I have a MX-500 remote. If a device does not support discrete codes, what does that mean? The remote can still learn from the original remote. Or, are there things it cannot learn?

Thanks,

Frank

If a remote doesn't support discretes, it just means that the discretes won't originate from there. You'll have to use your oem remote, or a third party remote.

What exactly are discrete codes used for. For instance, I have a HLM507W DLP RPTV that does not support discrete codes but, can I not teach my MX-500 the functions?

-ftlee

a discrete code is a command that has a known outcome. Most of the times the term is used when the original remote has toggle codes. For example most remotes have a power button (toggle code since it makes your equipment go from on to off and from off to on) but if you put a toggle code in a macro, it could cause problems (lets say you create a watch DVD macro that sends the power code for the TV, if you were watching a DVD and it finished and you want to watch TV now, by pressing the watch TV macro it will turn off the TV), so what you want for macros are codes that have a know effect like a code for on and a different code for off.

A discrete code has nothing to do with what you can and can't teach your MX-500. Basically it makes operating your equipment easier. For example...When changing video inputs on the Pioneer plasma display with remote it comes with, you have to press "Input", then highlight the input you want with the "Up" or "down" arrow keys, then press "enter". Very time consuming...Now, there are discretes for this display. So lets say you download the discrete for Video 4 and designate a button on your pronto (or in your case MX-500) for video 4. Then when you press that button it will go directly to Video 4 and not make you go through all the crap it normally does.

If your device doesn't support discrete codes, i.e. if your TV, VCR, etc. is not programmed with the instruction "if you receive this IR signal, do that", there is no way to teach the MX-500 or any other remote to perform a function that, as far as the device is concerned, does not exist.