appear as green dots on the diagram’s
equivalent buttons.

Display Mute and Display Unmute — You can configure these buttons to turn
the video display off and on, without powering it off.

DVD — You can configure this button to select the DVD input.
VCR — You can configure this button to select the VCR input.

These buttons give you an alternative way to program input selection and other
projector functions with RS-232 (not IR) commands, using hexadecimal and/or
ASCII. Follow the steps for configuring the MLC input selection buttons on this
tab, beginning on page 5-32.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-38

Misc. Options tab

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The Misc. Options tab, shown below, includes an assortment of settings,
including those pertaining to the projector, audio volume, and resetting the
memories to factory defaults.

Misc. Options tab

When you make a change to an item on the Misc. Options tab, the Exit Program
button in the lower-right corner of the screen is replaced by the Cancel and Take
buttons.

• To save your changes, click Take. If you do not click the Take button, your

changes are not implemented.

• To abandon the changes, click Cancel.

The Misc. Options tab contains the following fields:
Pwr-UP Delay and Pwr-Dn Delay — You can move these two sliders to select

the number of seconds (0 to 300) that the projector will take to warm up
(delay powering on) or cool down (delay powering off) after a Projector On
or Off button is pressed.

Auto shutoff — If the Auto shutoff check box is selected, the MLC monitors the

time elapsed since the last button press and sends a display power Off
command (or that command and any other commands associated with the
Projector OFF button) after a set period of inactivity. You can move the
slider to adjust this period of projector inactivity by 15-minute increments,
from 0 to 720 minutes (12 hours).

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Projector Volume Options —

• Rate refers to the speed at which volume control commands are sent to

the projector or plasma. The fastest command-sending rate is 0, the
slowest is 3.

• In this field, you can also select the settings that match the projector’s
volume control settings:

Increment/Decr: If your projector uses increment/decrement
commands (only one command is issued to increase the volume, and
one is issued to decrease it), this radio button is selected.

Table: If your projector uses a table of predetermined levels to adjust
the volume, this radio button is selected. Also, the number of steps
used for volume adjustment is indicated in the Steps box. Refer to the
projector’s manual or the display driver setup document for details.

Projector Comm — In this area you can set the communications protocol (baud

rate, parity, data bits) that is required by the projector.

Misc. Options — This section provides a way to send (or not send) commands

while the display is off or powering down or powering up, and to repeat
power-down commands.

• No IR/232 while Display Power Off: If this check box is selected, no
IR or RS-232 codes are sent to the projector while it is powered off,
warming up, or cooling down (except for the command to power on).

• Bypass Power down button 2 second Holdoff: When this check box is
cleared (the default), in order to power off the projector you must press
and hold the power off button for 2 seconds, after which the OFF
button starts to blink and the projector begins to shut down. (This
helps prevent accidental powering off of the projector.)

To disable the 2-second button press requirement, select this check box.

Reset to Factory Defaults —

Total Factory Reset (MLC only)! is a global reset that clears

(including button configuration and IR and RS-232 commands and
drivers) in the MLC.

all settings

Using emulation mode

The MLC 52 Configuration program features an emulation mode so that you can
set up an MLC 52 system before equipment is available on site. You can save the
emulated settings to a configuration file, then load that configuration file to the
MLC 52 when the actual equipment is available.

To operate in emulation mode, follow these steps:

1. Start the MLC 52 configuration program.

2. On the Comm Port Selection screen, select the Emulate radio button, then

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-40

click OK.

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Comm Port Selection screen

The Initialize Emulated MediaLink Configuration from... dialog box opens.

3. You can create a new configuration starting from the default settings), or

you can base the configuration on an existing setup.

• If you will be creating a brand new configuration, click Cancel on the

Initialize Emulated MediaLink Configuration from... window.

The emulated system starts out with the MLC 52 default settings.

• If you want to create a configuration based on an existing
configuration file, (one that was previously saved), select the desired
configuration (___.MLK) file. Click Open.

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The Save Emulated MediaLink Configuration as... dialog box opens.

4. Enter a filename of your choice for storing the configuration settings (it

must have a .mlk extension), then click Save.

5. Select the MLC 52 model (RS or IR) that you are configuring, then click OK.

MLC 52 Series MediaLink Controller • Serial Communication5-42

The MediaLink EMULATION MODE Configuration dialog box appears, as
shown below.

The MLC 52 main screen appears, with EMULATION MODE at the bottom.