Crestron MC4 - User Manual

The Crestron® MC4 and MC4-I 4-Series media room controllers provide
secure, high-performance, cost-effective control processors and
interfaces. Their small form factor and versatile mounting options make
them ideal for applications such as single-room systems, small to
medium-sized homes and offices, and MDUs (multidwelling units). The
controlsystem includes a built-in infiNET EX® and ER wireless gateway
for acquiring wireless devices as well as numerous control ports for
controlling wired devices.
NOTE:TheMC4 and MC4-I are functionally similar. For simplicity
within this guide, the term "control system"is used to refer to both
the MC4 and MC4-Iunless otherwise noted.
In the Box
1 MC4 or MC4-I, 4-Series Media Room Controller
Additional Items
1 Rack Ear, Left (2053897)
1 Rack Ear, Right (2053896)
4 Nut, 10-32 (2004889)
1 Antenna, Dual Band, 2.4/5.8 GHz (2052945)
1 Cable, CAT5e, 5 ft (1.52 m) (2022311)
2 Connector, 3-Pin (2003575)
4 Connector, 4-Pin (2003576)
Install the Device
The control system may be mounted into a rack or onto a flat surface.
Rack Mounting
The control system occupies 1U of rack space when using the provided
rack ears.
1. Attach the rack ears to the device:
a. Insert the two threaded posts on the left rack ear up and into the
front opening in the left mounting flange of the control system.
Repeat this step for the right rack ear.
b. Attach the four provided nuts to the threaded posts to secure the
rack ears to the control system.
MC4/MC4-I
Quick Start
1

Summary

MC4;MC4-1 Quick Start Guide

Install the Device

Guidance on mounting the control system into a rack or onto a flat surface.

In the Box

Lists the control system and additional items included in the product packaging.

Rack Mounting Procedures

Surface Mounting

Instructions for mounting the control system to a flat surface using mounting screws.

Device Connectivity

Front Panel Connections

Details the front panel ports including PWR, HW-R, SW-R, ACQUIRE, and MEMORY slot.

Rear Panel Connections

Details the rear panel ports including LAN PoE, CRESNET, EX/ER, IR, VER SI, IR IN, and USB.

Device Configuration

Mount the Antenna

Guidelines for placing the antenna for optimal signal strength and rack enclosure mounting.

Configuration via IP Address

Steps to access the web configuration interface using the control system's IP address.

Cloud and Admin Configuration

Configuration via Crestron XIO Cloud

Steps to access the web configuration interface using the Crestron XIO Cloud service.

Create an Admin Account

Process for creating an administrator username and password for the web interface.

System Settings

Set the Time Zone

Steps to set the time zone on the control system via the web interface.

Assign the RF Channel

Instructions on setting the RF channel for optimal performance, including Wi-Fi band considerations.

Acquire Devices and Product Info

Acquire Devices to the Control System

Process for acquiring infiNET EX and ER devices to the control system's gateway.

Visit the Product Page

QR codes and links to the product pages for MC4 and MC4-1.

Additional Information

Overview

1. Installation and Mounting
2. Device Connections
3. Powering and Grounding
4. Antenna Mounting
5. Device Configuration
6. Configuration via IP Address
7. Configuration via Crestron XiO Cloud
8. Admin Account Creation
9. Setting the Time Zone
10. Assigning the RF Channel
11. Acquiring Devices
12. Important Notes for Acquisition
13. To acquire an infiNET EX or ER device

The Crestron MC4 and MC4-1 are 4-Series media room controllers designed to provide secure, high-performance, and cost-effective control processing and interfaces. Their compact size and flexible mounting options make them suitable for various applications, including single-room systems, small to medium-sized homes and offices, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs). These control systems feature a built-in infiNET EX® and ER wireless gateway, enabling them to acquire wireless devices, alongside numerous control ports for managing wired devices. The MC4 and MC4-1 are functionally similar, and for simplicity, this guide refers to both as "control system."

Installation and Mounting

The control system offers versatile installation options, allowing it to be mounted in a rack or on a flat surface.

For rack mounting, the control system occupies 1U of rack space when utilizing the provided rack ears. To install, first attach the rack ears to the device. This involves inserting two threaded posts from the left rack ear upwards into the front opening of the left mounting flange of the control system, and repeating the process for the right rack ear. Four provided nuts are then used to secure the rack ears to the control system. Once the rack ears are attached, the control system can be secured to the rack rails using four rack mounting screws (not provided).

For surface mounting, the control system can be affixed to a flat surface such as a wall or under a table using four mounting screws (not provided). It can also be discreetly mounted behind a flat panel display or similar equipment.

Device Connections

The control system features various ports for connecting both wired and wireless devices.

The front panel includes indicators and buttons for PWR (Power), HW-R (Hardware Reset), SW-R (Software Reset), and ACQUIRE. There is also a MEMORY slot for an SD-compatible card, with contacts facing down.

The rear panel offers a comprehensive array of connection ports:

• LAN PoE (100/1000BASE-TX Ethernet to LAN): This port provides both network connectivity and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to the control system. It is rated for 11.5W MAX and is a Class 3 device.
• CRESNET (24 Y Z G): Connects to any Cresnet® network device.
• EX/ER: Connects to the antenna for wireless communication.
• IR (1-4) (S G S G): Four ports for connecting to TTL/RS-232 devices.
• COM (GND TX RX): For serial controlled devices.
• VER SI (1-2) (1 2 G): Two ports for digital I/O or analog input devices.
• RELAY (1 2): For contact closure devices.
• IR IN: Connects to a CNXRMIRD IR receiver.
• USB: For connecting to storage devices.
• G (Ground): A chassis ground lug for proper grounding.

