How can I slow down macros on a URC-7800

Support forum for extenders. If you're having trouble getting one up and running, this is the place to come.

Moderator: Moderators

out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

Slow a macro

Post by out2learn »

:cry: How can I slow down macros on a URC-7800, with a extender ...
ElizabethD
Advanced Member
Posts: 2348
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:07 pm

Post by ElizabethD »

The experts will tell you, you can count on it :D .
But I suspect they'll need to know what it is you want to slow down - time between macro keys, signal durations? I think youneed to provide more info, like equipment, what's too fast and so on.
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

Post by out2learn »

:lol: I need to slow down the time between macro keys & signal duration. When I use the same macro on my non - extender URC-7800, it works perfectly. My TV (TOSHIBA) & Satellite PVR (ECHOSTAR) don't all respond with the fast macro on the extender... THANK YOU in advance. :D
The Robman
Site Owner
Posts: 21890
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:37 am
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact:

Post by The Robman »

out2learn wrote:I need to slow down the time between macro keys & signal duration.
There are two ways to slow down a macro, one is to increase the time between the buttons in the macro, and the other is to increase the signal duration of each of the buttons. Liz was asking you which one you needed and you seem to be saying "both".

However, in the rest of your 2nd post you indicate that the macro works just fine on an un-extended remote, which seems to imply that all you need is to increase the time between steps in the macro.

I'm not an extender expert, so I can't tell you how to do that, but hopefully one of the extender experts will.
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!
johnsfine
Site Admin
Posts: 4766
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2003 5:00 pm
Location: Bedford, MA
Contact:

Post by johnsfine »

The Robman wrote: There are two ways to slow down a macro, one is to increase the time between the buttons in the macro, and the other is to increase the signal duration of each of the buttons. Liz was asking you which one you needed and you seem to be saying "both".
"Both" is not likely to be the right answer. I assume "both" means he didn't test yet to see which he really needs. One of the extender readme files gives good instructions for what to test to find out whether you really need delay or duration.

Creating delay is easier and better documented. I haven't looked into extra duration issues in long enough, I've forgotten things and other things have changed. But I assume the best documented path to getting extra duration is still the device combiner protocol.
The Robman wrote: However, in the rest of your 2nd post you indicate that the macro works just fine on an un-extended remote, which seems to imply that all you need is to increase the time between steps in the macro.
Maybe I've forgotten something important abuot the 7800 extender, but most extenders reduce both the default delay and the default duration, so the fact that the macro works without the extender does not tell whether you need delay or duration.

A more interesting question is which device is having the problem. I'm pretty sure the Toshiba TV needs delay, not duration. (In a two device macro the best way to add duration is to interleave the commands).
The Robman
Site Owner
Posts: 21890
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:37 am
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact:

Post by The Robman »

johnsfine wrote:"Both" is not likely to be the right answer.
I agree, I was try to explain what the original question was and show how the answer didn't really answer it.
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

Post by out2learn »

:? O.K. Thank You for the info, but how do I go by creating a "DELAY" with the extender version ? Do I need to use the " device combiner protocol ". If so how do I start... I have never tried that befor ? :cry:
ElizabethD
Advanced Member
Posts: 2348
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:07 pm

Post by ElizabethD »

I'm again not sure which DELAY you're addressing, sorry. In case you need a bit more info, I'm just filling in easier details leaving the tough stuff to the experts.
johnsfine wrote: One of the extender readme files gives good instructions for what to test to find out whether you really need delay or duration change.
One good example: In the extenders section under Files on this forum - 8910ex1_1.zip has a readme file where sections "FAST MACROS:" and "TROUBLE SHOOTING:" are relevant. See here .

PAUSE between keys in a macro - as John says, that's the most likely solution for the TV especially when it does a cold start.
1. Try rearranging commands as described in the readme file. Send a command to TV, then to receiver or someplace, more commands back to TV when TV is ready.
2. Use a pause protocol from KM or RM. Copy both the upgrade device (TV/1104) and the protocol (1FB) to IR and make a keymove on some obscure button (I used shift-sleep) and include that key in the TV macro.

