Sony STR-SE501 (receiver); Sony RDR-GX7 (DVD TV recorder)

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:35 pm

These are my brother in laws devices; I will map them to either his URC-44CXXXB02 or to a RS-2117.

Since I can't really test the devices (he lives in another state), does anyone have a file for these 2 devices? I'd rather know that it has a close chance of working than go blind and try to construct a device.

Thanks all.

Andy

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:52 am

Isn't there anyone who can help?

Since I don't have the remotes/devices I can't learn the signals or test that they work.

Surely someone out there has one or more of these?

Thanks again.

Andy

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:07 am

You can get just about every Sony code known to man here...
http://www.hifi-remote.com/sony/

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:19 am

All codes, yes. But since I don't have the devices, nor the remotes I can neither test nor learn the codes.

If I have a file, at least I know that it will work when I mail the remote the my brother-in-law.

Plus the fact that I'm a total newbie and can't be relied upon to build this correctly.

Help?

Andy

jon_armstrong · Post by **jon_armstrong** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:34 pm

Andy, a practical suggestion. Get the BIL a JP1 cable. This will make your (and his) life easier. He can then learn some commands and you can see what they are. You can program it and do tweaks. I rarely get a new device upgrade right the first time even when I can learn the commands and see what they are etc.

The problem that we have here (and probably why no one responded to your original post) is that no one has the exact models that you mentioned.

For example, recently Sony has been shipping a number of it's receiver with what is known as AV2 set as a default. So you need to know what device code his Sony receiver is using. DVD recorders are fairly new and I don't see a DVD recorder section in the Sony website from Rob's link.

There is a Pronto ccf file for that exact model at Remote Central and we have tools to decode ccf files, but in the description it says that there are three codesets and you would need to know which one he is using.

I don't mind turning the file at RC into a device upgrade since I can do it quicker than writing up the explanation, but I still think both of you will need a JP1 cable.

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:28 pm

I found that CCF file also and have decoded it. All of the codes in it match up with the ones on the following page...

http://www.hifi-remote.com/sony/Sony_dvd.htm

I went ahead and created three upgrades, one for each unit code:
Sony_RDR-GX7_DVD_recorder_unit1.txt
Sony_RDR-GX7_DVD_recorder_unit2.txt
Sony_RDR-GX7_DVD_recorder_unit3.txt

I also found a CCF that describes how to make the player region free, so I included that info also.

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:51 pm

Wow, it's true:

Beg and ye shall receive.

Thanks, I'll check out the files - and he is getting a cable.

Andy

zaphod7501 · Post by **zaphod7501** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:00 pm

The stereo STRSE501 is a model year 2000 and should respond to the original AV1 commands. The AV2 mode showed up in 2002 and they had to issue a service bulletin on how to switch the amps to the mode that the remote put out since they shipped the units set to the wrong mode -- didn't match the remote in the box. This unit is part of the STR-DE*45 series (445 , 545 , 845 , 945) and I just had one in the shop and it responded to the AV1 command set.

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:14 am

Zaphod,

Have you put a file together for this unit?

If you do, would you please post it?

thanks.

Andy

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:40 am

There are PLENTY of Sony audio files in the file section. What Zaph is saying is that you can use any of those that use the standard Sony AV1 command set.

zaphod7501 · Post by **zaphod7501** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 7:13 am

My build would be of little use since my system is slaved to a TV/DVD/MediaMVP/Distributed A/V system and has minimal functions intended for macro access rather than direct control.

There are several standard Sony receiver upgrades in the Yahoo files which should work (files/device codes/audio -- for KM but will open in RM also). You might want to start with the one for the STR-DE545 and add some discrete commands (like power-on and power-off) since it shares the same service manual and owners manual and seems fairly complete. This upgrade's notes indicate the possibility ov A/V-2 commands but he specifies a different remote than the service manual does. I'll check at work today and see if I have an owner's manual in the database. The 635 and 935 should be pretty close too , along with a couple of general upgrades to the 0158 and 0159 combined and receiver combo.

This assumes that the built-in 0158 and 0159 codes don't give you enough control. You could start with them and add a few keymoves for missing functions. (I don't know if they are in the two remotes you have but are the standard Sony audio codes) Testing these built-in codes would be a quick indication of which mode the unit is operating in (A/V-1 or A/V-2)

AndyInNYC · Post by **AndyInNYC** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:56 am

Rob,

I understood what Zaphod was saying - my problem is without the remote/unit I can't even test to see if it works. Having a file for the unit removes 99% of the doubt/issue.

Andrew

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:30 am

AndyInNYC wrote:...without the remote/unit I can't even test to see if it works. Having a file for the unit removes 99% of the doubt/issue.

Only if said file is setup for that exact piece of equipment (which I don't think is the case here since you're asking for one). You'll still need some "test & tweak" time.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:31 am

I'm guessing that you won't find this re-assuring, but Sony is VERY consistent in the codes they use for their devices. The only complication with Sony audio receivers is that they have two settings (called AV1 and AV2). So, if you load both an AV1 and an AV2 code into the remote, you should be totally safe, even though it sounds like these units where shipped set to AV1.

Also, just FYI, if his unit is set to AV1 he can also use the built in Sony codes (ie, 0158, 0159, etc)

I would suggest that you use the Sony STR-DE545 file that Zaph recommended. This file uses the Sony Combo protocol, which lets you combine functions from many different Sony device codes (the device code is the data in the "byte2" column). If you want to add additional functions to this upgrade, you can find the info you need here...

http://www.hifi-remote.com/sony/Sony_rcvr.htm

In situations like this, where you have neither the remotes nor the equipment, there are no 100% guarantees that everything will work correctly the first time (which incidentally is why I don't offer an upgrade service), so I would go along with Jon's recommendation that you get the BIL a cable too, so you can email him changes as needed.