Complete newbie, help please...

[underquark]

Are you certain that the Capn's IR file does nothing for your TV? It works on my Panasonic TX-32PK20. I do note, however, that a lot of Panny TVs use 0250 (basic) or 0650 (with Teletext) and you state that yours works with 0659.

Follow the suggestions above - learn, create and check upgrades for each device. Add into IR and then test on remote. Please post any upgrades that you create to the appropriate area in the File Section. I'd also be interested in seeing your final IR file if only to get a closer look at the Panny TV data.

[whompus]

There are 12 upgrades in that WAV file, which upgrade worked each device.

That's what I was about to ask. I had to get office for my son to do his school work at home instead of having to stay at school to do it. So am going to start learning km. I figured making an upgrade for this sat box would be a place to start.

For the xbox, The xbmc is a jukebox loaded on the xbox hard drive right? It would have no bearing on the remote control. You might be better off learning some buttons from the no name controller.

[son_t]

Are you certain that the Capn's IR file does nothing for your TV? It works on my Panasonic TX-32PK20. I do note, however, that a lot of Panny TVs use 0250 (basic) or 0650 (with Teletext) and you state that yours works with 0659.

Follow the suggestions above - learn, create and check upgrades for each device. Add into IR and then test on remote. Please post any upgrades that you create to the appropriate area in the File Section. I'd also be interested in seeing your final IR file if only to get a closer look at the Panny TV data.

Sorry I meant the 0650 for the Panny (have corrected this in the original post now).

Another sorry - I didn't have time tweak Capn's file. Certainly the TV didn't work and the AVR kinda worked, Xbox & Sat didn't work. I will examine the file and have a play with it...

The problem with this whole remote programming is that it most work via trial and error - which upsets the rest of the family when you need to hijack the TV, PVR, AVR, etc to see if the remote works on them!

[son_t]

There are 12 upgrades in that WAV file, which upgrade worked each device.

That's what I was about to ask. I had to get office for my son to do his school work at home instead of having to stay at school to do it. So am going to start learning km. I figured making an upgrade for this sat box would be a place to start.

For the xbox, The xbmc is a jukebox loaded on the xbox hard drive right? It would have no bearing on the remote control. You might be better off learning some buttons from the no name controller.

With the Xbox, you can purchase a remote which enables you to watch DVDs (the IR receiver is a dongle that enables the DVD license so that MS do not have to pay). The Xbox remote is primarily used for controlling the DVD facilities (play, stop, etc). You can get an unofficial Xbox remote which does the same thing - which is the one I got. I use it to control XBMC which essentially uses the DVD buttons - in addition you need the ARROW KEYS and a SELECT/CONFIRM key. Now the 2 upgrades in the wav file for [VCR/DVD] is for the Xbox - both of them work as bad as each other but what does work is the arrows keys - now all I need is the select key (and DISPLAY & MENU ... might be useful )

[son_t]

When I was trying to break the remote via the OFA website modem upgrade, I found that downloading the metronic and xbox wav file worked to some extent. The SAT worked as wanted but the XBOX controls were lacking most of the buttons - especially the SELECT button - I use XBMC and I could live without the other keys since the arrows worked, but no SELECT or CONFIRM was taking the piss! I couldn't teach the remote either since the buttons were taken up by non-effective buttons!

There are 12 upgrades in that WAV file, which upgrade worked each device.

Yes, sorry also for uploading the wrong file. Here is a new one: https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=2735

The Metronic one that works is 1375 and the 2 xbox [VCR/DVD] work equally as bad.

[son_t]

My Remote Master is broken. It was working yesterday - now it doesn't appear when I double click on the RemoteMaster.jar file...

What is going on?

[Capn Trips]

I say again!...

... However I would like to remove and add a few functions to these using the learning feature, but that can come later once I get my head around RM and IR.

