JP1 Remotes

I've been using an 8910 for years, but a year ago I broke down and learned to use RM and IR to add some custom codes for my new hardware, then I learned about extenders and I realized the true potential of my remote.

For the last year I've been basically happy with my setup except that controlling the linux Media PC never worked very well. I have an MCE remote (which I never used) and the corresponding USB receiver, and I'd programmed the 8910 to use the RC6/MCE protocol. The problem was that I had to hold any button for about 1 second before it would register. I just figured this was an issue with the MCE receiver and/or linux, and just gave up and used a wireless keyboard.

Then the other day, I decided to work on it some more. I found that the real MCE remote worked pretty well with Linux, but that the 8910 running the MCE protocol took much longer to receive the same button press. I have no idea why that is. Has anyone else noticed this behaviour? I'm still not sure if it isn't in some part an issue with Linux. I can see it pick up the carrier signal as soon as I press a button, but it often (not every time) takes a full second to detect the button.

Anyhow, while I was playing around, I discovered that Linux treats the MCE receiver as a general IR receiver and that it is possible to use other protocols with the receiver (I had previously assumed the MCE receiver was decoding the signal and that it would only respond to the MCE protocol).

So I reprogrammed the 8910 to use an RC-5 protocol (code 0081) which I've used successfully in Linux, and sure enough, I had no problems detecting the buttons as soon as they were pressed. I programmed all buttons in RM and got everything working except for the Record button. For some reason, using this protocol, the Record button only sends a signal every other time it is pressed (The LED on the remote only flashes every other time it is pressed). I remember having this same issue back in the days when i used these codes without the extender, and I don't have ToadTog installed anyway. Placing other key-codes on the Record button doesn't change the behaviour. However, interestingly enough, applying a key-move (even for the same keycode) to the record button restores it to the expected funtionality. Has anyone seen this behavior before?

Anyhow, I finally have everything working perfectly for as long as my 8910 lasts...I'm on my 3rd in 6 years (mostly though not entirely due to pet damage), and they don't make it anymore. I just thought I'd see if anyone else has seen any of these quirks.

programmed all buttons in RM and got everything working except for the Record button. For some reason, using this protocol, the Record button only sends a signal every other time it is pressed (The LED on the remote only flashes every other time it is pressed). I remember having this same issue back in the days when i used these codes without the extender, and I don't have ToadTog installed anyway. Placing other key-codes on the Record button doesn't change the behaviour. However, interestingly enough, applying a key-move (even for the same keycode) to the record button restores it to the expected funtionality. Has anyone seen this behavior before?

UEI remotes usually require a double-press of the record button before sending the signal. I have one extended remote that doesn't require the doublepress and it drives me nuts!

The 8910 is a very nice remote. JP1 out of the box, LCD display, backlight, wav upgradable.

vickyg2003 wrote: UEI remotes usually require a double-press of the record button before sending the signal. I have one extended remote that doesn't require the doublepress and it drives me nuts!

Hmm...I never even considered that it might be a feature. I just went back and looked at the manual and now I see this "To record a VCR program, press REC twice". I should think about my usage model some more I guess.

The 8910 is a very nice remote. JP1 out of the box, LCD display, backlight, wav upgradable.

You're telling me. Saved my bacon when I got a scratch-and-dent receiver at deep-discount without a remote, and had to download custom codes without a cable (the receiver can only be configured from the remote, not the front panel). I bought a couple Atlas remotes which have similar buttons including the backlight (which I use all the time) though no WAV or LCD. I figure when the 8910 finally dies, at least I'll have something that is roughly equivalent if nothing better has emerged.

PhracturedBlue wrote:

vickyg2003 wrote: UEI remotes usually require a double-press of the record button before sending the signal. I have one extended remote that doesn't require the doublepress and it drives me nuts!

Hmm...I never even considered that it might be a feature. I just went back and looked at the manual and now I see this "To record a VCR program, press REC twice". I should think about my usage model some more I guess.

To be precise, most of those older remotes require a double-press of the "record" button to send a signal ONLY if the device is a "recorder"-type device, like VCR, DVR or Tape. If you simply change your upgrade into a CBL or TV device type, the record button will work on EVERY press, rather than requiring a double-press.

A friend drowning in remote controls took my advice and got a new 8910 on eBay. I set it up for him and everything went well except FAV key we want to simply be his Direct TV 'list' button (recorded events). I researched it and found that the extender is one solution, but I don't want to go there. Another solution mentioned was a special Fav/Scan protocol.
Couldn't find it published anywhere. Following is a quote:

"The Fav button is restricted in its use, as you have discovered. Using JP1, there are a few choices to overcome that limitation. First, there's a special Fav/Scan protocol that can be used to reprogram the Fav button, though it too has some restrictions on usage. The other option is to use what the JP1 world calls an extender (the version for the 8810 is one of the best available".

Where can I find this "special Fav/Scan protocol".

I'd like to make only one more trip to his house with my JP1 and laptophttp://tinyurl.com/ylhux9c

Wayne,
Are you aware of this thread? https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1934 I think it explains what to do.

The special protocols Spreadsheet is available in the File Section, under Tools\Special Protocols.

I looked and looked, and should have found this by now.

Thanks 3FG