I need a little help trying to figure this out. I have a MX-980 and a MSC-400. On the remote when I press WATCH then TV it runs a macro that:

Powers on Projector
DELAY
Powers on Receiver
DELAY
Switches Receiver Input to Input 1
DELAY
Switches Projector Source to HDMI
JUMP to Favorite Channels

This works like a charm. However, if somebody runs this macro, then hits LISTEN or in any way leaves the TV menu, when they hit TV again it runs the entire macro. Normally this isnt a problem as these are all discrete codes, but the delays and switching inputs is annoying. Is there a better solution? Wrapping the entire macro in an IF/THEN or utilizing power/video monitoring with the MSC?

Sorry if this is a lame n00b question.

Easy: Make your 'TV' macro a press and hold as well for x seconds to just jump to the favs page w/o the other steps.

Not as easy: Variables that track power states.

Interesting. But wouldn't that only work if the person KNEW it was a press and hold macro, otherwise theyw ould just tap it like normal? So when my father in law comes over I don't get called at work 8 times asking how to turn the tv on. And yes, that actually did happen, 8 freaking times, in a single day!

Just reverse it. i.e. press and hold to jump.

Obviously yes it would require them to know. So you can:

Explain it to them.

and/or

Use Variables.

and/or

Use the msc-400 to track power and video state.

or

Have the inlaws use another system.

That's about all the options you have and should cover anything you run into with a simple system like this that has all discretes.

whats the big deal with your father in law having to wait 5 seconds while the macro is running? why would he press watch/listen anyway if he still wants to do the same activity?

you could set up the press and hold simply to save YOURSELF waiting the 5 seconds every time. i personally have a 2nd page under WATCH and LISTEN labeled DEVICES, and it of course consists of just jump-to commands that take me to the main page of my different components. fyi, i then have a 3rd page under watch and listen with power commands for my devices, that way i can power up slow components before firing a macro to change activities, this saves me staring at a blank screen for 30 seconds while a dvd (or whatevever) powers up.

all the best!

I was just trying to make it easy. HE is constantly pressing the wrong buttons, and ends up on some strange screen to hum and doesn't know what to do next. I have been teaching him to hit WATCH to get back to the TV, DVD, Wii, etc menu so he knows where to go next.

LOL inlaws and maids...the cause of 90% of all service calls!

I like the press and hold feature. However, there really shouldn't be any issue with the remote re-executing the macro, other than waiting a few seconds. If the tv is on and you execute the tv on command, nothing should happen since it's already on. The rest of the macro should execute in the same manner.

If fact, I would think that it would only reconfirm that everything is the way it should be. If the inlaws are screwing around on different pages and mess something up, say change to the wrong input, hitting the macro again would just ensure that everything gets set back to where it should be.

I suppose you are right. Just thought it was a PITA re-executing the macros. No worries. clear33765 you are in Tarpon Springs? Temple Terrace myself :)

If you have the MSC-400, use a power, video or light sensor to track the status of the TV. If the MSC senses that the TV is on then use the if/else functions to jump back to the TV page without performing the power and source select macro.
I have several of my components status monitored by sensors due to the fact that I also have family members who like to press buttons.

if your using a msc-400 why do you have the 980 doing the macros?

I figure you could code the press and hold feature to jump straight to the page you want. Since you know how it works, you'll never be the one waiting for the macro to execute again. When the inlaws/family/friends use it, you can explain it to them or not explain it to them. Letting them sit through the macro again, like I stated above, would ensure everything works for them. Especially if you aren't around to fix stuff.

Why don't you just put the start up macro on the Watch , ON button.
Then just take the macro off the TV button leaving it as a jump to source button.
Teach everyone to push WATCH, ON to start the system, and then WATCH, Source, to watch something else. That's really the way the remote was designed. Do the same thing for shutting the system down. Now everyone knows that when you are on the watch page the ON button turns the entire system on, and the OFF button turns the entire system off.

Yeah, but what are you watching? Are you watching cable tv? Are you watching a dvd? Are you starting a Nintendo Wii? Which components are you turning on and which do you want to leave off? Your method would suggest you are turning everything on. Then what about changing to the correct input depending what you are watching?

I've seen many posts about the apparent lack of use for the "On" button on these remotes.