JP1 Remotes

Hi,

I have an URC-9040 which has the JP1 connector on it, however, it also has an RF transmitter (and receiver that attaches to a PC via USB) see here...

http://www.oneforall.co.uk/english/prod ... C-9040.htm

It's primarily designed to work with some software called SimpleCenter, but I'd like to use it with other software. I've tried Girder but that won't map the buttons on it (keeps seeing it as a Keyboard with only 3 keys!) so I was looking at re-programming the remote to use some different codes, the only trouble is (and I've searched everywhere for info on this) I have no idea if this will break the compatibility with the RF receiver.

Has anywhere out there seen or used this remote, as at the moment this looks like the 1st post in the world on any forum?

Thanks
Jonathan

Hi.

I can't help you, sorry for this and for my english.
I am interested in this remote control but I've the same doubt. I have also looked information in Internet and I haven't found anything.
Then, is urc-9040 only compatible with the software that includes?
Can't it be configured to execute other mediaplayers or to be compatible with Windows Mediate Center or Media Portal?

Thanks

Does the remote have a 6-pin connector? If it does, this is probably a JP1.2 remote, so you can re-program it using a JP1.2 cable.

Reprogramming the remote won't affect the RF feature.

Robman: It does have a six pin connector but I can't see the .2 so I'm guessing it's just JP1, I'll look into re-programming it.


RIVIERA: Don't worry, your English is great. Basically the RF receiver is a standard Windows HID device and most buttons on the remote translate into a standard keyboard character, e.g. FFWD = ] and RWD = [ but NOT all buttons do this. I have tried Girder (www.promixis.com) to re-map the buttons but while it sees every button as a different code when I try and map the keys to something else it only sees 2 codes so I can only have 2 functions under Girder???

I can't figure out the key mapping in Media Portal so that was a no go but I did have some joy with Windows Media Centre by downloading software from an Australian site that managed to do 'some' key mapping (i.e. change the keys from one character to another) but it couldn't do all, if I find it's name again I will post the info.

The Infrared (IR) part is great by the way, it learnt all my codes for my Yamaha Amp, Ferguson TV, Humax 9200T PVR and Tevion DVD player, all I need now is to map the keys for my MCE 2005 box (which is in the loft/attic) and I'm all set!!

Jonathan

I would guess that DESPITE not being labelled JP1.2, it is likely infact JP1.2, since it's a new remote and the new ones simply AREN'T JP1.

Also, JP1 remotes rarely have sufficient learning memory to learn as many functions as you seem to suggest

it learnt all my codes for my Yamaha Amp, Ferguson TV, Humax 9200T PVR and Tevion DVD player

If you have a JP1 cable, it can so no harm to test it to see if it will communicate with IR.

I don't have a JP1 cable yet so obviously I want to get the right one if I'm going to mess with IR or RF codes! I have read the forums before posting and saw a few comments in relaition to JP1 and 1.2 but as you can see from this picture it definitely says JP1 and there's no missing .2, then again it is a new remote??

www.jcjw.co.uk/urc9040.jpg

I don't suppose you know whether I would be able to change the RF codes that are sent, I'm asking this as I want to change the keys that are transmitted to the RF receiver (HID device) so instead of FFWD being ] it's F

Any help greatly appreciated

Well, if you REALLY doubt that's it's a JP1.2, then your likely easiest (i.e. no-cost) way to determine this is by (gasp!) opening up the remote.

A JP1 remote has a distinct EEPROM chip, separate from the IC, whilst a JP1.2 remote will only have the IC (with built-in Flash ROM).

As for changing RF codes, I'm pretty certain that you cannot change the RF characteristics of this remote. From the manual it appears that the RF-capability is EXCLUSIVELY to allow communication with the RF receiver that connects to the PC. There is no "programmability" of the RF codes (aside from selecting one of three "addresses" for it to use).

This "Oneforall" URC-9040 remote works really great, both in IR and RC mode.

In RC (PC) Mode the remote behaves like a wireless usb keyboard and
I don't care what key codes it sends because I can change my
software to every key code, but there is one bug with this remote.

The buttons red, green, yellow and blue don't send any key code
at all in PC mode. It doesn't even blink the red led. Customer support
doesn't have a solution for this.

The question: May it be possible the change/set the key codes for
these buttons using the JP1 interface ?

Thanks for your time
AlexT

Hi Alex,
As you can see from the posts above, Jonathan never came back to tell us is he got a JP1 cable, so I'm guessing that he didn't bother. As he's the only user to ever post stating that he has this remote, we don't know anything more about it. So if you were to try programming it using JP1, we would first need to set up an RDF do various other tasks in order to get everything ready for it.

However, generally speaking, JP1 can be used to get around most restrictions in most remotes, so there's a good chance that we could take care of the colored buttons.

You could likely keymove whatever codes you like even without JP1. What commands exactly did you have in mind for these buttons? To see if it's possible, try to copy an existing key to, say red, and see if it works. In PC mode, press Setup for 2 blinks, then 994, press a key to copy (like 1 for example) then press red (2 blinks is success). Now press red and see if it sends the 1 command. If that works, you're golden. Just repeat the steps above, but substitue "Setup XXX" for the 1 key and insert any unused code 000-255 you like. If this is a newer remote is may take 5 digit codes, in which case you'd use 00XXX instead. If you don't get 2 blinks with a 3 digit code, try 5.

Thanks a lot for your the fast and good info!

Part one: copying commands with
<PC> <setup> 994 1 "red" worked. Now "red" is sending "1" !

Part two: doesn't work yet
You said <PC> <setup> 994 <setup> XXX "red" could work, but there
is no <setup> button. For this remote setup is started by holding
fwd and rwd ("<<" , ">>"), and this did not work in this case. Do you know any other button for "press setup short", or another code for
entering keyc odes without pressing setup in between?

I would also try the JP1 interface and help you to support this
remote in the future, but I could not find out, if its JP1 or JP1.X.
The pinhead shows JP1, but it has 5 digit device codes which could
be a newer device... ?

BTW: It's quiet cheap. It's EUR 19.99 for a programmable and learnable remote + keyboard emulating usb wireless RC receiver for PC.
Strange that I am the only user here who owns this cool gadget

Thanks a lot
AlexT

The only way to have any certainty as to whether it's an EEPROM or a Flash remote is to open it up to see what's inside. Are you willing to do that? If you are, please take a good clear hi-res shot of the PCB and post it for us to look at.

In the manual http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/fi ... area=other, it appears that pressing the rewind and FFWD keys should cause the LED to flash once and then twice. Does one flash designate a short press, and the subsequent two flashes imply a long press? In other words, when you're trying to do <setup> <XXX>, do you see a single flash? If so, you just need to release both keys without bouncing them (I hope).

Also, it appears that this remote can be upgraded by modem or PC speaker magnet. Maybe it is possible to avoid using a JP1.? cable by converting a JP1 upgrade to a .WAV file.

@3fg: The reason for the single flash is simple: If you don't press both
buttons in the very same moment the remote sees the forward or
rewind button alone and blinks once. If you press both buttons very simultaniously it doesn't even blink once.
It is possible to generate a .wav from a jp1 file ? I haven't found this
yet. (any link, and what are the magic numbers to activate this upgrade
procedure ?)

@TheRobman: this remote has no screws, and I'm a non-practical person (my tools are vi, make and gcc . It will propably break. But let's see
I will try later this evening.

I opened the remote. You can see the photos at
http://mail.at/9040/.
What's PCB ? If you need additional photos, please ask.