View Full Version : Seeking Creative Remote Control Macro Writers
The Input feature of my Panny TV has a frustrating functionality-- it has to cycle sequentially through every input. So for example to move from Component 1 (My HR21) to HDMI (my HR10-250) I have to hit Input-Input-Input-Input. 3 Inputs get me from my Xbox to my Wii, and then 2 Inputs from there get me back to HR-20, well you get the idea. The number of times needed to hit Input is a variable,; it is a function of where I am and where I want to go, it's not a constant. This is unlike my audio reciever, where the input is direct, on my remote I can simply hit Input-1, for TV or Intput-2, for DVD, etc. I've been using the Universal UR7-G2 for a few months now, and I find it pretty versatile. I love that it allows me to press a device button and move all the functionality to that device, OR I can press and hold a device button, and it will execute a macro.
I really don't want to spend more money for a Harmony. Has anyone found some creative macros or workarounds to cycling inputs like this. My obective is to be able to Push and hold, say DVD, and have the remote get me to the correct audio and video input for the DVD, and ready to accept DVD commands. I invite "everyone and Edmond" to offer advice :grin:
Carl Spock
03-07-08, 11:10 AM
On this site (http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=prontong&db=discrete&br=panasonic&dv=television) I found the hexcodes for the discrete inputs for your TV. I don't know if you have any way of translating these into IR - this is pretty standard stuff for a Philips Pronto and some other remotes - but if you do, this would be your answer. You may want to call Universal, giving them this URL. They might be able to help you.
On this site (http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=prontong&db=discrete&br=panasonic&dv=television) I found the hexcodes for the discrete inputs for your TV. I don't know if you have any way of translating these into IR - this is pretty standard stuff for a Philips Pronto and some other remotes - but if you do, this would be your answer. You may want to call Universal, giving them this URL. They might be able to help you.
Cool. Thanks. Edmond, is there any practical way for me to use these codes?
transfan
03-07-08, 12:01 PM
I had a similar issue with my sony tv until I realized I was using the wrong code on my universal remote, however, here is what I did. I don't know if this will work on your tv.
You need to be able to get your tv to a starting point. On the sony, if you hit channel up, it will bring you to the OTA tuner. If you hit input from there, it would always bring you to the first input, then the 2nd, etc.
So what I would recommend is try to find a key that will "zero" you out to the first input, and then go from there.
davring
03-07-08, 12:08 PM
My brothers Panny is similar to my Sony in that you can also have the TV ignore the unused inputs. Out of the 10 on my set I use 3, including OTA so it is a breeze to jump to the needed one. Maybe your set has that ability.
This is getting kinda tricky and confusing. Transfan's idea seemed to be a solution that I hadn't thought of, but so far I can't seem to program the macro to go to the TV input first, and then channel up/down then Input (pause) Input, audio change, etc. I suspect that part of my problem is that the CH UP key is part of the End Macro Command for the R7 remote. I tried using Ch down with the macro (offers the same effect as Transfan was suggesting) but I think that end the Macro setting, too.
Davring, you're right, and that's what I'm doing now. I'm manually hitting the input button every time I swap. I've limited my number of inputs to 6 now. I use 4 of them regularly and I occassionally patch in a friend's gaming device and/or a laptop.
transfan
03-07-08, 01:49 PM
This is getting kinda tricky and confusing. Transfan's idea seemed to be a solution that I hadn't thought of, but so far I can't seem to program the macro to go to the TV input first, and then channel up/down then Input (pause) Input, audio change, etc. I suspect that part of my problem is that the CH UP key is part of the End Macro Command for the R7 remote. I tried using Ch down with the macro (offers the same effect as Transfan was suggesting) but I think that end the Macro setting, too.
Davring, you're right, and that's what I'm doing now. I'm manually hitting the input button every time I swap. I've limited my number of inputs to 6 now. I use 4 of them regularly and I occassionally patch in a friend's gaming device and/or a laptop.
Try learning the channel button to another unused button. It doesn't even have to be on the same remote-input. It could be on AUX or AMP or whatever you have that's empty on your remote.
Also try using your original TV remote to find something that normalizes you back to the same input no matter where you start.
Try learning the channel button to another unused button. It doesn't even have to be on the same remote-input. It could be on AUX or AMP or whatever you have that's empty on your remote.
