JP1 Remotes

So, in the Device tab, assign the functions in Dave's Vizio upgrade to some key. Then just use that key in your macro. Sometimes it is easier to assign the function to a real key for testing. Then later assign it to a Phantom key.

I think the part you are missing is assigning the functions, like HDMI 1 to some key, like shift-1. So if you edit the device, go to the Buttons tab and drag and drop the HDMI 1 command to a button like shift-1. Then to use HDMI 1 in your macro, use the shift-1 button, or whatever button you assigned that function to. As you can see my upgrade has over 150 commands, but your remote only has about 40 buttons, so just assign the ones you need to the buttons (or shifted buttons) of your choice, then use those buttons in your macros.

For the cable box, just pick any one and try it. If you have a setup code you know works, that will help us narrow it down. If you go to your original cable tv remote, you can get the code with a blink back: http://www.hifi-remote.com/wiki/index.p ... evice_code. or connect it to your JP1 cable and download (I can't remember, but I think your cable remote is JP1, right?).

All of this is really hard to grasp all at once. I used JP1 remotes for years before I could wrap my head around extenders. Keep experimenting and practicing the basics, assigning functions to buttons, writing simple macros and testing the results until you get comfortable. Then tackle these more complicated things later. Baby steps.

sti491,
In the thread I linked to at RemoteCentral, the first few posts refer to the functions number (OBCs) in hexadecimal format. So 25 is decimal 37 and 2A is decimal 42. But if you look at post #6, the OBCs are given in both hexadecimal and decimal format. RMIR wants decimal format.

UEI remotes use an executor (a small subroutine) to send the signals, and these require input data-- at least the device number and OBCs. OBCs are the function numbers. EFCs are an encoded form of the input data. (UEI vainly hoped to confound competitors from discovering the IR signals based on publicly available programming data for a OneForAll remote.) Additionally, some combo executors can send more than one style of IR protocol, and these need some selector bits in the input data to tell the executor which style to send. Also, frequently it turns out that the executor needs the OBC data with the order of the bits reversed or complemented. For example, the NEC IR protocol used by your Vizio sends the least significant bit first. A Marantz receiver using the RC5 iR protocol wants the most significant bit sent first. So there is no obvious correlation between OBCs/device.subdevice numbers and the corresponding EFC, but RMIR knows how to translate and we're glad to let it do it. in the Device Upgrade Editor, you can enter OBC, or EFC, or the raw executor input data (the Hex column). RMIR will calculate the other two from whichever one you input.

The button (key) choices under Macro show only the keys that are actually on your Remote, in your case the RCA, plus some phantom keys.

The functions of your TV are set in the Device tab for your Vizio TV. Since your RCA remote doesn't have a key called HDMI1, assign it to another key, preferably a phantom key. Then under Macros, you can use that key in whatever sequence you need.

Having my first cup of coffee and getting enlightened with all your help....THANKS!

Bruce and Dave, YES (!), assigning functions to buttons IS what I was completely missing. Awesome revelation, the missing link, now found!

Ok, understanding this of course generates a few more questions, or just confirmations to see if I am on the right track (Here I go with another long post):

1. When I go to edit your Vizio device upgrade Dave, looking at the first Buttons column on the left:

1a. Black font are the Vizio OEM actual physical buttons?

1b. Red font are buttons you added to expand capability making macros?

1c. What does the asterisk mean on some of the red ones?


2. Assigning a function that I want to use in a macro, such as HDMI 1 that is not an OEM button, it might be a good idea to assign it to a shifted key, or say another unshifted actual key that I don't use, like one of the number keys (I don't use any of the number keys on my Vizio TV remote because I exclusively use cable channels)... that way I can test it to be sure it works by itself, before I use it in a macro... yes? (this was Bruce's point in his post I believe)


3. Phantom Key questions:

3a. Are they only for macro writing purposes?

3b. Even though they show up in the Macro "bound key" drop down list, you can't press a Phantom key on the remote to start a macro (?).

3c. Is the only reason you would use a Phantom button as the bound key to start a macro, to use that macro within another macro (nested macro?) that would then need to start with a bound key that was an actual physical button on the remote?


4. If I wanted a LKP button special function to "watch Cable TV" to power up my TV, cable box and Audio, but be sure my DVD (assigned to my Apple TV) is off, which one of the following is better. I am thinking the second one (4b) is better if I am understand the difference between "Power" (which is a toggle, just changing it from "on to off" or "off to on", depending where it was to start with), and "discrete on" (that figures which position the power toggle was in to start with, and sets it to "on" regardless if it was on or off to start with)

4a. CBL Power LKP(2) [Short]:<none> [Long]:TV;Power;CBL;Power;AUD;Power;DVD;DiscreteOff

4b. CBL Power LKP(2) [Short]:<none> [Long]:TV;DiscreteOn;CBL;DiscreteOn;AUD;DiscreteOn;DVD;DiscreteOff

4c. To execute either of these special functions on the remote, I would push the Cable button (a short, normal push), then do a long press on the power button, correct?