I repeat my advice from several posts back:

..., but with IR and a learning remote, creating upgrades from scratch is pretty simple too, once you've got all of the tools installed.

It is GROSSLY inefficient and MUCH more of a pain to keep track of what you're doing by piece-mealing together and mixing built-in codes with learned codes.

Learn your codes, and build/tailor your upgrades to be exactly what you want. Period. End of story.

My two cents.

In the two+ weeks this thread has been running, you could have done this a dozen times already!

[son_t]

I say again!...

... However I would like to remove and add a few functions to these using the learning feature, but that can come later once I get my head around RM and IR.

I repeat my advice from several posts back:

..., but with IR and a learning remote, creating upgrades from scratch is pretty simple too, once you've got all of the tools installed.

It is GROSSLY inefficient and MUCH more of a pain to keep track of what you're doing by piece-mealing together and mixing built-in codes with learned codes.

Learn your codes, and build/tailor your upgrades to be exactly what you want. Period. End of story.

My two cents.

In the two+ weeks this thread has been running, you could have done this a dozen times already!

OK, I get the idea. No need to shout and go red in the face.
Two questions: (1) Which codes? (2) How do you build/taylor the upgrades? :p

Seriously, this is what I'm trying to do...

P.S. My remote control was broken for a week...

[Capn Trips]

Start with this:

6. How Do You Create An Upgrade From Scratch?
If you have an unsupported device, and you you can't find an upgrade file for it in the file section, your next step is to create one yourself. If you have a JP1 remote with learning, this is easy to do. If you don't have a learning remote, all is not lost. I'll discuss what you can do in that situation a little later.

To create an upgrade yourself, here's what you do. First, download your remote's current memory and save it. You can always use this file to restore the remote to it's current condition later, if needed. Next, delete any learned signals that are already in the remote. The easiest way to do this is to go to the "Learned Signals" tab in IR and click the "Delete All" button, then reload. To do it using the remote itself, for non LCD remotes, you can use the 980 command, and for LCD remotes, you can select "OPS RESET" from the LCD menu screens.

Next up, you'll need to learn as many buttons from your original remote as you can. Most JP1 learning remotes can only learn about 24 buttons before the memory is full, so it's probably going to take a couple of passes to capture all the buttons from the original remote. I recommend that you start off learning all the buttons that have equivilent buttons on the JP1 learning remote (eg, the numeric buttons, volume and channel buttons, etc). When you reach the memory limit, download the memory and save the file. Then delete all the learned signals like you did before and continue learning. As soon as you reach the memory limit again, or you run out of buttons to learn, download and save the file. When you start learning the more unusual buttons from your original remote (eg, ANGLE, ZOOM, etc) be sure to make a note of which button you learned them to on your JP1 remote.

Once all the buttons are learned, you can start the process of decoding them. To do this, go to the "Learned Signals" tab in IR. You will see all your learned buttons listed in the column on the left. When you click on one of these entries, the infra red info will be displayed on the right, as shown in Image 6.1.



Image 6.1 - IR's Learned Signals Tab
In image 6.1 you can see that the RECORD button in AUX1 mode has been selected. In this case, IR was successfully able to decode the signal and has displayed the IR info. This signal uses the NECx2 protocol, with a device code of 5 and a sub-device code also of 5. Chances are, all of the buttons for this device with use the same protocol and device codes, what will change for each button are the OBC and EFC codes. Just FYI, this is the ‘record' button for a Samsung VCR, which responds to the VCR/0240 setup code.

To start creating an upgrade for this device, you should fire up RemoteMaster. Then in the Setup tab, you should make the entries described in the following table. Image 6.2 shows RM's Setup panel after all the correct entries have been made.


