Newbie and 8080 vs extender

[sikk]

Hi,

I am a total newbie to the world of JP1 programming. I have however fulfilled the basic rights of passage of the past day or 2. Specifically I have managed to:

1. Dig out my unloved URC-8080-B0? Producer 8
2. Build a parrallel JP1 interface.
3. Download and Upload codes and devices, key moves etc.
4. Built and set up a simple Igor SFH-56 IR reciever with Girder to read IR codes since the URC-8080 can't learn them.
5. Pulled some codes out of Girder and used existing (rmdu?) RM files to add functions specific to some of my devices (Yamaha R-V702 Reciever).

So I figure I am on the right track.

What I wish to do next is assign macros to device keys (e.g. CBL) which when pressed will switch to the AMP device and execute a function which changes the input on the amp to the cable box and then returns the remote to its previous state. it is my understanding that the best way to do this is with an extender. Do I really need an extender to do what I described above? Or should I read about macros in a bit more depth?

It appears that there is an extender that will allow this for the URC-8080-B002.

My questions are:
1. How do I tell which version my URC-8080 is?
2. Will the beta extender run on ANY version of the URC-8080?
3. I don't mind trying the extender out as long as the worst I have to do is reset the remote if things go belly up. Can I do any lasting damage to the remote by "giving it a whirl"?
4. Um, I'll shut up now.

Thans in advance.
Ray.

[The Robman]

The version number should be printed on the back of the remote, right after the model number, eg URC-8080B02.

Before you load the extender, save a copy of your remote's current memory image, then if you ever want to un-install the extender all you have to do is re-load the saved memory image.

[sikk]

The version number should be printed on the back of the remote, right after the model number, eg URC-8080B02.

Ouch - okay, I'm blind. Its a URC-8080B01

save a copy of your remote's current memory image

Thanks, I'll give it a try. A download and save with IR6 will save the entire remote memory, right?

Ray.

[The Robman]

Yup

[sikk]

Ok.

I've downloaded the URC- 8080B02 extender from
https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=1452

I can load the RDF into IR6 with no issues, but when I go to open it in RM I get the following error. This happens regardless of wether I have a known working upgrade open or not.

http://www.4dot0.net/whiteman/jp1/error%20with%20RM.jpg

Any suggestions? Do I need to use KM to work around this or is it a Java related issue? I have no problems loading the other RDF's I have in RM.

I am running J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 1.

Ray.

[gfb107]

The extender RDF you are using hasn't been kept up to date with the changes needed by RM. You can probably just use the unextended RDF until we get the extended one updated. It isn't a hard process, we'll mostly just copy the missing entries from the unextended RDF to the extended RDF.

However, you say you are trying to use the B02 extender with the B01 remote. That may cause problems.

[sikk]

The extender RDF you are using hasn't been kept up to date with the changes needed by RM

Ok. I should just "watch this space" then? I'm pretty comfy with the setup as it is, so no rush. I'm 1,000 miles from the $10 learning remote from Aldi I was using last week.

However, you say you are trying to use the B02 extender with the B01 remote. That may cause problems.

Anything I can do to help I will. Just ask, I'm more than happy to try anything you ask and post the results. I'm guessing there must be a few lonely URC-8080B01's languishing at the back of entertainment unit cupboards :p Anything I can do to "extend" their life is a good thing.

[gfb107]

Ok, I've updated HT80HT8C (URC-8080_8090-B02 with Time and Extender Support).rdf to make it compatible with RM.

I also had to make some changes to the URC-8080.map file to make it compatible with that RDF, while keeping compatibility with the other 8080/8090 RDFs. It belongs in the images folder inside the folder where you installed RM.

Nils, I hope you are reading.

[gfb107]

I'm not an extender writer, so I can't even guess as to what will happen when you try to use the B02 extender on the B01. However, based simply on the fact that the B02 and B01 versions require different RDFs, I expect some difficulties.

[Nils_Ekberg]

Nils, I hope you are reading.

(yes I am listening - Thanks Rob for opening my ears

I got it Greg. I guess this extender RDF never made it to the distribution so it never got modified.

I have to look a little closer but there is the potential the B02 extender may work. There are a few differences in the base that the extender may ignore. Worth trying since it won't kill the remote and can always reload the old image.

[sikk]

Guys,

Thanks so much for the fast response.

I have to look a little closer but there is the potential the B02 extender may work.

I'll give the extender a whirl tonight. Anything specific I should try? Other than the documented extender functions that is.

[sikk]

Ok,

I did the following earlier.

1. I recreated new B02 Extended versions of all my rmdu files using the RDF modified by gfb107.
2. Opened the updated RDF in IR6 and added all my device updates.
3. Uploaded the new IR file to the 8080B01.

In the IR fiel I created, I used lighton and off commands, assigned macros to device keys, and used virtual device comamnds.

The results were less than encouraging, in that none of the extender commands worked. The clock wasn't even set. As long as I wasn't using any of the macros created the remote worked fine though.

I will double check everything when I have more time and try just one device with a basic macro to see if that works.

One thing that may be worth mentioning is that the RDF uploaded by gfb107 when opened in IR, has no VIRTUAL_AUX1 key in the macro comamnds, and also seems to have a combind CBL/SAT key. The B01 RDF has seperate keys for CBL/SAT in the macro commands. TV/SAT is combined on the B01 RDF though. Odd.

Bit rushed so I am sorry if this reads as gibberish.

[gjarboni]

The results were less than encouraging, in that none of the extender commands worked. The clock wasn't even set. As long as I wasn't using any of the macros created the remote worked fine though.

