ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Xantech ISM4 Intelligent System Manager. The ISM4 is the
answer to the age old problem of simply and inexpensively keeping Home Entertainment System devices in sync.
The ISM4 can sync up to four IR controlled devices when referenced to one of those devices, typically a Video
Monitor, Home Theater A/V Receiver or Whole House Audio/Video Entertainment System Controller. All four
system devices are referenced to the ISM4 via Xantech Sensing Modules. There are 6 different sensors that can
be used to detect voltage, contact closure, video, audio, light or current. When the System Reference Device is
turned ON, the ISM4 will detect the change of state for the referenced device (from OFF to ON) and ‘look’ at the
state of the other devices. If any or all are OFF, the ISM4 will automatically output IR Commands to turn those
devices ON for proper system sync.
The ISM4 Processor constantly scans the Sense Inputs, whether any of the system devices are ON or not. This
serves multiple purposes. First, when the System Reference Device is ON, it keeps the other system devices ON.
That doesn’t just mean at the initial power up, but for as long as the reference device is ON. Some devices such
as DVD players will time out after a certain period of inactivity. If a device were to time out or otherwise turn OFF,
(as long as the System Reference Device is ON) when the ISM4 Processor scans the Sense Inputs, if any device
is OFF the ISM4 will output the proper IR Command to turn the device ON and restore proper system sync.
The opposite is also true. If the System Reference Device is OFF and the ISM4 detects any of the other three
devices are ON, the ISM4 will output the proper IR Command(s) and turn it/them OFF to restore proper system
sync.
In addition to issuing power commands to maintain sync, each device can have a macro of up to five IR
Commands and Delays associated with the sync mechanism so anytime a device is synced to the system, a
default mode for each device (and ultimately the system) can be implemented. This allows the reference device to
be set to a specific input at specific volume and audio mode (depending upon device capability). Sources can be
set to Play (DVD/CD, Media Servers, etc) or tune to a specific channel (Cable, Satellite, XM, Sirius, AM/FM).
There is no special remote or keypad required to activate the ISM4. It will automatically respond to the status of
the System Reference Device to sync the other system devices. However, the ISM4 can be controlled via IR. For
IR control, the ISM4 responds to Xantech RC68 Commands. Any programmable controller that can learn RC68
Commands can be used with an ISM4. There is an IR Control Input that can be integrated with most IR repeater
systems and an IR Receiver Jack that is compatible with any Xantech IR Receiver with a stereo mini plug. (291
Series or ‘Dash 30’ Type 480-30, 490-30 etc). The IR Inputs will also pass through IR Commands, allowing direct
control of the system devices, so typically no additional connecting block or other IR system components are
required.
The RS232 Protocol allows for a bi-directional interface between the ISM4 and the RS232 Control Device.
Incoming ASCII Text Commands can be associated with IR Commands for Discrete ON/OFF or Toggle Power of
the System Reference Device, Query Source Power State and request general System Info. The ISM4 will return
an ASCII Text Status Message to the control device for use as system status indication or other logic as
implemented per system design.
The ISM4 is a stand-alone programmed device and does not require any programming software for setup. A
simple, logical progression of IR Code Learning is used with each step prompted by the Front Panel LED's.
Specific LED modes indicate which Source macro is being programmed right down to which step in the macro,
and how many seconds are in the delay. All programming can be tested right from the ISM4 while learning for
individual code confirmation or when programming is complete for system function confirmation. ISM4
Programming can be cloned from one unit to another via the RS232 Port on the Rear Panel.
Multiple ISM4 Modules can be linked for expansion in systems with more than four
devices. All devices will be
synced to the System Reference Device on the Primary Module.
Xantech ISM4 – Intelligent System Management made simple.
