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DMS-1200 InstallationDMS-1200 Installation

Introduction

Multi-Zone Audio systems allow you to play different music in different rooms, all at the same time. A Total

Control system from URC does a great deal more. However, distributing music to every room is always the first

and foremost step. To re-create everything a recording has to offer it, requires powerful amplifiers that can

react to music's subtleties in a fraction of a second. To do this in multiple rooms requires streaming music with

no added compression. To do all of this in one box requires the DMS-1200.

The DMS -1200 combines six pairs of powerful amplifiers, two additional pre-outs and four streaming analog

inputs and one digital input, in a single box. Requiring only a single Ethernet cable to connect to a LAN, the

DMS-1200 can stream and receive digital music with zero added compression, resulting in flawless music

reproduction with no lags, delays or echos. Going beyond the standard 6 rooms of conventional systems, the

DMS-1200 includes two additional zones of line-level audio for use with existing or new amplifiers. All four

analog inputs are converted to digital streams by the DMS-1200 without using any compression, so the music

that goes in is exactly what comes back out.

The DMS-1200 really shines when combined with other Total Control products from URC. Add an MRX-10 to

control the outputs of source components and get off-site programming capability via the internet. Add any of

our MFS series of intelligent switchs and ensure that streaming music is unaffected by any other digital

communications. Top it off with the TRC series of handheld interfaces or TKP series in-wall controllers for

simple and reliable access to all sources.

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Front, Rear and Side Panel Descriptions

Front Panel

Power indication light: Providing an easy-to-see indication that the DMS-1200 is correctly connected to a

power source, the indicator light glows when the unit is ON and connected to an electrical power.

Ethernet indication light: The indicator lights glows when it is connected to a LAN.

Front panel reset button: While not a common occurrence, it sometimes is beneficial for the installer to reset

the microprocessors in the DMS-1200. Although this can be done by simply removing the power cable for 5

seconds, the front panel reset button makes doing this easier after the installation is complete. Press the

button once for a basic reset. Pressing and holding the reset button for 15 seconds will set the unit to factory

default.

Back Panel

Power cable connection: The DMS-1200 uses an IEC removable AC cord which connects here. Internally, the

switching mode power supply, makes the DMS-1200 fully functional in US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia and New

Zealand.

Sensor-based cooling fan: When needed this fan will turn on, providing cooling for the amplifier's internal

parts. Ensure that this area is not blocked.

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Network connection: For RJ45 type Ethernet cable. When connected to a network via ethernet cable, the

DMS-1200 sends and receives uncompressed audio streams. This is also where the unit receives any

programming data created in the URC Accelerator software.

Speaker wire outputs for zones 1 through 6: Removable Phoenix connections for each zone make final trim

easy. Remove the Phoenix connector from the DMS-1200, loosen (turn counter-clockwise) the small set screw

and insert speaker wire that has been trimmed to ¼ inch, then tighten the screws. Re-insert the Phoenix

connector into the DMS-1200 and the connection is complete.

Line level outputs for Zones 7 and 8: Utilizing Left and Right RCA jacks for connection to external amplifiers,

zones 7 and 8 can be powered by any existing amplifier. Often used with very strong amplifiers for speakers

placed outside, these zones can also be used to connect the DMS-1200 system to an existing AV Receiver

based system. Additionally, two 12V triggers are included to activate your external amplifiers (if needed.)

Connect a standard 3.5mm cable from the DMS-1200 to the trigger inputs of your external amp.

Global IR input: When adding the DMS-1200 to an existing system that provides an IR output (such as a URC

MRF base station), this input provides a convenient way to get control commands in. For older, IR-repeater

based systems, the Global IR Input provides a simple and secure way to input basic IR commands: Connect a

3.5mm mini-cable from the DMS-1200 to the existing IR connecting block.

L+R analog inputs: Inputs 1 through 3 of the DMS-1200 are for analog source components. Connect the RCA-

type audio cables from each input to a corresponding source component’s outputs.

L+R analog input or Coax digital input: Input 4 on the DMS-1200 can either accept line-level RCA signals or a

digital coax signal. Either connect with analog cables as you did with inputs 1-3, or use the digital output of a

device by connecting a coaxial digital cable from the source components digital output to the DMS-1200 with

this jack. The DMS-1200 will automatically determine the correct input type.

