Niles Audio iC2 User Manual
I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E
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H O ME THE AT E R A UT O M AT IO N AN D CO N T RO L SY S T EM
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for purchasing the iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System from Niles.
With proper installation and operation, you should enjoy years of trouble-free use.
Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation components and
accessories for audio/video systems. To see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on
the Internet at: www.nilesaudio.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and Benefits 2
Contents 4
Parts Guide 4
System Design Considerations 8
Installation Considerations 14
Installation 18
Troubleshooting 23
Accessories 25
Specifications 27
Warranty 28
Warranty Registration Card 29
INTRODUCTION
The Niles iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System addresses an essential need of
today’s consumers—the ability to easily control and manage the assortment of entertainment
sources found in the home theater environment.
Home entertainment systems should be fun, not frustrating, and Niles has always recognized the
need for simple-to-use, cost-effective solutions. We also recognize that features and technologies
change over time, and more so than ever, these changing technologies require advanced
automation, as well as an easy-to-use remote control.
The iC2 System consists of two main components: the iC2 Remote and the Home Theater Main
System Unit (HT-MSU). The iC2 Remote incorporates large buttons and a logical layout of function
keys that reflect today’s popular and menu-driven sources so anyone in the family can operate
complex systems. And, unlike traditional remote controls, the iC2 Remote does not require users
to point the remote at the products to be controlled.
The HT-MSU, or the “brains” of the iC2 System, stores the complete system profile (i.e., television,
surround receiver, cable boxes, satellite receiver, DVD, etc.). In addition, the HT-MSU can automate
functions like lighting control, TV lifts, draperies, projection screens, and more.
The Niles iC2 System gives end users one-touch control of their home theater system and reflects
the high quality fit and finish that meets the standards
of today’s consumers.
Niles is one of the industry’s most respected manufacturers of custom installation audio/video
components and accessories. To see the complete line of Niles products, visit us on the Internet at:
www.nilesaudio.com.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS
SIMPLE CONTROL OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS
The iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System simplifies entertainment by allowing onetouch control of home theater components. Ordinary home theater system controllers require users
to turn on (and off) multiple components, resulting in a confusing situation of hunting down the
fugitive component that is “off,” when it really should be “on.”
The iC2 System eliminates the confusion—a single touch of any of the eight installer-labeled
“activity” keys will initiate an intelligent sequence of commands, so whether you’re playing a DVD
or watching a program recorded on your DVR, the iC2 System provides quick and easy access to
your entertainment.
A COMPLETE SYSTEM
The iC2 System consists of an ergonomically designed Radio Frequency (RF) tabletop-styled
remote control and an “intelligent” Home Theater Main System Unit (HT-MSU). Powerful
combinations of hardware and software functions within the Main System Unit manage and
automate control of every aspect of a home theater.
BIG BUTTON REMOTE WITH CONVENIENT FEATURES
The iC2 Remote is refreshingly practical with large, customizable source keys and backlighting
that can be used in low-light environments and without looking at the buttons. Its rechargeable
battery has a long “off-charger” life, and users don’t have to change batteries. The iC2 Remote is a
big button remote that can be programmed to control today’s most popular entertainment sources.
Large channel up and down keys offer quick channel surfing and a system off key provides onetouch turn off of the entire home theater system.
INTELLIGENT MAIN SYSTEM UNIT
The HT-MSU has both video and 12 Volt sync inputs to manage the power “state” of all your home
theater system components. With eight power sensing (synchronization) ports, eight IR (infrared)
ports, and eight RS232 (serial) ports and an expansion port, the HT-MSU can control up to 29
devices. The HT-MSU also includes “dry contact closure” relays and 12V trigger outputs that can
be used to control things like projector lifts, screens, drapes or lighting; and an “Ethernet” port is
included for system expansion, communication to Niles multizone receivers, and future upgrades.
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INSTALLATION FLEXIBILITY
With a low profile design, easy-to-access connections, and mounting wings with rack-mount
spacing, the HT-MSU can be wall-mounted behind theater components or attached to the back of
metal professional racks. The HT-MSU incorporates an infrared pass-through port allowing control
over sources that use original remotes, even if the system is hidden from view.
