Adding EFC's - LONG

[upsidedown]

I have a 6131M which I am using to learn JP1. A few more questions please:

1) How do I redefine the 'shift' key. On the 6131 the setup key is not raised so it is difficult to press as a shift key. Can it be redefined by device, or is it universal across all devices.

2) I am creating a custom device for my NAD receiver (T742). Interestingly, the 6131 has no device definition for NAD, even though my much older Cinema 7 (non JP1) does. I have downloaded the NAD files from the Yahoo groups, and am changing them to work with my unit. The question is:

What is the easiest way to change or add a new EFC:

For example, the EFC for power that I defined is not correct. If I use IR, got to Devices, and try to edit a particular button there is a string of Hex code.

Alternatively, it looks like I could use RM or KM to add the function with the appropriate EFC.

Or lastly, I think I could define a key move in IR.

What is considered most efficient from a storage/space position. And if I make changes in IR, can work backwords to create KM or RM files to edit.

Thanks

[gfb107]

1) The 6131 extender allows you to pick which key you want to be the shift key.

2) I'm not quite clear. You are using a device upgrade to control your NAD receiver, but it has the wrong EFC for the power button. Edit the NAD upgrade (using RM or KM), and correct it. Then load the corrected version into your remote.

If, on the other hand, you have a builtin device that is using the wrong EFC, then you would fix that with a keymove. Unless you are using the extender, the easiest way to use keymoves with the 6131 is to enter them manually on the remote. That's because the 6131 uses 2 byte EFCs instead of 1 byte, and IR doesn't deal well with that. You can do it in IR, you just have to enter it as hex, a 00 byte and then the EFC in hex. If the EFC is 79, you would use 00 4F. Then, after you enter it, IR will display something completely different. It works, but it is complicated.

The extender uses standard 1-byte keymoves, which IR can handle ust fine.

[upsidedown]

Thanks for the help. Got it and it makes sense.

So now that I am embarking on using extenders, what is the best source for help (besides this board). I have read the mini tutorial and the readmes that are packaged, but need a bit of a jumpstart.

1) How do I change the shift key. Can it be done universally across all devices, or do I define it with each shifted EFC?

Thanks

[The Robman]

Each extender is unique, so while they all have alot of common features, you need to read the readme that comes with each extender to make sure you understand any quirks particular to the specific extender you are looking at.

The readme's are all very detailed, so read them fully before asking questions. I'm sure you will have questions even after reading the readme's as it's still complicated stuff, at which point post your questions in the Extenders forum.

[johnsfine]

1) How do I change the shift key. Can it be done universally across all devices, or do I define it with each shifted EFC?

Special features, including changing the shift key(s), are controlled by the right hand side of IR.EXE's "General" tab.

The RDF file tells IR.EXE what special features the remote or extender has and how to control those features by changing specific bits in eeprom.

(The shift key settings in any extender that has shift key settings are global, affecting all shifted keys in all device modes).

[upsidedown]

I was just about to delete my post because I just figured it out. Very cool stuff.

Time to start using the extender!

On a totally seperate note, any suggestions for IR enhancer. I noticed the 6131 has to be pointed pretty directly at my components. The ReplayTV is especially directional.

[The Robman]

On a totally seperate note, any suggestions for IR enhancer. I noticed the 6131 has to be pointed pretty directly at my components. The ReplayTV is especially directional.

The IR-LED is set too far back on the standard URC-6131 remotes, so what I do is push it out more which gives the remote better range.

I know you got your URC-6131 from me, so I'm surprised that the range is so poor, can you verify that the IR-LED is sticking out somewhat from the casing. It's possible that I forgot to push it through on this remote, in which case you can open the remote and try pushing it through yourself.

[upsidedown]

I don't know what the 'norm' is. I will soon have two more for comparison and let you know.

Dave

[The Robman]

Normally, the IR-LED is pretty much flush with the remote casing, it's not sticking through at all, so if you look at the remote head on and you can see the IR-LED sticking through, it means I pushed it through, if you can't see it at all, it means I forgot to do so.