Desciption Enter a brief description of the device being programmed. In this case we'll enter "Samsung VCR"
Remote Select the remote you are programming.
Device Type Select the type that most closely matches the device you are programming. In this case we'll select VCR.
Setup Code As we already know that this VCR responds to the VCR/0240 code, the standard convention for upgrades is to add 1000 to that, giving us VCR/1240. If there's no official code that works your device (as far as your know), use 2000 or greater for this entry. (The max value is 2047)
Protocol Select the protocol displayed in IR. In this case we'll select NECx2. If you're unsure which protocol to use, consult the readme file that's in the KM zip file.
Device Number/Sub-Ddevice Enter the values displayed in IR, in this case we'll enter 5 in both. The displayed labels for these boxes varies based on the selected protocol.
Upgrade Notes This is the data block to the right of the screen. You can use this space to enter any notes about this upgrade that might be useful to you or to someone else who later uses this upgrade.



Image 6.2 - The beginnings of an upgrade
So far so good, now you need to go to the Functions panel and enter the data for all the buttons that you learned. It's a good idea to understand RM's terminology at this point. The word "Functions" refers to the buttons that you learned from your original remote, you can use the exact names as printed on your original remote, or you can expand it a little to make it easier to understand. For example, you might have a button labelled "CHP/TME" but it might be a good idea to enter it as "Chapter/Time". Alternatively, you could enter it as "CHP/TME" then make an entry in the Notes column to describe what it does. When RM refers to "Buttons", it's referring to the buttons on your JP1 remote, not your original remote.

When you first go to the Functions tab, you will see a lot of function names already entered, as shown in image 6.3. These entries are just defaults designed to save you some typing, you are under no obligation to use them. You can delete them all if you like.

Using the example of the RECORD button for my Samsung VCR, I can now enter the OBC code of 20 next to the default entry for the RECORD button. Once you've entered all the standard buttons for your device, you can delete all the remaining entries. For the more unusual buttons, you will need to create new entries for them. Please enter the data for all the buttons on your original remote, even if you have no intention of programming them to physical buttons.


Image 6.3 - RM's Functions Panel - default screen

Once you have entered all the info for your learned buttons, your next step is to assign those functions to the buttons on your remote. You can do this on the Layout or Buttons panels.

You can assign functions to buttons visually using the Layout panel, shown in Image 6.4.

You'll notice that the list of functions that you entered in the Functions sheet is displayed on the right. Once a function has been assigned to a button, the name of that function is written in black. Functions that haven't been assigned are written in red. You'll notice that the input toggle function has not been assigned and I am using the context menu to assign it to the Program/Guide button. Buttons with assigned functions are colored in yellow, and buttons that are present in the key map for the selected device type are outlined in orange. You can assign functions to buttons in 4 different ways:

Press the Auto assign button to get some functions automatically assigned. The ones that get assigned automatically are the ones where you used the default function names and there's an equivilent button on your JP1 remote for that function. You are under no obligation to accept these default assignments.
Drag-n-drop a function onto the desired button
Right-click on a button and select the desired function
Click on a button (It will he outlined in white), then double-click the desired function.
Use the - none - function to clear the function assigned to a button.


Image 6.4 - Assigning functions to buttons in RM's Layout panel

If you find that many of the buttons that you want to program are not outlined in orange, meaning they aren't included in the key map for the selected Device Type, it might be a good idea to try using a different Device Type. Maybe there's a device mode available that has more buttons included that you can use. You won't always want to pick the mode with the most buttons, just pick the mode that has the most buttons that you wish to program included. There are a couple of things to consider before you chose a different device type though. First off, if you use a device type that is different to the default device type for the device button that you're intending to program, it will break VPT (Volume Punch Through). This may or may not be of concern to you. Secondly, if you are programming a remote with an LCD screen (like the 15-2116, URC-8910, etc), the mode you pick is what will be displayed on the screen when you select this device. So for example, if you are creating an upgrade for a VCR and you use CBL as your device type, "CBL" or "CBL2" is what will appear on the screen when you press the VCR device button. Again, this may or may not be an issue for you.

