I am trying to use a SPS-1 with a Toshiba TW56X81 Television. I set it up with the video out jack. Everything works fine with the power sensing if I am on Video 1 or 3 but shows no signal if I am on any of the composite video inputs or on video 2. Is there a way I can use the SPS-1 with this TV or should I get the other power sensor?

Can you feed composite into those inputs as well only for the sps-1

The SPS-1 is a video sensor, right? How would you sense audio equipment that has no video output?

Via power sensors.

Daniel:

Thanks. But which module or accessory (e.g. SPS-1) has power sensing capability. How does this work with the T2 or IRF6?

Daniel:

I just read in your review of the T2 specifications. There IS another device called the VPS-1 for power sensing. How do the SPS-1 and the VPS-1 work with the IRF-6? Do the SPS-1 and VPS-1 work together?

Thanks for the info. I will be getting my T2/IRF-6 tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm clueless.

The SPS-1 (Video Sensor) and the VPS-1 (Power Sensor) are for sensing whether the component is OFF or ON. This is important for using Marcos, because you do not want to send a power command to the TV that is already on, this would turn the unit OFF. Depending on the type of component you are using would determine the type of power sensor you are going to use. DVD's and VCR's when turned on are sending some signal through the video out jack. The SPS-1 would see this and it would be able to tell if the unit is on or not. The VPS-1 is for some things (like some amps) that do not send a video signal but they all draw power when they are turned on. The VPS-1 with 3rd party sensors that attach to the unit will sense the power draw and will be able to tell state of the component.

Frenchie:

Thanks for the info. That clarifies alot of my questions. I have all my equipment hidden in a closet, seperate from the TV room. I plan to put the IRF-6, and the SPS-1 and VPS-1 also in the closet. What suggestion would you have for me on how I might be able to hook up my RPTV that's far away from the SPS-1?

Joe
Use a VPS-1 with a third party RF detector for the RPTV. Works fine.

Frenchie:

Thanks. I'll try that. Just got my T2, IRF-6, and SPS-1 today. The T2 is charging overnight. I feel like a kid, who can't wait for Xmas morning. Anyway, I've been reading the manual(s). Based on the SPS-1 diagram, it appears that I will need an SPS-1 for every unit that I need to do power sensing with (i.e. on/off detection). Is this true? At $50 a pop, with 8 equipment, that's another $400. My wife is going to kill me. Please tell me there is another way.

Joe,

Do any of your devices have discrete power codes? That would eliminate a sensor for those that have.

DJ

D J:

How would I be able to find out which has a discrete power codes? The only one that I know for sure is my Lexicon processor unit since it has a serarate On and Off button on the remote. Otherwise, the rest just have the Power button.

Joe.

Some components have certain key combinations that work like discrete power on/off. Like a VCR or DVD, pressing play would the unit on and the macro play, than power. would be the off command. This would save a SPS.

Frenchie's suggestion is a good one. You could fake a discrete Power On with a macro that sends a Play followed by a Stop. Of course the discrete Off is a different animal, so in the end you'd still need the sensor for the Off.

I would check in the Pronto CCF file area for your equipment to see if the discrete codes are there.

DJ

Thanks guys, but I'm finding the T2 to be very frustrating for a number of reasons posted in other threads by me. I figured how to fake a Power on (I could send it double On command for example), but as you indicated DJ, faking Power off is another animal. I will try to find discrete code in the Pronto CCF, if I don't return this sucker first.