Opus 500 programming probs

[beetle]

I am really hoping some of you Opus installers (like horny dragon!) can help with this.I have Opus 500 installed (4 zone and 4 sub zone with video switching unit and text box)about a year ago.Not without problems unfortunately as 2 WCUs continually caused probs....eventually fault was traced to MCU which has recently been replaced (Version 2.5)along with the two WCUs.Since then all works well however I am now trying to use an Opus Learning Remote (Version 2.5) to learn my existing equipment(Sky hd box,panasonic plasma,panasonic dvd,yamaha amp,sony cd player and escient fireball music server)

Problem 1- Escient remote functions seem to be learnt ok by the opus remote using the learning function but after doing so the opus remote will not then operate the escient either directly when pointed at the escient or via the WCUs.

Problem 2-When I link the Opus remote to the MCU to download the learnt codes the IR indicator on the MCU does not light up .As a result I cannot download anything.When I link these items and switch off the MCU then switch back on again the IR indicator lights up for a couple of secs only then goes out before you get a chance to download so it does appear to know that the remote is connected.

Any ideas ???? I read in the OPus manual that there is an earlier version of this remote but not sure if this would help as both my remote and MCU are version 2.5.Because of changes made though some of the other components are not same version...could this be a factor ?

[lazyhouse]

Imho the remote hasn't learnt the codes as it would operate the systems when you point directly at them.

It follows therefore, if they not in remote that until problem 1 is resloved the 2nd part of your troubles can not be looked at and may indeed be linked to your first.

I would restore the LRC to factory settings and try again make sure you have fresh batteries in etc.

if that doesnt work post again and we will look at how the device is learning Ir. Do you have a spare LRC by any chance ??

[beetle]

Thanks lazyhouse and happy new year ! I will try a complete re-program with the lrc after restoring to factory settings....although it did not operate my escient fireball after learning it did seem to learn my tv,dvd and amp functions ok as I was able to point remote at source equipment or wallpad and these worked fine.I will try the restore today and post again the results.

Thanks again for your assistance.I appreciate the help with this.

Cheers

[beetle]

I have now tried this again after doing a full factory settings restore on the lrc500.Once i had done this I then learnt my sky hd remote functions and tried again to download to the mcu500....no joy again as the ir led light on the front of the mcu did not even recognise that the lrc was plugged into it.I have a spare mcu-lrc lead so tried swapping them just in case...again no joy.I have ordered a new lrc tonight to try in case the one I have is faulty so will see if this works.....do you think that the fact mcu is newer version (version 2.5) than some of the other opus equipment as it was replaced may have a bearing or not ? When original equipment was set up (before my original mcu problem had surfaced)the installer used HIS opus lrc to download my source equipment codes into mcu...at that point I was able to control the basic functions of all of my equipment by using my standard opus remote or through the keypads.Any thoughts on this ongoing problem would be much appreciated ! Best regards Keith

[lazyhouse]

Well I went to my stock shelf today just to check my lrc v2.5 software version 01-03 worked ok on a 2.7 mcu when I tested it. It should work without any problems on a 2.5 MCU.

I do have some 2.5 mcu's due in next week for demo sites will try again then. Also have a nice usb ir device Opus gave me that allows me to test ir units and a little more.

Did your installer clone his codes onto your remote ?

As for the legacy kit issue, this should not affected your mcu's ability to learn from the remote.

have you ever successfully programmed an mcu before..not that i doubt your ability here I mean on the old mcu

[lazyhouse]

Originally Posted by beetle

I have now tried this again after doing a full factory settings restore on the lrc500.Once i had done this I then learnt my sky hd remote functions and tried again to download to the mcu500....no joy again as the ir led light on the front of the mcu did not even recognise that the lrc was plugged into it.I have a spare mcu-lrc lead so tried swapping them just in case...again no joy.I have ordered a new lrc tonight to try in case the one I have is faulty so will see if this works.....do you think that the fact mcu is newer version (version 2.5) than some of the other opus equipment as it was replaced may have a bearing or not ? When original equipment was set up (before my original mcu problem had surfaced)the installer used HIS opus lrc to download my source equipment codes into mcu...at that point I was able to control the basic functions of all of my equipment by using my standard opus remote or through the keypads.Any thoughts on this ongoing problem would be much appreciated ! Best regards Keith

Well this morning I tested a new remote and actually setup a demo system with various keypads. I can confirm as i thought MCU will take the remote codes without even being connected to anything.

