Newbie Question(s)

[ShaneK]

Hello everyone and thank you for your help,

I am a definite newbie trying to figure out if JP1 can/will work for me.

I am a custom installer and am very familiar with URC, Philips, RTI remotes and software.

My first question is:
I am working on a project that has RTI remotes and B&K (URC) keypads (two B&K CT 610s system). The whole house system has the ability to have local direct audio/video inputs for each zone, ex. I have a small TV in the kitchen that can send its audio out, from basic cable, back to the multi-zone controller to be played by, only, the local (kitchen) in-ceiling speakers. For a few reasons, it will be much easier to adjust the volume for the "zone" than to adjust the volume on the TV. This is easily accomplished from the keypad but my problem is trying to use the remote. I know that the customers will turn the volume down on the TV, turn the zone volume up to compensate, then switch sources and blow themselves away. So, would an inexpensive JP1 compatible (one for all?) remote be able to maybe send a turn on macro (maybe more than one macro), have the numbers control a Sony TV and have the volume set to control the B&K components?

The short(er) version is that I am trying to find inexpensive remotes that I can continue to put in some of these rooms that have local TV and control capabilities that will keep things in sync (no pun intended). Customizable (especially on the computer) is my goal.

Secondly:
I am just starting to read information on this, and other websites. If you have good info that you think I should look at, please tell me where to look.

Thanks again,
Shane

[johnsfine]

So, would an inexpensive JP1 compatible (one for all?) remote be able to maybe send a turn on macro (maybe more than one macro), have the numbers control a Sony TV and have the volume set to control the B&K components?

Yes.

You might need to use some added software called an "extender". That lets you put macros on any keys you like. Without the extender, most OFA models don't let you put macros on the device select keys, which are the keys on which the user would most likely expect macros.

The extender also lets you run macros faster. Otherwise any complex macro would take longer than the user is willing to keep the remote aimed.

The extender also lets you more effitiently use the remote's memory to customize things like which keys operate which devices. But if you're just trying to operate one TV and one audio system, you don't need to be effitient about the remote's memory.

that will keep things in sync (no pun intended).

Hopefully you already understand that startup macros and other aspects of keeping things in sync depend more on the devices than on the remotes.

If you have devices with decent discrete codes or reasonable work arounds, any PC programmable remote can keep things in sync.

If your devices don't have decent discretes, JP1 is better than many expensive PC programmable remotes because it has "ToadTog" to let the remote try to keep track of external device state. But no matter how good any remote is at such things, you'll never get that behavior very robust.

[ShaneK]

Thanks for the help,

Yes, all of my components have reasonable discretes or work-arounds. I was mainly trying to figure out if I could program the very inexpensive one-for-all remotes by software.

I have expensive (relative) remotes for the main areas but I thought it would be great to be able to have solid, reliable remotes in the more common areas. Knowing that they have what seems like a lot of flexibility, I may not limit them to just the TV but maybe to be able to do some whole house source control also.

How do I know which of the one-for-all remotes are programmable with the "regular" software and also with the "extender" software that you talked about? Does even the URC 1050 in the value line?

Thanks,
Shane

[ShaneK]

Follow-up question:

Is the UEI cable box remote line JP1 compatible (specifically the Atlas DVR, non day version)?

If so, can it be bought from this website? Or somewhere else?

Shane

[pH7_jp1]

Most of your questions can be answered by downloading THIS FILE from the File Section.