Considering a OFA remote, and I need a sanity check:

[ManicMoocow]

I was guided here by users on another website, and I'm suffering from a little information overload after reading the Beginner FAQs. I was hoping to get some clarifications before I (possibly) waste money on a purchase that could end up not fitting my needs. This has all been prompted by my inability to get my cable company's remote to control my A/V receiver.

My hardware:

Scientific Atlanta 8300 PVR (Cox Digital Cable)
- Scientific Atlanta AT8400 Remote

Marantz SR5000 A/V Receiver
- Marantz RC5000SR Remote

Marantz VC5200 DVD Carousel
- Marantz RC5200VC Remote

Sony Trinitron 28" TV
- Sony RM-Y117 Remote

My understanding is that a universal remote cannot be taught how to emulate the AT8400 remote because it is a RF device. Is that the case? Or is it simply that you cannot teach a universal remote to replicate RF signals in learning mode, and have to use the JP1 harness and associated software?

If a JP1-capable remote cannot be taught to emulate / replicate RF signals, is there a workaround? Or is this simply something the marketplace hasn't addressed yet?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[The Robman]

My hardware:

Scientific Atlanta 8300 PVR (Cox Digital Cable)
- Scientific Atlanta AT8400 Remote

My understanding is that a universal remote cannot be taught how to emulate the AT8400 remote because it is a RF device. Is that the case? Or is it simply that you cannot teach a universal remote to replicate RF signals in learning mode, and have to use the JP1 harness and associated software?

If this device is really controlled by RF, and RF alone, then there's no easy solution. But if the device also responds to regular IR signals, you can easily program a remote to control it.

We have an upgrade available in the CABLE folder for a S/A 8000 box which might work your 8300 box.

It is not possible to create a universal remote that works RF devices because not only would the hardware be tricky, but there are just too many legal obstacles to overcome. (RF signals are federally controlled whereas IR signals are not).

[ManicMoocow]

I'm not sure how I could test to see if the 8300 also accepts IR control. There's no obvious IR port on the front facade, but I suppose it could be hidden behind the main display bezel. When you get right down to it, I'm assuming the remote is RF ... because I don't have to point it in the direction of my entertainment center to use it.

Does anyone who frequents this forum know whether or not the 8300 is, in fact, RF-only? Direct questions to Cox Cable haven't gotten me anywhere.

[The Robman]

If you can use the remote from another room, it's RF, if you can't it probably isn't. If you can't even use the remote from behind a couch or some other solid object, then it definitely isn't RF.

[Capn Trips]

My understanding is that a universal remote cannot be taught how to emulate the AT8400 remote because it is a RF device. Is that the case? Or is it simply that you cannot teach a universal remote to replicate RF signals in learning mode, and have to use the JP1 harness and associated software?

Are you sure the remote is RF? This data sheet makes no mention of the 8300's RF remote-sensing capability (as a feature such as control from another room would likely be highly touted), and the remote data sheet mentions a line-of-sight limitation that implies this is an IR-only remote. Further, this remote must be AT LEAST IR capable, since the data sheet states you can set it up to operate most of your other A-V equipment, and IR is BY FAR the most widespread remote capability on the vast majority of consumer electronic gear

Be that as it may, the tests above can show you if the remote is emitting RF or not. I would bet that EVEN IF IT DOES (which seems unlikely), it would ALSO emit IR, as most remotes that have RF capability do. [Of course, DISH now has remotes/receivers that will only use RF for the second tuner in a dual-tuner box]

I guess the best way to test if your remote is using IR is to buy a cheap learning JP1 remote, and see if it will learn SA8300 box signals. If it does, and meets your needs, great. If not, return the remote for a refund.

Alternatively, observe the head of the remote through a digital viewfinder (digital camera, camcorder, webcam, whatever) while pressing a button sending an SA8300 signal of some sort. If it's RF-only, you won't see anything. If it's IR, you'll clearly see the transmit diode illuminated.

[ManicMoocow]

I'm not sure of anything, unfortunately. That's why I was trying to get a sanity check. At this point, however, I have tried to teach my older learning remote (Marantz RC5000SR) a few different key presses from the AT8400. The Learn button on the Marantz blinks twice, which indicates it's receiving an IR signal, but nothing I teach the remote is working. I take that to mean that the AT8400 does, in fact, transmit IR ... but that it must use a protocol the Marantz can't emulate.

Side note: The AT8400 can control my cable box through obstructions (bedroom / kitchen wall) at about 8' ... so I assume it is an IR/RF combination unit.

I appreciate all the feedback. I'll buy an OFA locally at this point so I can test basic funtionality before ordering a JP1 harness.

[new-guy]

I believe I know what is happening with this remote.
This remote controls an SA PVR, a dual tuner PVR.
I have read else where that typically the second tuner in the PVR responds to RF signals and the main tuner will respond to IR. So it is a combo remote.
v.B pdf
v.D pdf
there is a chance that this remote is JP1... I say this based on the fact that there are at least 2 other SA remotes that are JP1...
Check under the battery door to see if it has the 6 pins for JP1.