Is it possible to have a logical "If <> Then? function?

[juangauthier]

Hi!
Im trying to create a couple of macro buttons to control several units with just one click but i have run into a logical problen....
This is my setup :
Phillips Tv (LCD-TV 42PFL5603D)
Samsung Bluray
Motorola Digital Decoder
WD Media Extender/Player
Sony PS3
Nintendo Wii
Yamaha Audio Receiver

All units except Nintendo Wii are connected to the Audio Receiver and then the Receiver to the Tv's HDMI1.
On the Tv the receiver is connected to the HDMI1 and the Wii is connected to the Ext3 composite.

Now here is the problem i've run into:
If i have for example a Macro button that is called "Watch Tv" then i want to it to switch ON the tv, the decoder and the receiver and switch to the right AV inputs...thats no problem IF all the units are Off! But if some of the units happen to be allready ON then my Macro button will switch them off while switching the other turned off units ON! :-/

Is there any way to make the remote "know" what is on or off?!?
/Juan

[jehill]

Unfortunately, no there is know way for the remote to know the current state of your components. Your only hope is that there are separate "on" and "off" commands available for each component. Since the L5 remote accepts hex codes, you might try searching Remote Central and their Forum for the needed hex codes for each of your components. I would start out with the [url http://files.remotecentral.com/library/3-1/index.html]Descrete Infrared Hex Codes[/url] database.

Unfortunately, if you can't find all of the codes needed your are out of luck. I have been living with an "All On" macro that toggles the desired components on/off even before I started using the L5 remote. If a component goes to the wrong state, I manually switch to the correct remote and press the power button. The only problem is that my wife doesn't know what to do when that happens.

[jehill]

Just for a drill, I tried out assigning keys with hex codes. I must say that the process is quite simple. I was able to locate working on and off hex codes for all of my components except my Comcast supplied Motorola DCT-6412 DVR. All that I have read indicates that there are no separate on and off codes, only the toggle on/off code that I was able learn from the Comcast remote. I did find that there are macros that may be used, but I have no desire to use macros in place of separate on and off codes.

[cv27]

When there is no discrete hex code for on/off functions on a device, you can in some cases use pseudo-on/off. The idea is to determine or ensure a given state, normally 'on'. Once you know it's on, then you know pressing the toggle power button will turn the device off.

As an example, many dvd players will power on when pressing play. Another example is the Scientific-Atlanta (now Cisco) cable boxes: you can configure any numeric key, Favorite or Last on the remote to power on the device.

So, to definitely power off a device, regardless of its current state, first make sure it's turned it on using hopefully one of the above mechanisms, then use the power toggle button to turn it off. Extra step, but it works.

Another more painfull method is to keep track of context when you program your remotes. Obviously there's an assumption that, when you first sit down at your entertainment system, everything is off. My approach goes like this:

1- I have a master remote with buttons for activities; each of those buttons powers up the required devices, then jumps to a remote specific to that activity
2- On each specific activity remote, I have a power off button that shuts off everything that was on and jumps back to the master remote; if I'm on this remote, then I know what was turned on that needs to be off
3- On each specific activity remote, I also have a macro drawer of alternate activities; each 'next' activity button shuts off what's currently on but not required for the next activity, turns on what is not and is required and leaves the rest as is. An alternate way could shut off everything currently on, then power on what is needed for the next activity; simpler, but you'll find yourself turning off then back on (with delays for many devices) the same components (amp., TV)

Inevitably, especially with the L5 relatively narrow beam, once in a while some device won't properly receive it's power command. That's why I also have, on each specific activity remote, a macro drawer with all my remote power on/off/toggle, just in case.

[ianbuckley]

By searching for discrete on and off codes and a combination of the above methods I have been able to eliminate all the on/ off toggles and create true on and off buttons for all eleven of my controlled devices. Once this has been established then activities are a lot easier.

[jehill]

Quite true! I was able to quickly come up with working hex codes for all of my components except for my DCT-3416 DVR provided by Comcast. The consensus of opinion on both the AVS and RC forums is to simply leave the DVR on. I tired the macros I found at http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mb ... d.cgi?9595 and they worked, but not that reliably, after I added 2 second delays as described in my post there. It appears that most hardware based universal remotes have a built-in delay between commands while the L5 does not.