Marantz RC1200

A 200-gram slab of late-90s over-engineering that learns, clones, and macros its way through an entire rack. It can't be repaired when it dies.

Overview

The RC1200 is a learning remote control. The manual is blunt about what that means: it "can easily be programmed to learn the codes for almost any other infrared-based remote, allowing the remote control functions for many different components to be consolidated conveniently in a single unit." It ships with preset codes already loaded for other remote-controllable Marantz audio-visual components using the RC-5/RC-6 remote control language. The manual is careful to note this doesn't apply to every button on the unit.

Plenty of universal remotes flooded the market in the late 1990s. The RC1200 is built differently. It's a 225(H) x 65(W) x 26(D) mm handset that weighs 200 grams with batteries installed, and it takes two "AA" alkalines. It has an electroluminescent LCD backlight, luminous buttons that store light for use in a darkened room, and a Jog Dial that cycles through up to ten direct operations per function button. The Jog Dial isn't a plain scroll wheel. Each of its ten commands on the LCD carries five character labels for preprogrammed remote commands, and owners can replace factory codes with different codes from other brands, including renaming them.

According to available documentation, the RC1200 is a reworked version of the original RC-2000, with a new button layout and LCD screen. The sources confirm nothing more about its lineage - no production years, no original price, no market positioning. The manual does show it was meant to consolidate a serious home theater rack. It comes preset to control eleven component types: DSS, DVD, TV, LD, VCR, AUX, TUNER, CD, TAPE, CD-R/MD, and AMP. The manual lists the learning infrared carrier frequency band as 20 to 70 kHz, with a transmission wavelength band of 950+/-45nm. The maximum number of programmable codes is 407, though the manual itself hedges that "depending on the types of codes programmed, it may not be possible to program a total of 407 codes."

The shortest line in the service documentation is the bleakest: "RC1200 is not possible to repair." Marantz's own service manual says substitutes for exchanging the unit are supplied with specific part numbers. The RC unit itself carries part number ZK287W0010, with different user guide part numbers depending on region (Japanese, English/French, German/Spanish). That's a replacement path, not a repair path.

Key Features

Learn Mode and the 407-Code Ceiling

The core job is simple: the RC1200 learns and memorizes the remote control codes used by almost any other remote controller. The manual walks through the process. Point the source remote at the RC1200's light sensor, press the MODE button with a ballpoint pen or other sharp point to enter LEARN mode, and the unit captures the signal. If "AGAIN" appears on the LCD, an error has prevented the command from being learned and the procedure should be repeated from step four. If "NG" appears, the source remote uses special signals that cannot be learned by the Marantz unit. If no buttons are pressed for approximately one minute while in LEARN mode, the remote automatically returns to USE mode.

The stated maximum is 407 programmable codes, but the manual acknowledges that depending on the types of codes programmed, it may not be possible to program a total of 407. The learning infrared carrier frequency band spans 20 to 70 kHz, which covers the vast majority of consumer IR remotes from the era. The manual also gives a "5cm" figure in the Learn Mode section. The exact context is ambiguous in the extracted documentation, but it appears to relate to the distance between the source remote and the RC1200's sensor during learning.

Jog Dial Command Architecture

The Jog Dial is where the RC1200 departs from conventional remote design. Each of the ten Jog Dial commands on the LCD has five character labels attached for preprogrammed remote commands. These commands work with various Marantz A/V components or other components using the Philips RC-5 remote control language (without DSS function). Owners can replace the factory-supplied remote command codes with different codes from other brands. The manual states that most of the supplied functions apply to a wide variety of components from many companies.

The Jog Dial also has a "last memory" behavior. The last page position for any given command function is retained even if the remote is switched to the command function for another component. The manual lists the remote code assignments for the Jog Dial commands across all eleven function buttons as supplied from the factory. Owners can add or replace Jog Dial commands, including renaming them, to fit their particular selection of A/V components.

Clone Mode: Three Minutes to Duplicate a Remote

Cloning is the RC1200's most distinctive feature. All programmed codes can be copied altogether into another RC1200 remote controller, macros and setup contents included, by a few simple operations. The manual is specific about the process. Place the light sensor in the head section of the receiving remote about 5 centimeters (2 inches) away from and directly in front of the transmitter in the head section of the sending remote. Press the MODE button on the sending unit to call up CLONE and TX displays, press MODE on the receiving unit to call up CLONE and RX, then press the OK cursor button on each. During copying, bar displays on both units move from left to right. After the entire bar displays have lighted, the receiving unit shows RX OK and the sending unit shows TX OK.

Copying takes about 3 minutes to complete if the programming capacity in the sending unit is 100%. The manual warns against touching either remote during the operation, as doing so may cause copying to fail. If copying fails at an interim point, RX NG appears on the receiving unit's LCD, and all the receiving unit's buttons that were programmed will be returned to the factory presets (RC-5). The clone function cannot be used unless the same model (RC1200) is used at both the sending and receiving ends. The manual also documents button-by-button copying and Jog Dial information copying as separate, more granular operations within Clone Mode.

Macros, Name Assignment, and Erasing

The macro function lets the remote execute complex strings of multiple commands with a single keystroke. The manual covers programming macros, editing macros, using macros, examples of macro programs, and clearing macro programs. Name assignment lets owners change the name displayed on the LCD for a function button, which helps when the component connected to a given input doesn't match the factory label. The erasing functions are thorough: Erasing Programmed Codes, Returning to Factory Presets, Erasing by Buttons, Erasing Jog Dial Codes, Erasing Codes by Function, and Erasing All Memory Contents.

Lighting, Luminous Buttons, and Step Light

The RC1200 has an LCD backlight with electroluminescence (EL) and luminous buttons that can store light, meant for use in a location darkened for a home theater performance. The manual also documents a "Step Light" function that adjusts the LCD display lighting duration, so owners control how long the backlight stays on after a button press.

USE Mode and the Eleven-Component Preset

The remote normally operates in USE mode. It comes preset with codes commonly used to control eleven types of components manufactured by Marantz, Philips, and RCA (for DSS): DSS, DVD, TV, LD, VCR, AUX, TUNER, CD, TAPE, CD-R/MD, and AMP. Pressing a function button changes to that component's commands. Pressing LD, for example, displays LD on the LCD and sets the function codes to operate the laser disc player. Double-clicking the LD function button also changes the amplifier or receiver's input. The manual notes that a symbol indicates a remote code is being transmitted when a button is pressed, and that the symbol is not displayed if a button for which no code has been set is pressed. If left for approximately one minute without pressing any buttons, all items on the LCD go off except the function indicator. The remote retains the status established before the display went off, and pressing any button brings the full display back.