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Need reminders re MakeHex etc
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 03:38
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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About a year ago I did some work where I took learned codes, decoded them, then generated perfect codes.

I remember that the descriptions of the programs didn't exactly match what you actually use them for, and now I've looked at them all and I cannot figure out how the hell to do this.

I've decoded the IR, so I know the name of the protocol, and the device number, and such. Can someone please repeat for me what programs to use for what, next, to generate perfect codes?

Thanks. This time I'll copy it and keep it!!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 2 made on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 07:55
makitamark
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hi ernie,
this is a GUI for Makehex,
[Link: hifi-remote.com]
it makes the program look a little prettier and more user friendly, simply put the application in the same folder as all the IRP files and when you open the app it will reference the IRP's.
hope this helps.
mark
Post 3 made on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 08:22
johnsfine
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After running MakeHex, you might want to use either IrPanels or Hex2CCF to convert the output of MakeHex into a CCF file with numbered buttons.

A CCF file with numbered buttons is easier for the importing tools of some remotes whose software can handle pasted in Pronto Hex but drag/drop from a CCF is faster.

If you have an actual Pronto, merging a CCF with numbered buttons into you config makes a good test config for finding out what all the numbered functions do. And/Or it may be easier to make the real buttons on ordinary panels be aliases for the numbered buttons rather than copy the Pronto Hex strings.
OP | Post 4 made on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 18:44
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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I've run Decode ccf, and I have the Excel file that says NEC, Device 0, etc. All learned codes are very consistent re frequency and reps, so it looks like I had pretty good learns.

Next, I see I can generate perfect codes from an irp file, but I don't see how to make the irp file. Plrease -- how do I do that? I think I looked at all the readmes and I did not see any instructions about that.

If I'm right, I would thenuse MakeHex, then Hex2ccf, to create a ccf with the actual codes so I can try them out.

I am shipping the controlled item out on Monday or so, so I'm hoping I can get this done today or tomorrow.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 5 made on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 23:36
Jasonvp
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Ernie, send me the ccf or the excel file so we can be on the same page and then I will show you how to use MakeHex.

I use IR Panels to generate ccf files...I could never get Hex2ccf to work.

CCF Panels (IR Panels)
Generate a CCF file from the HEX file created with MakeHex.
After creating a HEX file, open it with a text editor such as NotePad.  Use "Edit" "Select All" (or Ctrl +A), then "Edit" "Copy" (or Ctrl +C) to copy all the text.  Then start IrPanels and use Ctrl +V to paste the text into its window and press Generate CCF File. A CCF file will be created in the IR Panels Folder called IRCodesCreate (Don`t use the file called IRCodes Master) that you can use for testing in a Pronto Remote and some others.
[Link: remotecentral.com]

Are you using the new GUI for MakeHex that Makitamark linked in Post 2?

Cheers
Jason
OP | Post 6 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 04:15
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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Jason,
I'm sending you the ccf and the Excel file from decodeccf (I think) that lists their properties.


I don't see what you're trying to do from what you're doing.
You seem to be starting off generating a ccf from a group of hex commands. That's the last step of what I want to do.

I have a group of learned commands. I want to have a group of perfect commands. I understand that the way to do that is to:
*learn a set of commands from a remote (into ProntoEdit, for instance)
*decode them into protocol, device number, etc etc

I've gotten that far.

*plug protocol, device number etc into a program that then generates the perfect commands of that set.
*generate a ccf, in this case just for playing with, to see if there are any other useful commands that don't happen to be on the remote.

Since I have some commands, actually, here are some samples. They all work:

0
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 0040 0016 0e58

1
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00ab 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 003f 0016 0e58

2
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 0040 0016 0e58

3
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 0040 0016 0e57

4
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 0040 0016 0e58

5
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 0040 0016 0e58

channel up
0000 006d 0022 0002 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 05e3 0156 003f 0016 0e58

channel down
0000 006d 0022 0000 0156 00aa 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0015 0016 0040 0016 003f 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 0040 0016 00aa
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 7 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 07:01
Jasonvp
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The Excel Decode File or Text File have all the info you need for MakeHex. I will refer to the Excel file because it is easier to read. I am also using the new GUI for MakeHex.

