Problem creating upgrade codes for Panasonic TH-37PX50U

[Dave W]

I've been away from the JP1 stuff for a few months and seem to have forgotten a few things. I just got a Plasma TV and started with device code 0250. That doesn't do enough, so I learned the additional keys into my URC-8810. These keys are: Aspect, up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, right arrow, OK, Menu, and Return. I made note of the EFC codes, device codes, and sub-device codes. I entered this information into the "Functions" sheet of KM, followed the copy and paste procedures to get it into ir, and uploaded to my 8810. After some problems, I finally got all the buttons to work except one, the Aspect key. I used the PIP key on the 8810 for this function. The learned EFC is 238 and this does show up for that key in the ir devices window.

An observation I made is that the device code for each of these learned buttons, with the exception of Aspect, is 128 and sub-device of 0. For the Aspect key, the device code is 128, but the sub-device is 4. I suspect this is the problem, but I have no idea what to do about it other then leave it as a learned key in ir. I really would like to do this all as upgrade so that I can maximize memory to do the same thing with my Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD recorder. I'll need to learn a lot of keys for that.

Can anyone offer any suggestions for where I am going awry. Thanks. By the way, I tried some of the Panasonic Plasma upgrade files in the file section, but they are apparently too old because they don't work well with my TV. I even tried the LCD upgrade file. It didn't work either.

Dave W

[The Robman]

Leaving one button as a learned signal is not a bad idea, actually. The TV/0250 setup code, and any similar upgrades, all use the regular Panasonic protocol, which only supports one device code and sub-device code. As you discovered, you need to be able to support at least 2 sub-device codes. To do this in one upgrade, you would need to switch to one of the Panasonic Combo protocols, but the resulting upgrade would be alot bigger than the one you're currently using. Another option would be to create a second upgrade using the 128.4 code, and then use a leymove to program the ASPECT button.

As far as needing the learning memory for your other device, you'll only need it temporarily while you create the upgrade for it, so you should save a backup copy of your current programming, then reset the remote and learn the new device. Then, once you're done, you can restore your current programming and add the new upgrade that you made.

In fact, as it's a Panasonic DVD, I would suggest that you learn just one button to see what device and sub-device codes it uses. If it's 176.0 (ie, main device of 176 and a sub-device of 0) then just about any Panasonic DVD upgrade will work. If the sub-device is different, it probably means that you have set the unit to a different remote mode. The new DVD rcorders support three remote modes...

Mode1: 176.00 (the default, which matches DVD/0490)
Mode2: 176.16
Mode3: 176.32

[underquark]

I really would like to do this all as upgrade so that I can maximize memory to do the same thing with my Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD recorder.

Keeping the upgrade simple and having a few learned keys minimizes memory usage but if you're determined to do it all as an upgrade (and it is useful as a learning experience) then this file and this file and others give examples of how it can be done using a Panasonic Combo protocol. Try them but note just how much memory the device and upgrade protocols use, however, and consider that using built-in codes or a simple Panasonic upgrade plus one or two learned buttons or KeyMoves is possibly the way to go later on once memory becomes tight.

[Dave W]

Thanks, Guys! It sounds like the best way for me would be to leave the one learned key, Aspect. I just hope I don't run into a similar problem learning all the functions on the DMR-ES10. I posted back in March on that device. The upgrade files for other Panasonic models didn't even work on the power button. The recorder just turns on the display for a few seconds and then goes off. So I'm going the bite the bullet and learn everything.

Rob, I'm curious. I didn't know that a device could support different remote modes. Is that something I can select or does it just mean that a universal remote can control the device in any of several modes? If you select the mode in the device, DVD recorder in this case, how do you do that? Also, wouldn't switching to a different mode cause the OEM remote to stop working with the recorder? I'm just trying to understand this stuff a little better. Being an engineer, I don't like owning and using something I don't understand. So I learn as much as I can about it. When I get all my stuff working, I'll post back here to see whether or not there is interest in my upgrade files or even the ir file. I mentioned the URC-8810, but I also use a Radio Shack 15-1994 that I plan to set up to run my sytem as well. If I create any files which might be of use to this forum, I'll ask and then download them if anyone is interested.

Dave W.

[The Robman]

The "unit code" concept varies by device, so not being an owner of a Panasonic DVD player or recorder, I don't know what's involved. I based my answer on this...
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... ile_id=621

The reason that Panasonic probably introduced the concept of unit codes to their recorders is because it's quite possible that someone who already owns a regular Panasonic DVD player, might also buy a Panasonic DVD recorder, and would therefore want to be able to control them independantly. I can tell you how to program your universal to control unit codes 2 and 3, but I can't tell you how to make the recorder respond to these signals.

But regardless, all you want to do is work the unit, so go ahead and learn as many buttons as you can and post the results, then I'll tell you which upgrade file you should be using.