Alba DVD59 code required

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:12 am

I have an old One for All universal remote (date on Instruction sheet is Feb 1997). I need a code for an Alba DVD59. The Alba only has four buttons (Open/Close - Play - Stop - Menu) which limits its functionality without a remote. The remote instructions does not mention DVD players in the list of codes (possibly because they only just been invented...). All the example are three digit codes.

Anyone have a code for my Alba DVD59 machine (see below)?

Many thanks - RPJ

1 Device is Alba DVD59
2 Type is DVD/CD
3 Year 2004 (approx)
4 JP1 is One For All URC 5061B05
5 JP1 cable No
6 Original remote No
7 Checked file section yes
8 Checked remote central yes

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:59 am

According to this post the Alba DVD59 is the same player as the Bush DVD 2039, and though we don't have an upgrade for the DVD59, we do have an upgrade for the Bush player here.

The good news is that, like many cheap DVD players, the Bush uses "NEC1 dev 0" for it's signals. This is good news because most OFA remotes have at least one "NEC1 dev 0" setup code in them, which means you could use "advanced codes" with one of those setup codes to program your player.

As you noted, your URC-5061 remote is very old, so I don't know for certain if it supports "advanced codes" or not. To figure out if it does, try this...

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, wait for 2 flashes
2) Type 994, you should get 2 flashes
3) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
4) Type 123
5) Press PLAY, you should get 2 flashes

If you got two flashes in steps 2 and 5 above, your remote supports advanced codes. In which case, you will have just re-programmed the PLAY button, so to reset it again, do this...

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, wait for 2 flashes
2) Type 994, you should get 2 flashes
3) Press PLAY twice, you should get 2 flashes

Due to the age of your remote, I'm not positive which setup codes are in it, but I think that CBL/0040 is in it, and this is a "NEC1 dev 0" code. To see if this will work, assign CBL/0040 to the CBL/SAT button and then try this...

1) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
2) Type 248

That should send the POWER signal to your Alba player.

If that works, your next step is to decide which device button you want to use for the Alba, because you will need to convert that device button into a "cable" button in order to use the CBL/0040 code. If you want to use the CBL/SAT button, you're all set, but for any other device button, do this...

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, 2 flashes
2) Type 992, 2 flashes
3) Press CBL/SAT followed by the new device button (eg, VCR/LD), 2 flashes

Next, you will need to program the buttons using the "advanced code" (aka EFC) method that I outlined at the beginning of this post. Program the essential buttons first as you will possibly run out of "advanced code" memory before you're done.

EFC - Function
056 - num 0
247 - num 1
251 - num 2
116 - num 3
118 - num 4
120 - num 5
122 - num 6
119 - num 7
121 - num 8
117 - num 9
052 - +10
187 - 3D
165 - A-B
249 - Angle
183 - ArrowDown
185 - ArrowLeft
186 - ArrowRight
182 - ArrowUp
184 - Audio
037 - Back
123 - Clear
181 - Enter
164 - FF
100 - Menu
246 - Mode
041 - Mute
229 - Next
244 - Open/Close
245 - OSD
180 - Pause
055 - Play
105 - Prog
232 - Repeat
101 - Rewind
057 - Search
059 - Setup
233 - Slow
248 - Standby
053 - Step
054 - Stop
250 - Subtitle
104 - Title
036 - vol down
228 - vol up
058 - Zoom

And just FYI, the multiregion hack for this player is:

1) POWER ON THE DVD PLAYER
2) PRESS THE OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON ONCE ON THE REMOTE
3) PRESS THE PROG BUTTON ONCE ON THE REMOTE
4) PRESS ENTER 3 TIMES ON THE REMOTE
5) USE THE UP/DOWN ARROWS AND SELECT REGION 0
6) PRESS THE STOP BUTTON UNTIL IT SAYS REGION SET TO 0, TO CONFIRM ON YOUR REMOTE.

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:30 am

Hi Rob, Many thanks for your reply. I was doing fine following your instructions up to the point where I had established that my remote supports "advaced codes". You then say "assign CBL/0040 to the CBL/SAT button" - and I am completely stumped. There is no reference to it on the instruction sheet and I have searched the forum for 'assign assign CBL/0040' but only found this post and another from someone who seemed to understand how to do it. So, sorry, but how do I 'assign CBL/0040'. :-) RPJ

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:04 pm

Press the CBL/SAT button (assuming you have one)
Press and hold setup until 2 blinks
enter 0040
should see 2 blinks to indicate that the remote understood and accepted 0040

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:24 pm

RPJ wrote:Hi Rob, Many thanks for your reply. I was doing fine following your instructions up to the point where I had established that my remote supports "advaced codes". You then say "assign CBL/0040 to the CBL/SAT button" - and I am completely stumped. There is no reference to it on the instruction sheet and I have searched the forum for 'assign assign CBL/0040' but only found this post and another from someone who seemed to understand how to do it. So, sorry, but how do I 'assign CBL/0040'. RPJ

Sorry, I didn't go into exact detail on that step because I assumed that you'd used the remote before and knew how to assign setup codes to the device buttons. Plus you mentioned that you still have the instruction sheet so the step by step for programming the device buttons should be outlined there also.

