Hello,

I just purchased a OFA URC-8820 and am trying to configure it with my Sony DAV-bc150. After inputting device code 1822, I cannot get my receiver to change modes from its current "2 Channel Stereo" setting. I do not have the original remote control for the system. Is there anything else I can try?

I recommend that you try setup code Audio 1658. That should give you some additional functions.

Then, if you still need more control, read this thread about Sony HTIBs, and how you can program in EFCs for many functions. There are two lists of functions, and you can use (since the 8820 has 1658) EFCs from either list.  The information in the linked thread is pretty dense, so read it carefully.

Thank you so much! I am newbie and really appreciate the quick response. I tried code 1658 and while I did not get any addition functions, I was messing around with those EFC's you posted concerning the other Sony HTIB model and I did get the ones I needed to work. It's pretty fun once you get the hang of it!

I'm still new at this so sorry if it has already been addressed. Had another question concerning remote EFC's. I was browsing through www.hifi-remote.com and their tables of Sony codes. I was able to find the codes listed for the Dream system I operate, but I'm having trouble interpreting how to use them. I am set up with Audio 1685. How do I configure the Command Codes for the buttons I wish to program in to the remote? The EFC's listed are all three digits and my remote uses 5 digit EFC's. I have heard that you can add two zero's to the beginning of each code to bring them to five, but I haven't had any luck with this method. Does the URC-8820 use it's own discrete EFC's? Any help would be appreciated.

When a remote sends an IR signal, the pattern of light flashes is generated by a subroutine, termed the executor. The remote reacts to a button press by routing control to the particular executor associated with the setup code along with the EFC data.

A long time ago, executors were pretty simple, components only responded to a single device number and IR signals used 8 bits of function data. That meant that 3 digit EFCs were sufficient to provide the necessary data to the executor.  The device number was encoded in a byte of Fixed Data, which is the same for all button presses.

Now many components respond to several device numbers and/or subdevice numbers. Some IR protocols use 16 bits of function data. So UEI switched to 5 digit EFCs. The 5 digits may be used to describe 8 bit function data in conjunction with multiple device/subdevice numbers (e.g. Sony), or a single device number combined with 16 bits of function data, or some intermediate combination.  There are usually several bytes of Fixed Data, describing the various device numbers, or other instructions to the executor.

There still are a few older IR protocols for which a 3 digit EFC suffices, and those are represented in a 5 digit system by prepending 2 zeros.

To get EFC numbers for Sony equipment, use three tools.
hifi-remote.com/sony/  Gives you all the device numbers and function numbers, as well as the type of Sony protocol 12, 15, or 20 bits.  But with your remote, you'll probably be using a 12/15/20 Combo executor.
www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/lookup/.  The Lookup Tool.  Allows you to find the setup codes which enable a given IR protocol, and to find the stock EFCs for that setup code.
www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php.  RemoteMaster.  Download this free software, select your remote, enter in the desired protocol (Sony 12/15/20) and match the indicated device/subdevice numbers from the Lookup Tool (probably setup code 1658), check that the Fixed Data sections match, and on the Functions tab, enter in the function numbers.  (For Sony 12/15/20, subdevice numbers are listed on the Setup tab, while the main device numbers are entered on the Functions tab).  The EFC column will reflect your choices, and that's the EFC you need to enter into the remote.