Panasonic DMR-ES10 codes

[Dave W]

I just purchased the subject DVD recorder. I programed a URC 8810 through the JP1 connector and currently have it working with all my devices. I have several very handy macros set up. Now, without having to learn the Pano remote keys, I'd love to program my 8810 to conrol the ES10. I tried the setup code, 0632 and it powers the unit on and off. I can't try the other keys yet (my wife is watching TV at the moment). Regardless, I doubt that the 0632 setup code sets up the recording and time slip keys. My question is, has anyone on this forum created the necessry codes to control my new DVD recorder?

Incidentally, this model is a replacement for the DMR-E55. So the codes are probably the same. For what it's worth, so far, I'm very impressed. The ES10 records on more media: DVD-RAM, -R, -R/W, and +R. It won't record on +R/W. Also, it starts up and is ready to record in one second. Now I just need to integrate it into my URC-8810. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

[The Robman]

Please read the "PLEASE READ FIRST" sticky thread and provide the required info.

[Dave W]

Rob,

I thought that most of this was in my post, but here is the exact format:

1. Device: Panasonic DMR-ES10
2. Type of device: DVD Recorder
3. JP1 Remote model: URC-8810
4. JP1 user? Yes
5. Still have original remote? Yes
6. Checked Yahoo file section? Yes, but could have missed the needed file
7. Checked Pronto file section (at R/C)? No - would those files work with my remote?

If nothing is currently available for this new recorder, I'll try to create an upgrade file, but I've never done that and it should be quite a challenge. It appears that I'll have to learn the keys on the Pano remote and then download the codes from my 8810 in several steps. Must I then manually enter that data into Keymap Master? I'm not sure which sheet to use for the data entry or how to create the necessay text file to upload to this site. I have printed out the instruction articles and am following those.

So the bottom line is, if there is no upgrade available for the 8810 to add the DMR-ES10, then I will create one, but will definitely need some advice as to how to do that.

Dave W.

[The Robman]

Rob, I thought that most of this was in my post

When you don't use the mandatory template, it tells us that you haven't read the sticky post. Furthermore, even if most of the info was in your post, why should we have to try and pick it out of the post. The template was developed as the result of many exchanges with people seeking help. Bottom line, if you don't use our template, we won't help you.

6. Checked Yahoo file section? Yes, but could have missed the needed file

There are many files for Panasonic "DMR" DVD recorders in the file section, and they all use the same code set as all other Panasonic DVD players, the difference being that they have a few extra buttons. So, if you were to try any of these upgrades, I bet you would find that they work.

7. Checked Pronto file section (at R/C)? No - would those files work with my remote?

No, but you can use them to find the right codes. This is mentioned in the sticky thread that I referred you to and it's explained in more detail in some of the help documents.

If nothing is currently available for this new recorder, I'll try to create an upgrade file, but I've never done that and it should be quite a challenge. It appears that I'll have to learn the keys on the Pano remote and then download the codes from my 8810 in several steps. Must I then manually enter that data into Keymap Master? I'm not sure which sheet to use for the data entry or how to create the necessay text file to upload to this site. I have printed out the instruction articles and am following those.

It's no where near as difficult as you make it sound, and I believe that the process is explained quite clearly here:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/help/

You say that you don't know where to enter the codes, which means the doc isn't as clear as I thought it was. Therefore, please explain exactly where you start to get lost in the doc and I'll see if it can be made clearer.

[Dave W]

Thanks, Rob,

Actually, I had read the Read Me First post, but, for some unexplainable reason (maybe it's the red font), my eyes skipped the part about the template being mandatory. Perhaps it's a sign of age.

As to the difficulty in creating the upgrade, I was reading the JP1 for Beginners and not the JP1, How Easy is it. I actually have both documents printed out and have read them both, but that was a while ago. So, when I started reading the beginners article, I didn't look at the other one because I assumed, wrongly, that it wouldn't be of any help in this area. A quick glance now tells me that isn't so.

