Gefen 2x2 HDMI Switcher with a Comcast Remote

Nomnom · Post by **Nomnom** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:07 pm

Is it possible for me to control my Gefen 2x2 HDMI Switcher with my Comcast universal remote? (The comcast remote has a black backside, silver front, red ok button, and comcast written in black at the bottom front of the remote).

The specs of the Gefen switcher are as follows:
* Video Amplifier Bandwidth: 165 MHz
* Input Video Signal: 1.2 Volts p-p
* Input DDC Signal: 5 Volts p-p (TTL)
* Single Link Range: 1080p/1920 x 1200
* HDMI Connector: Type A 19 Pin Female
* Digital Audio Output: TOSlink
* Remote Control Port: RS232 female, mini-stereo
* Power Supply: 5V DC
* Power Consumption: 20 Watts (max)
* Dimensions:10.25"W x 1.125"H x 4.25?"D

* Shipping Weight: 6 lbs.
* 2x2 HDMI Switcher
* RMT-2IR Remote Control
* Two 6-foot HDMI cables
* 5VDC Power Supply
* User's Manual

EDIT: My Harmony 880 remote controls the Gefen switcher just fine, but as I've said before, I'd prefer using the Comcast remote. Quirky, I know, but I have my reasons.

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:51 pm

The Genfen posted in the files section inidicates that you won't be able to add this to the Comcast without a cable. Sorry.

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:12 pm

Nomnom,

You should seriously consider getting a cable. Then you could program your comcast from you PC like you do your harmony. And the JP1 software is much, much better than logitech's. For example, you can drag and drop functions to buttons on an actual image of the remote instead of using those insane up/down arrows in the harmony software. You can also make macros longer the 5 steps. You can easily document and backup all your programming. Making changes is lightning fast. The list goes on and on.

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:52 pm

Well, let's try. The Gefen upgrade files posted here are for 4 input switches rather than 2. They use RC5 protocol, device 11. Remote buttons 1-4 issue OBC commands 64-67. As a guess, your 2 input switch probably uses OBC 64 and 65.

The Comcast remote has no RC5 protocol with device 11, but it does have two RC5/RC5x combo protocols (setup codes TV 0855 and Video 1781). Typically, with the combo protocol it is possible to generate any RC5 device number using remotes which implement 5 digit EFCs. (You'd need a cable using 3 digit EFCs)

Try EFC 43065 for button 1, and 43069 for button 2, using either of the two above setup codes. I think you are already using 1781 for your Marantz (for which we are using the same trick), so that maybe the easiest.

Alternate EFCs to try: 43057 (button 3) and 43061 (4).

Nomnom · Post by **Nomnom** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:05 pm

3FG wrote:Well, let's try. The Gefen upgrade files posted here are for 4 input switches rather than 2. They use RC5 protocol, device 11. Remote buttons 1-4 issue OBC commands 64-67. As a guess, your 2 input switch probably uses OBC 64 and 65.

The Comcast remote has no RC5 protocol with device 11, but it does have two RC5/RC5x combo protocols (setup codes TV 0855 and Video 1781). Typically, with the combo protocol it is possible to generate any RC5 device number using remotes which implement 5 digit EFCs. (You'd need a cable using 3 digit EFCs)

Try EFC 43065 for button 1, and 43069 for button 2, using either of the two above setup codes. I think you are already using 1781 for your Marantz (for which we are using the same trick), so that maybe the easiest.

Alternate EFCs to try: 43057 (button 3) and 43061 (4).

Thanks mdavej. I may just pick up a cable. Even though these instructions have allowed me to solve all my controller issues, it would be fun to mess around with keymapper software.

3FG, I'm going to try those setup codes tonight. I'll test those EFCs first as we have done before. I'm literally excited about trying these out. Crazy huh?

UPDATE: Keeping AUX at 21781 (setup code 1781, plus 2 for video, for req. 5 digit code), 43065 and 43069 worked. I mapped them using 994 to the PIP Move and + buttons. I checked and in all three modes, Cable TV and Aux, both of those buttons did nothing. Now that I have them mapped for AUX mode, I'm wondering if I can unlock those keys so that they can always be 43065 and 43069 regardless of what mode I'm in? Is that too far fetched?

Sorry 3FG. Gotta keep picking your brain.

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:36 pm

Good Catch 3fg!

MaskedMan · Post by **MaskedMan** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:37 pm

You can't map EFC's, then keymove them, you have to it in one operation like so:

1. aux
2. press and hold SETUP for two blinks
3. enter 9 9 4
4. tap SETUP for one blink
5. enter 43065
6. press TV device key
7. press PIP MOVE key

repeat for the other command, and then repeat both for the other device.

Nomnom · Post by **Nomnom** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:40 pm

MaskedMan wrote:You can't map EFC's, then keymove them, you have to it in one operation like so:

1. aux
2. press and hold SETUP for two blinks
3. enter 9 9 4
4. tap SETUP for one blink
5. enter 43065
6. press TV device key
7. press PIP MOVE key

repeat for the other command, and then repeat both for the other device.

Oh damn, I didn't know I could switch modes mid-operation. Thank you MaskedMan.

UPDATE: I just did what you suggested MaskedMan. This has opened a whole new layer for me. I can keymove so many different functions to different modes now! sweeeeeeeeeeeeet

Nomnom · Post by **Nomnom** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 1:49 pm

mdavej wrote:Nomnom,

You should seriously consider getting a cable. Then you could program your comcast from you PC like you do your harmony. And the JP1 software is much, much better than logitech's. For example, you can drag and drop functions to buttons on an actual image of the remote instead of using those insane up/down arrows in the harmony software. You can also make macros longer the 5 steps. You can easily document and backup all your programming. Making changes is lightning fast. The list goes on and on.

I think I may just go ahead and build a "simple" interface. I have a 25-pin parallel port and a 9-pin serial port on an old Asus motherboard that's still up and running.

EDIT: Is Tommy's "How to build a USB interface for JP1" still relevant? I was going to just follow that.

Post by **vickyg2003** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:08 pm

Your Comcast 1067bx3 requires a FLASH cable. since it is a jp1.3 remote.

Nomnom · Post by **Nomnom** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:31 pm

vickyg2003 wrote:Your Comcast 1067bx3 requires a FLASH cable. since it is a jp1.3 remote.

Yeah, that just occured to me.

Thank you though.