JP1 Remotes

Capn Trips · Expert Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 3990

In response to the running thread here, I've created this poll to help WagonMaster detemine how to go with the packaging and distribution of the RDF Zip file.
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Remotes: OFA XSight Touch, AR XSight Touch
TVs: LG 65" Smart LED TV; Samsung QN850BF Series - 8K UHD Neo QLED LCD TV
RCVR: Onkyo TX-SR875; Integra DTR 40.3
DVD/VCR: Pioneer DV-400VK (multi-region DVD), Sony BDP-S350 (Blu-ray), Toshiba HD-A3 (HD-DVD), Panasonic AG-W1 (Multi-system VCR);
Laserdisc: Pioneer CLD-D704.
Amazon Firestick
tape deck: Pioneer CT 1380WR (double cassette deck)
(But I still have to get up for my beer)

ElizabethD · Advanced Member Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 2348

While being mindful of the distinction from the other thread,

unclemiltie · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject:

As an extender writer, i would prefer that the base RDF's do not include the RDF's for the extenders. Every extender distribution that I have seen has included the RDF's.

this gives the extender writer the ability to tie the extender to the RDF that ships and thus less possibility of errors.

(so I voted to split, but I'd prefer that tehre not be a central repository for extender RDF's)
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this JP1 stuff is a sickness!

vickyg2003 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject:

I thought unclemiltie wasn't going to like this!

As an extender USER and Writer, I like the idea of RDF's that have been SUBMITTED by the extender writer be included in the main RDF zip file. I remember that it was important to delete my folder and do a clean install with a new release of RDFs. When I do that, I'd be missing the RDF's for all my remotes. I might as well skip the download all together. I use the 7800, 6131, 6011, 8811, 8900, Comcast 1067a, Atlas 5. Assuming WagonMaster is going to be issuing RDF's more frequently this becomes drugery.

I also like the idea that with any changes my USERS would be getting updated RDF's without having to do a download everytime there are updates that would make my RDF's incompatible with IR or RM.
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WagonMaster · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 361

Setting up this poll was a great idea! My thanks to Capn Trips for doing so.

As I stated in that other thread:

WagonMaster · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 361

ElizabethD · Advanced Member Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 2348

Here's the deal.
The extender writer includes RDF file in the distribution.
Years later the extender writer is fishing instead of doing JP1.
Something incorrect is discovered in the RDF file, or a global change is made to all files in one place.
Nils would correct, put it into the main zip and people were told to always check for a most recent RDF and ignore the RDF inside the extender package.

If RDFs are with the extender then they would need to be maintained on a one-by-one basis in files that somebody else owns.
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Liz
Tweeking 8910, HTPro/9811, C7-7800, 6131o, 6131n, AtlasOCAP-1056B01, RCA-RCRP05B and enjoying the ride Smile

mr_d_p_gumby · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

unclemiltie · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:13 am Post subject:

Mike, Liz and vicky, I can see your point.

however, I'm still leaning toward keeping extender code and extender RDF's tied together. I can say from experience that I've had to circumvent the RDF that was distributed in the master distribution with a new one when I released a new extender version. Versioning has helped since IR 8 came out, it shows the extender version (it is embedded in the extender code) and the RDF version (it is embedded in the title)

But no matter how we do it, there are always going to be mixups. The only question is which method makes less of them!
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this JP1 stuff is a sickness!

wnewell · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 158 Location: DFW, Texas

Frankly I don't care how you do it or how many are in it, as long as the ones that are work. I say make it easy on yourself. If they are already in it, leave them there., or not. Smile

Capn Trips · Expert Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 3990

I agree with Liz. In over 4 years of using extenders with various remotes, the maintenance of the "master" RDF's seems to be at least slightly (if not greatly) more reliable than similar maintenance of individual extender files. Of course more recenty developed extenders are logically more likely to have their authors still here on the site and updating their individual extender packages, but I would wager that most of the older (pre-JP1.X) extenders have not had their distribution packages updated in years. Therefore, to WHOM should fall the task of bringing those older extender RDF's into compliance with evolving RDF specs? If I'm running the RS 15-1994 with extender 5, WHO will update that RDF to the new RDF spec? NOBODY - unless the RDF is inculded in some sort of "master" distribution.

I believe that this RDF maintenance imperative should take precedence over the potential additional coordination required for currently "active" extender authors to reconcile any changes to "their" RDFs necessitated by either extender evolution (initiated by the extender "owner/author") OR by a change to the RDF spec (initiated by the RDF file "maintainer".
_________________
Beginners - Read this thread first
READ BEFORE POSTING or your post will be DELETED!

Remotes: OFA XSight Touch, AR XSight Touch
TVs: LG 65" Smart LED TV; Samsung QN850BF Series - 8K UHD Neo QLED LCD TV
RCVR: Onkyo TX-SR875; Integra DTR 40.3
DVD/VCR: Pioneer DV-400VK (multi-region DVD), Sony BDP-S350 (Blu-ray), Toshiba HD-A3 (HD-DVD), Panasonic AG-W1 (Multi-system VCR);
Laserdisc: Pioneer CLD-D704.
Amazon Firestick
tape deck: Pioneer CT 1380WR (double cassette deck)
(But I still have to get up for my beer)

mdavej · Expert Joined: 08 Oct 2003 Posts: 4501

After reading all the arguments, I think a single distribution for all is best. It adds somewhat to a newbie's confusion when making upgrades (which remote to pick), but improves the chances of better maintenance as other's have pointed out.

In cases where there are multiple versions of extenders, each with different capabilities, like the RCU810, what gets included in the master? All versions or only the latest? How do we know if errors are introduced?