Powering and Grounding

The control system is powered via PoE, either through a Crestron PoE injector (PWE-4803RU) or a Crestron PoE switch (CEN-SW-POE-5 or CEN-SWPOE-16), all sold separately. The included cables should not be extended. It is crucial to connect the chassis ground lug to a known earth ground circuit (such as building steel) to ensure proper grounding. Power should only be applied after all connections have been made.

Antenna Mounting

The included dual-band 2.4/5.8 GHz antenna (2052945) must be placed in a location that optimizes signal strength and minimizes impedance. For detailed best practices, refer to the "Best Practices for Installation and Setup of Crestron RF Products" (Doc. 6689) available on www.crestron.com/manuals. If the control system is installed in a rack enclosure, the antenna should be mounted outside the enclosure using the Crestron ANT-EXT-10 (sold separately). Further information on this can be found in the "ANT-EXT-10 Installation Guide" (Doc. 7047) on www.crestron.com/manuals.

Device Configuration

The control system can be configured using its web configuration interface, accessible via the control system's IP address or the Crestron XiO Cloud™ service.

Configuration via IP Address

The control system ships with DHCP enabled, requiring a DHCP server to access the web configuration interface via its IP address. To configure:

1. Connect the control system to the network.
2. Use the Device Discovery tool in Crestron Toolbox™ software to find the control system and its IP address.
3. Enter the control system's IP address into a web browser.

Configuration via Crestron XiO Cloud

The Crestron XiO Cloud service allows for centralized management and configuration of supported Crestron devices across an enterprise. To use this service, a registered Crestron XiO Cloud account is required.

1. Connect the control system to the network.
2. Record the MAC address and serial number from the top of the control system, as these are needed to add the device to the service.
3. For existing accounts, access the Crestron XiO Cloud service at https://portal.crestron.io. For new accounts, register at www.crestron.com/xio-cloud-registration.
4. Claim the device to the service as described in the "Crestron XiO Cloud User Guide" (Doc. 8214) at www.crestron.com/manuals.
5. Select the device from the cloud interface to view its settings. Note that the device can be disconnected from the service via the Cloud Services tab in Crestron Toolbox software (Functions > Device Info > Cloud Services).

Admin Account Creation

The first time the web configuration interface is accessed, a dialog box prompts the user to create an admin account. A similar message appears when connecting via Crestron Toolbox if an admin account hasn't been created.

1. Enter a username and password for the admin account in the provided text fields.
   • CAUTION: Losing this username and password will necessitate a factory reset to regain access.
2. Click OK. A dialog box will confirm that enabling authentication will restart the web session.
3. Click Yes to confirm and restart. The newly created username and password must be entered to regain access to the web configuration interface, as well as when connecting to Crestron Toolbox or XPanel.

Setting the Time Zone

The time zone must be correctly set on the control system to ensure accurate time settings are pushed to controlled devices.

1. Access the web configuration interface via the device IP address or Crestron XiO Cloud service.
2. Navigate to Settings > System Setup.
3. Select the correct time zone from the Time Zone drop-down menu.
4. Click Save Changes in the top right of the screen.

Assigning the RF Channel

The RF channel of the control system must be set prior to operation. The control system supports channels 11 through 26, with Crestron recommending channels 15 or 20. The default RF channel is 15.

For optimal performance in a Wi-Fi® network environment, avoid setting the RF channel within a Wi-Fi channel band.

• Gateway channels 11-14 are within the Wi-Fi channel 1 band.
• Gateway channel 15 is adjacent to Wi-Fi channels 1 and 6.
• Gateway channels 16-19 are within the Wi-Fi channel 6 band.
• Gateway channel 20 is adjacent to Wi-Fi channels 6 and 11.
• Gateway channels 21-24 are within the Wi-Fi channel 11 band.
• Gateway channel 25 is adjacent to Wi-Fi channel 11.
• Gateway channel 26 is neither within nor adjacent to any Wi-Fi band.

Crestron RF devices fall into two categories: infiNET EX network devices and Crestron Extended Range (ER) devices. infiNET EX devices automatically match the gateway's channel, while ER devices require manual channel assignment to match the gateway's channel. Use Crestron Toolbox to set the control system RF channel by navigating to Functions > infiNET EX Gateway. Refer to the Crestron Toolbox help file for more information.

Acquiring Devices

Crestron infiNET EX and ER devices communicate with the control system after being acquired by its internal gateway. A device can only be acquired to one gateway. Acquire mode is activated either from Crestron Toolbox or by pressing the ACQUIRE button on the control system's front panel.

Important Notes for Acquisition:

• Set the RF channel using Crestron Toolbox before starting the acquisition process. Refer to "Assign the RF Channel."
• Acquire mode activates approximately 15 seconds after power is applied.
• The control system must be in Acquire mode before an infiNET EX device enters Acquire mode.

To acquire an infiNET EX or ER device:

1. Press ACQUIRE on the control system to enter Acquire mode. The Acquire LED will light, indicating readiness.
   • NOTE: Acquire mode deactivates after one hour by default, but this timeout can be modified in Crestron Toolbox.
2. Place the infiNET EX or ER device within range of the gateway (50 ft) and put it into Acquire mode as per its documentation. The device should be acquired within two minutes.
3. Repeat step 2 for each device to be acquired.
4. Press ACQUIRE on the control system to exit Acquire mode.

Crestron MC4 Specifications