Panasonic DMR-EZ27 and using EFCs with the URC-8305

[rubbadub]

Hi, newbie here.
Device: Panasonic DMR-EZ27
Type: DVD Recorder
Year: 2007
UEI Remote: URC 8305
Have JP1 cable? No
Have original remote? Yes
Checked file section? Yes
Checked Pronto files? No
Working setup code: DVD/0490
Learning remote question:

I'm trying to enter a string of 10 commands to make my Panasonic DVD recorder multiregion.
The following 10 codes need to be programmed into a one for all remote (setup code DVD/0490).
191 - 'Enter/OK'
120 - '6'
065 - '-/--'
180 - 'Search <<'
143 - 'Service'
155 - 'Audio'
122 - '8'
117 - '1'
129 - 'Subtitle'
123 - '4'
The problem is that these 3 digit codes don't work with the URC-8305, even with two leading zeros.
Is there algorithm to convert a 3 digit code to a 5 digit code or are they two completely unrelated code types?
I don't have a pc (posting from a mobile) so I can't use any software, which would make my quest easier i imagine.
Any info or help welcomed.
Thanks

[mr_d_p_gumby]

The problem is that these 3 digit codes don't work with the URC-8305, even with two leading zeros.

They should work with the two leading zeroes for the setup code you mentioned (DVD/0490). This setup code uses the 00C9 Panasonic protocol executor which uses only one command byte, and in these cases the 3 and 5 digit EFC valules are the same except for the leading zeroes.

Is there algorithm to convert a 3 digit code to a 5 digit code or are they two completely unrelated code types?

You should not need to in this case, but in general, the best way to do the conversion is to load or create an upgrade in RM or KM. Both will calculate the 5-digit EFC for you. Yes, they are related to each other, but there is no simple rule you can follow to do the conversion as it depends on many variables.

[ElizabethD]

Can't OBCs be used? it's simpler I would think
I just dragged this out of here (based on garypen's thing)
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=3448

num 0 025
num 1 016
num 2 017
num 3 018
num 4 019
num 5 020
num 6 021
num 7 022
num 8 023
num 9 024
Enter 130
>=10 137
Play Rev << 004
Audio 051
Subtitle 145
00F2 242
Var1-Byte8 016
Var2-Byte10 019

----Sequence and options
Enter
6
>=10
Play Rev <<
00F2
Audio
8
Var1-Byte8 (1=SetFree, 1-8=SetReg#1-8, 9=restore)
Subtitle
Var2-Byte10 (4=SetFree 4, 1=SetReg# or Restore)

[Capn Trips]

He can't use OBCs because he has no cable, so he has to enter EFCs manually into the remote.

[mdavej]

I happen to have this recorder and a JP1.3 remote and can confirm that leading zeros work fine with the 3 digit codes. I'm not sure the codes you have are all correct. If -/-- is supposed to be dash, then it's actually 042, if it's 10+, then 065 is correct. Service and Subtitle didn't do anything on my recorder, so I can't confirm those. The rest look ok. In any case, I made a macro and tried the sequence as is, and it didn't appear to do anything. How can I confirm it worked, assuming I have no disks outside region 1?

[zaphod7501]

If you're trying to set this up as a macro, then I could envision a timing problem. Sometimes you have to press a key then wait for an onscreen response before pressing the next key in the sequence.

If you setup code is correct then most of those keys should already be present and you should only need to add any that are missing. After you verify that pressing the keys manually in sequence will perform the region change, then you might be able to create a macro that would automate the process.

Since this is a combo device, it's possible that DVD/0490 only controls part of the unit also.

[mdavej]

Running the macro or doing all the key presses manually (slowly and quickly) doesn't seem to work. It just thinks you're trying to change channels. rubbadub, it looks like you'll have to find someone who's actually done this on an EZ27 and find out exactly how they did it. BTW, I'm also running the latest firmware, if that makes any difference.

[ElizabethD]

He can't use OBCs because he has no cable, so he has to enter EFCs manually into the remote.

Ouch. I haven't followed all the models for a while

I'm not sure the codes you have are all correct. If -/-- is supposed to be dash, then it's actually 042, if it's 10+, then 065 is correct. Service and Subtitle didn't do anything on my recorder, so I can't confirm those. The rest look ok. In any case, I made a macro and tried the sequence as is, and it didn't appear to do anything. How can I confirm it worked, assuming I have no disks outside region 1?