4d. Is this approach the best way to do these start-up type functions that mimic my H900 Activities for "Watching Cable", "Watching Smart TV apps", "SoundBar BlueTooth", etc? -or- would you recommend something different.


5. Dave, the code that works for my Motorola DCH641 DVR is 1376. Please point me to the best Device Upgrade to use in the JP1 file section.

6. For my AUD, I have a new Polk 9500 SoundBar. It has a very basic little remote that has buttons for: Power Toggle, Mute, Source 1, Source 2, Source 3, Source 4, Bluetooth, Vol +, Vol-, Sub Vol+ and Sub Vol-. Polk tech service says there is no setup code for this model. You can use a IR learning to a new remote, which is what they recommend. I did a lot of searching and found that setup code 0189 works for everything except the sub volume controls, that I IR learned and assigned RCA buttons to for my unextended RCA. That works great. There is no "Learned Signals" tab in the RM extended file for the RCA. I do have those settings (Size, Freq, Protocol, Dev, Sub Dev, OBC, and Hex Commands for the Sub Vol up & down) saved in a RM unextended remote file, that I can reference. There are no Polk device upgrades in the JP1 file section that look like they would work. My questions are how do I get my soundbar device into the extended remote including Sub Vol up & down, preferably with discrete on and off:

6a. Is there a device upgrade that will work for my Polk Audio 9500BT SoundBar, that somehow I missed? It would be nice to have discrete on and off for my start-up macros (to mimic the H900 Activities), but without that maybe I can figure how to do that with a Toadtog or some other way?

6b. With the extender, could I use setup code 0189 for everything except Sub Volume up and down (which I need). Can I: then turn off the extender (unconnected to RM), IR learn the Sub up and down commands, then turn the extender back on (still unconnected to RM), and then would those learned commands be retained while extended ? I am unclear on this issue of no learning when extended, but it can learn if not extended... and if you can save learned commands once you turn the extender back on?

6c. Since I know the Size, Freq, Protocol, Dev, Sub Dev, OBC, and Hex Commands for the Sub Vol up & down saved in a RM unextended remote file under the Learned Command tab, is there a way to make my own device upgrade, special function or something else from a combination of those and the other commands that work from set up code 0189?

6d. What is the easiest or best way to set up a device for my SoundBar in the extended RCA? This is my ultimate goal stated in a more concise way.


3FG Thank you for your explanation. I need to do some more thinking on your points. Complicated stuff for the novice, but I am slowly getting there with help from you, Dave & Bruce! Thanks again.

OK, I am going to the gym to excersize my body. When I come back I will excersize my Brain working on assigning buttons to make some start-up macros/special functions to mimic my H900 most used "Activities". I do need to get Device Upgrades or set up codes for my Motorola DCH641 DVR and Polk Audio 9500BT SoundBar, preferable with discrete off and on, of figure out another way to do that in a macro.

Those may not be "Baby steps" Dave (!), but it's what I want to get done eventually. I'll obviously start with one macro or special function, trial & error it, before starting on the next one. The cable box and soundbar device upgrades or codes are a critical next step. Maybe I also need that for my Apple TV?. Then, if there is no discrete on and off for any of those, I'll ask for help on the ToadTog power toggle approach, which is a little beyond me in the specifics, although I understand the concept.

In the interest of completeness in this thread, let me just post that the EFC's included in the upgrade Vizio SV472XVT with discretes.rmdu definitely do not work for a 2007 Vizio GV47L. So Component and HDMI selection in that TV must be handled by sequential input selection, or by using ToadTog.

sti491 wrote:1. When I go to edit your Vizio device upgrade Dave, looking at the first Buttons column on the left:

1a. Black font are the Vizio OEM actual physical buttons?

1b. Red font are buttons you added to expand capability making macros?

1c. What does the asterisk mean on some of the red ones?

a & b, you got it. Any commands assigned to asterisk buttons appear on the keymove tab in RMIR.

2. Assigning a function that I want to use in a macro, such as HDMI 1 that is not an OEM button, it might be a good idea to assign it to a shifted key, or say another unshifted actual key that I don't use, like one of the number keys (I don't use any of the number keys on my Vizio TV remote because I exclusively use cable channels)... that way I can test it to be sure it works by itself, before I use it in a macro... yes? (this was Bruce's point in his post I believe)

Yep. Always best to make sure the command actually works

3. Phantom Key questions:

3a. Are they only for macro writing purposes?

