Remote: OFA URC-8810
DVR/Cable: Motorola DTC 6412/2000 (came with generic remote)
Cable provider: Grande Communications (fairly regional, Austin, TX)
TV: JVC
Used to have DirecTV/UltimateTV. I just want a remote/code that does all the functions of the DVR plus 30 second skip.

I just switched to a local cable provider from DirecTV where I had UltimateTV. Really liked the 30 second skip feature.

First Problem: The remote that came with the DVR (generic, just says Motorola at the top, up to four devices) won't transmit codes to the 8810 to learn, or else the 8810 isn't receiving them. The only code I could find for the Motorola box (0476) doesn't work for any of the DVR functions, such as "pause." I think I'm following the instructions correctly.

Second problem: Will I be able to code the 30 second skip feature into the 8810, or did I get too low-end of a remote? I could spend up to around $60 (yes, that includes $61 or $63 or more, for you literalists out there) for a remote that I can do this, especially if I can get it to work with everything else: Sony receiver, GE CD/DVD 3 disc changer.

Thanks.

Have you considered getting a JP1 cable
[Link: hifi-remote.com]

That makes it much easier to program your 8810 and lets you program it to do many things that aren't possible at all without JP1.

I'm not sure whether the 30 second skip or other things you might want are possible without JP1. Even if they are, they'll be a lot easier with JP1.

Yes, I considered it. I would certainly do it if the result is that I can make the remote do everything I want.

Thanks for the reply.

I've ordered a JP1 cable from filebug. Thanks for the advice.

Also, is it probably OE that I can't get the original remote to transmit to the 8810?

Is that Owner Error? Operator Error? Usually I call it user error, but yes, it is most likely the cause. If your Moto remote is transmitting to your cable box, then it will transmit to your 8810.
Usually the problem is with the learn sequence conducted by the operator. In some cases it is because the learning memory is full, and even fewer cases simply a defective remote.

When learning, remember a few things:

The button you want to learn from the Moto remote should be pressed WHILE the red LED on the 8810 is blinking rapidly.

Try to keep the remotes about 1-2" apart, as the manual suggests. Try different angles, that sometimes works.

Try clearing all of the learning out of the key you want to learn to. You know that you can actually learn to more than just the L1-4 keys, right?

Try again and get back to us while waiting for your cable. You won't hurt anything, and when you get the cable, there is a ton of support for jp1.
Jim

Thanks. It was (and I meant) Operator Error. Sorry to be too ambiguous.

I wasn't pressing the motorola remote buttons WHILE the lights were blinking.

Also, I can't get the sequence to work when trying to continue coding buttons without starting from the beginning, although the book says I can. Am I not doing it quickly enough? The instructions say:

after successfully entering one learned code
press device key
press learning key, etc. (the light doesn't start blinking at this point).

One more question: I have been programming to non-learning keys, but (besides the device keys) what are the restricted keys? I can't get the FAV button to reprogram.

Has anyone produced a more helpful guide to the OFA 8810 than comes with the remote?

Thanks again.

After posting, I found the following information, originally from the Robman:

"Here's the correct learning method...

1) Position the 2 remotes head-to-head
2) Press and hold the SET button, 2 flashes
3) Type 975, 2 flashes
4) Press the relevant device mode button (eg, TV, VCR, etc)
5) Press the URC-8810w button that you're programming. At this point the red LED will start flashing rapidly...
6) While it's still flashing, start pressing the button on your original remote. At this point the URC-8810w red LED will stop flashing, but KEEP PRESSING the original remote button until the URC-8810w's red LED gives 2 short flashes.
7) If you have more buttons to program, repeat steps 4 thru 6.
8) When you're finished, press and hold SET and wait for 2 more flashes."

This is a more concise set of instructions for this sequence than the book. I'll try them next.

If there is any more information for programming the 8810 (without the JP1 cable--I ordered it, but won't have it for a few days), I would greatly appreciate being pointed in that direction.

Sounds likely.

I have a lot of trouble getting that step fast enough when I learn a batch of keys.

You need to think about what key you want to do next and find it on two different remote, with one of them upside down (or both of them sideways). The timeout is long enough for that to be possible, but not long enough for it to be easy.


Maybe that model is different, but I think it is like the ones I've used, in which case you only need to press the device key if it is different from the device used for the previous learn. I usually do a whole batch of learns for one device. So you may save a moment by not pressing the device key.


I tried long ago to collect together a list of which keys have which special restrictions by model. But that effort never got the needed help from other JP1'ers and died. So the only answer I know is most keys aren't restricted. If something fails on one key that works on another, it probably is restricted (FAV is very restricted on most models).