Who is "you"?
-?-- likely refers to what I have on >=10. No matter it's the codes that count.
Take a peak at my KM file to put it in context - efcs are there, and whatever buttons it's assigned to, the only thing that matters is hex or in this case EFC. It's a one-byte protocol. Works well.

How do you test? Switch to a region you don't have, and then try to play a disc in your region. The screen complains you can't play even though you normally can. That tells you the switch took place. At least that's how I tested, till my sister sent me a disc from Europe and I was able to confirm for real.

Switch to all region setting and it'll play your disc, but maybe not. Garypen used it on something and I used it on my DVD player. That's about it.

I just searched and found this
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... c&&start=0
Garypen used it in some DMR model.

[rubbadub]

Thanks for all the replies.
I can't use ir.exe as i'm only on mobile wap.
I've tried the 3-digit efc's a few times just to make sure i'm not doing anything wrong but they're not doing what they're supposed to do.
Here's an example of assigning the command for '6' (efc 00117) onto button 0 on my URC-8305:
First, factory reset
Magic>Other>980
Then device setup
Magic>DevSet>DVD>0490>Enter
Then assign efc to button 0
Magic>KeyMagic>DVD>Magic>00117>0
The indicator blinks twice so the code is accepted.
Pressing 0 does not change the unit to channel 1 as would be expected, but scrolls through the record modes XP/SP/LP/EP.
I have been working my way through 00000 to 00255 and noting down the functions i've found so far, they can be found here: http://bobzee.multiservers.com/ofakam.htm
Is my remote an oddity or could it be knackered in some way? It is only a few months old, has had only light use and has not been updated/modded/accidentally microwaved

[ElizabethD]

Looks like we were typing at the same time.
Rob quoted very exact directions that have to be followed for this to work. They're on the 1st page of the thread I just mentioned, instructions here
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... 6729#46729
Perhaps that'll help.

[rubbadub]

Just out of interest, could the problem be anything to do with my remote and dvd recorder being uk models?
I'm sure the region free sequence is the same for UK and US models, but could the URC-8305 have different ways of handling efc's between the uk and the us?
Oneforall.com asks for the firmware version (of which there are 3) before letting me into the update area.

[mdavej]

I think I figured it out. The codes you've found manually appear to be the decimal value of the hex codes of the 0490 device. Based on that, try the URC codes (I'm calling them) which I've added below. I've shown hex as well for completeness.

I'm trying to enter a string of 10 commands to make my Panasonic DVD recorder multiregion.
The following 10 codes need to be programmed into a one for all remote (setup code DVD/0490).

Code: Select all

EFC   Description     Hex     URC
191 - 'Enter/OK       BE      00190
120 - '6'             57      00087
065 - '-/--'          6E      00110
180 - 'Search <<'     DF      00223
143 - 'Service'       B0      00176
155 - 'Audio'         33      00051
122 - '8'             17      00023
117 - '1'             F7      00247
129 - 'Subtitle'      76      00118
123 - '4'             37      00055

Regarding the firmware, I'm talking about the EZ27 firmware, not the remote.

[rubbadub]

I think I figured it out. The codes you've found manually appear to be the decimal value of the hex codes of the 0490 device. Based on that, try the URC codes

Jackpot!
Tried the URC codes and it worked just fine, thanks mdavej!
I'd never have worked that one out.
After entering the urc codes, pressed 1 through to 0 at half second intervals, the unit immediately went into standby displaying 'HELLO', then powered up after 30 seconds region free.
Thanks to all who took time to look into this.
Robert

[mdavej]

Robert,

Glad it worked. I'm still having a little trouble myself. Exactly what state was the unit in when you entered the codes (DVD, IN1, etc.)? I've tried it a couple of times, and it just tries to change channels.

Thanks

[rubbadub]

Exactly what state was the unit in when you entered the codes?

I had mine set to channel 1, and most important, no disc in the drive, with the tray closed.
I think the timing of the keypresses (half second intervals) is important as there was no channel change while I entered the code.
Hope this helps.