Since my last post, I did look at the pronto files in Remote Central and the ones I found are of a type I can't open. So I haven't found a way to determine if they do contain the key codes I need. I guess I'll just hammer away with the key learning process and create my own. It's just that I hate to reinvent the wheel, especially when it's so time consuming.

Anyway, thanks for the advice and sorry for the amateurish posts. The next time you hear from me it will be either with a specific question where I have gotten stuck or to announce my success at upgrading and tell you that I'm ready to post the file.

Dave W

[johnsfine]

I did look at the pronto files in Remote Central and the ones I found are of a type I can't open.

If those are CCF files, you don't want to open them, you want to decode them with my DecodeCCF program (which requires my DecodeIr.dll)
http://john.fine.home.comcast.net/ir/decodeCCF.zip
http://john.fine.home.comcast.net/ir/Decode_IR_DLL.zip

then you want to look at the output with some program for reading tab delimited text (Excel works well for that purpose if you have it).

[The Robman]

I guess I'll just hammer away with the key learning process and create my own. It's just that I hate to reinvent the wheel, especially when it's so time consuming.

I take it that you tried the other Panasonic "DMR" upgrades and they didn't work. I find this very surprising as this means the ES10 is the first Panasonic DVD player/recorder to deviate from the standard Panasonic code set.

I'll be interested to see what codes it really uses.

[billd]

Just wondering if there was any follow up to the codes for the DMR-ES10 as I am looking for the same codes.

[Dave W]

Sorry for the delay. I tried using the advance codes by Rob for the DMRE60 and they don't work well. Some codes do, some don't. Also, he uses the macro buttons for some functions and I already use those for other cross-device macros. I'm working on getting it all straightened out. When I finally come up with a set of codes that satisfy me, I'll submit them for posting on this site. I'll also write up my rationale for the setup. I just haven't had the time to work on this and I'm not sure when I will. I won't forget about it though.

Dave W

[The Robman]

Just to clarify, I don't even have one of these devices, so I'm not using any sort of macros to control it.

Furthermore, it's physically impossible to include macros in a KM or RM device upgrade, so I'm not sure what you're referring to there.

The point that I was trying to make is that there are several upgrades available for Panasonic "DMR" DVD recorders available in the file section, so billd, you should give them a try.

I know that Dave's earlier posts indicate that these upgrades don't work, but I think you'll find that he'll be reporting sooner or later that this is the result of "user error" on his part, so have no fear, try the upgrades.

[Dave W]

Rob,

I didn't mean to say that you had used macros, only that you had used those buttons (M1, M2) on the remote. I need them for my own macros and can't sacrifice them for DVD control. I do have a plan, but haven't finished. Also, many of the codes in your file do work. I'm referring to this file: Panasonic DMRE60 set.txt Did I download the wrong one? Some codes just don't work according to the label on the button of the DMR ES10 remote. I will have to learn a few keys and move others. The thing I am struggling with just now is the power key. I want to use the toggle function, not the discrete codes. Your code lists the toggle code, but I can't get it to work. I'll try it again when I get the chance, but, as I recall, it turns the DVD on, but won't turn it off. I did do a download with IR to check that the correct code was used for the power key. It was. The reason I want the toggle code is that I intend to write a macro where one of the 'M' keys will turn on the DVD, TV, surround sound, and configure my entire system to use it. Pressing that same key will turn everything off. I'm sure I can make it all work. It's just that I've been busy with other projects lately. It's spring in New England and that means a lot of yard and house work. So my electonics get a back seat. I do appreciate your input and help.

Dave W

[gfb107]

Most of the time power-on and power-off macros don't work very well unless you can make use of discrete power commands.

I have power-on and power-off macros. I use LKP so that a short (actually normal) press of the power key turns ON my equipment, and a long press of the power key turns OFF my equipment. I find this works very well, and very reliably. Of course, all my equipment has discrete power commands, which made it easy. If you find LKP a bit intimidating, you could always put the power-off macro on the shift-Power key.

