IR Widget or just use learning remote?

[danorum]

I am very happy so far with my Nevo C2 and am going to get a few more for other rooms in the house. I am trying to figure out if I should spend the $42 (including shipping) for an IR Widget or if I should just use learning on the C2 to create learns and then use the learns to create upgrades for my devices.

Anyone have an opinion on ease of use in either case?

Thanks,
Dan

[mdavej]

I've had a Widget for years, and it's great for capturing lots of signals quickly. But unless you plan to do a lot of signal analysis, it isn't necessary. And unless you have some very unusual devices, you shouldn't have to do much of any learning at all. The vast majority of learns I've done over the years have been for others, not for myself.

What brands of devices have you had to learn so far and which ones do you anticipate having to learn?

[danorum]

I had to learn the game input button from my onkyo and was thinking about creating a whole new upgrade because I am having issues adding that one learn to my existing device (separate post coming on that).

I also just got a 5 port HDMI switcher from Monoprice that I assumed I would need to create my own upgrade for.

And I thought it might be neat to have.

Dan

[mdavej]

We have Onkyo documents with every possible command, so no need to learn any of those. If you post the model, I can post the correct document that can be used to make an upgrade. I'd be surprised if we didn't have an upgrade already.

We have lots of Monoprice switch upgrades too, including 2 for 5 port models.

A widget is neat to have, can't argue with that.

[danorum]

Onkyo TX-NR636

If you link to the doc, please let me know how you found it. I would like to be as self sufficient as possible.

The HDMI switch I got is this one -
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13703

It is a 4X1 4K/3D capable switch.

Dan

[mdavej]

Onkyo docs:

http://www.awe-europe.com/brands/Technical-Info/Onkyo

As you can see, nearly all Onkyos share the same codes, so just about any of our upgrades will work fine, like this one:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=11134

Use IR Scrutinizer to convert pronto hex in those docs to JP1 codes. Many codes have already been converted:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=13424

Monoprice upgrades:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... &cat_id=26

Most devices within a brand share the same codes across many model years, so an older model usually works fine. So always try that before you resort to learning.

[danorum]

With the Monoprice upgrade, if I open the .txt file into a new device, the message I get is:

The upgrade file you are loading is for the remote "15-2117/15-2116". There is no remote with that exact name. Please choose the best match from the list below: (dropdown)
RS 15-2116
RS 15-2116 Extender 1
RS 15-2116 Extender 2
RS 15-2116 Extender 3
RS 15-2117
RS 15-2117 Extender 1
RS 15-2117 Extender 2
RS 15-2117 Extender 3

I wasn't sure what to select here for my Nevo C2.

Dan

[mdavej]

Pick the first one when you first open the file. Then you can go back and change it to Nevo.

[The Robman]

With the Monoprice upgrade, if I open the .txt file into a new device, the message I get is:

The upgrade file you are loading is for the remote "15-2117/15-2116". There is no remote with that exact name. Please choose the best match from the list below: (dropdown)
RS 15-2116
RS 15-2116 Extender 1
RS 15-2116 Extender 2
RS 15-2116 Extender 3
RS 15-2117
RS 15-2117 Extender 1
RS 15-2117 Extender 2
RS 15-2117 Extender 3

I wasn't sure what to select here for my Nevo C2.

Dan

That just means that the upgrade was created by the KM tool which uses a slightly different naming convention to the RM tool. Like Dave said, just pick the first one (actually, any of those would work), then change the selection to Nevo C2.

[The Robman]

And to your Widget question. Most regular users can do everything they need just with the learning feature of the remote they have. We only typically need the Widget when we get an unusual signal that won't learn correctly using just a remote.

But, if your intention is to become a remote nerd (like the rest of us) and study the format of signals, etc, then yeah, get yourself a widget.

[pH7_jp1]

The other time a widget is handy is if your remote isn't sending the signals you expect. I just point it at the widget and see what is actually being sent. It always points out where I made a stupid error in programming a macro, or special function.

[vickyg2003]

The other time a widget is handy is if your remote isn't sending the signals you expect. I just point it at the widget and see what is actually being sent. It always points out where I made a stupid error in programming a macro, or special function.

Ditto that.

And while some people don't have a problem with head-to-head learning, I find it to be a real pain. I can't do it by myself. I have to have a helper, and my helper doesn't like to have to do it in stages.

[mdavej]

Nevo is head to end which makes things a little easier.

[danorum]

And is this still the best/cheapest place to get an IR Widget?

(Tommy Tyler's IR Widget Store)
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... 90cc7ca01b

Dan

[The Robman]

And is this still the best/cheapest place to get an IR Widget?

(Tommy Tyler's IR Widget Store)
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... 90cc7ca01b

Dan

It's the *only* place to get them.