AMX MIO-R4 Instruction Manual

Getting The Most From Your Mio Modero R-4
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Mio Modero R-4 Remote
Getting The Most From Your Mio Modero R-4
Overview
One of the strengths of the Mio Modero R-4 is its flexibility. Not only may a user change the Mio R-4’s basic
functionality, such as changing presets, but it also has the capacity for upgrades to add or improve other abilities. These
upgrades are available by direct uploading of new firmware via the USB programming jack (see the Using the
Programming Jack on the Mio R-4 on page 27 for more information).
Getting the Most From the Mio R-4
The Mio R-4 uses a new wireless personal network technology (802.15.4) and protocol (ZigBee) to transmit and receive
information. With the advent of new technologies that surpass previous ones both in speed and in data transmission, the
average user is accustomed to a design philosophy of “smaller, better, and faster”. Because ZigBee and its underlying
protocol were designed for a mesh- type network topology, low power consumption, and interoperability, not for
bandwidth, that philosophy cannot be applied to this technology. WiFi (802.11b/g) products from AMX are wireless
Ethernet devices and can sustain speeds in the tens of megabits per second, while ZigBee was designed for small, low-
power devices with minimal bandwidth requirements. The best way to approach the use of AMX ZigBee devices is to
treat them as if they were AMX AXLink devices. AXLink devices can only handle a specific amount of data at one time
due to bandwidth limitations, and ZigBee devices must be treated in the same way.
To optimize the functionality and extend the battery life of the Mio R-4, several things should be considered when
programming its interface. (For more information on programming the Mio R-4, see the Programming the Mio R-4 on
page 27.)
Installations using standard wireless must adhere to precautions, just as in WiFi installations. Proper
placement of the ZigBee network gateway and repeater(s) is critical for reliable coverage. Just as in WiFi,
avoid placing these devices near large metal objects, behind, under, or on top of metal objects, or any other
place where interference could be an issue. Due to the wireless nature of the ZigBee network, temporary
interference (such as leaving a room or having objects pass between the Mio R-4 and its gateway device) may
prevent a command from reaching the NetLinx master.
Because of temporary interference issues (such as leaving a room or large objects passing between the Mio R-
4 and its gateway device) preventing commands from reaching the NetLinx master, special attention must be
paid to volume control.
Programmers should consider setting safeguards for volume control (either established volume limits or
timeouts with the NetLinx master, or more interactive adjustment from the Mio R-4 such as direct volume
control) to prevent issues with lost commands.
To avoid a frustrating user experience, a programmer's understanding of the type of device being used and the
amount of data being sent to and from the device is crucial. While a touch panel can handle large amounts of
data for functions such as list boxes, variable text fields, and commands to alter button behavior, the Mio R-4
cannot. The programmer must always be aware of how many messages will be sent to the remote for any
given event (online/offline events, button push/release, channel updates, variable text field updates, etc.).
Sending many commands at one time over a low bandwidth interface will cause the commands to back up
and updates will occur more slowly.
Care should be taken when sending device updates to a remote. For instance, many MP3 players constantly
send status updates: when a song is being played, the time remaining may be updated once per second along
with the song title and artist. The title and artist do not change during the course of the song, so those fields on
the remote do not need to be updated. Likewise, instead of sending updates for time remaining on a song once
per second, the updates could be sent to the remote once every five seconds.
As with any wireless device, the farther away from the receiving point (either gateway or repeater access
point), the lower the available bandwidth. Try to limit the number of hops between the remote and the master,
as each hop will increase the response time (for example, 2 hops = 2x response time, 3 hops = 3x response
time, etc.).
If a remote command is lost while increasing volume, the master may receive the
command to increase the volume but not the command to stop increasing it.

AMX MIO-R4 Specifications

General

Flash memory	32 MB
RAM capacity	64 MB
Certification	FCC, IC, CE, IEC 60950, Japan Approval
Maximum range	30 m
Frequency band	2.4 GHz
Languages support	ARA, CHI (SIMPL), DEU, ENG, ESP, FRE, GRE, HUN, ITA, JPN, KOR, POR, RUS, THA
Number of devices supported	2
Interface	IR Wireless
Input type	Press buttons
Hard buttons	Yes
Product color	Black
Buttons quantity	29
Remote control proper use	-
Display diagonal	2.4 \
Display resolution	240 x 320 pixels
Storage temperature (T-T)	-20 - 70 °C
Operating temperature (T-T)	0 - 40 °C
Package weight	25 g

Weight and Dimensions

Depth	19 mm
Width	51 mm
Height	240 mm
Weight	20 g