[Dave W]

Greg,

The reason I haven't looked into the method you use is that I want a single key press to setup everything. More than that and my wife gets upset. Here is a sample macro sequence for simply watching TV:

Select Rcvr/Amp (surround sound)
Send power to Amp
Select TV
Send Power to the TV
Select Cable Box
Send Power to Cable Box
Select TV
Set the TV to channel 3 (logic in the TV assures connection to the RF input)
Select Rcvr/Amp
Send select stereo input
Select Cable Box

The reason for first powering up the surround sound, then doing something else and coming back to select the amplifier stereo input is that the commands come too fast from the remote and the amplifier isn't ready for the input command if it comes in sequence. It appears to do a fairly lengthy self test when first powered on. It's a Boston Acoustics 6000 system.

The above sequence works well. Pressing the same macro key turns every thing off. I have a similar single macro to set up for using the VCR. I plan to have a third macro to set up for using the Panasonic DMR ES10 in the same way. To avoid having to switch everything off and back on again to change from TV to VCR or vice versa, I have a two key setup. I can't remember what it's called. But I press the Set key followed by TV to switch from VCR to TV and Set followed by VCR to switch from TV to VCR. When I add the DVD to the remote, the number of possible transfers will increase to 6. I'm not sure how I will handle that. If I make it any more complicated than I've described, my wife won't use the system. I guess I'm following the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle.

As I get things working, I'll post the progress back here if anyone is interested.

Dave W

[gfb107]

The problem with using power toggle commands for power macros is that invariably one or two of the devices will miss a command. This happens a lot, usually because the person holding the remote doesn't keep it aimed at the devices long enough for the macro to complete.

The user notices that everything didn't turn on, and presses the macro button again. Now the devices that already turned on the first time will turn off, and the ones that didn't will turn on. Not the desired result. She might try again, and everything toggles again, and at this points gets exasperated and calls you to come get everything set up.

With my suggestion, there is only one Power button, it's just that a short press turns everything on (using discrete on commands) and a long press turns everything off (using discrete off commands). The short press can still do all the input setting that you've listed in your post.

If one of the devices missed a command, you run the macro again, and because you're using discrete commands, the devices that did see the command the first time don't do anything, and that ones that missed it the first time do the correct thing.

BTW, using the SET key as you describe is called shifting.

Also, if you are dead-set on using a power toggle, you can use the TOADTOG protocol so that the remote will keep track of the power state of your DVD player, so that it'll alternate between the discrete ON and discrete OFF commands, simulating a power toggle command. But you will again have issues with the DVD player and remote getting out-of-sync.

[Dave W]

Greg,

You are correct in that currently, some devices occasionally get out of sync, but as my wife and I gain experience, that happens less and less. When it does happen my wife calls me for help. There is one aspect of the way I use my system with 5 unique devices that your method doesn't handle. That is, being a cheapskate, I don't want any device turned on that I'm not actually using. So when I'm watching TV I want the DVD and VCR off. When I'm using the DVD or VCR, I want the cable box and either the DVD or the VCR off depending on which device I'm not using. I was brought up by a mother who yelled at me for not turning off a lamp when I left a room even if I was going back in a few minutes. That attitude stuck. Call me anal, but that's the way I am. I'm bummed out by some of these devices where the difference between power on and power off is very little. If it wasn't for losing the clocks and sometimes the channel info, I'd put it all on a power strip. I just wish there was a regulatory agency which forced manufactures to put a label on the outside of the box the device comes in which states the power consumed in both the on and off states. Air conditioners and refrigerators are required to have efficiency labels (US). Why not electronics?

One final question: Don't you give up something in a remote when you use TOADTOG? It seems to me that I read an article on this site which covered that and I didn't want to give up the features it overrides.

Sorry for the rant about power. I realize it's on the fringe of what this forum is all about, but, for at least one user (me) it's a concern and very important to the way I will use a JP1 type remote.

Dave W