JP1 Remotes

[maxse]

Hi guys. Im a newbie to this forum and was reading most of the threads for the past two days. I just bought myself an 8810w remote from walmart and it does have the JP1 connector w/ the pins and everything. So whom should I buy the cable from. I really dont want to wait 2 weeks for it, so a reliable vendor with decent speed would be great.

Also Im not quite sure if I really need the cable. I dont relaly understand the benfits of JP1. I mean the remote lets you create macros on its own, so u dont really need to use software to program it. From my understanding w/ JP1 you can basically control any infrared device correct?

[rickety]

You may want to read a bit first and experiment with your remote's built in capabilities. If your remote handles all your current devices (TV, DVD, VCR, etc.) then you may not need one of the JP1 abilities, namely being able to produce an "upgrade" to support a device that is not covered by the remote as you bought it. As you begin to work with one remote handling all your devices, you may begin to wonder why selecting "DVD" on the remote, doesn't automatically switch the TV to the DVD input etc.

So the cables are fairly inexpensive and some folks with a little dexterity and soldering ability have built their own.

However, it's difficult to advise you without more information about what you've got and what you'd like to do.

All I can say is that I am pleased I bought a cable as I was able to use the one remote (15-1994) for a Sony Projector TV, Malata multi-system multi-region DVD, a Sharp VCR and a Starchoice satellite receiver, and my X-10 operated lights in the family room. The original remotes are stashed away. The TV had a multi unit remote that couldn't handle the DVD, the VCR remote couldn't talk to anything else, the Starchoice remote wouldn't do anything with the TV except turn it on and off and change the volume.

As I said first, read some more, but try your remote and see what happens.

Good Luck

[The Robman]

We've primarily got two vendors here that make and sell cables:
Richard at http://www.hovisdirect.com and Tom at http://jp1.filebug.com Both are very reliable guys, so buy from either with confidence.
_________________
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!

[maxse]

rickety any chance you can elaborate a lil more on the X10 lights? Ive just started reading up on it and seems awesome! I went to the x10 website but it has soo many dimmers it confused me. I was thinking of going with a simple IR dimmer to replace my light switch because its much cheaper. Any chance u could pm me or something and let me know a little more about it?

[rickety]

I have some X10 dimmer switches (Their Decorator Dimmer switches) for my lights which I used to replace the original wall switches, and they pick up X10 mains signals and turn on the lights and dim them. Some lamps have inserts between that screws into the bulb holder and then accepts the bulb (X10 Socket Rocket). They accept X10 mains signals to switch the lamp on and off. Others are managed through a wall unit (X10 Lamp Module) that plugs into the wall socket and have the power cord for a lamp plug into that. Like the decorator switches, Lamp modules can also dim the lights. Each unit can have a "house code" and a "unit number" set in it. Note that you can't put fluorescent lamps (including the new fluorescent "bulbs") on these units apparently.

I have another X10 timer (MT10A Mini-timer) that will turn lights on and off based on a programmed schedule. It can handle a range of unit codes (1-4 or 5-8 ).

I have an IR543 controller which receives the IR signals and puts them on the mains as an X10 signal. My remote has a P&P device button which I set to use CD 0167 as the device code. It lets the remote talk to the IR543 controller which I use to handle lights in the TV room.

Recently there has been some discussion about a more advanced X10 protocol, but as I am able to do what I need (which is pretty limited) I haven't followed that thread much.