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Topic:
Programming MX-900 nightmares (Finally Resolved)
This thread has 12 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 00:54
Cutaway
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I have been in the CI game for several years now and have done some programming of a couple of different remotes , and I must say the URC remotes are by far the most frustrating.

I usually program RTI or Harmony. I have been to one live training for URC almost 2 years ago and came away from that fairly confident. I have an MX-900 for my personal system that has just been gathering dust and decided to try to play with programming it to gain some experience in case I have a customer that is insistent on having one(new or reprogrammed).

My system:
Optoma HD8000
Denon AVR3808
Oppo DV980H
Sony CDPCX300


I finally (I think) figured out setting up variables. I have to use them for the Optoma as well as the Sony. I am now at the point where everything is working smoothly EXCEPT... when I go to power down, the CD player comes on. I have looked through all of my macros and cannot find where the CD player is put into a true state. Even if all I do is Watch DVD and then Power off the CD player will come on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Last edited by Cutaway on November 29, 2009 16:48.
Post 2 made on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 01:34
Tom Ciaramitaro
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You should be using discrete power on the Sony CD - check the database, unless you have an ancient Sony, it should have discrete off. Don't use variables unless you have to.

Does the power off macro toggle the variable?
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
OP | Post 3 made on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 02:01
Cutaway
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On October 3, 2009 at 01:34, Tom Ciaramitaro said...
You should be using discrete power on the Sony CD - check the database, unless you have an ancient Sony, it should have discrete off. Don't use variables unless you have to.

Does the power off macro toggle the variable?

Thank you for a nudge in the right direction. Still being a novice to URC I am still fumbling about. I think I may have gotten it with your help. It may not be the cleanest programming but it seems to work now. I ended up looking through the generic codes at the bottom of the list and was able to find some discretes that work.

I wish I had someone that I could have look at my programming and show me some easier/cleaner ways of getting things done.

Again, thank you very much.

Edited to add: I think that the macro did toggle the variable.
Post 4 made on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 08:11
KVH
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I'm sure if you post the remote file, someone would take a look at it.
All high's, all low's, it must be.......
Einstein @ URC Control Room forum
www.einsteinaudiosystems.com
Post 5 made on Wednesday October 14, 2009 at 00:49
Control Remotes
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If you ever need help in the future, let me know. I was a Lead Tech Support Agent for URC and now have my own company programming remotes. It would be my pleasure.



Thank you,
Damon
Control Systems Consultant & NY Metro Custom Installation
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
OP | Post 6 made on Saturday November 28, 2009 at 16:39
Cutaway
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OK, so I have learned quite a bit and got a very workable remote for my theater. Well, of course, I want more. I got a new Samsung BDP-1600 that streams Pandora and Netflix and have wired it to my three main systems (Theater, Basement Game room, and Master Bedroom) and would like to control everything with my one MX-900. I am planning (hoping to this weekend) on running Cat5 for IR control of everything through my MRF-260 but have not done so yet.

If anyone (hopefully Damon is still willing) would be available to look over my work and see what I screwed up and make recommendations please PM me and I can email the system file (I'm not sure how to attach to these forums yet) and my equipment configuration.
Post 7 made on Saturday November 28, 2009 at 17:26
FreddyFreeloader
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Posting on the forum seems to take some time. You can attach to emails and send to the address under our profile. Feel free to send to me as well.

Last edited by FreddyFreeloader on November 28, 2009 17:34.
OP | Post 8 made on Saturday November 28, 2009 at 17:34
Cutaway
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Yeah, I don't remember what was causing that problem, but I did end up finding good discretes for the CD player.
Post 9 made on Sunday November 29, 2009 at 00:40
Darnitol
Universal Remote Control Inc.
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I'm compelled to jump in here and point out that the source of frustration here was from an attempt to use variables instead of discrete IR commands. It's a common mistake—but not one that's unique to us or any other manufacturer. Variables are great once you learn how to use them, but they are never, ever an effective way to handle components with toggle power commands.

Best regards,
Dale
I'm a member of the Remote Central community, just like you! My comments here are my own, and in no way express the opinions, policies, or plans of Universal Remote Control, Inc.
OP | Post 10 made on Sunday November 29, 2009 at 11:52
Cutaway
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I agree that discretes are the preferred choice when programming, but when there are not any, they are the only way to go unless you want to spend another $1000 on video sensors. After already spending $500-$600 on just the remote (without programming costs), the average customer will not want to spend this. Even when I can get them at cost, I have other things I would rather spend my money on.

Perhaps I am just wasting my time with URC and should continue with RTI and keep looking at others as well. I hate to say it, but Harmony has made it pretty easy to program an activity based remote and has probably the most comprehensive IR database out there.
OP | Post 11 made on Sunday November 29, 2009 at 16:52
Cutaway
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A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped me along the way especially Vincent.

The variable thing was the hardest to work through, but I seem to have gotten to a point where everything is working nicely.


Cutaway Chris
Post 12 made on Monday November 30, 2009 at 11:09
vbova27
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On November 29, 2009 at 16:52, Cutaway said...
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped me along the way especially Vincent.

The variable thing was the hardest to work through, but I seem to have gotten to a point where everything is working nicely.

Cutaway Chris

No Problem Chris. Glad to hear your on your way - I am sure your customers and your bottom line will benefit.

Regards,
Vincent
Post 13 made on Monday November 30, 2009 at 11:52
Darnitol
Universal Remote Control Inc.
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Sorry to see you go if you decide to jump ship to another brand. Please note, however, that if discrete codes don't exist, then they simply don't exist. Changing brands won't alter that.

I'll always recommend against using variables to control power states, on URC remotes or any other brand. They will always end up out of sync sooner rather than later, so that means you're going to have to program a "fix everything" screen even if you do track power states. But the problem is that when the variables get out of sync with reality due to someone pressing a button on the component or the original factory remote (and they will), your client will be far more aggravated than if he'd been using that "fix everything" screen in daily use already.

But again, take the course of action that you feel is the right way for you and your clients. I just wanted to make it clear to other readers that switching brands isn't going to solve this problem—it's just going to present it in a different form.

A little bit of on-demand training on URC Control Room would get you up to speed on variables very quickly, but again, variables aren't really the solution to this problem.

Best regards,
Dale

PS: Most CD Players turn ON when you press the Play button. Because of this, The short macro "PLAY, *pause*, STOP" serves as a Power ON discrete, while the short macro "PLAY, *pause*, POWER" serves as a Power OFF discrete.

Last edited by Darnitol on November 30, 2009 14:09.
I'm a member of the Remote Central community, just like you! My comments here are my own, and in no way express the opinions, policies, or plans of Universal Remote Control, Inc.


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