Key Suggestions...

[SysTech_Larry]

Some "admin" keys are not needed all the time.

I usually place Setup keys at shift-Menu.
I place Eject at shift-Stop.
If there is a second Eject key, like with my DVD/VCR combo, I place it at shift-Pause.

[The Robman]

Was this supposed to be a response to a discussion in another thread? It reads like a completely out-of-context post, so I have no idea what it relates to.

[SysTech_Larry]

I was just sharing a strategy that I use so that none of those keys are activated accidentally. I don't know if everyone already does this or not. If they do, it should, at least, be helpful for newbs.

I am probably still pretty new here, too, but I have been using other remote mapping software for a little longer.

[Barf]

Not the worst idea for a thread, in particularly not at this time of the year.

1. The power button on my 7881s always wears out -- but not the other keys. Applying conductive "paint" on the key mat helps, but for a limited time ony, then ot has to be re-done. But then the conductive goo has dried... yucc! So I decided to key-move X-Shift LCDEnter to Key Power in all applicable devices. Works, does not wear out, and is easy to remember.

2. There is no eject button on said 7881, so, for the applicable devices I map the record button (which requires two presses to trigger) to the devices eject. (It is very embarrising to inadvertently press eject when you are watching a film with friends... )

[SysTech_Larry]

...I map the record button (which requires two presses to trigger)...

Does your remote require two presses, or does the device require two presses?

[The Robman]

...I map the record button (which requires two presses to trigger)...

Does your remote require two presses, or does the device require two presses?

The RECORD button requires 2 presses, no matter what function is assigned to it. So, what he's saying is, when he creates an upgrade, he assigns the "eject" function to the RECORD button, so that eject requires 2 presses.

[The Robman]

One type of button that has always been tricky for folks to know how best to program, is the input select type of buttons, like VIDEO1, VIDEO2, HDMI1, HDMI2, etc

Here's a button strategy that I've always found useful.

Let's say that you have an A/V receiver that has discrete codes for all of the inputs. Normally you think of those buttons as belonging to the receiver and therefore they belong to the device button where you've programmed the receiver. But I prefer to think of them as belonging to the device that uses them.

For example, let's say that you have a DVD player connected to HDMI1 and a STB connected to HDMI2. Next, pick a button on your remote that will be your "select input" button. Pick a button that it not otherwise used for any of the connected devices. For this example, I will use the RED button.

In DVD mode on the remote, add a keymove programming the HDMI1 function to the RED button.
In STB mode on the remote, add a keymove programming the HDMI2 function to the RED button.

Then, when you're using the remote to control the DVD player and you need the right input selected on the receiver, just press the RED button. Likewise for the STB.

If your TV also has discrete inputs, maybe follow the same process with another button, like the BLUE button perhaps.

If you don't have enough spare buttons to use up buttons like that, you could program the above to shifted buttons, like shift/RED or shift/BLUE.

Then the next thing is to program cool macros that do all the selecting for you. Perhaps you have a macro programmed to a spare button that does shift/RED and shift/BLUE, so regardless of which mode the remote is in, it will always select the right inputs on the receiver and TV.

[SysTech_Larry]

I like that.

For my Roku TV, I put
HDMI1-4 (not currently connected) on shifted color buttons &
app shortcuts on shifted number buttons.

That way I won't bail on my current video if I accidentally hit one of them.
TV In & AV In are on (URC-3680) Live & Watch Movie, respectively, but they have not been a problem, so far.
On my Charter remote, I put AV In on shift-MyDVR because it is an easy button to bump into.

[SysTech_Larry]

On my now-retired URC-3660, I used shift-Watch TV for my second TV device macro and shift-Listen To Music for my second audio device macro. That way their unshifted forms remained available for upgrade assignments.

[Barf]

Rob has already answered the question on double presses on the record key.

One type of button that has always been tricky for folks to know how best to program, is the input select type of buttons, like VIDEO1, VIDEO2, HDMI1, HDMI2, etc

Here's a button strategy that I've always found useful.

Let's say that you have an A/V receiver that has discrete codes for all of the inputs. Normally you think of those buttons as belonging to the receiver and therefore they belong to the device button where you've programmed the receiver. But I prefer to think of them as belonging to the device that uses them.

For example, let's say that you have a DVD player connected to HDMI1 and a STB connected to HDMI2. Next, pick a button on your remote that will be your "select input" button. Pick a button that it not otherwise used for any of the connected devices. For this example, I will use the RED button.

In DVD mode on the remote, add a keymove programming the HDMI1 function to the RED button.
In STB mode on the remote, add a keymove programming the HDMI2 function to the RED button.

Then, when you're using the remote to control the DVD player and you need the right input selected on the receiver, just press the RED button. Likewise for the STB.

This is basically what I have been doing on my 7881s for some years, except that I am using the LCDEnter key (which is entirely through Graham's extender usable for sending commands, thanks again Graham). On the AVR device, instead that key sends the command that turns the TV to the AVR.

[jeajea]

For devices that accept numbers as input (such as TVs and cable boxes), I program the button to the right of zero to the function for enter. For most devices this is the same function programmed OK/select so either button may be used. However, for (most?) android TV boxes enter is different function.
If the device has a subchannel function, I program subchannel function to the button left of zero. This makes it easier to quickly change channels using your thumb.

If the device uses a single function for pause and play, I program the function to both the pause and play buttons.

On the device buttons I put a macro to set inputs on the TV, HDMI switch, and AVR as needed. If the TV supports discrete on, I include TV discrete on in the macro. However, it may be necessary to press the button a second time to set the TV input if the TV is initially off.

I try to use key moves to phantom buttons or shifted/xshifted buttons for functions that are only used in macros such as input selection.

If the remote doesn't support long keypress (LKP) I use shift stop for eject. If the remote supports LKP, I use LKP stop for eject. However, if the remote has a pip swap button, I use pip swap for eject.