I used to shortcut the POWER OFF from the DVD, CD, CABLE, VCR, etc pages to MAIN POWER OFF and would put a turn off macro there.

The MX900 uses global power if you want to use it. Great, except the POWER ON for the above mentioned pages was my toggle or emergency power on for those devices if needed.

If I use global power keys I lose power on for many devices. I think I need separate global on and global off.

I emailed Jeff W. with this but didn't hear from him yet. Any comments from y'all on this?

Hi Tom,

If you want to use Power On for each Device's power command and Power Off globally, simply don't use the Punchthrough feature, which sets both Power On and Off.

Instead, record a single step macro in each Device's Power Off button that aliases to the Watch Power Off button. Thus, you can make any changes to the Watch Power Off and all the macros referring to it will be updated as well.

I'll add to the priority list of requested changes to update Punchthrough to be separate for Power On and Power off.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Yes, I knew that was the way around it.

I think that is the ticket!! Thanks!!

Interesting, anyone else like me and just turn on/off the tv whe you leave? I do this and mute the receiever, a total power on/off takes too much time. I have my 500 programmed to power on/off each component with an lcd pick, but was thinking about upgrading to the 900 and automatically assumed it wouldnt be a problem to use the on/off for each component without issue. A little dissapointed its more work than I would like. I still think I am getting the 900 though.

I need to understand the global on and off a little better.

All of my device remotes use the same button to turn them on or off-meaning they use the same frequency for both on and off.

If, for example, I have six devices and three are currently on and the remaing three devices are currently off, how do you prevent the devices that are presently off from turning on when you issue a global off command for the devices you want to turn off? Is there a sensor that can determine which devices are on or off?

If you are fortunate, your electronics will have a P-ON and P-OFF command rather than a POWER command. Make a macro on the main page that does all the P-OFF commands in succession and everyone goes night-night at the same time.

In the database, many receivers have the ON and STANDBY (P-ON and P-OFF) on the hard buttons, while TVs and DVDs often have them on the LCD.

If you send a POWER command to something that's already off, you just turned it on - no good. That's why you read about guys looking here for DISCRETE POWER commands - the P-ON and P-OFF commands. You can send a P-OFF command ten times in a row and it stays off.

Does that help you?

To: Tom Ciaramitaro

Except for the MX-900 I have never seen any TV's, VCR's, DVR's, CD or DVD players, or receivers that physically have separate on and off buttons on either the unit or the remote. They all have a single button for both on and off.

So, I guess what you are talking about could only benefit anyone that has a rare device with separate on and off buttons. Is that what you are saying or am I missing something?

I have only seen a few devices with an on and off button. I'm sure Tom is speaking of the discrete IR on and off commands that can be sent from a remote control.

I thought we were talking about URC remotes, where many of the above have separate (discrete) on and off buttons. One of us is missing something. Probably me.

That being said, separate P-OFF and P-ON are what make remotes powerful and systems simple and usable for clients.

If the frequency sent by the original remote to the device is the same for both on and off (with one button on-off), how does the MX-900 communicate differently to the device for the P-OFF & P-ON commands?

I assume different frequencies are used for on & off on the MX-900, but how does the device understand it?

Have you ever opened the MX900 software?

Flash,
Even though most devices don't have seperate buttons for power on and power off on the remote, many of those devices were designed to accept such signals - even if they don't provide a means to send them with the supplied remote! They are programmed into the unit for use by custom installers and other folks.

One of the huge virtues of the MX900 and other higher end remotes is that they maintain a database of such commands. Not all gear has them, but many many do. In fact, I won't buy a component that doesn't support such discrete power commands - although I couldn't care less whether they are available from the supplied remote or not.

And yes, the frequencies are different for the toggle power on/off and the discrete power on and power off.

To: neilaevans

Thanks for an excellent answer. I do understand now.