Newbie questions on 15-1995

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:28 pm

Hey Julie,
Given that we might not find a solution, you might just be better of getting yourself a new 15-2117 from Radio Shack (for $30, if it's still on sale). The 15-2117 is in the exact same casing as the 15-1995, so at first glance you won't even notice the difference, but the buttons are laid out slightly differently. The good news is that the 15-2117 is a better remote than the 15-1995. It has 8 device buttons and has learning. Plus, it uses the same processor as the URC-9910, so it's almost guaranteed to work your DVD player.

usblipitor · Post by **usblipitor** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:33 pm

I bet they try to sell you some batteries with that

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:19 pm

usblipitor wrote:I bet they try to sell you some batteries with that

Not to mention, a cell phone and satellite dish!!!

gjarboni · Post by **gjarboni** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 7:27 pm

Julie,

Give this protocol a try:

12 13 31 80 23 85 56 26 56 90 0D A9 18 20 DB 00
A2 BA A0 01 22 44 80 0B A9 18 20 DB 00 A2 31 A0
03 22 44 C6 57 D0 E0 60 A5 5E 85 5D A5 60 85 5E
20 6A 01 22 06 90 F9 60 A9 FF 20 DB 00 A9 69 20
DB 00 A2 EE A0 06 22 44 A5 5D 3C 08 57 20 37 01
A5 5D 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A5 5E 3C 08 57 20
37 01 A5 5E 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A9 18 20 DB
00 A2 F0 A0 F0 22 44 A2 FE A0 FE 22 44 A2 FE A0
FE 22 44 60

It sends what the remote would send if you tapped a button twice a second without JP1 (if that made any sense).

Jason M.

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:43 am

Guys,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but my DSL service went down and I was not able to access the internet... Anyway, I will take the advice and pick up a 2117 remote from Radio Shack (and I'm sure you are all right about the batteries, phone, and DSS service).

Jason, thanks for posting some new code, I'll give it a whirl for kicks and report back as to what happens.

Julie

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:57 am

Jason,

Here is the scoop on your code... I will NOT control the device with the IR (from the front of the remote) at all! It DOES however, control the device via RF better than before, but probably about 75% of the time after multiple presses (instead of 60% of the time).

I'm still going out tomorrow, and getting a 2117, but does this clarify the situation at all (the fact that the IR doesn't control the unit is interesting to me as I should be able to tap the button twice a second (you would think))?

Thanks a bunch,
Julie

gjarboni · Post by **gjarboni** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 10:30 pm

Here's what I think is happening. The DVD player is very, very picky about the IR signal. Any slight degredation in the signal is causing it to miss a bit and reject the frame. (the way the NEC1 protocol works, only the last part of the frame repeats, so if the beginning is messed up holding down the button won't do anything). The 15-1995 puts out a weaker signal than the 9910 and this is introducing noise. The DVD player also doesn't like what I'm trying with the multiple signals and won't respond to these key presses, but with the signal loss in the 15-1995's RF it doesn't see all of the repeats and so it responds.

If you want to try them, here are two other protocol choices that might work better. (It only took a minute, so if you don't want to try them, that's fine). Hopefully the 15-2117 has the stronger RF signal (like the 9910).

Jason M.

12 13 31 80 23 85 56 26 56 90 0D A9 18 20 DB 00
A2 BA A0 01 22 44 80 0B A9 18 20 DB 00 A2 31 A0
03 22 44 C6 57 D0 E0 60 A5 5E 85 5D A5 60 85 5E
20 6A 01 22 06 90 F9 60 A9 FF 20 DB 00 A9 69 20
DB 00 A2 EE A0 06 22 44 A5 5D 3C 08 57 20 37 01
A5 5D 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A5 5E 3C 08 57 20
37 01 A5 5E 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A9 18 20 DB
00 A2 F0 A0 F0 22 44 A2 FE A0 FE 22 44 A2 FE A0
FE 22 44 A2 FE A0 FE 22 44 A2 FE A0 FE 22 44 60

12 13 31 80 23 85 56 26 56 90 0D A9 18 20 DB 00
A2 BA A0 01 22 44 80 0B A9 18 20 DB 00 A2 31 A0
03 22 44 C6 57 D0 E0 60 A5 5E 85 5D A5 60 85 5E
20 6A 01 22 06 90 F9 60 A9 FF 20 DB 00 A9 69 20
DB 00 A2 EE A0 06 22 44 A5 5D 3C 08 57 20 37 01
A5 5D 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A5 5E 3C 08 57 20
37 01 A5 5E 49 FF 3C 08 57 20 37 01 A9 18 20 DB
00 A2 F0 A0 F0 22 44 60

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:38 pm

************YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS ONE!!!************

Ok, taking the advice of Rob and Nils I went out and purchased two (I can't help it, I'm a girl and when things are on sale I kinda go nuts

) Radio Shack 15-2117 remotes.

