Disabling VPT on URC-9911(canadian 9910)

[Bebert2]

Hi!

I've been using a pretty generic setup for a while. Yesterday, i've decided to run a cable to my home office so my Scientific Atlanta cable box feeds two different TVs. Using RF, I can control the cable box from any room.

I'd like to control the volume on this older Sony TV (code 0000) i've began using. Until now, VPT was enabled to my Yamaha receiver in the living room (all the sounds from my devices go through my receiver). I'd like to disable VPT in order to make macros with VOL- and VOL+ as follows :

VOL+ : turns the volume up on both Yamaha receiver and Sony TV
VOL- : turns the volume down on both...

I can't find anything in IR that would allow me to turn VPT completely off.

Any ideas, folks?

Thanks!

[gfb107]

On the General tab, in the Other Settings, set "VPT Status" to "Off"

[Capn Trips]

I'd like to ... make macros with VOL- and VOL+ as follows :

VOL+ : turns the volume up on both Yamaha receiver and Sony TV
VOL- : turns the volume down on both...

Not help, but an observation. I don't think you can make such macros work in a practical sense. Volume +/- are typically functions that one does not INCREMENT or STEP THROUGH. They are normally used in a CONTINUOUS fashion.

Any macro (in this case a 2-step macro - i.e. Receiver Vol+ followed by TV vol +) will necessarily have to send ONE signal first, and then the second signal. When you hold the button down, only the LAST signal in the sequence will repeat, so you would get a single "step"of the Yamaha signal, followed by repeating steps of the TV signal while you hold the button. This would make adjusting the volume on the Yamaha awkward, requiring multiple presses of the same button until you get to the level you desire. (Obviously the reverse applies if you put the TV Vol signal first)

If you're using the extender, it seems more useful to me to set the desired V_keyset index in your device selection macro appropriate to which TV you're watching and then the Vol buttons will be mapped to whichever device you choose, irrespective of VPT setting.

[The Robman]

You can't send two IR signals at once (try it using two remotes, if you don't believe me) so what you ask isn't possible.

However, it might be possible to rig something up to make changing the VPT setting real easy. I don't think we have a special protocol to do that at the moment (but I didn't check), but I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to create one (I'm not volunteering, but one of the other experts might)

[Bebert2]

Thank you for the very informative replies, Rob, Capn and gfb. I understand better now that I read your posts!

A lot of problems I am experiencing with JP1 are implementation issues : I do not know what the best way of doing things is all the time.

I will try this :

-Turn VPT off
-Define a SAT macro : DEV_CBL; SET_CHAN_KEYS; DEV_SAT; SET_VOL_KEYS;
that will allow me to control the volume on the Sony TV
-Modify my CBL macro : DEV_CBL; SET_CHAN_KEYS; DEV_AUD; SET_VOL_KEYS this way the volume keys will control the Yamaha RCVR

Does this seem like the most intelligent implementation?

Thanks!


Beb

[johnsfine]

When you hold the button down, only the LAST signal in the sequence will repeat,

That is a special feature in extenders that follow my design. It does not work that way without an extender, nor with extenders that don't follow my design. Without that special feature, NO signals in a macro are affected by how long you hold the key.

Is this thread about use of an extender?

The extender supports a much more flexible form of VPT, that may solve the real user issue.

[johnsfine]

VOL+ : turns the volume up on both Yamaha receiver and Sony TV
VOL- : turns the volume down on both...

The most important question is WHY?

People have had reasons to want synchronised vol changes in two different devices. I've edited Pronto Hex in strange ways to do that with a Pronto. You could create a custom protocol executor to do that with a JP1 remote (I don't remember whether anyone has done that yet).

BUT, things in this thread make me guess that you don't want synchronised vol control. You just want to control one or the other but didn't have a good answer for making the remote know which one to control. That sort of thing is a major reason why we put the dynamic HT aspect of device selection into the extenders. So the thing to do is learn how the extender's device selection may fill your needs.

Your last post sounds like you may be headed in that direction, but you may be limiting yourself by underestimating the flexibility available.

[Bebert2]

You are right about what I am trying to do.

I want to control one device or the other, using the same physical buttons on the remote.

Also, I am using the 9910 extender, as you can see per my SET_CHAN_KEYS and SET_VOL_KEYS sequences.

Thanks!

[The Robman]

If you're using an extender, this is easy.

Remove the vol setting from the device macro that selects the cable box.

Edit the device macro that selects the Sony TV to set the volume for that TV.

Edit all other device macros to set the volume to the Yamaha.

[ElizabethD]

This thread is likely done, so I'd like to piggyback a similar question. It's for extended HTPro/8910, perhaps 7800 as well:
Two Panasonic TVs use the same protocol and upgrade.
#1 - is fine as is, all sound goes through the receiver with the other gear.
#2 - is trouble. It is a standalone TV, needs mute and volume controls for itself without muting the other gear via RF.

