ProntoTeam,

I have been working on a client config for a couple of weeks now, on and off, trying to repair some odd problems.

1) I do not know what is up but if the IR codes work fine on a Device page, where they are linked to the code on an IR code page, they should work fine in a macro. I cannot believe that they require any further tweaking, like duration or any of that. It is hard enough to create good macros without this additional guestimate step. I think you have a bug here and you need to rectify it very quickly! Correct me if I am wrong. I would be so humble. Just give me a quick solution.

2) Another contributor here has found that some Links do not work, when the Linked IR code works fine from the Device page. He has also indicated that Links in a macro are overly-fussy and do not seem to work with a preceding delay or a following delay. What is up with this??? I have also found the same problem. I removed some delays in a macro which was not working properly and all of a sudden some of the Links began to work, which have not worked at all for a few weeks now. Although still occasionally spotty.

3) We need installer white-papers and better communications! Please give us more data about the use of normal delays between commands and the "global" delay configuration found in: ("My Database", Double-click on any device listed, click on any command and then under Configure Device, go to Properties.) In this dialog box, are apparent global general delay settings and delay settings for power on commands.

1) Do these global command add to any delays between commands, in a macro?
2) Do we not need delays between commands because the global device delays eliminate the need for delays?
3) Do these global device delays automatically replace any delays between macro delays??
4) Is there anything else we need to know about delays and the apparent global delays?

I really need some answers asap, as I have a client waiting and I cannot seem to get his macros working properly. If you want to respond directly, please email dave at remotequest dot com.

Thx Dave

Dave's request for further information is seconded here.

If you do reply directly to Dave, please also post your comments here.

I am also experiencing problems having to tweak the duration on certain codes when used in a macro. I have also experienced problems where I cannot get the macro to work when the IR code is linked via a codepage (but will work when the IR code is referenced directly from the macro). It seems sporadic - for some devices it works fine, for others it doesn't.

Ultimately I can always get the remote and macros to work, but it sometimes ends up as a bit of a hack and no small amount of trial and error. I 'should' be able to design and write a config in a standard way with only a few tweaks once I can test in-situ. I shouldn't have to hack around the macros and links.

Fantastic product - it's a dream to work with but some feedback would be good.

Regards
Brian.

Hi Brian,

The pronto team has sent me an email and I have explained the issue to them in a return email. They are also reviewing the config I have been having trouble with.

I will post more info as soon as I hear back from them.

It appears they have changed the way codes behave in the macros, versus the way they did in the NG models. I guess they are trying something new, to try and handle some of the various durations issues that occurred in the NG.

I know there are some folks who had IR code duration issues in the NG. I however, am not one of them. I have done well over 100 client configs in NG and it was very rare when I had to mess with an IR code duration. I did have to adjust delays frequently, for final tweaks but I alway felt that was normal.

Soooooo, let's see what they come up with.

Dave

Does anybody here think it is odd for a pro in the field to post on a third party website for help so that he can get an e-mail in return?

What does one do when in the field while losing money waiting for a response??

Good luck Dave...

When I got my 9600 I had the same exact problem, I thought I was crazy.... The surround processor, DVD would turn on but not the lights & projector. I'd go back re-program the file and then another combination of things wouldn't turn on (or off) within the macro. I didn't post anything because of the variation of the problem and I didn't know how to word the post so someone would understand what I was saying, I thought it was just me. I played around with it for about 5-6 hours deleting and starting over from scratch many, many, many times... Finally and I don't know how, I got all the macros to work??? Very frustrating...

Best Regards, Joe

Joe,

Could you please provide a bit more detail?

1. Are you using an RF extender? If so, which one?
2. What type of equipment were you having problems with? You mention lights and a projector, which models?

I'm asking these questions because the problem Dave is working may be related to RC5 codes being sent to an RFX9400. I would not expect you to know which type of codes you are sending so therefore I asked about the equipment type/model, etc...

Dave's request for further information (or better a solution) is seconded here also.

I actually started a thread on this forum about macros because I could not get them to run in similar circumstances. I ended up putting the actual code sequence directly in the buttons action "command menu" to make them work reliably without any adjustment to code duration. As Dave said, some codes seem to work fine even through links in macros. Weird. (note I have a simple single room IR only setup)

Lyndel,

Interestingly enough, Philips Pronto Team tested the config I sent him and indicated the codes from the TSU9600 on IR and the codes going through the RFX9400 were identical.

So far, this indicates there is nothing odd, going on with the extender.

I am going to try putting in the actual codes into the macro I have which is not working well, instead of the links and see if that makes any difference.

As you recall, I had created a TSU9600 config for a client and after fine-tuning, everything worked perfectly, when on IR, macros included. As soon as I added the RFX9400, the macros had problems with one specific device.

There are a few more variables in this setup which could still be causing the issue. We are using a high-powered IR blaster for the troublesome piece of equipment, as we could not find the IR receiver, on the front panel, successfully. I have tried low power and high power using the dip switches, but no love there either.

However, the device page for the troublesome piece of equipment is working fine, using any of the buttons linked to the IR code page, with the high-powered blaster. Just the macros within this one device, keep failing.

I have tried every level of delays as well as mutiple different code durations, all the way up to 250ms etc., with no love.

Dave

At the time I had the RFX-9400 and did get the macros to finally work fine with it. Also I too have been getting command fails. As indicated by some, Do I need to move my access point closer??? It's about 30' - 40' away, It does "ocassionally" drop out.

RFX-9600
Meridian G-68XXV
Pioneer Elite DV-79avi
Infocus Screenplay-5700
Lutron SP-600 & SP-1000

Best Regards, Joe.

The latest remote I received indicated that there could be problems unless at least 3 bars were showing for connectivity. This was an errata doc from philips indicating such and as a result, I'd suggest moving the WAP a bit closer.

Lyndel

I been in contact with some people from Philips who have been very helpful on some issues I had. I forwarded this information and will post it as soon as I receive a reply.