I've been using the ProntoPro TSU7000 happily for a number of years to control our audio-visual system. It's worked like a charm.

We just upgraded our Comcast service to what they call "Xfinity X1" and the new DVR box they sent only accepts RF signals which the ProntoPro Edit NG software (Version 2.1.8.0, dated May 10, 2006) won't accept.

Is there any way to use the TSU7000 with this new DVR box?

Thank you.

Len Jacobson

Google of Comcast XFinity infrared gave me this hit.

[Link: customer.xfinity.com]

Not sure if it will help. Solution may be to use an IR emitter from the RFX plugged directly into back of your box. Not sure though what pinout might be (Stereo or Mono 1/8" plug).

Lyndel

Lyndel,

Your suggestion looks promising. I will call Comcast tomorrow to get their input.

Thank you very much!!

Len

I have checked out your suggestion, Lyndel, and I believe that an IR Extender and IR Receiver is what I do need, but (you might say) in "reverse order".

Here's why I say that.

I found a "Wireless Dual Band IR Remote Control" on the web.

As I understand the write-up (and the video), one of the units (let's call it Unit 1) receives an IR signal, converts it to an RF signal, and then sends that RF signal to the second unit (call it Unit 2) that then converts the RF signal it received back to an IR signal, and passes that IR signal on to the box that is controlled by the IR signal.

If that is correct, then can I "teach" the ProntoPro  the proper IR commands by using Unit 2 to convert the RF signal from the new remote control from Comcast into an IR signal?

And then, could I place Unit 1 somewhere in line-of-sight of the ProntoPro so that when I press a key, hard or soft, on the ProntoPro and send an IR command to Unit 1, it will convert it to an RF signal and send it to the new DVR box from Comcast?

I hope what I am saying here is clear and that you can answer my question.

Thank you very much!!

Len Jacobson

There should be a jack on the back of your box that says IR Input or External IR. You simply then need to likely plug in something like a Xantech IR receiver into that jack. Confirm the pinout with Comcast please.

Now comes the fun part. You somehow have to find out what IR codes they are using. That is where an RF to IR converter comes in handy.

Before purchasing the bridge you mention, I would try out some of the IR codes here for the motorola or other brand cable boxes to see if they work with your equipment.

I am hoping others weigh in here as I have FIOS and not Comcast and NO RF remotes.

Lyndel,

There is NO IR Input or External IR jack on the back of this unit. I believe it's the Arris XG1 unit that I have, though there is no name on it.

You said that "You somehow have to find out what IR codes they are using." My thought was that I could take the Comcast remote that emits RF codes and aim it at what I am calling "Unit 2" and that Unit 2 would do the translation and emit an IR code that the ProntoPro would learn.

Are you saying that that approach cannot work?

Len

Lyndel,

Forget my question. I just talked with the tech support rep that supports the units I was talking about. He doesn't think it would work as the two units are designed to work together at 433 MHz.

At this point, I don't see that there is a way to use the ProntoPro with this new DVR box from Comcast.

Len

From here:

[Link: customer.xfinity.com]

Which DVR did they send you? Was it the Motorola RNG200? The manual is below.

[Link: media2.comcast.net]


See this thread that may have some codes in a link for you and mentions RF pairing on remotes. This came from a complete forums search for RNG200.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

You will find 4 threads in total.

Lyndel,

The only identifier I see on the new Comcast DVR is "XG1". So the last link that you gave me appears to apply exactly to my situation.

Now, having said that, even though my new DVR box doesn't look like the Motorola RNG200, someone (on another forum) suggested I try IR codes for the RNG200 to see if they would work with my new DVR. I tried one such code and, indeed, it did work. So quite possibly, the other RNG200 IR codes will work as well.

That's what I am going to try next.

Thank you for staying with me on this issue.

Len

Well, I entered all of the IR codes that came from:

Lyndel,

I can't find any explanation for why all but two of the new codes failed.

But there was one thing that struck me as strange that I hope you can answer.

For every IR code that I entered, the ProntoPro Edit NG software changed a couple of the nibbles.

For example, Jasonvp's IR code for "Digit 1" is:

0000 006D 0000 0012 0008 0022 0008 0041 0008 001D 0008 006A 0008 0032 0008 0032 0008 002C 0008 0065 0008 020D 0008 0022 0008 0065 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0022 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0BF2

But when I saved that code in the software and looked again at it, I saw it was now:

0000 006D 0000 0012 0008 0022 0008 0041 0008 001D 0008 006A 0008 0032 0008 0032 0008 002C 0008 0065 0008 0215 0008 0022 0008 0065 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0022 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0C00

As I say, it did something like this for everyone of the IR codes I entered.

Does that make sense?

Are there any clues as to why only the "Digit 1" and the "GUIDE" codes worked?

Len

IRScrutinizer reports the following for the above codes.

protocol = XMP-1, device = 62, subdevice = 16, obc = 1

You could, in theory use Scrutinzer to generate a CCF with obj (function) 0..255 and then test each and every button.

Email me at my email addy on profile and I will send you a CCF generated from IRScrutiner matching the above items.

You will need to import the CCF into the NG editor.

Lyndel

Lyndel,

I just sent you a private message with my email address.

But could you, in the meantime, explain what you wrote in your last message. I am afraid I do not understand it.

Len

Here's all known OBCs for the RNG200 for that protocol, device and subdevice:
0    0
1    1
2    2
3    3
4    4
5    5
6    6
7    7
8    8
9    9
13    channel up
14    channel down
15    power
32    menu
33    up arrow
34    down arrow
35    left arrow
36    right arrow
37    select
38    display
39    program guide
40    page+
41    page-
42    exit
48    play
49    stop
50    pause
51    rewind
52    fast fwd
53    record
81    last (prev ch)
82    fav
83    replay
84    list
85    live
96    a
97    b
98    c
100    on demand

Problem solved!!

Lyndel provided me with a set of 256 IR codes that he said should apply to the new Comcast DVR box, and he was right!!

All functionality is now working as I want it.

Thank you SO MUCH, Lyndel.

Len Jacobson

Mod Edit - Lyndel is a He....

For those interested, I generated a full CCF with IRScrutinizer with the above protocol, device, and subdevice. When you import the CCF into PPENG, the codes are not tweaked in any way which may be why they worked better.

:-)