Finding Codes

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Overview

What makes UEI remotes so unique is the ability to program any key using EFCs (Extended Function Codes) also known as advanced codes. Every button that comes pre-programmed on these universal remotes has a function code associated with it. There also may be function codes that are not pre-programmed on the remote, including some that weren't even on the original remote. These functions can be sent from the keypad using an EFC.

In most cases, the JP1 tools can't be used to extract any of the built-in setup code details, the exception being the newest USB connected remotes the XSight and Simpleset models. For most remotes, that information is stored in ROM and JP1 tools only read the E2/EEPROM area. There are some alternative ways to get the information you need to build an upgrade.

• Searching the JP1 site for upgrades
  
• Searching Hifi-Remote's Advanced Codes
  
• Using Learned Signals
  
• Using Keymoves
  
• Using Devices4
  
• Using the JP1 Lookup Tool
  
• Using the UEI Lookup Tool
  
• Using Pronto files
  
• Using Brute Force
  
• with Finesse
  
• Final Resort

Using Learns

If you have learning remote you can learn the signals. When you download from the remote, IR will decode the signals. Making an upgrade from these decodes is easy. If you have a learning remote, I'd strongly suggest making a backup upgrade for all your equipment and posting the files in the forum. You never know when your OEM remote is going to die. See the Learned Signal Section for a refresher on how to learn a signal. Please see Using Keymap-Master or Using RemoteMaster for a tutorial on how to build an upgrade from learned signals

Using Keymoves

It sure would be nice if we could read the ROM of our remote with IR or RMIR, but as you already know the JP1 tools only read the E2/EEPROM area. However, if your older EEPROM type remote supports the KeyMover feature, you can move this information into the EEPROM and then read it with IR. This does not work on the FLASH remotes because these move type keymoves are now accomplished with a keycode. Lets say I want to know the power button EFC for my TV, I’m going to do a keymove to copy my TV power key to my Aux Power key. Press and hold SET until the LED (red light) blinks twice Enter 994 the LED will blink twice Press TV once to set the source mode Press power for the source key Press AUX once, to set the destination mode Press power for the destination key. The LED will blink twice Download it to IR you can see what the EFC is.

as noted above the newest USB style remotes have the setup code in the E2 area, so you don't have to use this tric,.

Using the JP1 Lookup Tool

The JP1 Lookup Tool lets you find the information about the standard setup codes and covers more setup codes than devices4. http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/lookup/

Using Pronto Files

Pronto is an upscale universal remote that can be programmed via computer. It is an expensive remote costing more than $300. Remote Central remotecentral.com has a large collection of Philips Pronto files. The pronto files come in many different formats.

IR can import Pronto Hex Import is available through the Add and Edit buttons of the Learned Signals page, where there are now radio buttons to choose between UEI Learned and Pronto formats, UEI Learned being the standard learned format of UEI remotes. The import routines support all raw and pre-defined Pronto formats other than the 8000 format, i.e. Pronto signals can be imported if they begin with any of the following values: 0000, 0100, 5000, 5001, 6000, 6001, 9000, 9001, 900A, 900B, 900C, 900D, 900E. Many companies publish their signal information in pronto format.

Another source of pronto hex are the users pronto files. CCF files are the easiest to work with. John Fine has a program called DecodeCCF that will put this file into readable form. DecodeCCF works with DecodeIR.DLL. If you drag a CCF onto the DecodeCCF Icon, it will produce a very nice .txt text file that looks much like the learned signal codes that IR displays. If the signals didn't decode, DecodCCF has an option to display the timing data. Newer pronto remotes use a PCF file. There is no convenient way to do a batch extract and decode of these signals. The signals need to be individually extracted with prontoEditNG and decoded with IR or IRScope. These are less convenient because you can only decode one key at a time, and the user needs to do this by hand. ProntoEditNG is available at RemoteCentral. When downloading ProntoEditNG, make sure you get the version that matches the remote of listed for the PCF's description. If you use the wrong ProntoEditNG version, it will tell you "invalid file format".

The Final Resort

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