How can I do it in the LEAST amount of upgrade space? Preferably negative as I have to gain another 20-30 bytes for something else.
I can't afford another upgrade, can't think of how to design keymoves/macros without having a device.
Any fresh ideas? Some totally different way of looking at it?

[underquark]

Two Panasonic TVs use the same protocol and upgrade...

Can you clarify if this is correct or not? (I'm not saying I can solve it but it would help to get my head around the problem):

You've got TV1 in one room and TV2 in another? You're using an IR/RF remote to turn up the sound for TV1 but with the volume (via VPT or whatever) control code being sent to a receiver or amp? You'd like to be able to use the same remote (via IR signal presumably) to control another TV and turn up and down its volume but not have the RF signal get sent to the first TV volme control? And it's essential that you use the same remote?

So you're trying not to assign a 2nd upgrade to work the 2nd TV as this takes up too much space. What happens (and I figure I'm allowed to be stupid as it's my 100th post) if you just use a built-in Panasonic code such as 0250 or 0650 and KeyMove from that code to suitable buttons only the minimum essential controls for the 2nd TV? The volume control (from whatever button) generates Panasonic codes in IR and RF but only the TV you are pointing up picks up the IR; the first TV isn't hooked up to RF, it's the receiver and the volume codes for that are not Panasonic.

[The Robman]

Where is the HTpro's base unit? I'm guessing that it's in front of the setup where TV #1 is. So, when you're in front of TV #1, you have the VPT set to the receiver, so you're not sending the TV/0250 volume signals. But, when you're in front of TV #2, you reset the VPT to TV so when you press the volume buttons, you are indeed sending the TV/0250 volume signals, and in addition to altering the volume of TV #2, you are accidentally also changing the volume on TV #1 thru the RF link. Does that accurately describe your situation?

If so, the answer is to use IR blasters with your base unit and have them positioned in such a way that they only work the devices you want them to work, thus avoiding the TV itself.

[ElizabethD]

Thank you both. I've complicated things by dragging in the RF issue which is small (but needs a solution eventually). In any case, here goes:

You've got TV1 in one room and TV2 in another? You're using an IR/RF remote to turn up the sound for TV1 but with the volume (via VPT or whatever) control code being sent to a receiver or amp? You'd like to be able to use the same remote (via IR signal presumably) to control another TV and turn up and down its volume but not have the RF signal get sent to the first TV volme control? And it's essential that you use the same remote?

Hey, did you get a beer-date yet?
Yes, that's how it's set up. Yes, I'd like to use the same remote(s). I have this idea of one/two remotes doing everything everywhere I'll fail since I need multiplex and have no room, but I'm still trying. Also if I pick up 7800 or 8910, they don;t mess with RF, just HTPro. Ignore the RF issue for the moment. RF interference is infrequent and a minor problem. The KEY issue is/was upgrade space and the need to control volume on TV#2. See below.

Where is the HTpro's base unit? I'm guessing that it's in front of the setup where TV #1 is. So, when you're in front of TV #1, you have the VPT set to the receiver, so you're not sending the TV/0250 volume signals. But, when you're in front of TV #2, you reset the VPT to TV so when you press the volume buttons, you are indeed sending the TV/0250 volume signals, and in addition to altering the volume of TV #2, you are accidentally also changing the volume on TV #1 thru the RF link. Does that accurately describe your situation?

Rob, almost accurately. The base unit is in the middle of a looong living/dining/everything room, otherwise the remote won't reach the main gear from the far end. TV#2 is off that room (kitchen etc), and only if I'm in some position the RF signal goes to the TV#1 setup. I can't place any RF stuff close to the equipment - the room arrangement angles are all wrong - unless I figure a way to hang it from the ceiling in the middle or something I don't have the position issue resolved, so any advice is useful. To date I could not control the volume of TV#2 at all 'cause volume signals are pushed to the receiver. BUT ...

I suddenly realised that Set_Volume_Keys does just that. KEYS. Not functions. Or so it seems with this quick solution: assign the volume again, in the same TV#1 upgrade, to 3 other keys so long as they're not in the volume keyset. I just tried it and it seems to have worked at a cost of 3 bytes. TV#2 gets its volume control, finally, and the normal volume buttons continue to run volume on the receiver for TV#1. I think it's gonna be OK, comments most welcome

[The Robman]

If you're using an extender, why not program a macro on a button that will select the TV #2 volume, and a macro on another button that selects the receivers volume.

[underquark]

How can I do it in the LEAST amount of upgrade space? Preferably negative as I have to gain another 20-30 bytes for something else.

Use the built-in Panasonic codes for the TVs - there's your negative upgrade. 0250 is the usual one and 0650 adds in text functions (if you need them and if your remote supports them - my Euro Kamelon has it but my US-sourced 8910 doesn't). I did an upgrade for my Panasonic TV and then really couldn't see the point apart from the discretes used in macros.

Did you catch these [strike]boasts[/strike] posts?:
(Maxing out that EEPROM, baby!) and Here's my file...

Hey, did you get a beer-date yet?

Yes (and wine and steak and cherry desert); most tasty thank you.