I can see where having discrete codes for on and off would be useful in a macro, but do all devices have a discrete on/off? I know that my VCR, HTIB recevier and cable box all have a single on/off button on their associated remotes. Does this mean I cannot use discrete codes for on and off?

Mike

No, some are Toads



Two seperate oem remote buttons for on and off confirms that they DO, However, just a single power button doesn't automatically mean that the device doesn't have discrete power command in it's firmware. It's a brand/model case by case thing.

The discrete fanatics hang out in the discrete hunter forum, You mite be able to find out about some of your devices by posting brand/model there. With the little information you provided in your question we really can't tell you if any of your devices support discretes.

Jim

Jim,

If one or more of my devices does not supoort discrete on/off codes, is it still worthwhile to get a remote like the MX-500 and just use it with "limited" macro capability? I've got 4 remotes so far and would like to use just one for the day to day stuff. Anything out of the ordinary and I would just use the OEM remote.
Mike

Even devices with just toggle codes can be used in macros. If all your devices used toggle codes, then a single macro will BOTH turn devices on, and also turn them off. Discretes would mean having to have 2 macros for these. The major problem with toggles is one or more of the devices getting out of sync., and there's several ways a device can. For example, someone using an oem remote with a power command, or the physical power button on the device. Another is use of a lot of macros where only certian needed devices turn on, and sometime later changing activities where you want certain devices to stay on, some to turn off, and some others to turn on. In a lot of those cases, being really judicious in setting up the macros might not create problems.
In other words, it takes more planning and thought if you have toads, and less if they all use discretes. Discretes would mean sending "on" again if the unit is already on, would typically just be ignored.
Only you can decide if a pricier MX-500 would make you a happy camper. Just in terms of functionality with 4 devices, and wanting to get rid of "remote clutter", there are other remotes which can serve that same purpose, at about 1/3rd the price. If most of your devices use toggles on the oem remote, the MX-500 would be hard pressed to use discretes on it's own without having "some" remote, either oem or "universal" which can issue the discrete commands for the MX-500 to then learn.

You'll notice some of the major venders here who sell the MX-500, also offer a package deal with a JP-1 cable and JP-1 remote. The cable and "extra" remote are then "tools" to enhance the performance and capability of the MX-500. Quite a few have been so happy with the performance of the JP-1 remote that they then drawered the MX-500, or sold it off on ebay. It was basically a bang-for-the-buck issue.

I've got over a dozen IR devices which I can control very easily with a 10.00 remote I got on ebay. (RS 15-1994). For me, I'd be very hard pressed to "justify" shelling out ~120.00 for a remote which I'd probably have to use my 10.00 remote to teach, especially since I know that the 120.00 remote wouldn't even give 1% control for over half my devices. If you've got all 4 original remotes, you've got agood chunk of the battle won, but for users without a oem remote (like happens a lot with buying on ebay), they may not be able to even have minimal control of a device.

Maybe what you need to do is first find out what you can about your devices, then see how the MX-500 would fill your needs. Bottom line is you're the one that has to live with your choice, so you have to make that judgement call.

Jim