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This review of the RTI RP6 Remote Control Processor was completed with the RTI T3 handheld universal touchscreen controller that was previously reviewed here on RemoteShoppe.com.

The RTI RP6 is a remote control processor. A remote control processor is a component that professional AV installers use to increase the reliability of a remote control system and increase the functionality of a remote – especially for whole house and multi-zone operation. If you’re not a professional installer you may not be familiar with the RP6 but perhaps you have considered a remote control from Universal Electronics, Universal Remote or even the Harmony 1000 or 890 with an RF receiver. Or, perhaps even an IR repeater system like the HotLink Pro. If so, than you have already recognized the need for more reliable communication or extended range for your remote. Unlike the RF receivers and IR repeaters mentioned, extended range is just the beginning of what the RP6 can offer. The RTI RP6 is a completely configurable and flexible device ready to adapt to many different applications.

What makes the RTI RP6 Remote Control Processor special?
Unlike the simple RF receivers you’ll find in Radio Shack or in the remotes listed previously in this article the RP6 actually allows you to store system commands in its own non-volatile Flash memory. This means you can program your system macro to be executed from the RP6 itself and not from the remote control. Let’s use a simple power macro as an example.

In even the most basic home theater set-up the Power On macro may require several steps.

TV Power On > TV Input Video-1 > Satellite Receiver Power On > AV Receiver Power On > AV Receiver Input TV.

A basic IR remote would require you to keep the remote pointed at the TV and components while these 5 commands are being executed. More advanced remotes with RF communication eliminate the line of sight limitation but still require reliable communication throughout the entire macro. RF interference may easily affect the reliability of your system and as the macros become more complicated the risk of missing a step becomes a greater concern. Once your installer configures the RTI RP6 with the RTI Theater Touch Designer software your remote will only need to send one command to the RP6 – in this example that command may be TV POWER ON. – then the RP6 would execute the 5 corresponding commands directly from it’s own brain to your equipment. There are several different ways this communication may occur which allows your installer to customize your configuration based on your needs.

Remote Control to RP6 Communication Options

RF Communication
Most RTI installers are going to offer you one of the many fine RTI handheld remote controllers like the T2+, T2c, T3, T4, etc. and will offer completely wireless communication with the RP6 via the RTI RM433 RF receiver. The RP6 will of course work with all RTI remotes and the RM433 is one of the most reliable RF receivers I have ever tested. It took just a few minutes to set up the RF communication and program my RTI T3 and the RP6 and now the remote control works flawlessly from every corner of my modest 2,500 sq ft, two-story home. Installers may also daisy-chain up to 10 RM433 receivers to extend RF communication in your home for up to 1,000 feet!

The RTI remotes and the RM433 modules use the same 433Mhz RF frequency as both AMX and Crestron so it is also possible for your RTI remote to communicate directly with AMX and Crestron 433 Mhz RF receivers/gateways. Hey… this MUST be good!.

IR Passthru or control
In addition to the RM433 RF receiver module the RTI RP6 may also be configured for IR input for passthru or ir control. The RTI RP6 IR input is fully compatible with industry-standard repeaters and receiving systems and RTI has connecting blocks available to connect multiple RTI touchpanels to the RP6.

Video & Power Sensing
Other communication options that RTI offers will allow the RP6 to monitor the video status of almost any video component with the SPS-1 or the power status of almost any electronic component with the VPS-1. Professional installers use these communication modules to guarantee reliable communication with difficult equipment. The new Scientific Atlanta HD DVR cable box is a perfect example of an advanced TOAD component that is being used in a lot of high-end installations. A TOAD is a “Toggle-Only Actuated Device” which means it does not have discrete remote control commands that allow the unit to be POWERED-ON vs. POWERED-OFF, there is only a single POWER command that toggles the state of the cable box. There is a hack available for some of these cable boxes that use the SARA software where you can choose a menu setting to power on the device with any number key. However, some cable operators have disabled this option in their software menu, which means you need another way to make sure the SA box is in the state that you need it to be. The VPS-1 voltage power sensor is the solution for these boxes and others with switchable power outlets. You can use the default setting of the AC Outlet, “On with settop,” to monitor the status of the cable box. The cable box will turn on the AC Outlet when he box’s power is toggled on > the VPS1 will tell the RP6 that the cable box is on and the rest of the remote programming will only send the appropriate commands back to the settop box. The capability to adeptly handle the top-selling HD cable box with DVR software being used by Comcast, TimeWarner, Cablevision and others is a major selling point of the RTI control systems and the RP6.

RTI RP6 to your AV Components Communication Options
The complete flexible that the RTI RP6 adds to your control environment does not end with the many options for communicating with this processor. There are just as many options for communicating with your components to ensure reliability.

IR Emitters & Direct IR Input
The RP6 has six (hence the name) IR output ports that are fully compatible with industry-standard IR emitters that would be mounted directly in front of the IR receiving sensor on your AV components. I have tested both the Xantech and ChannelPlus single and dual emitters and they all worked flawlessly. Every IR output port on the RP6 is also adjustable which came in very handy when I stacked two identical DVD players in my equipment rack. The DVD players are so slim that it was difficult positioning them for independent control without rearranging everything. Instead I was able to turn down the IR emitters low enough so that the signal would only be strong enough to reach the component it was attached to and not the unit above or below it. Which brings me to the next point about the RP6 IR output ports… they’re all addressable. The proper professional installation with RTI’s Theater Touch Designer software will allow you to route your RP6 output to any or all of the IR ports as needed.

Direct IR input to components with this option may also be configured to any of the IR output ports using the appropriate cables. More and more AV equipment is including advanced control options like direct IR input and RS232 control for more reliable integration in more advanced systems.

RS232 Control
RTI offers the CM-232 Serial Communication module allowing the RP6 to send commands to any RS232 enabled device. This is another big selling point of the RTI control systems for professional installers. High end surround sound receivers and many other devices use these RS232 commands for advanced control options that make the overall experience easier on the person that’s using the remote. This capability is yet another reason why the RP6 is perfect for multi-zone installations and whole-house audio control.

Relay Outputs
Finally, the RP6 also has three programmable relay outputs, which you can open or close as needed, using the RTI Theater Touch Designer software. The relay ouputs add another level of integration perfect for home automation configurations, motorized plasma mounts and screens, and more.

Conclusion
When you hire a well-trained and knowledgeable professional for a job and they respond with results that make you say “WOW” it’s easy to appreciate the services and products they offer. RTI remote control systems with the RP6 remote control processor and its myriad of configurable options is a complete product line that help AV Installers get that WOW! The flexibility, customization and overall reliability is what allows RTI to build on their success with an evolving product line and allow their installers to build their reputations based on referrals.

For more information on the RTI RP6 go to RTI’s Product Page.