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Topic:
MX-850 'Learn" failure?
This thread has 31 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 09:52
jrannison
Long Time Member
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11
I sent the following Email to Universal Remote service:

"I currently have a MX-700 and a new MX-850.

I was using the MX-850 to try and “learn” the Velodyne DD series Subwoofer remote codes. The 850 would not ‘learn’ any of the codes except the ON/OFF toggle. I tried this at various nose-to-nose distances.

I decided to try it with my MX-700 and it ‘learned’ every code correctly. I used that 700 file and loaded it into the 850 and it functioned correctly with the 850.

I did try using one of my other remotes and have the 850 ‘learn’ its codes and the 850 functioned correctly. ???

Is there a defective problem with the MX-850, or will the MX-700 read some codes while the 850 will not? Remember that the 850 did read the Velodyne ON/OFF toggle code.

All software is the latest from your website."

Anyone seen this type of failure??
John
*****************
Post 2 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 13:20
www.BlueDo.com
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That's odd - have you tried the MX-850 learning these codes directly from the MX-700? I'm curious if that would work, which would narrow down the problem to the MX-850's learning ability (or perhaps a defective remote?)

David
www.BlueDo.com
MX-3000, MX-950, MX-900, MX-850, MRF-300, MRF-250 - Call or Email for THE BEST PRICE!
[Link: BlueDo.com] or call (303) 873-1750
Post 3 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 13:33
Control Remotes
Super Member
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Environmental changes, such as the surface you attempted to do the learning, the lighting, reflectivity, etc. could have an effect on the remote's ability to learn a command properly. Also, you can try manual learning, which is when you press Main and Ent on the MX-850 together for 10 seconds and get it into setup mode. In that mode, you can learn to the remote without the PC being connected. That's a secondary way to learn if you have problems learning through the PC. If you do use that method, please be sure to upload your program to your PC, so you have your newly learned commands in your program.

I hope this is helpful for you.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
OP | Post 4 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 14:29
jrannison
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Thanks for the ideas.

The strange thing was that it did learn the ON/OFF code, but would not see the other codes.
I will try having the 850 learn from the 700, and try out the 'manual' method.

Thanks,
John
*****************
Post 5 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 14:34
Control Remotes
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John,

Sounds good! Let me know how it works out for you.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
OP | Post 6 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 19:40
jrannison
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Damon DG & David................

I tried the manual "learn" mode and also used the 700 as the "instructor" for the 850 and no luck!
The 850 learns the ON/OFF correctly, and the 850 is putting out an IR beam (I have an IR detector) even with the buttons that the Sub will not respond too. I suspect the code is getting corrupted. The 700 will learn everything correctly from the Velodyne remote.
I used several other remotes that I tried on the 850 and they are all "recorded" correctly.

Is there any additional learning capabilities of the 850 over the 700 that may be creating an issue??

I will give the URC a call tomorrow as it appears they don't respond to Emails.
John
*****************
Post 7 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 20:10
MikeSRC
Loyal Member
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The MX-850 does have a different learning "style" than the MX-700. It is supposed to be able to learn commands that the MX-700 can't (ie: toggle bit commands). You might also try learning to a new, blank, ten device configuration, then downloading to the MX-850. Otherwise, there could just be a problem with the remote.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

THX-certified video calibrator and contributing writer, ProjectorReviews.com
Post 8 made on Thursday February 17, 2005 at 22:10
illcrx
Long Time Member
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23
I've had to shut the program down when thats happened to me, also take out the plug from the remote and plug it back in. That sometimes works too, try that first though
Post 9 made on Friday February 18, 2005 at 02:27
neoprufrok
Lurking Member
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February 2005
3
My MX600 won't learn my DD12's remote fully. Some functions work but some don't and I'm not sure why.
OP | Post 10 made on Friday February 18, 2005 at 11:19
jrannison
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Called URC today..................

They have not received any calls about this problem.
It was suggested to do a Remote Control reset (hold down MAIN & STOP buttons) and try it again. They did indicate the 850 can be finiky.
It was also suggested the Remote Control could be defective, however I questioned why it will 'learn' all other remotes I have tried on the 850.
I asked that the information be passed on to their engineering department.
John
*****************
OP | Post 11 made on Friday February 18, 2005 at 21:11
jrannison
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Some more info on this problem.....................

