2) Not possible through buttons, but it is possible to reassign the Plug & Power key to another device type through the JP1 interface ( [Link: groups.yahoo.com] )

There's a simple new way to build a jp1 interface, available at this site, that uses just a DB25 connector, one resistor, one diode, and a cable. It's a great way to back up your remote's memory, and gives you the ability to highly customize the remote.

Just FYI, the Plug & Power button is actually a CD button in disguise, so while you can't change it to be a VCR button or whatever, you can use it to control CD players, and then use the CD button for something else.

Also, if you have a device that you need to learn all the buttons, or if you have a device like teh Apex DVD player where you have to program each button manually, you might as well use the P&P device button.

But of course, building a JP1 cable, like Glenn mentioned, will let you solve all your problems!

Later,
Rob.

Hiya Gang,

I recently purchased the Sony AV-2100 to use as the main controller for my audio/video stuff in the living room. It has proven to be a very fine piece of equipment, albeit pricey.

I needed an illuminated remote for the TV upstairs in the bedroom that also has a Digital Cable Box. It was recommended that I look into the Radio Shack 15-1994. I purchased it today for $29.95 on sale and was pleasantly surprised that you're able to teach commands to any key, not only the 4 Smart Keys. I wonder why there is no mention in the owners manual of the ability to use any of the keys on the controller. Even the Radio Shack employee, who for the most part are as dumb as a sack of hammers, commented "why would you want it to learn commands. it works on (dem) codes."

Does anyone know how you clear the entire memory on the Radio Shack 15-1994?

I am really enjoying this device.

Lee

[Link: hifi-remote.com]

Thank you Glenn

Hey Lee,
If you really wanna have some fun with your 15-1994, and make it so that you'll never need to buy another universal remote in your life (excpet to buy new 15-1994's when you eventually wear then out), build yourself a JP1 cable, and add device codes for any new devices that you might pick up, such as ReplayTV, Philips TiVo, Sony TiVo, etc, etc.

Details: [Link: hifi-remote.com]

Rob.

I recently had a problem with my 2 year old 15-1994 which has worked perfectly. Shortly after having house guests, the backlighting doesn't work on my remote anymore. I checked batteries, and the backlight toggle, but no success. Anyone else have this problem, is there some key combo that turned it off? Everything else on the remote works fine, so it didn't seem like it wore out? TIA for any suggestions

Andy

This is not an uncommon problem with 15-1994's. I believe the backlighting system uses a transformer to get enough voltage to illuminate the remote. The transformer has enough mass that it can be damaged if the remote is dropped. However, some people have reported that, when they tried the backlighting, the simple act of disassembling and reassembling the remote brought the backlighting back to life. Your mileage may vary.

I just bought the new cinema 7 remote. It works the tv and vcr but I cant find a code for my ge1105 dvd player. Can anyone help?

wow, you guys seem to know alot about the remotes that we sell. for a little background, i work for radioshack, and we get people asking the same questions. good job with helping out the other people.

deval: A lot of the people on this forum know more about the Cinema 7 and especially the RS-1994 than RadioShack does!!! They are building programming boxes to add codes and whole devices to the remote!!!

This has to be the deal of century when it comes to universal remotes. I own a Sony AV2000 and I'd have to say this remote (the rs 15-1994) is a better deal. Using the advanced codes from hifi-remote.com and the websites linked from there, this is one heck of a powerful remote. If you're up to it, you can even build a small interface so you can hook it up to your pc if you want.

I like my Sony well enough, but the touch screen type isn't as nice as I thought it would be. The wife tolerates it, but likes the buttoned remote better.

Before you go buy an expensive remote, you really need to check this one out. More than likely it will do everything you want, and it'll only set you back about $30. The manual that comes with it is poor and does not document most of what it is capable of. Go the the web and read about the advance codes, you won't be sorry.

descentr

I have been using 15-1994 for a month or so and I love it. However, there's a slight problem when I use my Smart keys. Sometimes when I push a Smart key which is suppose to turn on multiple devices (including my Denon 1805 surround amplifier), the Denon unit doesn't turn on. If I push the button a second time, the Denon turns on and completes the Macro associated with that Smart key. Since this happens at random for each Smart key, I'm not sure it's a problem with the physical buttons themselves, or if the Macros I've written, some of which happen to be at or close to the limit of steps allowed per Macro, are causing the problem. Below is an example of one of my Smart key Macros. This one is one of the shorter Macros:

S1
AUX1 (this selects Denon amp)
[SHIFT][Play] (this turns on Denon Amp)
7 (this selects TV input on Denon Amp)
[TV] (this selects TV)
[SHIFT][Play] (this turns on TV)
[SHIFT][FWD] (this selects TV input on TV set)
[DISPLAY] (this diplays TV channel)

I am willing to bring this remote back and get a replacement one, but I'd hate to program a new one all over again if it won't help my problem. Any advice would be appreciated.

Is this using a built-in device code for the Denon, or learned buttons? What is the device code? Do you have a discrete power on code for the receiver?

1) Learned buttons can be flaky in Macros. Maybe you could use Advanced codeds instead.

2) You could repeat a discrete power on function in the macro. But you wouldn't want to do this with a toggle power function.

I doubt there's a manufacturing problem in your remote; I think the symptoms would be the same with a replacement.

You sound like a power user. You should check out the JP1 hacking group at [Link: hifi-remote.com] This would enable you to backup your configuration, customize it beyond what you can do with the buttons, and create new device support, and access a growing library of new device codes.

Thanks for responding Glenn. I'm using device code 0160 for the Denon 1801 (not 1805 like I mistakenly stated earlier). I'm using a discrete power-on and discrete power-off for the Denon, as well as my other devices (Sony Wega TV, Sony DVD, and Sony VCR). For the Denon, the discrete power-on code is 246, for all the Sony devices it's 113. I don't believe any of my Macros included "learned" buttons, so I don't believe that's a problem in this case. I tried putting the discrete power-on code within each Macro, but 3 of the 4 Macros end up having too many steps.

Here's some more information which may help us figure this problem out. The discrete power-on for each device is programmed to the [SHIFT][PLAY] buttons. Conversely, the discrete power-off for each device is programmed to the [SHIFT][STOP] buttons. Is there a chance that using the [SHIFT] key within a Macro could be causing the flakiness?

I also programmed the POWER button on the remote to be a Macro that automatically turns OFF all of the devices using their individual power-off codes. This has really worked out great for me (and my wife). The macro shuts everything off. I know many people wouldn't necessarily want their POWER button to always operate like this, but for my wife and inexperienced guests, this works great. Since most people will press the POWER button before anything else, this way nothing happens when POWER is pressed. This then forces my wife to press the appropriate Smart key to watch or listen to the desired device. The reason I just explained all of this is because when I press POWER to shut everything off, sometimes the Denon (and/or other devices) fail to shut off. Pressing POWER again seems to cause the Macro to run again and this shuts the remaining devices off. Once again, this happens at random.

I look forward to your input again.

Rich