RELIABLE ZIGBEE® RF COMMUNICATION
The iC2 System uses a very reliable 2.4 GHz radio frequency that works extremely well even in RF
“noisy” environments. The iC2 System’s 10-channel and 16-network ID capability allows multiple
iC2 Systems to be used near each other, as well as in multiple-dwelling units like condos and
townhouses.
QUICK AND EASY SET-UP WITH WIZARD-BASED NILES
QUICKCONFIG™ PC CONFIGURATION SOFTWARE
An iC2 System configuration can be programmed, saved, and edited using the Niles QuickConfig
PC Configuration Software and Niles IR-CS Infrared Capture Station. The QuickConfig software is
wizard based and guides the installer/programmer through basic and advanced system designs.
ASSIGNABLE RELAYS AND 12V OUTPUTS
Three dry contact closures and three 12V DC trigger outputs can be independently programmed
to give installers greater control of mechanical devices or voltage-triggered power strips and
dispersion controlled home theater loudspeakers.
INTELLIGENT INTEGRATION WITH MULTIZONE SYSTEMS
The Home Theater Main System Unit includes control ports that allow the iC2 System to “share”
sources with whole-house distributed audio systems. The power state of these “shared” sources
can be completely managed so that sources are always powered-on when they need to be and
powered-off when both whole-house and home theater systems are turned off.
PROGRAM MEMORY PROTECTION
The entire system profile is stored in non-volatile memory within the HT-MSU. This safeguards
against accidental loss of the configuration programming for the entire life of the product under
normal use.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373
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CONTENTS
Check that your iC2 Home Theater Automation and Control System contains the following:
• Home Theater Main System Unit (HT-MSU)
• HT-MSU Power Supply
• RF Antenna
• Antenna Wall Bracket
• 10' (3 meters) Antenna Extension Cable
• End User Guide
• iC2 Remote + Battery
• iC2 Remote Charging Power Supply
• Master Key Label Sheet
• 10 iC2 Remote Master Key Caps
• System Configuration Worksheet
• Ferrite Bead
PARTS GUIDE
THE IC2 REMOTE
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Figure 1. iC2 Remote Front View
1) Master Keys - The eight Master Keys on the left side of the remote can be custom labeled
and will initiate the iC2’s automation functions when programmed via Niles QuickConfig. Pressing a
Master Key will prompt the HT-MSU to check the On/Off status of all of the components in the system
and issue the necessary commands so users can enjoy the selected source.
2) System Off Button - When pressed, the Remote will instruct the HT-MSU to check the
On/Off status of all the components in the system and issue the necessary commands to power down
the system.
3) Function Keys - These 36 Function Keys include the numeric, transport menu navigation
mute, volume and channel keys, and can be programmed to control the labeled Master Keys’ source
functions. The Function Keys can be programmed differently for each Master Key and provide
different functionality or sequences.
4) Backlight Button - This button is used to turn on the backlight for use in low light
conditions. The backlight will turn off after a short duration (about 10 seconds) and can be
programmed for activation.
5) Charging Indicator - The LED is blue when the charging power supply is plugged in and
the battery is charging normally. The LED is red if there is a problem with charging the battery.
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Figure 2. iC2 Remote Bottom View
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373
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6) Reset Button - This button is used to reset the remote. Should the remote lock up and/or
not communicate with the HT-MSU, use a paper clip to access the reset button.
7) Battery Door - The battery compartment is accessed via the battery door, which is
secured with a Phillips head screw.
Figure 3. iC2 Remote Rear View
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8) USB Connection - The USB connection is a diagnostic connection used by the Niles Audio
Corporation Service Center only.
9) Power Connection - This is the connection where the charging power supply connects
to the Remote. When the power supply is plugged into the wall outlet, the remote’s Master Keys
will blink three times to indicate a proper connection. The Charging Indicator LED will be blue while
the battery is charging.
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THE HOME THEATER MAIN SYSTEM UNIT (HT-MSU)
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1) IR Outputs
Figure 4.
HT-MSU Top View
- SRC1 – SRC6, TV/7, RCV/8 are eight dedicated 3.5mm jack source flasher
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outputs that output IR data specifically for that source.