3b. Even though they show up in the Macro "bound key" drop down list, you can't press a Phantom key on the remote to start a macro (?).

3c. Is the only reason you would use a Phantom button as the bound key to start a macro, to use that macro within another macro (nested macro?) that would then need to start with a bound key that was an actual physical button on the remote?

All correct.

4. If I wanted a LKP button special function to "watch Cable TV" to power up my TV, cable box and Audio, but be sure my DVD (assigned to my Apple TV) is off, which one of the following is better. I am thinking the second one (4b) is better if I am understand the difference between "Power" (which is a toggle, just changing it from "on to off" or "off to on", depending where it was to start with), and "discrete on" (that figures which position the power toggle was in to start with, and sets it to "on" regardless if it was on or off to start with)

4a. CBL Power LKP(2) [Short]:<none> [Long]:TV;Power;CBL;Power;AUD;Power;DVD;DiscreteOff

4b. CBL Power LKP(2) [Short]:<none> [Long]:TV;DiscreteOn;CBL;DiscreteOn;AUD;DiscreteOn;DVD;DiscreteOff

4c. To execute either of these special functions on the remote, I would push the Cable button (a short, normal push), then do a long press on the power button, correct?

4d. Is this approach the best way to do these start-up type functions that mimic my H900 Activities for "Watching Cable", "Watching Smart TV apps", "SoundBar BlueTooth", etc? -or- would you recommend something different.

None of the above. I'll post an example later of what I would do. But the short answer, is use the device buttons themselves to run your macros (activities) not power button.

5. Dave, the code that works for my Motorola DCH641 DVR is 1376. Please point me to the best Device Upgrade to use in the JP1 file section.

In that case just about any one will work. I'm not on a PC where I can look at any upgrades at the moment.

6. For my AUD, I have a new Polk 9500 SoundBar. It has a very basic little remote that has buttons for: Power Toggle, Mute, Source 1, Source 2, Source 3, Source 4, Bluetooth, Vol +, Vol-, Sub Vol+ and Sub Vol-. Polk tech service says there is no setup code for this model. You can use a IR learning to a new remote, which is what they recommend. I did a lot of searching and found that setup code 0189 works for everything except the sub volume controls, that I IR learned and assigned RCA buttons to for my unextended RCA. That works great. There is no "Learned Signals" tab in the RM extended file for the RCA. I do have those settings (Size, Freq, Protocol, Dev, Sub Dev, OBC, and Hex Commands for the Sub Vol up & down) saved in a RM unextended remote file, that I can reference. There are no Polk device upgrades in the JP1 file section that look like they would work. My questions are how do I get my soundbar device into the extended remote including Sub Vol up & down, preferably with discrete on and off:

6a. Is there a device upgrade that will work for my Polk Audio 9500BT SoundBar, that somehow I missed? It would be nice to have discrete on and off for my start-up macros (to mimic the H900 Activities), but without that maybe I can figure how to do that with a Toadtog or some other way?

Looks like you'll have to make your own. Just learn all the commands from your harmony and use the values to make a new device.

Here are some codes which should work using RC-5, dev1 17, dev2 16, subdev 117. Hopefully someone else can help with the details.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mb ... d.cgi?6143

6b. With the extender, could I use setup code 0189 for everything except Sub Volume up and down (which I need). Can I: then turn off the extender (unconnected to RM), IR learn the Sub up and down commands, then turn the extender back on (still unconnected to RM), and then would those learned commands be retained while extended ? I am unclear on this issue of no learning when extended, but it can learn if not extended... and if you can save learned commands once you turn the extender back on?

No, you need to make your own device from the learns as above.

6c. Since I know the Size, Freq, Protocol, Dev, Sub Dev, OBC, and Hex Commands for the Sub Vol up & down saved in a RM unextended remote file under the Learned Command tab, is there a way to make my own device upgrade, special function or something else from a combination of those and the other commands that work from set up code 0189?

Yep, just enter those numbers in a New device.

6d. What is the easiest or best way to set up a device for my SoundBar in the extended RCA? This is my ultimate goal stated in a more concise way.

See 6c

Building new upgrades from learns is in the tutorial, if you want to give that another look. I think the latest version can even build them automatically. So give that a try first.

sti491,
In answer to your post, I will make some general observations:

In general, I don't think doing an actual function using shift-button is a good idea. Shift, if it is the setup key, is often short and off in some far corner. It definitely doesn't get wife approved. On the other hand, I find a long key press to be very intuitive. For example, for my DVD player, if I press STOP the DVD stops. If I long press STOP it ejects the DVD.

I use shift-button for cloaking, so I can put a macro on a key and still use that key in its original mode without getting hung in a nested macro.