The red led on the MCU should light as soon as you plug the lead in even without it being connected to the LRC.

If you get that far plug it into the LRC and press the power off / trans button until it asks for confirmation. Once you press the four squares if the MCU is receiving the data you will see the IR led flickering. Whilst it is doing this the remote display will show a nice random pattern of boxes.

At the end of transmission the remote will bleep and you will see ok on the display.

Job done..... So does your MCU IR led light up once you plug either of your leads in ???.

If not it looks like a faulty MCU . Has it ever been programed since they exchanged it ?

[beetle]

Thanks again lazyhouse for all your time and help..it is appreciated as this issue is becoming very annoying ! New LRC arrived today and this has made no difference whatsoever.The problem does appear to be the link between MCU/LRC through the cloning port on front of MCU as I can confirm that whatever I do the red IR led does NOT light up.If I switch MCU off connect the LRC through the cloning port and then switch back on the red IR does light up but only for a couple of secs...not long enough to complete the cloning procedure with the result that I get error on the LRC after completing the confirm request(tapping the 4 squares on lrc display)

Any thoughts on what to try next ?

All the best
Keith

[beetle]

Hi again...tried the 3 lrc/mcu cloning cables and two lrc remotes and the story is the same every time....ir led on mcu stays on when you switch mcu on/off for a couple of secs only.I guess this confirms prob is mcu ?

[lazyhouse]

Originally Posted by beetle

Hi again...tried the 3 lrc/mcu cloning cables and two lrc remotes and the story is the same every time....ir led on mcu stays on when you switch mcu on/off for a couple of secs only.I guess this confirms prob is mcu ?

Yes would seem to point that way. Are you still in touch with who installed your system you need to call them as it sounds like your mcu needs to go bak.

Has it ever been programmed since you had it upgraded ??

If you strike out with them pm me and I will get the boys at Opus on the case for you.

[beetle]

Thanks lazyhouse...this mcu has not been programmed since new and yes I can still get in touch with installer....he did try to program this mcu when he came to replace it but same thing happened to him...he put that down to a possible faulty lead so installed mcu only and agreed to send me a replacement lead with the instructions to clone the codes from my equipment myself...the rest is history as they say.I can get him back to investigate replacing mcu but my concerns here are that a.I will lose my system yet again for the time it takes him to get it replaced and b.every time my installer does anything to my system he charges me £££££s when I think under circumstances like these where equipment is faulty he should be billing opus and not me ? Any ideas on a better way ? If I can't find one I may end up having to live with the problem....am I right in saying that the cloning procedure is only necessary to give me wcu control of basic functions of my source equipment ? Presumably I could still learn all my equipment into lrc and operate it by pointing at keypads ? Assuming of course I can resolve the other issue of learning my escient fireball to lrc ? cheers Keith

[lazyhouse]

Well I don’t know the full history here but I presume you have paid for the recent work and upgrade to your MCU. Your installer could not program the MCU and thought it was just a faulty lead. Without putting my legal hat on too much here, you have not got what you paid for. You should not be paying anymore money out what so ever imho to sort this and if you were a customer of mine this would be the case.

I carry spares for my customers that is the whole pro ethos. I keeping reading about pro installers etc and that to me means every aspect sales and after sales.

I would ask your installer for a loan MCU whilst yours is being repaired. Opus still have some stock of 2.5 MCU's although 2.7 is now out.

All I can offer you is that if your installer doesnt play ball that you contact me with your serial number and I will help you out. If its still under cover I will exchanged you a demo 2.5 (with full warranty) that I have as long as you are prepared to pay for postage.

Some of our demo systems in new build don’t ever get the IR learned in.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by beetle

I am really hoping some of you Opus installers (like horny dragon!) can help with this.I have Opus 500 installed (4 zone and 4 sub zone with video switching unit and text box)about a year ago.

Sorry Chap I'm Not an Opus 500 installer i has never really appealed to me as a system i prefer others...........

[beetle]

Thanks HD...not sure why I thought you were ! Lazyhouse has been brilliant with suggestions and help with this and believe we have now got to the bottom of the problem.