Excel File
e.g.
Video Mute (Key column) is the Function Name

1. Excel: Protocol is NEC.
    MakeHex: Select NEC1 from the drop down list.

2. Excel: Device (Device Number) is 0
    MakeHex: Enter 0 into Device Main a window.

3. Excel: SubDev (Sub Device Number). This device has none.
    MakeHex: Clear any numbers in the Device Sub b window.

4. MakeHex: To generate all 256 possible Hex Codes (Strings) the Function Start a window should be 0 (zero) and End c should be 255.

5. Excel: The learnt Hex Codes have a Frequency of 38.0289.
    Makehex: In the IRP window the Frequency should be Frequency=38000.
    The 0.0289 difference will not matter. Most devices that use Nec Protocol use a Frequency of 38   KHz.
   If the IRP window does not have Frequency=38000 you would select the Edit Mode to Direct   and edit it in the IRP window.

6. MakeHex: Set Output to Decimal (this is if you want to generate a CCF File with IR Panels, works in Decimal Format only) and Press the MakeHex Button.

7. MakeHex: In your MakeHex Folder a Hex File will be created named !Output. Open this File with NotePad or Excel to view results.

8. If you want to know which Hex Code belongs to which Function Name (Key column in Excel Decode) you just match the OBC column number from the Excel File to the Function Number in the !Output Hex File.
e.g. Video Mute OBC=0 will be,
Device Code: 0 Function: 0
0000 006D 0022 0002 0157 00AC 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 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 0157 0056 0015 0E94

9. If you want to generate a CCF File with 256 Buttons for testing. I use IR Panels.

CCF Panels (IR Panels)
Generate a CCF file from the HEX file created with MakeHex.
After creating a HEX file, open it with a text editor such as NotePad.  Use "Edit" "Select All" (or Ctrl +A), then "Edit" "Copy" (or Ctrl +C) to copy all the text.  Then start IrPanels and use Ctrl +V to paste the text into its window and press Generate CCF File. A CCF file will be created in the IR Panels Folder called IRCodesCreate (Don`t use the file called IRCodes Master) that you can use for testing in a Pronto Remote and some others.
[Link: remotecentral.com]


Hope this helps.


Cheers
Jason

Last edited by Jasonvp on April 29, 2010 07:16.
Post 8 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 08:12
johnsfine
IR Expert
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On April 29, 2010 at 04:15, Ernie Bornn-Gilman said...
I have a group of learned commands. I want to have a group of perfect commands.

Is that the whole objective? Just improve the quality of learned signals that already work? Those learned signals look quite good. Improving them probably will make no difference.

But if you do want to improve them, decodeCCF gave you the function number of each signal. MakeHex gives you 256 Pronto Hex strings labeled with function numbers. For each decoded signal, you could select the Pronto Hex string from the MakeHex output that has the same number and use that Pronto Hex string instead of the learned one.

Usually MakeHex/IrPanels are used when you are searching for missing signals, so you take the whole set of 256 signals and test each one and see what it does.
Post 9 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 08:13
johnsfine
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Posting glitch
OP | Post 10 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 13:00
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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On April 29, 2010 at 08:12, johnsfine said...
Is that the whole objective? Just improve the quality of learned signals that already work? Those learned signals look quite good. Improving them probably will make no difference.

I want to give our Crestron programmer a set of codes for him to use in a module. I see no reason to give him any codes that aren't perfect.

But if you do want to improve them, decodeCCF gave you the function number of each signal.

Exactly. My problem was doing the next step, and it looks like your direction will give me that. And I'll be sure to save the instructions.

MakeHex gives you 256 Pronto Hex strings labeled with function numbers. For each decoded signal, you could select the Pronto Hex string from the MakeHex output that has the same number and use that Pronto Hex string instead of the learned one.

In addition, one can try out the other codes to see what happens. I know this is messing with the possibility of service codes and such, but in a discussion long ago someone pointed out that you rarely get trapped in such a mode by pressing one button or a sequence of buttons arranged numerically in the hex list.

