Newbie question: simple steps for missing keys?

[TMPLee]

Hi all,

I've skimmed through most of the wiki and tried searching the forum but can't seem to find a short answer to what I *think* is a simple question. (I believe the answer could eventually be figured out by reading everything here, but I'm lazy. ) I don't have a JP1 cable and don't really intend to get one, unless it is really necessary or especially helpful, so I think this is the right place to ask the question. We recently upgraded to the 21st century and replaced our old standard CRT TV's with modern Wide HD LCD's -- one a 32" Samsung, the other a 42" Insignia. They are used on a Comcast cable system, with slightly different cable boxes (a SA Explorer something-or-other and a Cisco/SA/Motorola RNG150.) Between keeping an old remote and getting two new ones I now have three similar (identical except for body color) Comcast/Xfinity "branded" On Demand/DVR remotes. I know they are all JP1.x remotes of some kind because they have the 6-pin plugs. I had no problem finding setup codes to make them work with the TV's. However, there are a few functions on the original TV remotes that ("of course"?) don't show up on the Comcast "universal" remotes. I believe I understand the process of using 9xx codes to bind "new" EFC's to the keys. My simple question, then, is -- what is the easiest way to navigate through all the material here to find the EFC code to operate, say, the zoom or the input/source function on the TV? (or any other "missing" functions.) I have a Mac so I would be able to use the Mac version of the software here if that would be the appropriate route, even if I don't intend to configure and upload a file to the remote. (I don't think that'd be necessary for only a couple of keys, unless it would require whole new tables.) I see that other folks gave been able to get answers for similar questions for a specific function, device and remote, but I don't really want you experts to do the research for me, just tell me how to go about it myself!

Ted

[eferz]

1. Look for the correct upgrade.
2. Make sure the setup code matches what's loaded on your remote.
3. Find out the appropriate EFCs and add them manually.

Easiest way reprogram the remote is with a JP1 cable and RM/RMIR then it can be done effortlessly.

[mdavej]

Here's a little more detail to expand on eferz's post.

1. Download and install Remote Master (RM) and it's associated RDF and Maps from this site.

2. Search the file section for the model you're looking for. If you don't find an exact model, a similar model of the same brand or year will usually work.

3. Open that file in RM to see the EFCs for the commands you need.

4. Note the protocol and device numbers on the first tab and search for the same using the Lookup Tool at the top of this page. That will give you a device setup code to use with the EFCs in the previous step.

5. Assign the codes per the Manual programming instructions for Advanced Codes on the Wiki site at the top of this page.

That's the procedure the experts go through. We've already done step 1 and can very quickly do 2-4. If you can't find an upgrade file, then post a code search. Then we do a deeper search by looking at code lists from other documents or websites like remote central and converting them to JP1 format using RM, IR and other tools available from this site.

As a last resort, some (eferz, alan and others) will load the requested device onto a harmony remote and analyze the signals using the IRWidget (available from Tommy Tyler in the Marketplace forum). The IRWidget software will also provide the needed EFCs.

I realize the expense of a JP1 cable is a big barrier to many. It seems crazy to spend $30 on a cable for a $20 or even free remote (in the case of a cable remote). But that investment not only saves a huge amount of time and effort, but opens up all kinds of advanced capabilities usually only found in remotes costing hundreds of dollars. It also works on hundreds of remote models. With a cable, your particular problem could be solved in a matter of minutes, and you wouldn't have had to deal with any codes or 9xx commands or complicated procedures.

[TMPLee]

Thanks mdavej and eferz. That should get me started. I had gathered that the easiest way to search the files was probably to use the software, although there were mentions of txt and excel files that had me wondering if that was necessary. I'll of course let you all know how it goes.

Ted

[mdavej]

Excel is needed for Keymap Master (KM). RM serves the same function, so you can use that instead. RM can also read the txt files that were created for and by KM. In most cases, RM will do everything you need.

You could skip the software for now and try to find what you need using only the Lookup Tool, but that will require a lot more trial and error. It's more efficient to use the file section, RM and the Lookup Tool together.

[TMPLee]

OK, first stumbling block. I can't correlate my remotes to any of the ones I find here (say, within the lookup tool.) Both are Comcast remotes with DVR, OnDemand, red select button. Both have 1003 printed above the J1 plug.
Both blink signature 3039. One is silver and has model number RC1475505/04SB CIFA No 18381; the other is platinum and has model number RC1475507/02B CIFA No. 72834.
For what it's worth, the setup code for the silver one (for the Insignia TV) is 11463; the setup code for the platinum one (for the Samsung TV) is 10812)
Any guess which remotes listed in the files here are closest?