DURATION change - do this only if you're 100% sure is needed, i.e. you've ran the suggested tests.
1. Issue a command twice in a row. I would be reluctant to do it with Power, but something like Play on a DVD or VCR is a good candidate. Don't know about PVR, but see this thread covering the same issue and for PVR.
2. Device combiner protocol is in KM and RM. You can use that protocol just for the keys causing problems in a macro, no need to drag in the whole device, as I've learned recently from Greg's note in the same place. Reference to instructions is in the above post. Also KM has a readme file which walks you through the needed steps.
3. You might investigate the existence of alternative protocols where duration has been changed. It might be in the files section. Somewhat related discussion about several jvc devices is here TV and DVD just as an example of the issues involved.
------------
The Robman wrote: However, in the rest of your 2nd post you indicate that the macro works just fine on an un-extended remote, which seems to imply that all you need is to increase the time between steps in the macro.

Rob, re John's comment:
johnsfine wrote: Maybe I've forgotten something important abuot the 7800 extender, but most extenders reduce both the default delay and the default duration, so the fact that the macro works without the extender does not tell whether you need delay or duration.
Just my one and only experience: my DVD with a JVC protocol 0034 worked fine, for macros, as is, in the unextended remotes and even in the 8910 extended, but NOT under the 7800ext2 control. Only a manual press did the job. No amount of pause helped the macro. Duration needed a tweek. DC worked great with delay=1, but the cdhixson/Jon Armstrong modified protocol is what I settled on; a drastic step, but it was kinda fun to do :D
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

Post by out2learn »

:eek: Well Thank You Again... This is alot of info, I will find some time soon to start readding & testing your info. I will keep you posted on the resutals as soon as I can. I just hope I can put it all togetter and make it work. ???? :?:
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

It's still a no go....

Post by out2learn »

:( Well I am back from my vacation (All good thing have to come to and end) I strarted to read up again. I tried the tests you suggested. Well I have norrowed it to one thing. For sure the probelem is one of DURATION. Duration of the "Power" button signal to toggle on/off my Echostar PVR reciver. I would like to know more about the Device combiner protocol. How do I go about it ? I have never been able to work it ....... All your Help is really apriciated :wink: Thank You All.
Capn Trips
Expert
Posts: 3989
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 6:56 am

Re: It's still a no go....

Post by Capn Trips »

out2learn wrote: I would like to know more about the Device combiner protocol. How do I go about it ?
Have you read the "Protocol Help" for Device Combiner? In both KM and RM when you select the DC protocol, there is a very clear explanation how to build an upgrade and particularly how to adjust the duration. In KM, you look at the "Protocol Help" tab, while in RM it's on the "General Tab's" protocol notes section.
out2learn wrote: I have never been able to work it .......
That's kind of a vague comment. What have you tried?
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

Post by out2learn »

Well I only have used RM but I can not get Device Combiner to work with my 7800 extender. Any Help ?
gfb107
Expert
Posts: 3411
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 7:18 pm
Location: Cary, NC
Contact:

Post by gfb107 »

Show us what you've done to try to get Device Combiner working. That means an RM upgrade file and an IR file. Upload them to the Diagnoisis Area, then come back here and post links to them.
Capn Trips
Expert
Posts: 3989
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 6:56 am

Post by Capn Trips »

out2learn wrote:Well I only have used RM but I can not get Device Combiner to work with my 7800 extender. Any Help ?
As I said above, that's kind of a vague symptom. What have you done - IN DETAIL, what have you attempted to do and what symptoms indicate that it's not working, and as stated above, upload any troublesome files you've created and POST LINKS TO THEM describing what it is you think these files should do, but are not doing.

Please answer the questions asked previously:
Capn Trips wrote:
out2learn wrote: I would like to know more about the Device combiner protocol. How do I go about it ?
Have you read the "Protocol Help" for Device Combiner? In both KM and RM when you select the DC protocol, there is a very clear explanation how to build an upgrade and particularly how to adjust the duration. In KM, you look at the "Protocol Help" tab, while in RM it's on the "General Tab's" protocol notes section.
out2learn wrote: I have never been able to work it .......
That's kind of a vague comment. What have you tried?
out2learn
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:27 am

I got it working ...

Post by out2learn »

:D I have got it to work . That is I got Device Combiner to work. I am testing diffrent things and I have got it going.

I would like to know if I have to make a complete new upgrade with all the fontions keys for RM. Or if I can do it with only the key that I want to slow down ( the power key ) to be able for it to work in my macro ?

Again Thank You for all your Help... :D
Post Reply