I noticed that my Insignia comes with instructions for programming the original remote to work with other brands.

So that got me thinking of a use for remotes from other dead TV's. I have a Soyo that I would like to reprogram if possible. I could use trial and error, but I am hoping that someone knows which two buttons to hold down, etc. I have the manual, but it doesn't say anything about programming the remote.

Soyo-MT-SYTPT3727AB

Invidia? Are you trying to reprogram whatever this is to operate the Soyo TV, or the Soyo TV remote to operate something else?

If you're trying to reprogram the Soyo remote and the manual says nothing about it, then that's not going to be possible.

It appears that Invidia doesn't exist on our planet. What planet are you posting from?

On earth, in the US, you can buy an old cable TV remote from ebay for about $3 that will operate just about any TV.

Sorry about the name. (It's now corrected) I have so many of these I can't keep 'em straight. I just picked up this 50" last week.

I think the intention is to use the reprogramming for secondary components, and a list of competitor's codes is listed in the manual.

It would make sense to make the OEM remotes programmable in case of design changes or bugs discovered during initial production.

I've got a box full of universal remotes and another 3 in use, but I prefer some of the options that come with the OEM's.

Whilst it's not uncommon for some manufacturers to offer a degree of flexibility with their OEM remotes it has not been universally adopted - older and cheaper brands and models usually aren't programmable. Furthermore, you'll likely find that the flexibility offered by those that do only covers basic functionality.

As mdavej says, if the Soyo manual says nothing about programming, it's highly unlikely that it's associated remote is programmable.

Some of those old universals you have may be the type with hidden capabilities (we call them JP1 remotes). If any are on the list below, then you can easily add every possible function (and more) from the original remote without learning. This can't be done with any other type of cheap universal, and it's rarely documented, so you likely would never have known. Insignia is one of the few brands that often includes a real universal remote (and JP1 at that), capable of controlling hundreds of other makes/models of TVs and other devices. If your remote has a 6 pin connector in the battery bay, it's probably a JP1 remote.

[Link: hifi-remote.com]

If you do have such a remote, post back with details, and we can tell you how to unlock its potential.

My Insignia remote has the number MKJ39170822 on the front of it and it has no connector in the battery bay.

I want to play around with it, but the manual doesn't say how to restore it back to original programming and the list of codes in the manual doesn't include any for Insignia.

The manual presumes that the user will be reprogramming the DVD, VCR, or other auxiliary functions and does not actually list codes for TV's, but I want to try to program the TV mode anyway. Is this possible?

No, its not possible.

I think you mean it is not possible to program the TV mode, but what about restoring to original setting after reprogramming other modes?
Maybe remove the batteries and short the battery connections?

As already mentioned, the TV codes are fixed and the auxiliary functions are changed by inputting a new code - there is no true default.

N.B.
It would appear that Insignia TV models NS-PDP42 and NS-PD50 were originally supplied with either of two non interchangeable remotes - the MKJ39170822 and the 6710V00151W - and by non interchangeable I would imagine it's to do with function availability rather than codes used, as the auxiliary device codes and input methods are seemingly the same.