Newbie wanting to jump on marry-go-round. Can you help?

burchis · Post by **burchis** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:37 pm

Obviously this is my first post to this forum, so please be kind.

I currently have a Sony RM-VL600 that basically does what I need. However I am wanting to have the ability to program discrete codes for tasks like switching to a specific TV input instead of having to cycle to one. Also I want to be able to send discrete on and off commands instead of using a single button that toggles. Can this be accomplished with the above mentioned Sony remote?

Yesterday I bought the RS 15-100 remote just because it looked cool and was on sale for $19.99, I hate to pass up a good buy. I read where it is possible to connect a JP1 connector via ribbon cable for computer interface. Just curious if there are other Radio Shack's universal remotes that already have the connector. Does the 15-135 have the pins from the factory?

What about the 'all in one' remotes? Are these popular and have the 6 pin connector factory installed?

Are there any remotes that offer both IR and RF. I am using a Firefly remote to control my HTPC and hope to map these RF commands along with all of my IR commands.

I thank all who reply with any help.

unclemiltie · Post by **unclemiltie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:45 pm

The 15-100 is a challenge since there is no space for adding the 6-pin connector although some ambitious people here have found a way and there are posts here on how to do it. I don't know about the 15-135.

You can get your hands on the Atlas remotes on ebay relatively cheap, they have the 6-pin connector in them. Also the Comcast DVR remotes are JP1.3 and are nice if you can live with the three-device limitation. (Cable, TV, Aux)

Look in the Marketplace section on this site, Rob always has remotes for sale. you can see what he has. All of his remotes have the cnoector on them.

Finally, then you'll need the right cable depending on which remote you get. Tommy Tyler (and others) sell USB cables that allow you to program the remotes.

welcome to the club!

-bill

Post by **vickyg2003** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:12 am

Does the 15-135 have the pins from the factory?

Yes, the RS-135 is a 7 device remote with a 6 pin JP1.3 connector .
The opening for the connector is a bit smaller and requires a smaller cable end to fit in the box (or you can cut a wider hole in the remote as I did).

NOTE: It's a JP1.3 remote.

That's significant. If cost is an issue, you'll want to stick with 1 family of remotes, since in most cases, the cable will cost more than the remote. Each type of cable will only work with certain types of remotes.

To Date
Remotes come in
JP1 - Lots of models, great support. These models use an EEPROM and were around for a long time.
JP1.1 ~ 2003(short lived version mostly older cable remotes)
JP1.2 new in 2004 One for all URC-6820, URC-8820, URC-10820, URC-6xxx Hybrid as well as some cable company remotes)
JP1.3 new in 2007 RS-100, RS-135, RS-133 and some newer cable company remotes

Cables come in:

JP1 - works with JP1 remotes only!

JP1.x (JP1.1 and JP1.2)

JP1.2 (JP1.2 and JP1.3)

For me, I was reluctant to buy any cable when I first came here as I was afraid this wasn't going to work. But now I have bought most of the varieties, simply because I LOVE these remotes. My HT system was so complicated that I was reluctant to play a DVD or switch to Antenna because it took so many keystrokes. Now its just a long keypress to change modes. That's a 13 keystroke savings and makes it so easy to watch TV. And next year, when I have to add an STB (set top box) for OTA(over the air) signals, it will be even more complex!