Syntax for macros and activities

PSH · Post by **PSH** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 7:16 am

I have gleaned a little bit of the syntax from examples in the documentation and various posts but fear that the information I have is very incomplete. Is there a source anywhere that details the correct syntax and is comprehensive?
Many thanks in advance for any help offered.

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:49 am

There is no syntax. Macros and activities are just lists of commands. Same syntax as a grocery list would have. Is there anything specific you’re confused about?

I can give you some guidelines of my own that I like to follow regarding the order and timing of commands.

- Start with Power On for each device in your activity, duration 0.1 sec each. Device that takes the longest to warm up should be first (TV, Projector, etc.)
- Optional: Power Off every device NOT used in the activity. Leave this out if you don't mind leaving unused devices on until you run your Master Power Off (Goodnight) activity
- Input commands for every device
- Delay last few input commands to equal the delay required for your slowest devices to accept new commands. For example, my TV won't accept any commands for 12.5 seconds from a cold start, so I have a 2.5 sec delay on one command and a 10.0 sec delay on another since 10 is the max
- Input commands for devices requiring delays. I typically duplicate these in my 3rd step above in case the device is already on from a previous activity and needs no delay
- Optional: Additional commands for going to a specific channel or launching a specific app or setting sound/picture modes

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:39 am

And are you programming the macros using JP1 software (ie, RMIR) or on the remote itself?

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:41 am

Rob, on Nevo/Xsight, macros can only be programmed in RMIR. So this simplifies matters a bit.

PSH · Post by **PSH** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:32 am

Thanks both for your swift replies.
Yes, I am planning to use RMIR to implement some activities but want to understand how to in a bit more detail.
As to no syntax, that may just be a different understanding of the term. In which case maybe I should have asked where is a compete list of the commands that can be used? Your answer may well be that the commands associated with each device are listed on one of the RMIR tabs in which case my question disappears. However, in the documentation I noted the command "Power on (0.1)" and wondered where this, particularly the (0.1), had come from. Maybe the 0.1 is the delay you talk about but that is precisely my point about the syntax.
Apart from the above, many thanks indeed for your guidelines - most helpful.

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:33 pm

Function dropdown lists every possible command for the selected Device.
Pause after (secs) is where you specify 0.1 (0.3 is the default)

These are simply attributes that come with every command, hence no syntax other than picking the command from the list.

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:42 pm

It might also help us if you specify which documentation you are using (and post a link if possible).

PSH · Post by **PSH** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:37 am

Thanks Rob. That is the crucial bit of information I was missing. Nowhere had I seen reference to the Activity Macro Editor dialog. I had thought you just type the commands into the Activity Macros box - hence my original question. All is now clear though. Thanks again.

Post by **The Robman** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:31 am

But it sounds like you were using some sort of documentation that mentioned "power (0.1)", I'd like to know which documentation that is, so we can get it updated.

PSH · Post by **PSH** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:03 am

The documentation I used was "JP1 - Just How Easy Is It? RM-IR Version", Section 6.1 / Activities and in particular the screenshot which is very similar to the screenshot in your earlier post. However, for the original screenshot from the documentation I had assumed you have to manually type in the Activity Macro commands whereas your most recent screenshot in this thread shows the Activity Macro Editor.
My suggestion would be to include a screenshot in the documentation that includes the Activity Macro Editor.

Post by **The Robman** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 6:04 pm

PSH wrote:The documentation I used was "JP1 - Just How Easy Is It? RM-IR Version", Section 6.1 / Activities and in particular the screenshot which is very similar to the screenshot in your earlier post. However, for the original screenshot from the documentation I had assumed you have to manually type in the Activity Macro commands whereas your most recent screenshot in this thread shows the Activity Macro Editor.
My suggestion would be to include a screenshot in the documentation that includes the Activity Macro Editor.

Thanks Paul, that's good feedback. Dave, you wanna take this one?

PSH · Post by **PSH** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 3:40 am

Thank you for your excellent and speedy support.