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 RTI Corporation offers a wide range of custom controllers for users that demand high performance. Their products are sold exclusively through a network of trained dealers and system integrators to ensure customers get exactly what they need for their complex A/V systems. In addition to their full line of handheld controllers, RTI also offers several in-wall controllers designed to complement their popular handheld models with aesthetically pleasing looks and powerful functionality in a single unit. This review will cover RTI's flagship K4 In-Wall Controller that features a color TFT LCD touchpanel for flush-mount installations in walls or
cabinets. The K4 includes a 6.4-inch full VGA resolution (640x480) panel, a powerful 400MHz 32-bit processor, 32MB of memory, stereo
speakers, and an infrared receiver. The K4 is the first standalone touchpanel with infrared control,
video monitoring, and Ethernet connectivity. It provides a self-contained system for controlling audio/video components, lights, or other electronic systems in the home without the need of a separate remote processor. The K4 can also stream MJPEG video from cameras and control advanced products such as the Escient Fireball media servers through its ethernet interface.
 Cover Off
The K4 In-Wall Controller has an easily removable front bezel for quick access. The controller screen has fully customizable buttons with no dedicated
buttons occupying space on the front. This gives the K4 a very clean and uncluttered look. Beneath the front bezel is a pair of built-in speakers that provide audible feedback
to the user. There is also a standard USB connector for programming the unit. Just above the USB connector is a recessed button that is used to reset the controller. This button can also be used to put the K4 into the setup mode, in which the unit can be configured using the Control Panels (discussed below). The top middle of the unit has the light sensor and IR receiver.
 Interfaces
The top of the K4 is where all of the connections are made. This is great since the cabling will likely come from above the unit in the wall. There are four BNC connections that accept four composite signals or two s-video connections. If s-video signals are used, the color and luminance signals go to separate BNC connections. BNC connectors are robust and the best for professional installations. Two RJ-45 interfaces are provided with one being a standard ethernet connection and the other being a special Control Port with power and communication interfaces. We used these connections for our testing.
A removable terminal block is also available for manually wiring the power and IR data interfaces. Up to 350-feet of standard CAT5 cable can be used to power the unit as long as a dedicated pair of wires are used to carry V+ and Ground separately. This terminal block also has interfaces for Power Status (0-20VDC), Aux Status (0-20V), Relay Control (Vsupply at 100mA max), and Trigger Out (Vsupply at 100mA max).
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Installation
The K4 In-Wall is simple to install and requires an opening approximately 8.25" x 5.5". We cut through the drywall in our theater room and placed the opening just below eye-level for optimal viewing. RTI suggests placing the unit 54" to 60" from the floor to the bottom of the K4. The cavity in the wall behind the controller must be unobstructed to allow for the body of the K4, which extends just over 2-inches. RTI provides a cut-out template to help during the installation. The top of the K4 must be placed in the wall first to clear the cabling. Once in place, the bottom of the unit slides inside. Two built-in screws automatically flip out a pair of mounting wings that firmly pull and attach the unit to the drywall. The K4 can also be held in place by mounting screws through the front bezel, but this makes it more permanent and difficult to remove. Once this unit is installed in the wall, there is really no reason to have to remove it unless you plan to add cables to the camera inputs. A smart installer will pre-wire all of the camera inputs for future growth. The front bezel (available in White, Almond, Ivory, Silver and Black) uses six evenly spaced magnets that attach to the K4 housing. This makes it easy to remove and re-attach the bezel if needed.
K4
Control Panels
Similar to RTI's T4 Controller, the K4 Controller has a series of Control Panels that can be accessed
by pressing and holding the touchscreen while pressing the reset button. The
following images are the control panels used to configure many of the settings within the K4. Each of the
parameters can be defined by the installer to suit the needs of the customer.
 MRP-64
The K4 In-Wall Controller is designed to work with simple connecting blocks such as the Niles MSU250 or with control blocks such as the CBP-1. The CBP-1 is a control block that provides power to the K4 as well as an easy way to connect IR transmitters. This allows for a clean installation with a single RJ-45 connection between the two units. However, the K4 can really unleash its capabilities with a more sophisticated remote processor such as the MRP-64. The MRP-64 provides much more functionality than a simple control block. This Multi-Room Control Processor provides an interface between today’s multi-zone audio/video receivers and an wide range of RTI's in-wall and handheld controllers. Installers can give their customers full control of their system in a multi-zone configuration expanding the entertainment system
beyond the media room. The MRP-64 allows all of the audio/video sources
from the media room to be accessed anywhere in the home with the
simple touch of a button.
