JP1 Remotes

Smudge · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 13

I have a Pansat 3500S satellite receiver that I want my TiVo to control but the TiVo database doesn't have a code set for this Pansat receiver.

Is it possible to get the long hex codes for the buttons 0-9 and Enter from my remote (6131) or from a utility or even build them manually? Once I have them I can convert them to the necessary format for the TiVo code database.

I managed to capture them using my Palm but the codes vary in extreme lengths and they should be more uniform. Here is an example of button 1

johnsfine · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:49 am Post subject:

Your Palm does a really rotten job of capturing IR signals.

I found a Pansat 3500s upgrade here:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=2207

That shows it is NEC1 protocol, device 8.

Someone else in this group may know a more direct way to get from a JP1 upgrade to whatever you need for TiVo, but since you asked for Pronto Hex, I'll answer that way.

To generate Pronto Hex, use the MakeHex program:
http://john.fine.home.comcast.net/ir/makehex.zip

With MakeHex use the nec1.irp file and edit the device line inside that file to say:
Device=8

Beyond that, follow the instructions in the readme that is included with MakeHex.

Once you have output from MakeHex, you can take use the numbered functions in that output based on the following list (that I extracted from that JP1 upgrade):

000 -> power
003 -> exit
004 -> mute
006 -> channel up
007 -> last/prev ch
010 -> play
011 -> menu
013 -> enter
017 -> tv/vcr
018 -> up arrow
019 -> down arrow
020 -> left arrow
021 -> select
022 -> right arrow
024 -> num 0
025 -> vol down/menu
026 -> display/info
027 -> sleep
028 -> num 1
029 -> num 2
030 -> num 3
064 -> num 4
065 -> num 5
066 -> num 6
068 -> num 7
069 -> num 8
070 -> num 9
071 -> channel down
092 -> pause
093 -> vol up/fav
093 -> program/guide

The Robman · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Need raw hex of IR codes

Smudge · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 13

wow. Thanks for the information. I will work on it this weekend and let you know how it ends up. I knew the way the Palm was doing it was difficult and possibly wrong. First time I tried entering the codes into the tivo database, it hosed the database to the point the tivo wouldn't boot up. That took a while to fix.

As for the final step to convert into the proper tivo database format, that is protected by tivo's copyrights and isn't allowed out of the company except in certain cases. I know of a guy that is allowed to use it and he has created a website that will convert from Pronto hex into the tivo format.

Another thought just came up. You say the 3500 upgrade file uses the NEC1 protocol, device 8 codeset. Is this a standard that perhaps a different satellite receiver would use as well? If I can find another receiver using the same set that is already in the tivo database, I can just tell my tivo to use that instead.

Smudge · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 13

johnsfine: Thank you very much for your assistance. Your instructions were perfect. I've converted the codes I need and now my TiVo is controlling the sat receiver perfectly. It changes the channels fast and without screwing up a single digit.

This site has been such a great resource before getting my remotes setup properly but when I needed detailed technical help it has really come thru, with something that isn't even really JP1 remote related to boot!

The Robman · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:38 am Post subject:

If you want to give back a little, you could provide the details of how you go about making a Tivo control a new device, as I don't think any of the experts here know how to do that.

Then we'll be able to help the next person who wants to know how to do it.
_________________
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

Smudge · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 13

Actually it is quite simple once you have the proper IR codes.

Be aware that I have only tested this on my own Series 1 Stand Alone TiVo. I don't know if it works on a DirecTiVo or a Series 2 as I don't have one or know someone that does.

This modification requires that you have FTP and shell access into your TiVo. If you don't, you will need to do that first.

First get the IR codes for your satellite receiver (See johnsfine's directions above). You will need the codes for all digits 0-9 and the Enter key. These are the only keys the TiVo uses to change channels.

Go to the Pronto Converter at TiVoPortal and enter the Pronto hex codes. Select your region (UK/USA) and Generate. This will convert from Pronto to the TiVo format. The output will generate a tcl script that needs to be run in the TiVo shell.

FTP this tcl script to your TiVo into a directory that you have write access to, most likely /var/hack/.

Telnet into the TiVo shell, cd into that directory, switch to the tivosh environment, source in the tcl script and execute the setcodes function. (commands you type are in green)

C:\telnet 192.168.0.13
Connecting To 192.168.0.13...

TiVo@/var/tmp: cd /var/hack
TiVo@/var/hack: tivosh
% source setcodes.tcl
% setcodes
Setting new IR codes (Clean Strategy 32)...
Finished! Reboot your TiVo for the new codes to take effect.
% exit
TiVo@/var/hack: reboot

When it comes back up, go into the TiVo preferences where you define your satellite receiver and set it to the Primestar receiver using the 10004 codeset. I use the Fast setting and yet to have it screwup a channel change but YMMV.