JP1 Remotes

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

Is it possible to modify an existing Slingbox remote code (one that is already included with the Slingplayer software) using RM or some other tool?

I have a Slingbox AV set up in Japan, And luckily, the US software has the remote for the Japanese Panasonic DVR that I need to control. BUT...it's not laid out well, and many of the controls are in the drop-down menu, with a confusing and poorly labeled sub-menu hierarchy.

I'd prefer to just fix the one they have, as I do not have the remote in the US to teach the codes to a JP1 remote. I will soon have the Sony LocationFree that I was using there, and I might be able to rig something up to learn the codes from that. But, it would be somewhat of a pain in the butt. So, I was hoping for a way to just edit the existing remote file somehow.

Thanks

The Robman · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 2:37 am Post subject:

Yes there is, but first you would need to get ahold of the BIN file in question. I can help with that when I get back into town on Sunday.
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Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

Thanks! I don't see any bin files, other than the ones I've been creating with RM. They all seem to be SPR files.

The Robman · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

The supplied BIN files are hidden inside password protected zip files, which is why you'll need my help to get them (as I still have all the old BIN files on my computer at home.

Help me identify which bin file you are using by telling me what selections you made in order to select the file.
_________________
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

The Robman · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject:

Hey Gary,
I'm at homenow and ready to look for that bin file for you, but I need to know which one you are using. As the Slingplayer software doesn't reveal the code numbers anymore, I'll need you to tell me what selections you made to load the bin file (ie, type of device, brand, model, etc).
_________________
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

Thanks! It's DVR-Panasonic-DMR-EX350

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

Also, how do I go about changing the names and/or locations of the functions that appear in the remote's pull-down menu? Is that even possible?

kiwin · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 15

Here is a remote and JP1 files for a Panasonic DVR that is being used a SlingBoX AV in Japan as well:

http://www.slingcommunity.com/forum/thread/11930/NEED-CODE-FOR-PANASONIC-DMR-EH50/?page=2

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=4411

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

Thanks. Actually, I already found that zip file, have modified the RMDU file, and created a bin file for my model DMR-EX200V.

Your RMDU was missing the very important Tuner Input Select function to switch between Analog/Digital/BS/CS tuners. It also had a lot of extraneous commands that I deleted. But, it was great that you also had the colored multi-use buttons.

BTW, the SlingPlayer software actually has BINs for the Japanese HDD/DVD Recorders built-in. However, the BIN that loads for the EX200V is also missing that important Tuner Select function. It is, however, included in the BIN that loads when you select DMR-EX350. But, the menu structure and labeling is a complete mess. That's why I created my own.

I really wish there was a way to re-arrange and rename the functions in the menu. Then, I wouldn't have a bunch of buttons named "custom". It would also be nice to have a remote skin with all the buttons, like you created. But, I have multiple SlingBoxes and devices plugged into them. There must be a way to create a BIN-specific skin for the remote only, like they have for the Tivo, Dish, Comcast, etc remotes. (Your skin effects the whole player, and every SlingBox and device it connects to.)

Thanks again for your hard work creating all that. I just wish I could use most of it.

The Robman · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:25 am Post subject:

Hey Gary,
Did you get the new file that I had Sling send to you? If you use it it should sort out the menu issue.
_________________
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

I already had it. It comes with the SlingPlayer software. (Or, the remote update patch that I had installed with it at the time.) Either way, it's already in there.

The Sling guy did say he would take a look as the RMDU and BIN files I created, along with a proposed new menu structure and function name list. So, that's nice.

Also, they appear to have assigned the wrong BIN to this model. (That's the reason I needed to select a different model to get all the functions.)

So, I am hoping that when they release the next remote patch, it'lll include the above corrections. And, it's kinda cool to be a contributor! (That must be how you felt the first time.)

kiwin · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 15

The Japanese version of the SlingPlayer has better support for the Japanese DVRs including the Panasonic ones.
http://download.slingmedia.com/player/pc/SlingPlayer%20PC%201.4.0.195%20Setup-JP.exe

The US and Japan distribution of the SlingPlayers do NOT have the same BIN files. For example, the Japanese version does have Red, Yellow, Green, Blue in the menu.

Have you tried the Japanese version?

It *really* would be nice if all of the files were available unencrypted. It wasn't happy to have to modify the whole SlingPlayer just for the one remote, but that was the only solution I could find....

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145

The US SlingPlayer (1.4.206), with Remote Update, has the Japanese models listed, along with Japanese remote files: Japanese.spr, IOData.spr, Sky.spr, etc. In fact, they seem to be newer versions than the older JP version 1.4.195 of SlingPlayer.

The red, yellow, green, blue buttons are in the menu, and even the Tuner Input Select function, as I said in my post above. But, the layout of the menu , and the naming of the functions, is horrible.

Do the remote skins in the Japanese SlingPlayer have the additional buttons? Or, are you talking about just the menus?

kiwin · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 15

The RemotesUpdate ( http://us.slingmedia.com/object/KB-005364.html ) is new to me. Anyone know when it was released? (sometime after 11-May since that is the date on the SPR files). I had mentioned to the SlingMedia CTO on 1-May that the Japanese remotes were out of date in the US release - I am glad it was so quickly updated)

Yes, the Remotes Update 1.0 does add the MENU choices that were in Japanese version 1.4.0.195.

Both the Japanese version 1.4.0.195 and Remotes Update 1.0 BUTTON situation is the same - very poor support for buttons for Panasonic DVR-EM55. Since it is my wife that uses it the most, she prefers the buttons. (She would prefer to to use the original PHYSICAL remote while viewing on the TV with a SlingCatcher - but that is a future story). So my draconian approach to make virtual remote buttons with the skin was my only choice...

garypen · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 145