The Buttons panel is shown in Image 6.5. You can assign functions to buttons in 4 different ways:

Press the Auto assign button to get some functions automatically assigned. The ones that get assigned automatically are the ones where you used the default function names and there's an equivilent button on your JP1 remote for that function. You are under no obligation to accept these default assignments.
Drag-n-drop a function onto the desired button
Right-click on a button and select the desired function
Click on a button (it will be highlighted), then double-click the desired function.
Use the - none - function to clear the function assigned to a button.

You'll notice that the list of functions that you entered in the Functions sheet is displayed on the right. Once a function has been assigned to a button, the name of that function is written in black. Functions that haven't been assigned are written in red. In image 6.5 you'll notice that the input toggle function has not been assigned and I am using the context menu to assign it to the Program/Guide button.

If a button name is followed by an asterisk ("*"), it means that it cannot be included in the upgrade and will be programmed using a keymove instead. All functions assigned to shifted buttons will be programmed using keymoves.


Image 6.5 - Assigning functions to buttons in RM's Buttons panel

Once you've finished entering all the functions and assigning them to buttons, you should save your device upgrade using the Save As... item on the File menu. In order to be a good citizen, you should then load this file into the appropiate folder in the Yahoo group for others to share.

Finally, you should copy this upgrade over to IR following the same procedures outlined in section 5 of this document. Don't forget to assign the new setup code that you created to an actual device button!

Now this document(along with lots of purty pichurs) is available at THIS LINK, along with complete instructions.

Your questions are so broad/vague that they cause one to wonder if you've read the Beginner's Read Me (linked below).

As you work through the process, ask SPECIFIC questions about a SPECIFIC step or phrase in the procedure that is troubling you.

[whompus]

If you get a chance test this upgrade for your metronic sat

I made it as code 2000 so it will not over write your 1375 on your remote now. Remember to change the remote to your remote and go to layout tab and put the functions on whatever buttons you like. Let me know if it works so it can be put in the file area for any other users that might come here looking for the upgrade for the metronic.

[son_t]

Thanks Capn', most helpful. I was about to read that particular document... you have cut out the crap and pointed me to the specific.

Just throw another spanner in the works... what happens if you don't have the original remote to learn from?

I know this question might not be specific enough, but just to see if you might blow ... Is it possible to utilise other people's KM and RM codes which are for specific their remotes for your own remote?

Finally, when I am using the remote to learn, how come I can't over-write buttons which already have a function. Going back to the top of this thread... the Xbox controller... I wanted to re-assign some of the buttons by the learning method but it wouldn't take the commands... Is there a remote function to remove the function of a button so that you can assign it another via learning?

[Capn Trips]

It's a little disappointing to read that you have not yet read the basic documents. There is a presumption of sorts here, that this is the first things newcomers would naturally do.

To answer your questions:

what happens if you don't have the original remote to learn from?

Then you try to use an upgrade that matches your component (or is similar) from the file section and tailor it to your remote and preferences.

I know this question might not be specific enough, but just to see if you might blow ... Is it possible to utilise other people's KM and RM codes which are for specific their remotes for your own remote?

Yes. That's the whole point of the file section. (You really HAVEN'T read anything have you! )You open the file of interest in KM or RM, and one of the first selections you make is that of the remote for which you are making/modifying the file.

Finally, when I am using the remote to learn, how come I can't over-write buttons which already have a function. Going back to the top of this thread... the Xbox controller... I wanted to re-assign some of the buttons by the learning method but it wouldn't take the commands... Is there a remote function to remove the function of a button so that you can assign it another via learning?

Not clear, but in the hierarchy of JP1 remotes, a learned function will take priority over an assigned one, so the learned function should work, but only in the device mode in which you learned it. If you have a case of this, upload the file and post a link for someone to look at.

Are you sure you are learning properly? Does the remote indicate that it has properly learned the signal?

