Watching two DVD players, how to avoid controlling both

[mvgossman]

With my IR distribution system and 6131 remote system controlling the 4 stellite receivers and a DVD player, an annoyance in the repeating of DVD IR commands from one room with a standalone DVD player being sent to the DVD player that is being distributed around the house.

Using the 6131 remote, is there a way to avoid this? If there's a way to individually control Sony DVD players separately using device ID codes, that would be nice, but I do not have a spare mode button. Any ideas?

[The Robman]

DVD players generally don't have "unit codes" like some other devices do because the OEM doesn't think that people will generally need two identical DVD players in the same room.

As for needing an extra mode key on the URC-6131, do you know that there are two extra modes you can use, bring the total up to 8? You can program macros that call the missing dev7 or dev8 and then program them to any buttons you like. If you a non-Tivo user, I would recommend the two THUMBS buttons, but if you are a Tivo user, I would recommend using a couple of shifted device buttons.

[mvgossman]

DVD players generally don't have "unit codes" like some other devices do because the OEM doesn't think that people will generally need two identical DVD players in the same room.

As for needing an extra mode key on the URC-6131, do you know that there are two extra modes you can use, bring the total up to 8? You can program macros that call the missing dev7 or dev8 and then program them to any buttons you like. If you a non-Tivo user, I would recommend the two THUMBS buttons, but if you are a Tivo user, I would recommend using a couple of shifted device buttons.

Thanks... I am vaguely aware of macros and use of those two devices. I have started small with the standard programming, planning on doing more advanced work later. Do I have to use the Extender to accomplish this? I have stayed away from that, seems complex.

Is this feasible? Hit PVR button, causes remote to change channel to 71 on the TV, goes into PVR mode?

[The Robman]

Thanks... I am vaguely aware of macros and use of those two devices. I have started small with the standard programming, planning on doing more advanced work later. Do I have to use the Extender to accomplish this? I have stayed away from that, seems complex.

You don't need to use an extender simply to program a macro, you can do that in IR.exe. If you bought this remote from me, or from a site where I supplied the modified remotes, you might find that there are already macros programmed to two of the shifted device buttons that call dev7 and dev8.

Is this feasible? Hit PVR button, causes remote to change channel to 71 on the TV, goes into PVR mode?

You are asking if you can program a macro to a device button, to do that DOES require using the extender. However, you can program macros to the shifted device buttons without an extender.

[jon_armstrong]

I think some Sony DVD's can be set to one of three different device codes and you could create the corresponding device upgrade. At the current price point of DVD's it may be less expensive to buy a different brand than the following idea, but here goes:

You could get an IR543 (~$20) that converts IR to the x10 powerline commands. Then get two appliance modules (~$15 each ) and plug the DVD's into the appliance modules. You turn off the Appliance module off to the DVD you don't want to control.

You would do this with macro's and you would turn the Appliance module back on to the unused DVD, once the IR commands to the other were sent. There are also IR routers made by, IIRC, Xantech and they are fairly expensive and depending on how your system is wired might be some work to install.

So I think it is simpler to buy a different brand DVD but please mention the brand and I'll look into the possibility of an alternate command set.

[mvgossman]

I think some Sony DVD's can be set to one of three different device codes and you could create the corresponding device upgrade. At the current price point of DVD's it may be less expensive to buy a different brand than the following idea, but here goes:

You could get an IR543 (~$20) that converts IR to the x10 powerline commands. Then get two appliance modules (~$15 each ) and plug the DVD's into the appliance modules. You turn off the Appliance module off to the DVD you don't want to control.

You would do this with macro's and you would turn the Appliance module back on to the unused DVD, once the IR commands to the other were sent. There are also IR routers made by, IIRC, Xantech and they are fairly expensive and depending on how your system is wired might be some work to install.

So I think it is simpler to buy a different brand DVD but please mention the brand and I'll look into the possibility of an alternate command set.

Thanks... My DVD player is a Sony DVP-S560D. The remote has no 1-2-3 switch on it that would prove it has device-ID settings.

[mr_d_p_gumby]

The remote has no 1-2-3 switch on it that would prove it has device-ID settings.

Actually, you'd do better to check the player itself for a switch. Lately Sony has taken to not providing the option on the remote itself even in cases where the device can be changed. Many times there's a switch on the front or back of the unit; sometimes there's a menu option. Even without the signals from the remote, I'm sure Jon can figure out the correct IR commands... 8)

[mvgossman]

The remote has no 1-2-3 switch on it that would prove it has device-ID settings.

Actually, you'd do better to check the player itself for a switch. Lately Sony has taken to not providing the option on the remote itself even in cases where the device can be changed. Many times there's a switch on the front or back of the unit; sometimes there's a menu option. Even without the signals from the remote, I'm sure Jon can figure out the correct IR commands... 8)

None on the front panel, either, but of course the device ID setting, if it is possible, might be done with the remote. Now if only I could find the manual around here...

But Rob, thanks, I just programmed a macro. I had ASSumed it was for extender use only. Now my family can just shift-PVR, shift-AUD, etc., to set the TV to the proper channel to select the desired TiVo from the video distribution system, and put the remote in the correct mode for that unit.

What other fun stuff have you all programmed as macros?

[jon_armstrong]

You also may want to dig out the dreaded manual and see if it can be done in a setup mode. Most of the current Sony receiver's are set that way.

[jon_armstrong]

An afterthought, check out the other DVD too. Unless they are identical models. I have a year old Sony DVP-NS700P that does NOT appear to have any way to change to an alternate command set.

[The Robman]

I had ASSumed ...