That did the trick! Thanks! Man I REALLY love my cheap lil UR7 now. And I really appreaciate all of ya'll, too!
Now for a couple of tweeking questions: I've read the thread about 'where to program the List button' and I don't have any problem substituting List for Menu-Select. Doesn't that accomplish the same command as List?
Also, In the 3 weeks that I've had my HR21, I haven't felt compelled to press the Active button since I tried it out on day 1 (its too slow to be of any use to me). But I was wondering if there is a workaround sequence in the HR21 to get to Active? If not, I guess I could LEARN my Start button to be the Active button.
Lastly, just a comment here, DTV could never really have expected us to adopt to its brand remotes when there is no way to hit one button to turn off my TV and my audio receiver. I mean, Jeez, come on, what were they thinking? I've already griped about that once here, so sorry to harp on it. I'm going to keep an eye out for another cheap UR7, for my partner. I should've bought 2 when Kmart was closing them out for under $5.
rudeney
03-07-08, 08:05 PM
It sounds like you solved the problem, but I am wondering if you can press INPUT and then a number to select a specific jack. I have two Panny plasmas and both work this way. For example, INPUT – 1 is the OTA tuner, INPUT – 2 is component #1, INPUT – 4 is HDMI #1.
It sounds like you solved the problem, but I am wondering if you can press INPUT and then a number to select a specific jack. I have two Panny plasmas and both work this way. For example, INPUT – 1 is the OTA tuner, INPUT – 2 is component #1, INPUT – 4 is HDMI #1.
No, I can't do that on my lcd panny. Each time I hit input I cycle to the next input item, in an always fixed order, and starting from the input I happen to be using. My fix is to use transfans anchor/strating point in each of my macros.
Now for a couple of tweeking questions: I've read the thread about 'where to program the List button' and I don't have any problem substituting List for Menu-Select. Doesn't that accomplish the same command as List?
Also, In the 3 weeks that I've had my HR21, I haven't felt compelled to press the Active button since I tried it out on day 1 (its too slow to be of any use to me). But I was wondering if there is a workaround sequence in the HR21 to get to Active? If not, I guess I could LEARN my Start button to be the Active button.
Lastly, just a comment here, DTV could never really have expected us to adopt to its brand remotes when there is no way to hit one button to turn off my TV and my audio receiver. I mean, Jeez, come on, what were they thinking? I've already griped about that once here, so sorry to harp on it. I'm going to keep an eye out for another cheap UR7, for my partner. I should've bought 2 when Kmart was closing them out for under $5.
Anyone have any thoughts on those issues?
Well, as Spock indicated in the 2nd post, you really need to use discrete IR commands for each of the active inputs. That's the easiest way for the macro to work propely everytime. Fortunately, they are readily available for the Panasonic TVs. I'm not familiar with your remote. It may be you need a remote capable of programming discretes. You might call URC to see if they can help you. You might also visit www.remotecentral.com which has a wealth of info on remotes and programming.
Just to clarify, tranfan's idea Did work perfectly. I'm good now. I'm now just seeking some tweeking advice or ideas regarding the Active and List buttons.
transfan
03-10-08, 07:17 AM
Just to clarify, tranfan's idea Did work perfectly. I'm good now. I'm now just seeking some tweeking advice or ideas regarding the Active and List buttons.
I'm glad it worked for you! It's dirty, but as long as you push one button and it turns everything on, who cares!
I got rid of the active button, and also the blue button, back button (left arrow pretty much does the same thing), and a couple of other buttons that I never use. My remote has 6 less buttons than the directv one, but I keep the directv remote hidden in the living room in case I ever need to view my horoscope!
I'm glad it worked for you! It's dirty, but as long as you push one button and it turns everything on, who cares!
I got rid of the active button, and also the blue button, back button (left arrow pretty much does the same thing), and a couple of other buttons that I never use. My remote has 6 less buttons than the directv one, but I keep the directv remote hidden in the living room in case I ever need to view my horoscope!
I thought I had read somewhere that there was another way to access Active, like maybe a channel number or menu item. I guess not. It's pretty presumtuous of Dtv to think that everyone would be keeping and using their remote.
BTW, those of you who do use Dtv's remote, I could sure use your advice at another post, here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=122268)
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