I wouldn't mix power control with input selection. If we are watching satellite TV and want to play a movie on the Mac Mini, I just want the Audio and Video inputs to change. I don't want a lot of things power cycling.

A long press of my Power key powers on the TV and Receiver. The Dish satellite receiver and the DVD player manage their own power. I just leave the Mac Mini on all the time because it does other things, like running bit torrent in the background.

Here are some of my old extender configs with examples of LKPs and Toadtogs. Everybody's approach is different, but my philosophy was use LKP of device buttons for activities, short presses for device selection and control. Many prefer to use short for devices and long for activities, your choice. I use LKP of Power for master power off at the end of the day. I don't worry about turning unused devices off between activities, but you could easily do that if you wanted.

I DO put discrete power in all my activity macros because it does no harm and never cycles things on/off that you didn't intend to cycle. I create discretes for all devices that lack them, like cable boxes for example, using Toadtogs.

While shifts aren't very user friendly, sometimes you have no other choice if you want to cram a bunch of functions onto the remote and may not be able to use an extender (only a handful of models have had an extender written for them).

https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=13115

This Moto device should work fine:
https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=12770

I honestly don't use my RCA remotes anymore. Xsight models mentioned at the beginning of the thread are just as cheap and far easier to use and program and much closer to the H900 experience you're accustomed to. But all the stuff you're doing is a great way to learn all the ins and outs of JP1 remotes.

EDIT: One of my files is for a 15-134, so you'll probably need to download the extender for that and at least copy the RDFs to your RDF folder before you can open the file. That's the one with my toadtog example.

Wow! A lot to think about, do some research and then try some tests.

THANK YOU both.... eventually I'll be back when I am stumped again.

I'll try to keep future posts to shorter one subject queries. But getting all I did from you guys above should really help me get started after I digest it some more.

Dave, they say a picture is worth a 1000 words... the Family Room rmir file you provided has cleared up MANY ambiguities for me - after staring at it for a couple hours!

Thanks!

If I write a macro with a button/command that doesn't exist at the beginning or in the middle of the macro, such as: "Dev_TV;DescreteOn;Dev_AUD;DescreteOn;Dev_CBL;DescreteOn;Dev_DVR;DescreteOn"

Where perhaps, there is no "DescreteOn" button assigned for my AUD, would the marco keep running and execute the last two device Discrete power ons... or does the macro stop working where the non existent or incorrect command is?

I am thinking the macro keeps running and executes the later instructions. Please confirm.

Yes, the macro will run and send the commands you have chosen, whether they are valid or not.

The discrete on and off buttons on the RCA are actually phantoms that I renamed so you'd always have a place to put those commands if they exist.

Dave, you answered part of my Polk SoundBar question with this:
Here are some codes which should work using RC-5, dev1 17, dev2 16, subdev 117. Hopefully someone else can help with the details.
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mb ... d.cgi?6143

What does this mean: work using RC-5, dev1 17, dev2 16, subdev 117.? What are those numbers?

Probably similar questions, from the link:

1. What are these 2 digit numbers, how do I use them (or not) creating my Polk AUD upgraded device. I would have thought they were hex commands, because from what I see in RM Hex are 2 digit numbers, with one set of 2-dighit hex code per button(?)... but the OP is asking how to format it into Hex. If they are not hex what are they?:

Contacted Polk and was able to get the following out of their engineer. Not sure how to format it into the HEX format NEVO accepts (same as the Pronto):

Power(toggle) = 00
Power(on) = 01
Power(off) = 02
Vol Up = 1E
Vol Down = 1F
Mute = 20
Subvol up = 5C
Subvol Down = 5D

Source
1 = 0F
2 = 0E
3 = 0C

Any ideas?

2. Similar question, what are all these numbers, how do I use them (or not) creating my Polk AUD upgraded device (I didn't copy the entire post with all the commands, just the first 2).... the first 2-didgt number relate to what was in the first post. What are all the other 4-digit numbers that follow? Looking in RM in Device edit, I don't see anything like these numbers, all I see are EFC5, EFC, OBC and Hex, none of those are 4-digits, nor listed this way(?)

Power(toggle) = 00
Device Code: 200.145 (0xC8.0x91) Function: 0 (0x00)
0000 006D 0000 0022 0157 00AC 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689

Power(on) = 01
Device Code: 200.145 (0xC8.0x91) Function: 1 (0x01)
0000 006D 0000 0022 0157 00AC 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689


I am going to try a few extended button assignments and simple marcos today, but pretty quickly will need to create a device upgrade from learned commands for my soundbar, or I assume it will not work with remote extended, since I don't have a code for it. Just trying to get my head around that reading the tutorial and your links, that raised these questions.