MSC-400 Reference Manual
Rev 4
13
System Design
The MSC-400 is designed to simplify control of a home entertainment system, from a simple stack of A/V
components to an elaborate home theater or a whole-house audio/video distribution system. The two
important parts of installing and programming a MSC-400 system are understanding the system device’s
control capabilities and the user’s preferences.
Device Control Capabilities And Behavior
It is vitally important to understand each of the system devices’ control capabilities and how they behave.
That is, how can the devices be controlled and what do they really do when they are on or in standby?
The MSC-400 has multiple options for both control and sensing, so determining which options to use is
critical to system configuration, installation and programming. (A device’s capabilities, or lack there of,
may also determine which brand or model device is used in a given system.)
The MSC-400 can control a connected device using IR (infrared), RS232, or switch closure. First question
for IR controlled devices: ARE SEPARATE ON/OFF COMMANDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS DEVICE? If
they are, ON/OFF sensing won’t be required for this device. (Sensing a device with discrete commands
isn’t necessary for System ON/OFF, but is still useful, as will be explained in the section on Source Select
Smart Macros.) Power management for devices with discrete ON/OFF commands can be handled in
MSC-400 programming.
If a device does not have discrete ON/OFF commands, the next question is: HOW IS THE MSC-400
GOING TO KNOW IF IT IS ON OR OFF? If a device has a Control Out or switched AC outlet, a VS-1006
can provide voltage power sensing for the ON/OFF status of that device.
If the device is an A/V (audio/video) component and has a composite video output, the question is: DOES
THE COMPOSITE VIDEO OUT TURN OFF WHEN THE DEVICE IS IN STANDBY? The trick here is to
be sure that the device is not outputting a ‘black screen’ that looks like the video is off. A simple test is to
connect a VID-6 Video Sensor Cable to the device composite video out and to one of the Video or
Voltage Sensor Inputs on the MSC-400 Rear Panel. Turn the A/V device ON. The associated green LED
on the MSC-400 Front Panel should illuminate. Turn the device OFF. If the LED turns off, then the
composite video out turns off in standby and video sensing can be used. If the LED does not go out, then
the device is outputting video in standby and an alternate method will need to be incorporated.
For devices that do not have discrete IR commands, are not RS232 compatible and do not have a
switched AC or composite video out, another option for sensing is to use a current sensing AC outlet, as
shown in 7 TYPICAL SYSTEM ILLUSTRATION. This method has a device’s AC power cord connected
to a sensed outlet that will output a 12V signal when current is drawn by the connected device. The 12V
signal can then be connected to a VS-1006 for Voltage sensing.
Another option for control is RS232. Typically, RS232 controlled devices have discrete ON/OFF
commands. Check the RS232 database in the MSC-400 editor first. If a device is not found in the library,
check the device’s manual for a RS232 Command Table, check the product manufacturer’s web site or
call their tech support. As with discrete IR Commands, sensing RS232 controlled devices is not
necessary for System ON/OFF, but can be useful for Source Select Smart Macros.
TIP - Keep written notes on how each device is going to be sensed and controlled. This will be
most helpful in making connections during installation. (It is also vital in knowing what parts to
have on hand for installation.) A MSC-400 can sense the ON/OFF Status of up to six devices.
When noting which sensing method will be used, it is also recommended to note which device is
going to be connected to which Sensor Input. This will come in useful in making connections and
programming.
User Preferences
The second major design consideration for system configuration is user preference or configuring the
system for how the user or users interface with the system. Most of the configuration for preferences will
be done in programming, but it is important to know what the preferences are during installation, to be
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