JP1 still best in 2009?

Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:57 am

I have been a happy JP1 user for many years, using a 6131 remote with a parallel-port cable.

Fast forward to 2009. The buttons on my 6131 are wearing out and getting difficult to operate. I no longer have a computer with a parallel port. I will need a converter box soon for the DTV transition in February, requiring a remote reprogram.

Is JP1 still worth it? There are now remotes such as the Logitech One that appear to do most everything JP1 does, and it is mainstream with simple USB internet programming. JP1 is still underground techie hacking.

It seems that I will need to buy a new remote and USB cable to continue with JP1, so maybe I should just get the Logitech One instead. Does this sound like a bad idea?

Any opinions on what I should do (or what you would do) are appreciated.

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:37 pm

That's kinda like asking to folks at the RNC if the Democrats are the way to go this year. Of course we're going to recommend that you stick with JP1 because, for us, it does everything that we need it to do, and when it doesn't, we fix it so that it does. But it probably is best still described as "underground techie hacking" because nobody's getting paid around here.

For the non-techie folks who don't mind paying the extra bucks for the solution, the Harmony probably is the best option.

xnappo · Post by **xnappo** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:11 pm

Reasons to stick with JP1:

1. You are part of a friendly community and can contribute upgrades for your new equipment and help others out.

2. You can buy 10 remotes for the price of one harmony one (at least!).

3. You have complete control over the remote and can actually do more advanced things than you can with Harmony.

4. Though an LCD menu *seems* like a good idea, it isn't actually ergonomic. JP1 remotes have more buttons with better tactile features (my current favorite is the Atlas line)

5. With Harmony, if you have a new device you will have to play Russian roulette with tech support to get discretes etc - while with JP1 you can do it yourself, or if need be get expert help quickly.

6. JP1 is 1337 (or at least fun)

xnappo

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:09 pm

xnappo wrote:6. JP1 is 1337 (or at least fun)

Hacker-speak for "elite" (eleet)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=1337

xnappo · Post by **xnappo** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:31 pm

The Robman wrote:
xnappo wrote:6. JP1 is 1337 (or at least fun)
Hacker-speak for "elite" (eleet)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=1337

Just to be clear, I only used the term in jest

xnappo

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:28 pm

I had no idea what it meant (guess I'm not a real hacker) so I had to Google it!

Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:31 pm

Thanks for the replies!

Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:27 pm

Thanks, you guys convinced me to stick with JP1. I resurrected my old computer and used it to reprogram my remote, and I am back in business!

(It took me a little while to remember how this stuff works - the last time I reprogrammed my remote was 2005!)

westte · Post by **westte** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:56 am

Just want to put my 5 cents worth in - JP1 (JP1.2-3) - still the best

Great support

Remotes that you can really tweak

Sadly I think some of the non OFA remotes - just won't last

Cheers Robert

Dabbith · Post by **Dabbith** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:41 pm

JP1 is far and away still the best.

I must own at least a dozen JP1 remotes and a half a dozen other universal remotes. I even bought a refurbished Harmony recently to see if it lived up to all the hype. And that same week I bought a "Dell Premium Remote" which has an LCD screen for controlling Media Player. But when I sit down to watch TV what do I use? I use my JP1 remotes. Yup, I keep several lying by the sofa so I never have to reach too far for one. They control my TV, Satellite, Home Automation (lights mostly), PC and anything else I come up with. I've controlled fans and air conditioners, humidifiers, pretty much anything with an IR interface.

Even beyond JP1 remotes themselves, the community here is just so helpful. I learned everything about IR protocols and communications, enough to build my own micro-controller based remote. I've had help decoding protocols for obscure devices that no one else had.

I actually haven't been to visit in a few years since things have been running so smoothly once every remote in my house was customized exactly the way I wanted it to be. JP1 has a learning curve, but once you've got it I don't think you'll find anything out there with as much flexibility.

Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:59 pm

Lately I have been thinking about how to replace my dying JP1 remote and unusable parallel interface, and wondering if I should stick with JP1 or switch to Harmony.

Imagine my surprise when I come here to ask for some advice, only to discover I already did this two years ago!

I guess I already decided, even if I don't remember.

I am happy to see that the JP1 community in 2011 is as strong (or stronger) than ever. Also, there appears to be a good selection of JP1 remotes readily available now that don't require any modifications.

eferz · Post by **eferz** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:31 pm

Lurker wrote:Lately I have been thinking about how to replace my dying JP1 remote and unusable parallel interface, and wondering if I should stick with JP1 or switch to Harmony.

Replacing the Harmony with a JP1 was the best thing I did. Now, I've relegated in using the Harmony Remote nothing more than a skeleton key to the Harmony Database. Even through the Harmony is pretty idiot proof and had a multitude more pre-existing codes, it still doesn't offer the same benefits as the JP1 remotes do with the tools from this forum. (And all the wonderful people on this board that you'd miss interacting with.)

Post by **The Robman** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:00 pm

I guess we made a convert out of eferz!

andyross · Post by **andyross** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:04 am

Get the USB cable and the JP1 adapter, and you can program most any JP1 remote on even a new computer (although I've heard of 1.4 which doesn't work?)

Post by **The Robman** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:57 am

andyross wrote:(although I've heard of 1.4 which doesn't work?)

Yet! The JP1 engineers are working on a solution for JP1.4 and JP2 as we speak.