2) RS232 Outputs
- SRC1 – SRC6, TV/7 and RCV/8 are eight dedicated 3.5mm jack source
serial outputs that output RS232 data specifically for that source.
3) Assignable 12V Outputs
- Three 3.5mm jacks, output 12V DC 150mA
when activated:
a
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12V outputs 1 & 2 are independent of each other and are programmable
to output 12V momentarily or constantly when activated.
4) Assignable Relays
b. 12V output 3 is assignable and outputs 12V constantly when active.
- There are three, 3-position removable quick connect plugs labeled
1, 2 and 3 for connecting either NO (normally open) or NC (normally closed) contact closure devices
to the HT-MSU.
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
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5) IR Input - A 4-position removable quick connect plug for connecting an IR sensor to the
HT-MSU. This connection allows IR control of the HT-MSU and/or IR pass-through for connected
sources.
6) Global IR Output - A 3.5mm jack provides all IR codes that the HT-MSU generates and all
IR codes that come in through the IR Input connection and can be configured via Niles QuickConfig
for Normal or High output. Normal output is designed for a Niles MF1 IR MicroFlasher®; high output
is designed for a Niles IRB1 High-Output IR Flasher.
7) RF Antenna Socket - The BNC connector accommodates the supplied antenna.
The antenna must be installed perpendicular to the ground for best results. A 10 foot (3 meter)
antenna extension cable and mounting bracket are included if remote installation of the antenna
is necessary.
8) Status 12V or Video - Six video and voltage-sensing RCA sync inputs for sources 1
through 6 detect when a source is on/off for reliable system activation.
9) Status 12V - Two voltage-sensing 3.5mm jacks for sources TV/7 and RCV/8 detect when
those sources are on/off for reliable system activation.
10) Power 12V DC - A barrel connection for the provided 12V DC power supply.
11) Diagnostic - A USB A connection for Niles Service Center.
12) PC Connection/Expansion - A RJ45 connection used to plug in a laptop computer
for system configuration programming or expanding the system design out to future Niles multizone
receivers. Niles QuickConfig is used for system configuration.
13) RF Test - A 3.5mm jack used to connect the optional Niles IR/RF tester for testing RF
reception.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373
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SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The Niles iC2 System is a highly flexible tool that allows system designers to create home theater
systems that will delight customers. Simplicity in operation is at the core of the iC2 System’s
design. Features like HDMI video switching surround receivers and televisions, high-definition DSS
satellite receivers, and DVD managing media servers can make home theater systems extremely
difficult to operate. The following section explains just some of the system design features of the
Niles iC2 System.
To fully understand the system configurations, it’s important to understand the basic control sections of the HT-MSU.
IR OUTPUT PORTS
IR (Infrared) codes are stored in the HT-MSU during configuration programming. The labels of the
IR Outputs identify what source number these ports are designed to operate. SRC1 means source
1. The outputs are labeled SRC1 through SRC6, TV/7 and RCV/8. If the TV is to be controlled via
IR codes, then the IR Output TV/7 port should be used. However, if the TV will be controlled via
RS232, then the TV/7 IR output can be used to control an alternate IR source. These IR outputs are
dedicated and routed, meaning IR codes stored for source number 3 (i.e. a DVD player) can only
be emitted from the IR output port labeled SRC3. RCV/8 can be used either for the receiver in the
home theater or a source number 8.
RS232 OUTPUT PORTS
RS232 is a serial device control protocol that allows sources to be controlled via a transmit-receive
cable (See the Installation section for wiring information). RS232 codes are stored in the HT-MSU
as string codes during configuration programming. The labels of the RS232 outputs identify what
source number they are designed to operate. SRC1 means source 1. The outputs are labeled SRC1
through SRC6, TV/7 and RCV/8. If the TV is to be controlled via RS232 codes, then the RS232 TV/7
port should be used. However, if the TV will be controlled via IR, then the RS232 TV/7 port can
be used to control an alternate RS232 source. These RS232 outputs are dedicated and routed,
meaning RS232 codes stored for source number 3 (i.e. a DVD player) can only be emitted from the
RS232 output port labeled SRC3. RCV/8 can be used either for the receiver in the home theater or a
source number 8.
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