How to pass thru volume when all the device keys are used up

[mvgossman]

I'm programming my 6131 for use with 4 satellite receivers, DVD, and a TV (all 6 buttons) but I want to pass through the volume of my receiver to all of these. As far as I have been able to determine examining the Keymap master page for the remote, one could do a keymove but you need a button programmed to move FROM, i.e. the receiver. But here, I'm hogging all the buttons. I'm feeling my way here, I may be displaying a basic misunderstanding I admit, but questions:

1. Can I set up "dev7" on IR to be the receiver code, and do the keymove from that?
2. Or do the volume passthru (VPT) on IR from dev7 or dev8? Is there some basic difference between these two ways?
3. Or are both of these impossible due to the lack of storage in the remote for dev7 and dev8?

[The Robman]

1. Can I set up "dev7" on IR to be the receiver code?

Yes

2. and do the volume passthru (VPT) on IR from dev7 or dev8?

Yes

Program your receiver to either dev7 or dev8 and then set the VPT to that device, just don't change the default device state of the 'button' or you'll break VPT. IIRC, one of them defaults to an audio code anyway, so use that one.

[Herbie]

So you're saying that your receiver is not otherwise controlled from that remote?

Are you using an extender? I'm going to assume so, since I know from reading other posts that Keymoves on a 6131 function very differently on non-extended versions. Different rules apply and I don't know what they are.

If you ARE using an extender, then the 6131 should work like any other remote, and for that:

A Keymove in IR does NOT require a "source button" (i.e. an ACTUAL button), only that you know what setup code and efc (or hex) that button would use.

You can setup a keymove to "DVD/Vol+" and select AMP (or Audio, or whatever category the 6131 would use for an amp) and then the appropriate Setup code for your amp. Then just enter the EFC for the Vol+ button. Rinse/repeat for the Vol-, etc.

Note that this assumes the code is built in. You can do it for an upgrade too, but you'll have to add that code to the "Devices" tab first.

Note, however, that doing 3 keymoves (Vol+, Vol-, Mute) for each of 6 devices will chew up some memory. You could also try to setup single-step macros instead since a macro will normally work on a key in every mode.


As so say, doing VPT to one of the "extra" devices will probably work, and be more efficient, assuming that you can setup your reciever to one of them. (i.e. not used by extenders or whatever).

[mvgossman]

I tried putting my receiver device in dev7 extra button on IR, and the volume pass-thru does work, and the setting survives a download/upload, si it's in there! So I am able to control the volume of the receiver no matter which button is working.

I am not using the extender for one reason: I'm unclear what functionality it will provide. I have read the readme on it, and unless I am missing something, it appears that it's mostly the ability to do macros?

Am I missing something on keymoves? I don't think there's a critical need for it now for my simple setup, simple for the benefit of the kids and wife, but what do I need to know in order to do keymoves for the 6131? Is it impossible with the standard KM?

[The Robman]

Just FYI, you can use macros even without the extender, you just can't program them using the remote, you need to program them using IR.exe.

Also, if you want to be able to access the missing 7th and 8th device modes, all you need to do is program a couple of macros that include the 7th or 8th device buttons. You might want to program them to shifted device buttons for example.

As for keymoves, as long as you program them from the remote and not from IR.exe, you'll be OK.