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Question

AMX Controller Panel Design Question [TPDesign4]

by May 30, 2012 12:26AM PDT

Hi,

I'm new here so forgive me if this isn't in the right category. I'm an IT Intern at a medium sized business. My boss has given me a task related to an AMX controller panel in the conference rooms at our office building. He's told me he doesn't even know if it's possible, but it was his idea of a "fun" project for me to try. I literally have no knowledge of this type of programming.

A few years ago we contracted an AMX installation company to install, program, and design 3 touch panel controllers in our conference rooms for A/V related control. Here is a picture of the basic design: http://tinypic.com/r/2res901/6

Apparently support from the AMX installation company has been really bad and my boss no longer has interest in dealing with them. So he's asked me to, basically, backwards engineer the software on the panel. The software I've been given to accomplish this task is called "TPDesign4"
So basically my main questions are.

1. Is it even possible for me to do this?
2. If so, can I do it with TPDesign4 alone?

Discussion is locked

2 Posts
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Answer
Any progress?
by Forum moderator Jun 19, 2012 7:37AM PDT

Just wondering. Usually when this happens folks get a sore head from the banging against walls or desks. Given enough time they open up to replacing the system. Or... writing a manual or cheat sheet on how to make what they have work better.
Bob

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Wish I had never bought AMX Products
by SteveAtkinsSr Sep 9, 2014 10:30PM PDT

Here I must vent my frustration... a few years ago, I paid my son-in-law with Sound Advice out of Winterville, NC to install a home theater system for me. I paid him over $50,000 to do it... he said at his cost. Since then, he has alienated himself from our entire family, so when anything goes wrong, I have to either try to figure it out for myself or call a specialist. A few months ago, the NI-4000 quit working, so I ordered a used one on Ebay. I called a specialist in Western NC to see if he could come and program it for me (I already had the entire program language to run my system), and he wanted $3500 to come do it. Finally, after much studying and trying to figure it out, I was able to upload the program into the replacement NI-4000.

Then, the little battery which should cost about $10, went bad in my bedroom AMX handheld remote. For several months, it was not available. The cheapest I could find it was with you for $66. Then, a $16.30 shipping charge for something that could've been sent through the mail in a little bubble-wrap package for less than $3. When it came in was in a box about 8"x8"x8". It was difficult to find the little battery in middle of the packaging.

I said all that to say this... if I had not spent so much on this highly proprietary equipment, I would throw it out and run a bulldozer over it. As soon as I can afford it, there will never be another piece of equipment in my house with the AMX logo on it.

Now that I have the battery in the remote, apparently it has to be reprogrammed. My theater seats 18 people. Every time I have guests, I tell them to NEVER, EVER buy from AMX or they will be slaves to unreasonable costs for the rest of their lives.

Other than when I am on this subject, I am a really nice guy.

Steve Atkins, VFOAMXP (Very Frustrated Owner of AMX Products)
107 Nanticoke Ct
Chocowinity, NC 27817

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