When I got home, I programmed the DVD button to use code 672 (the same one I used with the 9910 (I hope to return)). I first tested the remote with the command center unplugged. It worked perfectly (as expected). I then tried the RF and it acted the EXACT same way as the 15-1195. To say this another way, IT DOES NOT WORK!!! This is starting to drive me crazy. Just to make sure something was not wrong, I picked up the 9910 pressed buttons with the IR blocked (at the remote) and all worked just fine. Rob, it seems as though you were smart in using the word almost in your response "it's almost guaranteed to work your DVD player."

Any ideas now?

Jason:
Thank you for the two new protocols, I'll keep trying them as long as you keep posting them! Unfortunately, neither protocol controls the DVD via the IR or RF. If I remove the protocol in IR.EXE and re-upload I can then control it via IR, but not the RF (as previously described).

Also, in reading your last post, I understand that it is very possible that the beginning of the transmission is getting "messed up"; however, as for the signal to noise ratio, please understand that when I am doing these tests I am holding the remote approx. three inches away from the command center (with the IR xmitter in the actual remote blocked by my hand). Plus, the remote has four brand new Duracell alkaline batteries installed. Also, I have relocated the command center to be about six inches away from the DVD's (on the same plane and right in front of) IR receiver (front right side of the 5131). When I unplug the command center for an "IR only" test, I remove the command center and put the remote in its location. It works really well (as it should) and never misses a command.

Is there a way to build a IR receiver and "read" exactly what is being sent by the command centers IR xmitter v.s. the remotes IR xmitter? Wait a sec.

, this gives me an idea! Can I "learn" from the command center? Maybe I can learn one of the 9910's buttons from the command center via RF and then read it in IR.EXE and compare it to the same learned command from the remote. Would this work?

Fustrated to no end.
Julie

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:44 pm

Have you tried one of the NEW command centers from the 2117, and does it function the same (as in DOESN'T)?

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:09 pm

No I have not tried a new command center (I will tonight), I figured that since the 9910 worked with the old command center then the 2117 would also, but you're correct, I should try it out and see.

To answer my own question, as to if I could learn from the command center, the answer is NO. I just tried it and as soon as I press a button the 9910's display says error. Maybe this has something to do with the problem. It seems to me that if the command center was repeating the exact same information then the remote should be able to read it.

Julie

Nils_Ekberg · Post by **Nils_Ekberg** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:11 pm

Julie5040 wrote:To answer my own question, as to if I could learn from the command center, the answer is NO. I just tried it and as soon as I press a button the 9910's display says error. Maybe this has something to do with the problem. It seems to me that if the command center was repeating the exact same information then the remote should be able to read it.

Julie

I think your theory is correct but I wonder if the 9910 is picking up both signals from the remote and the relay causing the error.

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:17 pm

Nils,

It should not be able to pick up both signals as I have the remote's IR xmitter completly covered. Even if I unplug the command center and try to learn from the remote (with the covered xmitter), it just times out. Thus that tells me I should not be getting any light from the remote (just the command center) into the 9910.

Julie

Nils_Ekberg · Post by **Nils_Ekberg** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:24 pm

OK. Sounds like you got that covered.

jamesgammel · Post by **jamesgammel** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:26 pm

Actually you should be able to learn the command center's signals, you've got three learning remotes (4?) now. It would be easier if you had some help tho. Coordination and timing also isn't going to be easy. First: Black tape (or duct) over the IR sender on one of the remotes; that'll effectively make it an RF only remote. Then setup another in the learn mode, and hold it so it catches the IR stream from the command center. now, remember that we've found that optimally the learner should be about 2 Inches away from the teacher. I would get too close to the command center either, as you may be overloading the rf receiver. I'd guess three-6 feet should be about right. If the command center doesn't emit an IR signal, try using a different remote, again doing the tape bit. If it still doesn't, then it may be that THAT command center isn't sending an IR signal at all, or the RF receiver is faulty. It'd be tuff to conclude that 2 RF transmitters (2117 or 9910) are both or all three faulty. It may well be that the IR led in the old command center is shot. Have you tried using a digital or ccd videocamera to see it it emits IR at all? If all the remotes work with one of the 2 new command centers, that would reinforce the theory that "something" is wrong with the original one. And you're right, the command center should send the same signal as decoded By IR as a remote does. A significant difference wqould indicate that the command center has corrupted the signal, or the RF portion of a remote is faulty. However, with 4 remotes and three or 4 command centers you should be able to pin down what is at fault.

Jim

Julie5040 · Post by **Julie5040** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:30 pm

On the lighter side (not to get off the subject, but...), usbliptor and robman were right, while I was at Radio Shack I was told my A500 sprint phone is "old technology" and I should get a new phone and also a new plan. I was offered batteries for the remote, and although not a satellite dish (as you suggested Rob), they did try to sell me the extended warranty for both units. However, as I said earler, being a girl, I don't respond well unless "it's on sale."

Julie