Sunfire Theater Grand One preamp

[The Robman]

ETA: Ah, I now see that you've already done something similar. Oh well.....

Lol yeah, that's exactly what I did. Some of the signals were too short, but as they were just missing the OBC complement, I could still make the decode.

[The Robman]

DeflectedIR
Now that I know the Sunfire uses Kenwood signals, I can compile a master list of all the Kenwood OBCs from the various Kenwood upgrade files and create a master upgrade. If I do that, will you be willing to test it and confirm which functions work and which ones don't? I'll create an RMIR file that you can load straight into your RCA RCU810 as it will take several upgrades to cover all of the buttons.

[The Robman]

DeflectedIR,
I have created a zip file for you, which contains:
1. The new Kenwood master file RMDU file
2. The spreadsheet that I used to create the RMDU, and
3. An RMIR file for the RCA RCU810 which contains 7 upgrades with all the possible button codes spread across them.

Here is the file:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=26975

So, here's what I'd like you to do. First, take a backup of your current RCU810 config, so you can restore it later, then load the RCU810 rmir file that I created into it.

Open the spreadsheet and go to the RCU810 tab. This details where each Kenwood function is programmed (ie, which button under which device button). With the spreadsheet open, put the RCU810 in the right device mode and then test each button.

For example, the first entry says use the CBL device button and test if the 0 button sends the "0" signal. Further down it says test the VOL+ button to see if it sends the "100" signal. You get the idea? Now, most of these buttons probably won't do anything, but many of the will, so when you get one that does something, enter that into the spreadsheet, and if it does something different than what I am expecting, say what it does.

When you're done with this exercise, we will have the most complete upgrade file for the Sunfire that it is possible to have.

[DeflectedIR]

Yes Rob, I'm willing to help and understand the procedure. I'll begin the process of elimination sometime tomorrow.

Ken

[DeflectedIR]

OK, I tested all seven of the Kenwood test upgrade device profiles. There were indeed some newly discovered (aka unlocked/applicable) command codes. Unfortunately, the more desirable codes such as Holographic Image, Panel Dim, & Full Automatic Operation remain unknown.

As anticipated, the majority of the button presses did not correlate with any function. Some of the less useful commands intended for external equipment (such as FF & REW) were indeed verified to work. MACRO1, MACRO2, & MACRO3 were also revealed (They are numeric buttons 2, 3, & 4 under Kenwood test upgrade category 'CAB 2004').


Rather than edit the spreadsheet, I kept handwritten notes of all results. Right now I'm dealing with a health problem. It's not terminal or anything dire, although my eyesight is somewhat affected (especially clarity of near vision). So any spreadsheet editing done on my end has to be placed on hold for at least awhile.

[The Robman]

If it's easier to just write what you found here, that would be fine too, something like this:

2004/2 = macro1
2004/3 = macro2
2004/4 = macro3

[DeflectedIR]

I was actually about to ask if it would be acceptable to share without use of the spreadsheet. Yes, it's much easier for me to just list the correlated functions. I'm glad that you're fine with it.

A correction with your example to line three, button 4 is macro3

So it's:

2004/2 = macro1
2004/3 = macro2
2004/4 = macro3

I will share the rest soon. Right now I'm miles away from the PC...down in the valley enjoying some outdoor time. If not tonight, I'll post here again within the next couple days.

[The Robman]

Yeah, that post was just meant to show an example of an acceptable format

[DeflectedIR]

OK great. I had initially thought that the list of results was complete and prime for sharing. However, after some verification testing, I've since realized that there are a few nagging surprises which require further scrutiny and revising. Four of the codes are now rather mysterious (because their functions have proven to be erratic). I'm still perplexed by them and they must be thoroughly analyzed. Yes, I most definitely need to troubleshoot them further. One code appears to act as a previous input recall, although strangely, it is not consistent. Even weirder yet: On two occasions that same function made the preamp become completely unresponsive. For both incidents it was necessary for the unit to be unplugged for a minimum of 30 seconds in order to unbrick the thing. I don't believe that any damage resulted, and this is probably due to a software glitch. I suppose, perhaps, it's more likely that this particular command was never intended for use within the finalized product and is therefore buggy? ...Simply deductive speculation though.

Planning to narrow down precisely what's going on. I don't have much time to tinker right now and will be busy the next several days into the weekend. I hope to release a definitive list sometime next week. I'm determined to figure out exactly what's happening with definitive accuracy.

[The Robman]

That's how it is when you're OBC hunting, I'm afraid. At least in this case you do have an idea of what the button is supposed to do, which might help. Sometimes it's really difficult to tell what a button is really doing when you're working blind. For the ones that don't appear to be useful and in fact, appear to be buggy, just label them as such, that way, the next user can decide to avoid them or spend extra time investigating.

[DeflectedIR]

Yes that's how it goes sometimes: no risk = no reward. ...And to mention...my preamp has been in need of a total capacitor replacement overhaul. So it's difficult to be absolutely certain whether the erratic code in question is solely the fault of my particular equipment; or if it would affect 'healthy units' the same. Right, I was sure to include some descriptive notations within the list.