Usually MakeHex/IrPanels are used when you are searching for missing signals, so you take the whole set of 256 signals and test each one and see what it does.

Oh, yeah, that's what I meant above.

Thank you for the help.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 11 made on Thursday April 29, 2010 at 14:40
Jasonvp
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So did Post 7 help?
OP | Post 12 made on Friday April 30, 2010 at 01:06
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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Yes. Post 7 helped. This is still confusing, but I'll get used to it. Ultimately, though, it failed to generate a ccf.

On April 29, 2010 at 07:01, Jasonvp said...

CCF Panels (IR Panels)
Generate a CCF file from the HEX file created with MakeHex.
After creating a HEX file, open it with a text editor such as NotePad.  Use "Edit" "Select All" (or Ctrl +A), then "Edit" "Copy" (or Ctrl +C) to copy all the text.  Then start IrPanels and use Ctrl +V to paste the text into its window and press Generate CCF File. A CCF file will be created in the IR Panels Folder called IRCodesCreate (Don`t use the file called IRCodes Master) that you can use for testing in a Pronto Remote and some others.
[Link: remotecentral.com]

I did what I believe is exactly what you said in the paragraph above. However, you say to copy the hex commands into THE window, and there is a small upper and large lower window in the ccf generator. The hex codes won't copy into the top window, so I copied them into the large window. Generate then gave me

Runtime Error '5.'
Invalid procedure call or argument

Hope this helps.

It got me further along.

Edit: Here's a thought --

A CCF file will be created in the IR Panels Folder called IRCodesCreate

There is no such folder. Are you (not) saying I should create a folder with that name? I'll try it.

Edit: Didn't work. I've been concerned in trying to follow these instructions that the words "just" and "simply" have appeared in a few places. My experience with those words is taht they literally mean "I'm about to assume that you know more than I am going to write down now." Maybe that's my problem.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 13 made on Friday April 30, 2010 at 01:49
Jasonvp
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Make sure when you generate the HEX File in MakeHex the Output is set to Decimal (same as picture in Post 7, located top right of the MakeHex GUI) otherwise IR Panels will not work.

Copy (ctrl+A) all the information from the !Output File (HEX File).

Start IR Panels and then Paste (ctrl+V) into the ProntoUtil IR Commands: window.

Press Generate CCF File.

You will find the IRCodesCreate File in C:\Program Files\IRPanels...I have shortcut on my Desktop.
OP | Post 14 made on Friday April 30, 2010 at 15:05
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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I did not place IRPanels in My Programs. I have so many programs (I know, we all do....) that I have a separate directory off the root named Component Control Programs, and that's where I have IRPanels.

Is the program not working because it expects to be in C:\Program Files\IRPanels? Mine is in C:\Component Control Programs|IR Utilities\IR Panels. I just checked Program Files, and unzipping and using IRPanels where it is did not create any subdirectories there.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 15 made on Saturday May 1, 2010 at 08:22
johnsfine
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On April 30, 2010 at 01:06, Ernie Bornn-Gilman said...
There is no such folder. Are you (not) saying I should create a folder with that name? I'll try it.

IRCodesCreate.ccf is not a folder. It is a ccf file that will be created by IrPanels when IRPanels works.

If may not be obvious when IRPanels has worked, so you need to look to see if it has created that file.

You need the file IRCodesMaster.ccf (from the IrPanels zip file) to be present in the directory from which you run IRPanels.

IRPanels has no specific expectations about where it will be installed or run, just that the current directory when it is run will be the location from which it reads IRCodesMaster.ccf and to which it writes IRCodesCreate.ccf. There are many ways to run a program in Windows, with different effects on the choice of current directory while the program is run. But the normal GUI method to run a GUI program will cause the current directory to be the directory containing the program itself.


Runtime Error '5.'
Invalid procedure call or argument

Unfortunately, IRPanels has error messages like that for many reasons. Some reasons may be your errors (not having IRCodesMaster.ccf available or using hex labels in makehex instead of decimal labels). But sometimes IRPanels just doesn't like some perfectly correct timing data in the Pronto Hex. That can be very frustrating to debug.

Last edited by johnsfine on May 1, 2010 08:29.


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