I need a new remote. I've had 4 or 5 harmony remotes, and I really love them. I want to know if a less expensive remote (such as Sony 320 or 620) can serve my purpose. I figure that I can create a macro to emulate the Harmony's activity buttons. The big thing for me is that the Harmony remembers the state of each device. That means that I can go from 'Watch TV' to 'Watch Blu-Ray' without shutting everything down in the middle (the remote realizes that my TV is on so doesn't send the power command to it, etc. etc.) Will other remotes do this? Thanks.

Most cheaper remotes don't have power state tracking. It is possible to add it to UEI remotes by using a JP1 cable, but getting both a UEI remote and cable would be about $50.

However, do you really need it? Lots of equipment has discrete on and off commands. We have our remotes set up with macros that act like activities, but since all of our equipment (except the cable box) respond to discrete commands, switching from TV to BluRay, for example, doesn't turn off the TV. We then have one button which turns off all of the equipment. If you post the list of equipment, we can probably tell you if it has discrete on/off commands or not.

We use the standard Comcast remote, which can be manually programmed to send the discrete commands. The RCA RCRP05B, or most of the Atlas series remotes used by cable companies will also work.

Thanks for the response. My equipment is:

LG 42OPG20 TV
Panasonic DMP-BD35 blu-ray
JVC RX-6042 receiver
Motorola DCX-3400 cable box

OK, the TV, receiver, and Bluray all have discrete power codes. The cable box doesn't, but it is generally believed that one doesn't save any power by shutting off the cable DVR. (BTW , I assume your TV is really a 42PG20...)

If you have a cable remote made by UEI--Comcast, Cox, Rodgers, Time Warner, etc.,-- you can probably convince yourself that the discretes work.

For example, the TV responds to NEC1 IR protocol device 4. On is function number 196, and Off is 197. With a UEI remote, you can test these by tapping Setup (don't hold it) and entering 00172 (On) and 00176 (Off) . When you enter the 5th digit, the IR signal will be sent.

For the BluRay, use setup code video 0490 (20490 if using a Comcast with a red OK select button) On is 00022 and Off is 00026.


The JVC has two possibilities: Use setup code Audio 0331 (30331)
On is 00248 or 00008, Off is 00247 or 00006

The you can use the 994 command to assign the above 5 digit EFCs to spare buttons, and then use the 995 command to generate macros.

Hey 3FG

That's awesome. Everything works great except for the receiver. I've set up the remote with code 1374 for audio. Code 0331 doesn't work for the RX-6042. Where are you finding the codes you posted? Thanks a lot for your help!

Let me know which model remote you have--it cuts down on the guess work.

Anyway, assuming you have an Atlas or Cox remote, try 07044 or 07042 for Power On, and 06980 or 07010 for Off.

I got most of these codes at hifi-remote.com, using the free software RemoteMaster.  The LookUp tool (link shown at top of each page at hifi-remote.com) is pretty helpful to see what the various setup codes send.  For the LG TV, the IR codes are listed near the end of the manual.  Use RM to convert these into EFCs that you can enter into the remote.

Sorry about that. The remote is an Atlas 1055. Those receiver codes work. Thanks a ton for your help!

Can I create a macro that executes different devices? I want to turn the tv on, turn the receiver on, change the receiver input with one button. I can't get this to work using the 995 sequence. Is there another way?

What is the multimacro key?

A multimacro key (probably the three buttons just below Mute and Last) can have a series of macros assigned to it. If you've assigned 3 macros to it, successive macros will be executed on each press of the multimacro key. 1st press-macro1; 2nd press macro2; 3rd press macro3; 4th press macro1.... This feature is mostly useful to scan through "favorite channels".

I think you should be able to define the following macro:
995 (two blinks)
button "Blue" (as an example)
button Audio
button [whatever receiver discrete On is assigned to]
button TV
button [whatever TV discrete On is assigned to]
button Audio
button [receiver discrete input--probably the digit buttons on 1374 control some inputs]

Here I've interposed the TV power on signal between receiver power and receiver input selection. That may be enough time for the receiver to wake up and then process the input command. If it isn't enough time, you may want to add a delay. At our house, we find that the receiver remembers which input was last selected, and most of the time we'll want the same input again. So I haven't put in any special delay-- if the receiver doesn't switch to the correct input, just press the macro button again.

I figured it out. You have to select CBL before you begin the 995 setup sequence, then you can macro across devices. I tried it pressing TV or AUD before setup > 995, and it didn't work.

I found another thread showing the workaround for discrete on/off for the Moto DCX3400. I've created a macro on my Master Power button: discrete off for all of my devices. So now, if I want to implement the cable box workaround, does the fact that I've put a macro key on my power button mess that up? (If I press CBL > PWR during a macro setup, is it going to be my PWR macro nested into the new macro)

Each remote model tends to have its own behaviors around the Master Power key, so I think you'll just have to try stuff.

I wiil add that it is very unlikely that you actually need to press cable before entering a general purpose macro, for which the bound key is not Master Power. It is critical to make sure while defining the macro that you press a device mode button at the start-- so that you always get the same action regardless of the device mode in use when the macro key is invoked. Also, it is important to be sure that the buttons you record in a macro are defined for the chosen device mode, and also not involved in VPT or channel lock.

I got it all working. I mapped the power code for the cable box to a different button and used that button in my macros. That enabled me to use the master power button for a shut down all macro and turn off the cable box when not in use (even if it makes no difference in power consumption).

I really appreciate all of your help 3FG, I didn't know about hifi-remote - super useful site. I also had no idea that these cheap remotes were so versatile, and the discrete power codes rock! Now I don't need to buy $100 Harmony remotes in order for my stoneage family to use the TV. Thanks again.