One thing that may be worth mentioning is that the RDF uploaded by gfb107 when opened in IR, has no VIRTUAL_AUX1 key in the macro comamnds, and also seems to have a combind CBL/SAT key. The B01 RDF has seperate keys for CBL/SAT in the macro commands. TV/SAT is combined on the B01 RDF though. Odd.

Bit rushed so I am sorry if this reads as gibberish.

Sorry for taking so long to get to this post. Rob asked me to take a look at it a while back, but I've been slow in getting around to it.

I guess I should introduce myself -- I'm the one who wrote all of the extenders for the 740 remotes. First let me clarify a few things:

1) The 8080B02 extender won't work in a B01 remote. I did write an extender for the B01 remote, and the protocol code is at the bottom of this message.

2) The time can't be set on a 8080B00 or B01 remote. The B00 and B01 remotes don't support "reset code" (code that runs when the remote is reset) and that's necessary to set the clock.

3) Everything about the B01 extender should be the same as the B02 version (the instructions, the device code & keymove that launch the extender, etc.) except for the protocol code below. However, I don't have a B01 remote, so I wasn't able to test this. I had someone partially test it and say that it was only partially working. But they stopped responding to emails in the middle of the process, so I'm not sure what state this is in.

So if you haven't already bought another remote, give this a try and let me know how it works.

Thanks,

Jason M.

Upgrade Protocol 0 = 01 FF (P8/740)
00 00 01 CF 4F 68 68 38 A6 F6 A5 F5 E9 A5 B0 01
CA 3C 65 F7 3C 02 F8 85 60 86 61 3C FF F4 20 6C
85 3C 64 F7 3C 03 F8 A5 60 A6 61 1A E8 3C FF F4
20 6C 85 4C 65 02
20 EB 87 67 39 03 20 92 9B 6F 39 20 A9 82 A5 CE
85 D0 20 B0 86 20 B0 86 20 F8 02 A2 1F 9A 12 D8
2F 0C 20 71 83 3C 00 D2 20 A6 87 20 2D 8A 20 B0
86 64 B5 D0 0C 47 B3 09 37 B0 03 20 82 9E 20 46
8C EF 3E 3C 20 3F 57 B0 04 64 C5 F0 41 64 C5 F0
02 CF 3E 3C 00 19 A9 0F 25 B3 85 B3 EF 3B AF 3B
58 C2 BF 3B FF 3B BF 3F BF 3D DF 3E 5F 3E F7 C8
0D FF C8 A5 C8 C9 1E 90 C8 20 DE 9B 80 C0 97 B3
03 4C 65 02 77 39 BA 20 4A 8A 64 C5 D0 B3 20 A3
8A 80 AB 3C 80 25 A2 1E 86 C7 CF 3E A5 D0 57 B0
09 17 B2 03 A7 B2 03 5F B0 60 D0 01 60 6F 52 6F
53 A5 D0 C9 80 B0 3B C9 42 D0 07 3C 31 D0 20 65
92 60 C9 41 D0 03 7F 08 60 C9 40 D0 03 6F 08 60
C9 47 90 0E 38 E9 40 A2 00 E9 07 F0 03 E8 80 F9
86 B7 C9 45 90 0C D0 05 A5 B7 85 CF 60 A5 CF 85
B7 60 07 B2 03 20 76 92 47 B3 3E D7 5A 04 DF 5A
EF D0 20 32 96 90 35 20 B8 97 90 33 A5 D0 C9 0F
F0 31 C9 1F F0 2D A5 D0 C9 35 D0 05 8F 5A 4C 82
9E 20 03 8D 20 03 85 B0 03 4C 6A 9C A6 B7 86 D5
E7 AD 03 4C 1F 8C 4C 28 8C 4C 4A 99 4C 72 8C 4C
AD 03 60 CF 5A 4C 10 9E 6F 39 20 E8 94 29 0F 85
F4 8D 2E 02 A5 F5 48 A5 F6 48 A9 02 37 B2 01 3A
20 D0 94 20 DE 97 68 85 F6 68 85 F5 37 B2 0B AD
2F 02 E3 06 3C 04 DC 20 A6 93 3C 00 B1 3C 00 B5
3C 00 B5 AD 2E 02 F0 18 0F B2 CE 2E 02 A6 B1 E6
B1 BD 30 02 85 D0 F0 EB 3C 01 D2 20 F8 02 80 E3
1F B2 3F B2 60 EA
End

[sikk]

Jason,

Thanks for the work! I was angling towrds the purchase of a 9960. And I may still go that way, however, I am willing to put some effort toward testing the extender for the B01.

Bear with me, work has been of late. I will test it and respond.

Do you have specific test cases you woul like me to perform so that I can cover off all extender functionality?

BTW: My wife, a traditionally difficult person to convince of the value of ANY technology, let alone something this niche, has taken to the old 8080 like a duck to water. I can't thank the community enough for all the effort that has been put in.

[gjarboni]

Jason,

Thanks for the work! I was angling towrds the purchase of a 9960. And I may still go that way, however, I am willing to put some effort toward testing the extender for the B01.

Bear with me, work has been of late. I will test it and respond.

Great! Whenever you have time to test it, that will be fine.

Do you have specific test cases you woul like me to perform so that I can cover off all extender functionality?

BTW: My wife, a traditionally difficult person to convince of the value of ANY technology, let alone something this niche, has taken to the old 8080 like a duck to water. I can't thank the community enough for all the effort that has been put in.

The basic test would be to make sure that the extender doesn't break basic functionality. keymoves, macros, etc.

Next, try putting a keymove on a key that normally wouldn't allow one. (Like Esc). Try putting a macro on a device key.

If that works, then try PushDev and PopDev in a macro. Also try out LightOn/LightOff in a macro.

I think that does it. Let me know how it goes.

Jason M.