Side Panel

Rack Mount Connections: Install rack ears to the DMS-1200 before placing in a racking system. Six screw

holes are located on each side of the unit corresponding to the holes pre-drilled in the optional RMK-3 rack

ears. Insert the supplied screws through the rack ears into these holes and tighten.

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Features/Installer Settings

The DMS-1200 contains a wealth of features and they are accessed by the installer during setup. These

features are enabled only within the URC Accelerator software and are detailed inside the programming

manual.

Global Input Settings

When switching between inputs the existing source will either instantly switch to the new source or slowly

fade from source to source. To help make the fade in/out option even smoother, the installer has control over

how long it takes for a source to fade in or out. See URC Accelerator programming manual for details.

Zone Settings

There are a number of options that can be set for each zone. See URC Accelerator programming manual for

details.

Zone Output

Set this for Variable and the volume in a zone will rise and fall only by using an in-wall or hand-held controller.

Set it to Fixed and the volume doesn't change. Fixed is used when in-wall volume controls adjust zone volume.

Volume

The installer may set the maximum volume for each zone, what volume the zone begins at when activated,

what amount of loudness correction is added at low volumes and room equalizer settings (Basic tone controls,

Bass boost, Treble boost and Custom). The Custom option includes a five band parametric EQ that allows fine

adjustments of tone, gain and overall sound quality per room, while the Basic option just provides standard

bass, and treble boosts.

Indoor and Outdoor Settings

A unique feature of the DMS-1200 is its ability to correct the sound quality depending on whether the zone is

indoors (many hard surfaces to reflect and amplify sounds) or outdoors (few hard surfaces, little sound

reflection). In addition, the installer inputs information about how far the primary listener is from the

speakers, to ensure the best possible staging of the music. See the URC Accelerator programming manual for

details.

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Application Diagram

DMS-1200 with six zones

In the above example, the DMS-1200 is directly powering six different rooms of speakers. Three sources are

attached, with a satellite box and PSX-2 personal server connected directly and the SNP-1 connected through

the LAN. The two analog sources and the streaming network player are all available for listening in any zone.

While the SNP-1 connects directly to the network (and streaming to the DMS-1200 through the Ethernet

connection), the switch automatically separates that stream from any other digital communication to ensure

the best quality sound. Each zone has a user interface to control the home theater audio receiver.

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DMS-1200 with six zones and external amplifiers

In the above example, the DMS-1200 is directly powering six different rooms of speakers while external

amplifiers are powering two other rooms. Three sources are attached, with a satellite box and PSX-2 personal

server connected directly and the SNP-1 connected through the LAN. The two analog sources and the

streaming network player are all available for listening in any zone. While the SNP-1 connects directly to the

network (and streaming to the DMS-1200 through the Ethernet connection), the switch automatically

separates that stream from any other digital communication to ensure the best quality sound. Each zone has a

user interface to control the home theater audio receiver.

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DMS-1200 with an AVR

In the above example, an Audio Video Receiver (AVR) is used in a home theater while the DMS-1200 is directly

powering six different rooms of speakers. The DMS-1200 is connected to the zone output of the AVR, which

allows other rooms access to the sources that are playing in the theater. Three sources are attached to the

DMS-1200, with a satellite box and PSX-2 personal server connected directly and the SNP-1 connected through

the LAN. The two analog sources and the streaming network player are all available for listening in any zone.

While the SNP-1 connects directly to the network (and streaming to the DMS-1200 through the Ethernet

connection), the switch is automatically separates that stream from any other digital communication to ensure

the best quality sound. Each zone has a user interface to control the home theater audio receiver.

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DMS-1200 with 12 zones

In the above example, two DMS-1200s are powering twelve different rooms of speakers. While only three

analog sources are depicted, a total of eight sources could be connected. Each DMS-1200 connects directly to

the LAN, which will allow sources connected to either DMS-1200 to be accessed in any room. Since the SNP-1

connects directly to the network any number of them can be added without limiting the number of analog

sources. The switch ensures that the streaming music from multiple SNP-1s can be heard without

compromising sound quality in any room. Each zone has a user interface to control the home theater audio

receiver.