At any rate, just in case you don't really have the instruction sheet anymore, here's a link to my version of the user manual:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/manuals/ofa- ... l?URC-5061

The steps to program the device buttons are given here:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/manuals/ofa- ... 061#device

1. PRESS the button for the device you want to program, (ie, CBL/SAT), then RELEASE.
2. PRESS and HOLD the SETUP button until the red LED flashes twice, then RELEASE.
3. ENTER the 4 digit code for your brand (ie, 0040).
4. You should receive 2 quick flashes after entering your code.
5. PRESS the POWER button to test the code. (On VCR, LD, and CD players use PLAY)

(You won't be able to use step 5 to verify the setup code because the POWER button won't be properly programmed yet).

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:33 pm

Thanks 3FG, I tried this but it did not blink twice after entering 0040. How do I clear it to try again (just in case I made a mistake first time).

Also can I apply this CBL/0040 code to any of the 5 'equipment' buttons, and then programme that button for the DVD regardless of what the legend below the button says?

RPJ

johnsfine · Post by **johnsfine** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:46 pm

RPJ wrote:Thanks 3FG, I tried this but it did not blink twice after entering 0040. How do I clear it to try again (just in case I made a mistake first time).

If you just made a mistake with that step, clearing isn't required. You just try again.

But if you ever did the process described here:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/manuals/ofa- ... 61#modemap
Redefining a Device Key
Then you need to clear that with the process described right after it
Resetting a Device Key
Then retry programming the setup code number 0040.
(The instructions 3FG and Rob gave you for programming the 0040 assume the CBL device key was never redefined or was reset after the last time it was redefined).

Also can I apply this CBL/0040 code to any of the 5 'equipment' buttons, and then programme that button for the DVD regardless of what the legend below the button says?

That is what Redefining a Device Key is for. The whole sequence would be:

1. PRESS and HOLD the SETUP button until the red LED flashes twice, then RELEASE.
2. KEY IN 9 - 9 - 2.
3. PRESS/RELEASE the CBL/SAT button
4. PRESS/RELEASE the Device key you want to program (two blinks)
5. again PRESS/RELEASE the Device key you want to program
6. PRESS and HOLD the SETUP button until the red LED flashes twice, then RELEASE.
7. KEY IN 0 - 0 - 4 - 0 (two blinks)

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:56 pm

Thanks johnsfine (and Rob and 3FG). I did not get the two blinks after step 7. I assume that means this remote will not accept the 0040 assignment, which in turn means I will not be able to programme the remote as required... unless anyone has any better ideas... RPJ

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:32 pm

0040 isn't the only possible setup code which has the appropriate NEC1, device 0 protocol.

If the instruction sheet lists setup codes, you can try to find a suitable code yourself.

Click on the Lookup Tool at the top of the screen. Click on Protocol Search, select NEC1, and replace the "%" sign in dev1 with 0. No need to select a remote mode--yours isn't listed. Click on Search, and you should get a long list of possible setup codes. Ignore the codes which have a numberic entry in the Dev2 column-- those won't work.

Compare the setup codes with the listing on the instructions. Pay attention to the Type column. For example, you'll want to use the Audio listing with an Audio type setup code.

If you can find a setup code in the Lookup Tool which is listed on your instruction sheet, then you can follow the above instructions. Replace 0040 with the new code that you have found.

Or you could just buy a new remote. For example the RCA RCP05B; it's $20 at Best Buy.

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:48 pm

Does your remote really use 3 digit setup codes? If it does, try 040 instead of 0040.

Other codes you could try include:
TV/0153
TV/0279
CBL/0303
VCR/0155
Audio/0633

If you don't mind wiping out any user programming that you might have done in the remote already, you could try resetting it back to the factory defaults, which would ensure that all the device buttons are in their default modes.

To reset the remote, do this...

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, 2 flashes
2) Type 981, more flashes

Then once the remote has been reset, try the CBL/0040 code again. If it's still not accepted, try the other codes that I listed above.

I have created a spreadsheet that lists all of the NEC1 device 0 setup codes:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=7659

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:00 pm

We have progress. I have entered 040 (instead of 0040) and have managed to turn the player on and off from the remote. I understand that this means I have assigned CBL/040 to the remote and it is capable of being programmed to operate the DVD player.