Again, ultimately, the goal is simply to use learning to decode your original remote's codes to enable you to build an upgrade, not to actually use the learned signal. (Except in certain circumstances, where your Keymove memory is getting full and learning memory needs to be used)

Now go and read everything the Beginner's file and keep it open in front of you as you try to build a single device upgrade (say for your xBox).

[son_t]

My Remote Master is broken. It was working yesterday - now it doesn't appear when I double click on the RemoteMaster.jar file...

What is going on?

Got it working again. Originally I had RM pointing to a CDROM for its RDF files. This morning there was a different CD in there and hence it couldn't find the files but didn't complain about it - just didn't work. When the CD was removed and RM restarted it complained about the CD drive.

If you edit the RemoteMaster.properties file and remove the RDFPath line, when you start it again it will prompt you for the RDF files...

Just a tip, but this is probably in the FAQ for RM somewhere...

[son_t]

I know this question might not be specific enough, but just to see if you might blow ... Is it possible to utilise other people's KM and RM codes which are for specific their remotes for your own remote?

Yes. That's the whole point of the file section. (You really HAVEN'T read an ythignm have you! )You open the file of interest in KM or RM, and one of the first selections you make is that of the remote for which you are making/modifying the file.

I asked this because in my first attempt, I did this but nothing worked... I shall have another go (but only AFTER reading the docs... )

Finally, when I am using the remote to learn, how come I can't over-write buttons which already have a function. Going back to the top of this thread... the Xbox controller... I wanted to re-assign some of the buttons by the learning method but it wouldn't take the commands... Is there a remote function to remove the function of a button so that you can assign it another via learning?

Not clear, but in the hierarchy of JP1 remotes, a learned function will take priority over an assigned one, so the learned function should work, but only in the device mode in which you learned it. If you have a case of this, upload the file and post a link for someone to look at.

Are you sure you are learning properly? Does the remote indicate that it has properly learned the signal?

Yes, if a button is unassigned (pressing it does not flash the device key) - I have been able to teach that button the new trick... But with pre-assigned ones I can't. Take the Xbox as the example, I got a feeling that there is a mis-match between my Xbox remote and the one with the codes in my URC (after the OFA wav upgrade)?

Again, ultimately, the goal is simply to use learning to decode your original remote's codes to enable you to build an upgrade, not to actually use the learned signal. (Except in certain circumstances, where your Keymove memory is getting full and learning memory needs to be used)

Now go and read everything the Beginner's file and keep it open in front of you as you try to build a single device upgrade (say for your xBox).

Aye, aye Capn'! I might be a while...

[Capn Trips]

... if a button is unassigned (pressing it does not flash the device key) - I have been able to teach that button the new trick... But with pre-assigned ones I can't. Take the Xbox as the example, I got a feeling that there is a mis-match between my Xbox remote and the one with the codes in my URC (after the OFA wav upgrade)?

Still can't tell from your info.

(0) Is your learned memory full? (only about 20-25 functions can be learned)
(1) Does the remote indicate it has learned or not? (Does the device key blink twice after you've strated learning?)
(2) Does the learned signal not work after an apparently successful learn?
(3) Is the remote still sending the originally-assigned signal, despite having a learned signal on the button?

Your best bet is to learn the signals at issue, and if they don't work then download into IR and see what IR shows in the learned signals tab.

If they DO work, you still want to download into IR and analyze to build your upgrade

As far as your premise about xBox and codes in the URC, that's not the case. A learned signal has NOTHING to do with ANYTHING that is preloaded, available or present in the URC remote's memory. It is exactly what it says - it is learned. It is a "recording", if you will, of that signal that is simply "played back" by the remote. As such, it is only limited by the quality of the "learn" - battery strength, stability of the remotes while learning, interruptions while learning (incomplete or truncated), etc.

P.S. There are SOME remote signals that have a toggle bit, which makes use of a learned signal problematic, but these are the exception rather than the rule, and that doesn't appear to match the symptom you're describing.