The MRP-64 supports up to six in-wall controllers, four independent IR output ports, three voltage trigger outputs, three
voltage sense inputs and an IR signal input. The unit supports the ZM-24 Zigbee 2.4GHz Module for full two-way wireless communication with the newer handheld controllers. In addition, the IR signal input can come from an IR receiver or an RM-433 RF Antenna Module, making it compatible with with all RTI in-wall and handheld controllers as well
as industry standard IR repeater systems. The two bi-directional RS-232 ports require no special programming since the drivers are preprogrammed and
developed as part of RTI’s Integration Partner Program. The unit is powered by a high-efficiency universal (100-240VAC, 50/60 Hz) power adapter
capable of producing 12V at 5 amps.
 Programming Software
Programming the K4 is made easy with RTI's Integration Designer™ software. This powerful Windows
application is designed to work with the entire RTI product line including the remote
controllers, in-wall controllers, processors, and IR reader. The latest Integration Designer™ (version 7.1 ) also supports the new ZRP-6 and MRP-64 control processors and PCM-8 port control module, as well as firmware version 2.1 for the XP-8, T2-C, T3-V, T4, RK3 and K4. Integration Designer™ works with 64-bit Vista machines such as our Pavilion dv7 HP laptop. Earlier versions had some issues with 64-bit Windows.
The latest version of Integration Designer™ is excellent and as easy to use as earlier versions of the software. Integration Designer™ gives installers complete control
and flexibility in the design of the controller screens and command functions
enabling the user to fully customize the look and feel of the controller. RTI has a rich set of bitmaps in their
library with several professionally designed GUI’s and a
number of predefined button shapes. In addition, a set of editing tools are provided
for creating custom graphics for the display. Infrared codes can be added to any
button by a simple drag-and-drop process. The Macro Editor provides a simple interface
that allows any button in the system to launch a series of complex multi-step actions with programmable delay times. Periodic
firmware and software updates are available to installers to support new features
and product releases.
The software keeps a list of the last
set of remotes codes used at the top of the queue when
selecting a new remote from the database. This makes it convenient for the
installer to recall the most commonly used remotes that have been recently accessed.
Installers can build a rich library for their favorite controllers making it easy to build on existing systems that they have already designed and invested in.
 Updating Devices
Integration Designer™ has a simple way to update the controllers and processors defined in the System Workplace. The software automatically keeps track of the current state of the devices and will determine if any updates are necessary. Updating can be performed through the USB interface. However, if the device has ethernet capability, the installer can perform the update using the fixed IP address or the MAC address that shows up in the Update Device screen. The ethernet options are very convenient and do not require the installer to gain physical access to controller or processor. This can be particularly useful at sites that have many controllers installed in various locations in the house. Update times vary depending on the amount of data to be transferred. In virtually all cases, data is transferred in a matter of 10-20 seconds.
 Conclusion
The RTI K4 In-Wall Controller is a powerful addition to any high-end entertainment system. When combined with an advanced multi-room remote processor such as the MRP-64, the potential of this controller and system can be realized to the fullest. Two-way communication is possible with ethernet, Zigbee wireless and RS-232 interfaces. The reliability of the RTI hardware and software has been excellent over the years. We have a single button that starts our system up and another button that shuts it all down, making our theater room highly automated. Hundreds of controls for all of the components in our system are fully accessible through the K4 controller. We also have our security cameras and ethernet connected for full internet access of weather updates and the latest news.
Programming the K4 In-Wall Controller and MRP-64 Multi-room Remote Processor is made simple with RTI's powerful Integration Designer™ software. The software is so intuitive and stable that little training is needed to get up and running. RTI even offers online videos to help installers get started for the first time. We have been using this software for many years and in all that time the program has never crashed on us.
RTI offers many options to enhance the system's capability and these are available based on those who need it. The best part is that the system can expand in time as needed by the user. Installers will become addicted to the user-friendly Integration Designer™ software which allows them the flexibility they need
to create powerful and complex systems completely customizable for each and every client. The best part
is the time invested into the IR database and custom screens can be used for other customers.
I am always finding ways to improve our system even while this review is being written.
The K4 In-Wall Controller is by far the best we have seen from RTI and it is not surprising that they have executed it so well. They have a good track record and their products have always worked as advertised. We have reviewed many of their controllers and remote processors over the years and we continue to be impressed with the features and performance that the new products have to offer. If you are considering a multi-controller (hand-held and/or in-wall controllers) system that is fully integrated, you should definitely talk to your local RTI dealer. You will not be disappointed.
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Kevin Nakano | 