I think I have assigned it to the VCR/LD button.

I am now confused by the method for programming the individual functions. Rob said in his original response that I should:

"program the buttons using the "advanced code" (aka EFC) method that I outlined at the beginning of this post"

There are several sets of programming instructions. One is to figure out if I can use 'advanced code' and another to re-programme the 'play' button.

My problem is that I am following the instructions blindly, not understanding what each step does. I am happy to do this as I do not see re-programming remotes as becoming a regular feature of my life. But which of these instructions do I follow? I have tried both but am not sure if trying the wrong one first may have undone something and made the second attempt invalid.

So, how do I programme (for example) the pause function, which I understand is 180, to the pause button?

Thanks guys, nearly there (I hope). RPJ

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:12 pm

RPJ wrote:I am now confused by the method for programming the individual functions. Rob said in his original response that I should:

"program the buttons using the "advanced code" (aka EFC) method that I outlined at the beginning of this post"

There are several sets of programming instructions. One is to figure out if I can use 'advanced code' and another to re-programme the 'play' button.

The first set of instructions that I gave you were to test if your remote will let you program the buttons using advanced codes, these are the instructions you will need to use. As I mentioned, if you were successful in using those instructions you would now have programmed a meaningless code to the PLAY button, therefore I gave you some additional instructions that you could use to un-program the button. You WON'T need to follow these un-programming instructions for this exercise.

This is what you need to do...

The Robman wrote:1) Press and hold the SETUP button, wait for 2 flashes
2) Type 994, you should get 2 flashes
3) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
4) Type 123
5) Press PLAY, you should get 2 flashes

Except you will use different codes in step 4 and different buttons in step 5.

For example, let's start by programming the POWER button. The code in the list above, listed as "standby", is 248, so the step by step is...

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, wait for 2 flashes
2) Type 994, 2 flashes
3) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
4) Type 248
5) Press POWER, 2 flashes.

Next, let's do the PLAY button.

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, 2 flashes
2) Type 994, 2 flashes
3) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
4) Type 055
5) Press PLAY, 2 flashes.

You get the idea?

Now, there aren't many buttons on the URC-5061, so if you find that you want to program more functions than there are buttons to hold them, you should be aware that there is a method that you can use to program shifted buttons. To use a shifted button, you would need to press (and release) the SETUP button before you press the button in question.

For example, if you wanted to program the OPEN/CLOSE function to the shifted STOP button, here's how you'd do it (step 5 is the extra step):

1) Press and hold the SETUP button, 2 flashes
2) Type 994, 2 flashes
3) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
4) Type 244
5) Press (but don't hold) the SETUP button
6) Press STOP, 2 flashes.

Now, assuming that you also programmed the regular STOP function as described earlier, when you just press STOP, the DVD will stop playing, but if you press SETUP followed by STOP, the DVD will eject.

This is described in the manual here:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/manuals/ofa- ... 5061#shift

RPJ · Post by **RPJ** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:21 pm

Bingo! Got it. It was the sequence that fooled me. Select CBL button first, then assign 0040, then programme buttons. Makes a bit more sense now.

Pity the only DVD in the house is Bridget Jones's Diary...

Many thanks to all you guys. Take Christmas off, tell the boss I said you deserve it.

RPJ

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:57 pm

RPJ wrote:Bingo! Got it. It was the sequence that fooled me. Select CBL button first, then assign 0040, then programme buttons. Makes a bit more sense now.

Pity the only DVD in the house is Bridget Jones's Diary...

Many thanks to all you guys. Take Christmas off, tell the boss I said you deserve it.

RPJ

Glad to hear you got it figured out, and isn't it great to be able to still put a 12 year old remote to work.

And while you're at it, don't forget to make your player region free, that way you an play DVDs from other countries. Keep in mind that many movies are available on DVD in the States before they're even in the cinema in the UK, and they usually sell for about $20 over here, which is about £10.

1) POWER ON THE DVD PLAYER
2) PRESS THE OPEN/CLOSE (244) BUTTON ONCE ON THE REMOTE
3) PRESS THE PROG (105) BUTTON ONCE ON THE REMOTE
4) PRESS ENTER (181) 3 TIMES ON THE REMOTE
5) USE THE UP (182)/DOWN (183) ARROWS AND SELECT REGION 0
6) PRESS THE STOP (054) BUTTON UNTIL IT SAYS REGION SET TO 0, TO CONFIRM ON YOUR REMOTE.

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:45 pm

I moved all the posts not related to the Alba DVD player to this thread...
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11677