I will post it very soon, no later than tomorrow evening.

[DeflectedIR]

2001/on.off = (ld)
2001/ch+ = (dss)
2001/ch- = (dvd)
2001/vol- = (cable)
2001/mute = (cd)
2001/go back [test] = (tape)
2001/guide = (vcr)
2001/info = (tuner)
2001/left = am/fm
2001/select = 10+
2001/menu = (tv2)
2001/enter = (sat)
2001/tv.vcr = (tv1)
2001/record = (md)
2001/*All numerical digits are correct and function as radio presets.*

2002/left = cd_input
2002/1 = bass/treble/inlvl dB boost adj
2002/0 = vaux1_input
2002/stop = ch down

2003/guide = dss_input
2003/left = ff
2003/0 = ch up
2003/fwd.delay+ = stereo

2004/ch+ = dvd_input
2004/ch- = ld_input
2004/vol- = cable_input
2004/mute = cd_input (again)
2004/left = pause
2004/right = phono
2004/2 = macro1
2004/3 = macro2
2004/4 = macro3
2004/5 = either another dat/tape_input...or possible previous input recall ??? (random lock-ups)
2004/enter = dat/tape_input
2004/play = play
2004/rec = vcr
2004/stop = power

2005/on.off = repeat
2005/pip = skip up
2005/mute = rec
2005/input [rear] = skip down
2005/right = setup
2005/6 = random
2005/enter = rew
2005/play = bass/treble/inlvl dB boost adj (again)

2006/swap [front] = tuner
2006/3 = stop

2007/2 = ld/dvd_input
2007/4 = vcr1_input
2007/6 = vol+2 (two step increments)
2007/8 = vol-2 (" " " " " " " ")
2007/0 = dbs/bs_input

[The Robman]

This list is great, almost everything that you found corresponds to the Kenwood function for the same button. Can you double check the following buttons:

2003/fwd.delay+ = stereo - I think this is really DSP (where Stereo is one of the options)
2005/right = setup - I think this is really Surround

I think the following are possibly valid, but you missed them:

2004/8 = mute
2005/1{CD} = preset down
2005/2{Tape} = preset up
2006/Input{Rear} = tuner freq down
2006/PIP{Center} = tuner freq up
2006/Pause = adjust down
2006/Fwd = adjust up

I'm trying to understand what the different versions of the input selects mean. There are some that are just plain inputs, there are some prefixed with "Name" and some wrapped in brackets. Picking on LD/DVD as an example, can you tell me if the following do anything different to each other:

2007/2 = LD/DVD input
2001/on.off = (LD)
2004/ch- = LD - Name

I found a user manual for this device here:
https://thecarversite.com/manuals/Sunfi ... 0TGP-I.pdf

I tried looking in the manual for the 3 buttons that the previous user had said were missing (ie, dim, hologram, auto mode) but the manual doesn't make it sound like there are remote buttons for those.

I have updated the Sunfire RMDU file:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=25069

[DeflectedIR]

2003/fwd.delay+ = stereo actually is correctly labeled. It corresponds directly to the 'normal stereo' button on the front control panel of the unit. Although there is also the separate dsp function, the code for it still remains elusive. This 'digital signal processing' option is the ability to toggle between the three available built-in equalizers (jazz, stadium, or cathedral).

2005/right = setup is correct also. It initiates the subwoofer on/off and speaker calibration procedure.

If those other button/code combinations are valid, I would have missed them due to random device instability (intermittent lock-ups). I'll be certain to run them through again; will get around to it soon.

I am just as bewildered as you are concerning the '2001 list' of the inputs in parentheses. Thanks for providing a good link to the manual although I already had access to one. The manual isn't clear enough as to what the full capability of those device selections are. My preamp really is in limp-mode right now and these commands aren't functioning properly anyway. When I acquired this unit, it already had some nagging stability problems. Since I never owned an original remote, even with the aid of the manual, it was never completely clear to me as to what the actual usefulness of them was. It could be for individual bass/treble/decibel tuning along with settings retention (memory) for each device? That would be my guess.

The device_input codes refer to the direct signal feed selection for each of the respective devices. However, I am unable to test the difference between ld/dvd_input, ld_input, or dvd_input since none of them work properly on my unit at this time. I can occasionally manage to get the cd and tape inputs to feed audio. It's very hit-or-miss though. I will be recapping this thing myself very soon and have already acquired all of the appropriately valued low ESR capacitors. It's nothing of concern, I have over three decades of electronics repair experience. This will be a routine task for me...I just chose to procrastinate on this project and some others due to priorities.

[The Robman]

Ah, so you need to replace a bunch of the caps, got it. Been there, done that, before myself, with an old Raite DVD player. That one had a soft power button, so the power supply was always on, and thus burned out. So, I added a push/pull on/off button from Radio Shack, so now the power is only on when I put it on (which is almost never, now). I only keep the player around as it's the only one that will play non-US (non region code 0) discs.