Anyone know the size limit on an ncf? I have a 300kb ncf and when I try to download I am getting a "file is too big" error. I don't know if it's a filesize thing or a device thing as I have well over 75 devices (activity based programming).

Thanks for the info,

Russell

Can I ask how you managed to come up with 75 devices?? I've got activity based programming yet only have 6 devices in my ncf.

This message was edited by tkrug on 11/11/04 15:37 ET.

I have 2 different video display devices 7 different activities, and 8 different pieces of equipment. I have controls setup such that I can directly control any piece of equipment from the activity screen and then return directly to the activity screen without going through the startup macros. Basically I have 8 pieces of equipment times 7 activities plus some accessory screens.

How do you have your system setup such that you have activity controls and no bulky ncf?

Well, I'm not sure I understand your setup without seeing it, but I'm guessing you've got alot of screens. I sacrificed being able to directly access devices from my main controls since I would be the only one who ever needed the more advanced commands. I can always get there quickly enough by pressing the device hard key and selecting the device. I then use the "back" function on another hard key to allow me to quickly jump back to where I started.

That said, I'd love to take a look at your ncf some time. If you get a chance email it to
timkrug @ gmail . com

How do you use the "back" hard key to jump back to where you started? For instance, if you are in the "watch TV" screen and go to a particular device, then hit the back key, how does it know to go back to the "watch TV" screen?

I sent you my ncf by the way, along with a bit of an explanation.

Russell

Russ, I have no idea how the Neo knows...but it knows. I guess the same way your browser knows how to go back to the last page you were on before you came to remote central!

I'm actually looking through your NCF now and I'll get back to you with some comments later. I'll probably post them here so that the info is here for everyone to access.

Awesome,

Thanks for the input.

I just found the "browse back" selection and will definitely figure out a way to incorporate that. I didn't even realize it existed. That should really help clean up my ncf.

Russell

My first two pieces of advice will probably reduce your NCF size tremendously...

I will start by saying that you have figured out that you can use "phantom" devices in order to create custom command pages. I've done the same for my start menu. I have a device called "Start Menu". However, it appears that you have gone overboard and this may be the source of your oversized NCF.

I'm guessing that DEVICES take up a ton of space, whereas PAGES do not? Rather than have 3 different "devices" with one page under each, you should create 1 device with 3 pages under it. For example, in your NCF you have PJ Check 1, PJ Check 2, PJ check 3, etc. all as individual devices with one page. What you should do instead is have ONE device called "PJ check" with multiple sub pages. In your initialization macro, you just refer to the appropriate sub page rather than to seperate devices.

Does that make sense?

My second piece of advice is regarding the BACK button that I mentioned earlier. It appears in your NCF that you've created multiple devices and multiple pages in order to navigate back to where you came from. You should take advantage of the BACK function built into the prontoneo. For example, I have a HELP page which I can access from any page in my NEO. In your scenario, you have a seperate help page based on what device you were using. If you press the HELP button while watching a DVD you have a help page with a "Back to DVD" button. If you are watching Cable, you have a help page with a "Back to Cable" button. The only differences I saw between each of these pages is the "back to" button. You could simply have ONE help page and use the Neo's "Back" feature. If you are not aware of this, it is an option on the ACTIONS screen. At the bottom you can choose "Special Actions" and choose "browse backward". The Neo will take you back to whatever page you were previously using. I've programmed one of the hard buttons beneath the screen on every page to be BACK. The nice thing is that neo is smart enough to go back several times. So if you navigate through 4 pages and hit back 4 times you'll end up where you started.

In closing, if you get rid of your multiple navigate back pages using Neo's back feature and condense similar devices into one device with sub pages, your configuration should be reduced exponentially!

Post back and let us know how the changes went!

This message was edited by tkrug on 11/11/04 15:38 ET.

Those are great comments!

I am going to start by implementing the use of the neo's "browse backwards" button to eliminate my multiple devices and if that doesn't minimize it enough, I'll use single devices with multiple pages. My only reservation is that it'll be a bit of work to consolidate and change macros to recognize the new locations. I really wish that you could use a cut and paste function and that the macros could keep track of where the referenced pages were moved to.

Thanks for the great tips.

Russell

I got it down from 310KB to 181KB, which should be much more manageable for the neo. If it proves to be to big to learn codes, I'll re-organize and move multiple nearly identical devices into a single device with multiple pages.

Thanks for the heads up on the back button. It isn't quite as neat because it requires multiple button presses, but it does work and makes the neo useable.

Russell

Strangely, I noticed today that my NCF is also around 300kb but I've never had a "file too large" warning. I think mine is due to all of the custom buttons and graphics I used rather than from extra pages and devices as I guessed earlier.

Mine is 370 kb and no problem.

Since file size isn't a problem, perhaps there is a limit to the number of pages or the number of devices you can have?