I've been thinking about kicking it up a notch with my 980 config.

I recently read about using the Record/Event timer to toggle a lighting variable. So when the user starts whatever activity the lights will either dim, come on, or not com on...etc etc.

I'm thinking about applying this same variable logic to create a perferred Fav channel start-up macro. Nothing too hardcore, but say the "watch cable" activity has been selected in the morning, so the STB defaults to TreeHouse for the kid. During the afternoon, (assuming the system isn't already running) it defaults to whatever the god foresaking channel is that broadcasts those dumb ass soap opera's, for the wife ;) ....etc etc etc

Consider it a sub directory to the user selection. Which only includes the wife and myself at the present moment. So the default options vary according to whos Fav list has been selected.

Any words of wisdom....? Possible time savers, or foreseeable pitfalls...? Good idea / bad idea...?

TIA guys

OK, Here is what you need to do. First make 3 different variables. One for morning, one for afternoon and one for the night Set all to false, then setup 3 timed events. One in the morning that turns morning variable to true and the night to false. Do the same thing for afternoon but turn morning to false and afternoon to true. You get it do the same thing for night and turn night to true and afternoon to false.

Your next thing to do is to setup the "on" command with 3 "If" commands. It might look like this. This is only a quick outline of the commands. This is just for the "on" or "Start" and would be at the end of you macro.


IF (variable(morning), true)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
else

IF (variable(afternoon), true)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
else

IF (variable(night), true)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
alias(cable/page 1/0)
else

Thanks for the reply J.T. At least someone has a little interest...

As it is... I decided to set up a device I call "Clock". Within this device there are three hidden pages of buttons labelled 00:00 thru to 23:00. Each button contains a macro that sets the previous button's variable to False and then switches it's own to True. I then set up 24 (yes 24) timed events to cycle through those buttons.

This may seem overkill, (and don't think I didn't consider a 30min cycle) but the intent was to develop a template so it could be referenced for anything. Not just channel Favs...

So anyways, I have 24 time based variables at my disposal. What I'm trying to determine right now is the best (cleanest) way to for me to query the Clock variables, and alias that process into activity macros.

Again...thanks for the feedback J.T. Feel free to critique/advise on what I have done already.

So in an attempt to trim down my "clock" query macros, and variable list, I've decided to go to a binary style tracking system for the current time. Rather than toggling 24 variables, (2 for each hour segment) I'll have only 5 variables. (Those unfamilar with binary, and are interested, should find a good breakdown at wikipedia.)

This will mean a slightly more involved macro for toggling the necessary variables, according to the time of day. However that part of the programming is a one shot deal, and should never be touched again once completed.

Stay tuned...

I'm back...(for any that are following), and I've decide my first course of action was the more prudent.

Although tracking a 24hr clock with only 5 variables very doable (and kinda neat), it just doesn't seem worth the effort. Notice the length of the IF/ELSE sequence just to check for one possible time alignment:

....and that's for only one, and I didn't bother to alias in the Favs. Problem I see is that although I'm tracking the 24hr clock with 5 variables. I need to query each of those 5 anytime I wish to use the clock.

Although my original concept uses a variable to track each 1hr block, (for a total of 24). It allows me a direct reference for any given time and does away with having to query every variable:

...as you can see, it's much cleaner, and in this example I programmed 4 possible outcomes, (if you count the press&hold)

In the case of a predetermined Fav selection, you would obviously only include Favs that you watch consistantly at a regular time. However having the full 24hr clock at your disposal, IMO, could be invaluable for determining automation based on the time of day.....locking/releasing channels.....max volume allowances....blah blah blah.

I'm sure the pros here either have something like this in place, or could bang it off fairly quickly if they desired it. But, I will clean up version 1 (with the 24 variables) so there's nothing but the clock with necessary variable/event timers, and make it available for anyone if they so desire. (FWIW, it was a little tedious)

So I have been looking for some help to do a similar task. I want a lamp to turn on if its past 7pm when a source is selected. But I can't seem to figure out how to reference the clock.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Look for the event timer in CCP. In the tree view, under Model Designer, right click on MX980 and select Event Timer. You can add your event macros baed on time in there

i use the event timer for my outdoor lighting.. only problem is i can not figure out a way to adjust for daylight savings time..