I just got my Q50 that I bought a few months ago (from a legitimate dealer) up and running. I had no use for it until recently but now that I have my media room pretty much finished up I am in business. I have been using an URC MX-700 for the last several years and have three of them throughout the house. While there is nothing really bad about the MX-700, I have to say that I am very pleased with the programming and functionality of the Q50 in comparison and it should do the job perfectly. I especially like the ability to customize the navigation and layout of the screens as well as the flexibility of the button configuration. And it goes without saying that the graphics and interface leave the MX-700 in the dust.

I do have a question I am hoping someone can help me with. It doesn't seem like there is a way to add any new funtion names and I am limited to what is in the database (including those added from device properties). I have come upon a few instances where I have had to use a name that didn't exactly match the command. For example, when I was programming the remote to select the different discs in a DVD changer I couldn't find funtion names that corresponded to Disc 1, Disc 2, etc... I ended up using Scene 1, Scene 2, etc... and just learned the disc codes from the original remote. It works but I think I could avoid future confusion if I could rename the existing name or create a new function name that exactly matches the command. Also, is there a way to copy a code from one funtion name to another within Studio Pro?

Thanks for any help,

Matt

after you add the device, you can go into it's properties and add your own codes with unique names.  here you can learn new codes, or enter hex codes.

in the hardware section, click on the device tab

then click on the pencil icon

a box will open up, click on the functions tab, and the rest you should be able to figure out on your own.

you cannot copy codes from one device to another, which can be pretty annoying.

Also, keep in mind that each device has a list of advanced codes that can be accessed if you have an internet connection.  Click on the "Advanced Keys" button right below the pencil icon.  This might just have the disc codes you are looking for.

do yourself a favor and download the design guide.  it will be a huge help.

Thanks for the reply. That was simple enough. I was adding devices and learning codes in the properties tabs buit I guess I just spaced it in terms of realizing how to change the label. I will definately download the design guide (if I don't already have it).

One final question. The backlight on my remote seems to go off pretty quickly. There must be a way to set the timer for the backlight but I just can't find it. Any tips?

Thanks,

Matt

It's in the remote's settings. :)

Tap the Menu bar on the top of screen, select "Settings," and then "Backlight." You can adjust both it's duration and brightness.

Glad to hear you like your Q50 so much. :)

Cool. Thanks for the info brodyboy!

Matt

Thanks again for the help! The more I play with and program the remote the more I am liking it. I just set up some macros to power up and tune in the system/sources as well as an all-off maco and I have to say it is really adding to my set-up. My wife is going to love it once I get everything in place and show her how it works.

Now for my next question. I am going to try to integrate my NevoConnect into the system this weekend so I don't have to point the remote at the components for the 10 or so seconds it takes to fire everything up. I was planning on simply using stick on IR emitters, however, some of my components have RS232 functionality. If I choose to use RS232 is it as simple as getting a RS232 cable and plugging it or is there some additional programming that I will need to do (either within the component or within the Nevo system)? Also, where can I get the RS232 cables? I know I can order them from my dealer but can I also just pick them up at Radio Shack or another electronics store? Looking at the setup on StudioPro it appears that the NevoConnect automatically detects whether the cable hooked up to a port is IR or RS232 by itself, right? Also, are there any IR cables that have 3.5mm ports on each end? At least one of the components I am considering for my system has a 3.5mm IR in port but not a RS232 port. It would be nice to use that 3.5 port versus a stick-on emitter. Any info or advice would be very appreciated.

EDIT: So I researched RS232 a bit more and now understand that there are unique codes that need to be used as well as different pinouts for different components. Now that I know that, I guess I just need to know where to enter the RS232 codes in StudioPro. Do they just go where I would typically enter the IR Hex codes for a command? Also, I still am not clear as to whether NevoConnect will detect whether an IR or RS232 device is connected - or if it actually matters. I also noticed a post just after this one asking a similar question about 3.5mm to 3.5mm IR control so I can keep an eye on that one if no one wants to answer that question here.

Thanks,

Matt

Your "next question" is a lot of questions!! ;)

Serial control uses completely different code sets from IR. So you need to set up your RS-232-controlled devices as serial devices in NSP, and use those codes. When you do this, there is an area for entering the code set and you then just use the commands (put them on buttons, etc.) the same way you use the IR commands.

You must use the Nevo serial modules; other serial cables will not work. The NC-50 doesn't automatically detect what it's hooked up to....in NSP, you must assign a device (which will be either a serial or IR device) to a specific port on the NevoConnect, so it knows where to send the commands.

The other thing you're asking about is hardwired IR. It uses IR commands, but sends them via wire from the NC-50 to the IR port on components that offer that option. Those cables are cheap and readily available.

Thanks again for all of the great info. I followed your directions and can now see how I set up a RS232 device. Now all I need to do is get the emitters and find the RS232 codes for each RS232 component.

With that said (or figured out rather), I think that where available I will use hardwired IR versus RS232. I mainly just was looking for a way to avoid using stick on emitters so the hardiwred IR looks like a nice option. I actually just returned from Radio Shack with a few 3.5mm cables so I am going to experiment with the hardwired IR option tonight. If there is no IR in port I will then use RS232 and use an emitter as a last resort.

Thanks again for all of the help brodyboy (and Duct Tape), you are saving me alot of time that I would have spent trying to figure this stuff out.

Matt

OK, I have one more question(s) and this will hopefully be it for a while. For the hardwired IR connection between the NevoConnect and another component would I generally use mono to mono 3.5mm cables? I saw that this is related to another current thread right now but the poster is talking about the Oppo BD Player specifically. I am not having the greatest luck finding the specs in my component manuals but I am guessing there is at least a semi-rigid standard as to what different devices use. Based on the Oppo post it looks like the NevoConnect does require a mono connection for IR but I am just not sure what the norm is for the other side. Also, as a side note and not remote related, can someone confirm that I am correct in that a 12DC trigger connection (such as from a processor to amplifier) only requires a mono 3.5mm cable?

Thanks once again for any help, it's really appreciated. I can't recall the last time I learned so much new stuff in such a short amount of time.

Matt

One additional note regarding serial and IR control:

Serial code sets typically include more discrete codes than IR code sets, and that can be very useful when setting up more complex macros. The stability of serial control and these additional discrete codes are the main reasons I use RS-232 whenever I can.

Please note: Back light settings etc.

Any changes made on the actual remote are temporary!. One the remote power cycles the remote will default back to its programming from NSP.

Use the setting in NSP to make a permanent change (next to the download button).

D.

Thanks sydinstaller! I did notice that the settings reset after I had to power off the remote once. It's good to hear how to make the settings permanant.

Matt

Good point! I virtually never reset my remotes, so I didn't factor that in, but it's a good thing to remember during programming.

It easy easy to get caught out with this one.
Running the remote flat also consists of a power cycle. So it is possible to reset the remote without planning to.



D