When I got home this evening, I connected one of my IR semiconductor Detectors through a circuit to my Oscilloscope to observe the IR pulse sequence emitted by the Velodyne remote. It basically produced nine Pulse Groups of pulses that very in timing from the initial pulse to represent the various codes.
I examined just one of the codes to see the variation between the Velodyne, MX700, and the MX850 remotes. The MX700 reproduces the original timing within about 50 microseconds (which apparently is an adequate tolerance for it to operate correctly with the IR Receiver in Velodyne Sub); however the MX850 is off by about 380 microseconds in relation to the Velodyne Remote. This apparently places the Pulse Group out of the IR Receiver’s tolerance. Thus the IR Receiver cannot interpret the desired IR code.

I few of you may be experts in this area and could perhaps shed some light as what the typical expected tolerance should be.

I will pass this information to URC, but they still have not responded to my first Email. Perhaps if I “copy” the UNC President it may get some action.
John
*****************
Post 12 made on Sunday February 20, 2005 at 01:59
turbo
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jrannison,

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. I've had problems with my MX-850 learning from several remotes here, starting with a TiVo remote, but 8 other remotes were learned just fine. Using my old MX-500 it can learn all of the codes with no problem....

Hopefully the testing you've done will help them get this resolved...

- Mike
Post 13 made on Sunday February 20, 2005 at 18:19
Control Remotes
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John,

What you could do is send your Velodyne remote to Universal Remote Control and have them create a code for you. This is a free service they offer. Juts give them a call at (914) 835-4484 and tell them you want them to create a code. If anything, this will help solve the problem as to why this learning issue exists.

I hope this helps.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer
http://www.ProRemotes.com
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
OP | Post 14 made on Thursday February 24, 2005 at 14:09
jrannison
Long Time Member
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February 2005
11
Below are the responses I have received in order:

"The MX-850 has a different learning chip. The MX-350/650/850 are able to learn toggle bit codes with one tap, unlike the 9000,URC remotes, MX-700, MX-800 and the 3000.

Here is the Stand-Alone Learning method when teaching the MX-850 from your original remotes when it is disengaged from the MX-Editor:

1-Place the two remotes nose-to-nose...

2-Put the MX-850 into the Learn mode by pressing Main and Ent at the same time until you get to the SETUP menu, and then press Learn.

3-Select a button on the MX-850 you wish to learn so the LCD indicates that it is ready...

4-Press a button on your original remote that you want learned to the MX-850, release...

5-The LCD will say Good or Fail. If Good, then repeat as necessary from Step 3 for other function commands. If it reads Fail, repeat from Step 3 and press the same button on the MX-850 you wished to learn.

Here are some further tips to help you along:

Please keep in mind certain standards when teaching our remote controls.

-Avoid glass table surfaces. Use solid wood or Formica counters.

-Avoid direct sunlight or halogen lamps.

-If you get FAIL messages while trying to learn, play with the distances between the two remote controls."


My response:

"The Stand-Alone Learning procedure is one of the methods I did use, EXACTLY. I never received a fail, and tried “nose to nose”, and at different distances. The data I presented was with the “Stand-Alone Learning procedure” . I also tried using the PC interface with the same results. I am aware of reflective surface problems, etc.

I am aware of the Toggle Bit capability………….I wonder if something in that area is causing the incorrect Pulse Timing reproduction with the Velodyne remote?

I might mention that a few others indicate on the Forums that they too have had problems with the MX-850 learning a specific remote (while other remotes were fine). In one case they also used one of your other model remotes to “Learn” the problem code and transferred it to the MX-850.

There is obviously a problem and I encourage a continued investigation. If I can be of any help, let me know."


Their reply up to now:

"At this point, it would be a good idea for you to send us your Velodyne remote so we can upgrade it to our database and create a 3-digit code. Please forward your name, address, and phone number, and I will e-mail you with an RA number."

This is not a good solution IMO. They obviously do have some sort of problem.

I'll keep everyone up to date.
John
*****************
Post 15 made on Thursday February 24, 2005 at 16:50
Control Remotes
Super Member
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As I suggested on Sunday, sending your remote will do two things...

1) Benefit you by getting a fully-functional code ASAP

2) Help to determine if there is a problem with the learning capabilities

I can understand if you don't want to be without your remote, but it seems like more of a waste of time trying to figure something out that may not yield positive results, when URC has engineers who do nothing but this kind of work.

My suggestions are only what I feel will be the best, most efficient way for you and everyone else to benefit. :)



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
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