Greetings. I still use an old RC5200 for some misc. system settings.

A few times a year I roll out the old laptop the software is installed on to make changes and it has worked fine.

I had to replace my original one a few years ago.

Now today I tried to edit the program and "upload from RC device" so I am starting with the most recent CCF, it refuses to connect.

The software says it tried COM1 and COM2, and no response.
Now I would be suspicous of the PC setup or software. However I do have the old RC5200 that at least turns on....and just to see if it was the wire or the PC setup I tried to connect THAT one. And it worked!!

So does this mean the serial connection plug on my RC5200 has gone bad?

Is there anything else I can do to the device to try to help it to connect?
Since the older one DOES connect, I don't thnk I want to mess around with my PC settings or the software.

Any suggestions most appreciated.
BillB

If you have two com ports, you must make sure that the remote is on the FIRST available one. So, for example, if you have COM1 unused and COM2 unusued, then your remote will have to be on COM1, no matter what.

Thanks! I did read that. The PC has only one com port and I checked there are no port conflicts.

But again, the strange thing is that my old RC5200 IS responding to the same PC with the same configuration, etc. I originally thought something changed on the PC also....but then I can't explain why the old remote still works with it?

I did try unplugging the battery and letting my "newer one" reboot a few times...still no joy.

I guess one other thought would be to open the case and see if the wires to the jack are connected. Have not been able to find the exact torx that case uses.

Any other ideas welcome :)


BillB

I had and RC5200 and the jack came loose from the board inside. When I opened it, it looked like it could be fixed/re-soldered but was too fiddly for my huge hands.

Stoobie

Just to continue on the other track, the thing is if the software is talking about COM1 *and* COM2, there might be two ports configured even if there's only one physical serial port (ie. an infrared port, which would still count).

Also, what do you mean by "the strange thing is that my old RC5200 IS responding to the same PC with the same configuration"? Are you talking about the "replaced" RC5200 (I would assume from your original post that it was dead).

Something you can also try is applying pressure either up or down to the cable where it enters the remote. Sometimes if the port is just slightly "bad", doing this can help contact.

Also, look through the FAQ for how to communicate with the Pronto via Terminal, which will at least let you know if the problem is physical or software with ProntoEdit/the PC configuration.

Daniel,
First, it is great to see you posting! You were (and I know are) such a help to many of us over the years.

To clarify....yes, my replaced RC5200 still works.....for a while, but it was unreliable so I got another one. It would eventually reboot and/or shutoff.

However to try to figure out if the issue was the PC/software or device, I connected that old unit while it was up and running. And it connected to the software right away.

So, I will try your "jiggle" advice! Not sure if I am up to trying to resolder it....it might be ebay here we come.

Based on some posts from a while back, if I recall correctly there are not too many units I can upgrade to and just use that same CCF file. I either lose certain hard buttons or my links get all messed up.....and I have some pretty complicated things going on. Do I have that about right? Easiest approach if the jiggles don't work is to just get another one 5200?

Thanks,
BillB

Did I read correctly that my RC5200 CCF would work directly with a TSU7000/7500 although of course the graphics would be B&W unless I updated them?
Hard buttons would work?
BillB

The 5200 will load into the 7000/7500. Note that the user area on RC5200 was 240x282 or something like that. The user area on the 7000 is 240x253 which includes a 52 pixel high system area at the top meaning that the 7000 screen does not have as much vertical height but config will still load.

You can also try it out by downloading PPENG software from this site. You can File->Import CCF... and import your config file and see how it would appear in the emulator.

Lyndel,
Thanks a lot!

The more I look at this does it make more sense for me to look at the RC9500? Seems like it would map the hard buttons right over and I would get a similar color device as the TSU7000. Do I have it right my ccf would open up right into the Marantz wizz software?

I just re-read the review of those 2 units. I am sure I read it back when it was written too! Doesn't seem like I gain a ton on the 7000 vs. the 9500? Am I thinking correctly that it would map all my IR codes, hard buttons etc. from my 5200 direct if I moved to the 9500 and used the wizz software? I guess my fantasy, which never works with software....is the wizz softare loads my CCF, all my IR codes and aliases work, and I just alt-copy or whatever new color buttons and put in new backgrounds?

Thanks again. Been out of this too long!
BillB

I'd buy a 7000/7500 over an RC9500 any day. The RC5200/9200/9500 case is flimsy. The 7000 feels good in the hand and solid.

And, not a fantasy, a reality. The Left hard button maps to Firm1. The Right button maps to Firm4 on either the RC9500 or on the TSU7000. I can't recall today but I think at some point, there was a mismap with regard to channel and volume or mute. Nothing was lost, just mismapped.

You're definitely on the right track here. And you'll be surprised how much easier it is to actually see the screen on the new unit! The 5200 was my favorite model, with screen dimness (can't say brightness) being the drawback.

Thanks for the input! I pulled up my CCF in PPENG and my old RC5200 CCF would definitely need some work beyond just copying new buttons and backgrounds to look decent on the 7000. Quite a bit of moving around to make things fit and change labels, etc.

However, Lyndel, your opinion holds a lot of weight with me so I still have to consider the hardware.

However, it is appealing to me to look at the RC9500 and be able to download my CCF and keep all my spacing/formatting the same. In that case I could just Shift-copy new buttons and paste in some new backgrounds. And if I am thinking right I would be at an okay place to start. Of course until I start playing with it and changing everything! I am used to the RC5200 having used one for years so from a hardware standpoint it has been okay for me.

But I know I am giving up 4 buttons. I can't comment on the form factor of the 7000 as there is nowhere to try one out....I would have to buy and then try.

One other consideration is there does seem to be more availability of the TSU7000 vs. the RC9500. I just figure if I am going to replace that old one again, I might as well get a newer color one.

Thanks again,
BillB

The 7500 has 48MB of memory IIRC. The 7000 has 32MB. One other thing to consider. LowPro could give you more advice in that area.

Thanks for all for the help. For a variety of reasons, ended up with the RC9500.
I changed all my graphics and backgrounds and it looks nice.

I did seem to notice a delay on my aliased keys (which in my case were most).
It seems the keys are a but quicker with the IR learned directly on a button. Didn't seem to notice that on the RC5200. Not an issue for most keys, but for some it is.

I thought I remember reading that somewhere about the Pronto Pros but I could be wrong.

As was mentioned, it sure was easier to see the screen!

BillB

Note that you will need Daniel's PCF Converter Utility to be able to load Philips PCF files into Wizz.it.

Lyndel