New JP1 user having problems

[cseyer]

Hi sorry for being such a noob

Anyways I just received my JP1 connetor today. I have installed all the required software IR.exe, KM, and RM. They alll seem to work fine, the remote I am try to work with is the motorola DRC-400. I have connected to it and downloaded from it. So my questions:

1. This remote doesnt support device codes for things like my Sony Receiver. Without the JP1 cable it would not accept any of the codes for Sony receivers ie 1058, 1158 etc. Is it possible to program using the JP1 cable?

2. My real goal here is to program this remote with some discrete codes that I can then teach to my other learning remotes (non-JP1). I tried to move a discrete code like power on to the tv device buttons but it did not work. I have read a lot of info but Im not sure I understand how to do this.

Any help is appreciated! I am willing to go out and purchase another JP1 remote if this cable co provided one cannot be programmed, thought I would try it out first since it has the JP1 connector.

[jon_armstrong]

1. This remote doesnt support device codes for things like my Sony Receiver. Without the JP1 cable it would not accept any of the codes for Sony receivers ie 1058, 1158 etc. Is it possible to program using the JP1 cable?

Yes with the JP1 cable the built in setup library isn't important for your intended use of the remote. Before you do anything else, download from remote in IR and then save your file. Some OEM remotes have a device upgrade in them for the cable functions. That way if your EEPROM becomes corrupted with your programming efforts, you can reload that file and you are back to where you started.

To get the Sony receiver commands, just look through the existing device upgrades and find one that sounds close. Most Sony receivers use the same commands. Make sure you change the remote type in KM.

Once you try that out and get basic commands working, then we can help you figure out how to get the missing ones.

2. My real goal here is to program this remote with some discrete codes that I can then teach to my other learning remotes (non-JP1). I tried to move a discrete code like power on to the TV device buttons but it did not work. I have read a lot of info but Im not sure I understand how to do this.

I don't know whether you can do key moves on your DRC-400 or not. Some of the UEIC OEM remotes like the ReplayTV for the 5K series don't allow key moves. Since you are only using your DRC-400 to program another learning remote, then if Key moves aren't supported then you can do that with a device upgrade.

Any help is appreciated! I am willing to go out and purchase another JP1 remote if this cable co provided one cannot be programmed, thought I would try it out first since it has the JP1 connector.

I still think you can do what you want, but there is a real bargain in the form of the RS-2117 being closed out for $15 at Radio Shack. The URC-8811(8810W at WalMart) is also under $20. Both are excellent remotes and any feature you have heard about doing with a JP1/OFA remote is available on either. I don't know what "learning" remote you are planning on programming, but I think you will be surprised at how much you can do with an OFA remote that is fully featured like the 2117 or 8811.

From the Remote chart (but not from any direct experience), the DRC-400 only has 512 KB of RAM and that will be very limiting, but, again, to program a few discrete commands, no problem.

Hopefully a DRC-400 expert will give you some more specific advice

[cseyer]

Yes with the JP1 cable the built in setup library isn't important for your intended use of the remote. Before you do anything else, download from remote in IR and then save your file. Some OEM remotes have a device upgrade in them for the cable functions. That way if your EEPROM becomes corrupted with your programming efforts, you can reload that file and you are back to where you started.

I did download and save what was on there to start that is good advice!

To get the Sony receiver commands, just look through the existing device upgrades and find one that sounds close. Most Sony receivers use the same commands. Make sure you change the remote type in KM.

Okay I found one Sony RM upgrade file, and it did make a few functions work, power, sound field. It did not include a discrete on/off which is what I really need. I got the codes 46 (on) and 47 (off) but I am at a loss as to where to put these into RM to get them programmed into the remote??

I don't know whether you can do key moves on your DRC-400 or not. Some of the UEIC OEM remotes like the ReplayTV for the 5K series don't allow key moves. Since you are only using your DRC-400 to program another learning remote, then if Key moves aren't supported then you can do that with a device upgrade.

Can you explain "Key Moves" Is that taking an already created upgrade and moving around the key assignments? If so I dont think thats important as long as I can program one key with Tv Power On, one with TV power off, etc. I can then use these to program my other remotes.

I still think you can do what you want, but there is a real bargain in the form of the RS-2117 being closed out for $15 at Radio Shack. The URC-8811(8810W at WalMart) is also under $20. Both are excellent remotes and any feature you have heard about doing with a JP1/OFA remote is available on either. I don't know what "learning" remote you are planning on programming, but I think you will be surprised at how much you can do with an OFA remote that is fully featured like the 2117 or 8811.

Thanks thats great advice, I will run out tommorow and see if I can grab a RS-2117, I may end up liking that better than the JBL TC-1000 that I bought. I dont think I going to like the touch screen but its easy to program!

[jon_armstrong]

Okay I found one Sony RM upgrade file, and it did make a few functions work, power, sound field. It did not include a discrete on/off which is what I really need. I got the codes 46 (on) and 47 (off) but I am at a loss as to where to put these into RM to get them programmed into the remote??

Those are known as OBC's. Depending on whether the device upgrade uses EFC's or OBC's (whichever is at the top of the column B in the functions tab) the EFC's for On and off are 113 and 109 respectively. You can add those to the functions tab and then in the buttons tab you must assign those to a physical key. Try power button for On and some other key for off. Then test them out. Read this if you haven't already and it will explain the mechanics.

Can you explain "Key Moves" Is that taking an already created upgrade and moving around the key assignments? If so I dont think thats important as long as I can program one key with Tv Power On, one with TV power off, etc. I can then use these to program my other remotes.

Key Moves (aka Assigning Advanced) codes are important if you want to program a remote to use since it allows you to assign just about any key from any setup code to any other key in a device. You can do a key move in IR. You can key move keys from any device in the built in library OR device upgrade whether or not that setup code is assigned to a physical device key. It isn't important for the role you originally envisioned for the DRC-400, but if you start programming a 2117 to use, it is a very useful feature.

You can use key moves to assign functions to phantom or shifted keys. Since no Sony Receiver is in your remote, you would probably assign it in a device upgrade. I would use a key move because I always assign discrete power commands to the phantom buttons Power On and Power off. The reason is that I use them in macros only.

Thanks thats great advice, I will run out tommorow and see if I can grab a RS-2117, I may end up liking that better than the JBL TC-1000 that I bought. I dont think I going to like the touch screen but its easy to program!

I think once you get the hang of it, you will think OFA/JP1 remotes are easy to program, too. And if you can't find the 2117, the 8811 is a good choice, too.