Ted

[3FG]

Both Comcast remotes (3039) are Comcast URC-1067BX3 JP 1.3. The other Comcast 1067 is a JP1.2 remote

[TMPLee]

That's what I'd guessed, on the assumption that the device signature is unique to a particular remote type. I can report partial success -- I found the EFC to switch input, which was missing. (command to cycle through the inputs -- haven't found any of the discretes yet, although the original remote does have them.) Now on to find zoom -- which leads to another newbie question: can I get into any unrecoverable trouble simply by trying unused EFC's, hunting for one that might do what I want? I'm pretty sure I don't want to do that on a cablebox since I have a hunch I could get it into a pretty bizarre state, but with a TV?

[3FG]

Typically you won't get into trouble trying EFCs, but do wait between each one to make sure you haven't entered some tool mode.

But why are you searching for EFCs? At least the Samsung codes are pretty well known. Have you looked in the upgrade files? One of them will have the discretes, I imagine.

[eferz]

can I get into any unrecoverable trouble simply by trying unused ECF's, hunting for one that might do what I want? I'm pretty sure I don't want to do that on a cablebox since I have a hunch I could get it into a pretty bizarre state, but with a TV?

Not really, as far as I know. You'd get in more trouble calling your wife by another woman's name, especially during sex. So, don't do that.

[TMPLee]

answering 3FG: I'm working on the Insignia right now -- most of the "known" codes that are associated with setup code 1463 seem to work, some don't -- especially the ones that look like they might do zoom. This is either a 2011 or 2012 set, so I suppose it's possible the codes are a little different from earlier ones. I have no idea who the actual manufacturer is (it's the Best Buy house brand).

[mdavej]

Using the procedure above, I found these codes for your tv in about 30 seconds (thanks eferz). Aspect is probably the command you're looking for on the samsung and zoom on the insignia.

Samsung

Code: Select all

3D	00002
Aspect	00022
Blue(D)	00118
ChannelDown	00117
ChannelList	00075
ChannelPrev	00123
ChannelUp	00119
CloseCaption	00216
Content	00009
DirectionDown	00201
DirectionLeft	00200
DirectionRight	00199
DirectionUp	00197
Exit	00088
FastForward	00037
Favorite	00164
Green(B)	00116
Info	00250
InputAv	00188
InputComponent	00190
InputHdmi1	00081
InputHdmi2	00030
InputHdmi3	00175
InputHdmi4	00176
InputPc	00073
InputTv	00251
Internet@TV	00131
Media	00060
Menu	00247
Mute	00058
Pause	00039
Play	00170
PowerOff	00253
PowerOn	00001
PowerToggle	00183
Record	00041
Red(A)	00068
Return	00229
Rewind	00168
Select/Ok	00069
Source	00185
Stop	00166
Tools	00043
VolumeDown	00059
VolumeUp	00186
Yahoo!	00107
Yellow(C )	00120
-	00219
0	00121
1	00180
2	00184
3	00182
4	00053
5	00057
6	00055
7	00052
8	00056
9	00054

Insignia

Code: Select all

power	00058
tv	00042
comp	00040
hdmi	00101
video	00036
1	00181
2	00185
3	00183
4	00187
5	00180
6	00184
7	00182
8	00186
9	00053
dot (.)	00169
0	00057
last (prev ch)	00117
menu	00116
exit	00251
up arrow	00167
left arrow	00118
enter	00245
right arrow	00120
down arrow	00171
guide	00168
info	00122
input	00248
ch-list	00190
favorite	00043
ccd	00244
vol up	00052
vol down	00056
mute	00054
channel up	00055
channel down	00059
sleep	00123
zoom	00164
mts/sap	00121
picture	00041
play	00133
pause	00193
stop	00137
audio	00037
rewind	00006
fast fwd	00008
prev track	00189
next track	00010
Discrete On	00201
Discrete Off	00197
HDMI 1	00223
HDMI 2	00227
HDMI 3	00220

[TMPLee]

mdavej -- Thanks very much! I'm afraid I just tried to use what seemed to be the simplest approach -- just using the LookUp tool. I found a couple of EFC lists (one was an alt) that seemed to correlate with the setup code and remote device, but neither was anything as complete as what you found. (That's for the Insignia; I hadn't tried the Samsung yet.) I had downloaded RM itself, but gave up (for the moment) with the files because there seemed to be so many different ones I didn't know where to start. Once I've accomplished what I want to do with the info you found I may go back and see if I can sort exactly what steps you followed. Oh, by the way, zoom worked right off the bat -- now to see if any of the other codes are useful (it'd be nice to have discretes for selecting input and possibly aspect ratio, but of course they aren't necessary.)

[eferz]

(thanks eferz)

You're welcome! But, have no idea what I did to help. lol!

[mdavej]

I just picked the newest model that matched the protocol info from your setup codes.

If you start to run out of keys to put all these commands on, check out Shifted functions in the Wiki.