Hi there.
I'm new here so if I posted in the wrong forum feel free to edited it.

I have lost my remote for Denon FS5 soundbar and need a cheap universal solution. Maybe use a DIY transmitter plugged to my computer.

But how?

• I need the IR codes?
• A program to transmit the IR codes?
• and a DIY IR transmitter?

Best regards

Soeren

Ebay, Used Harmony, $50, program, done.

Maybe this?

[Link: remotes.com]

Why would you want to plug something into your computer, to try and control your Denon soundbar? That has got to be the most inconvenient way ever!
When many cheap $10-$20 universal remotes out there would do exactly what you 'say' you are wanting.

Or is it you have something else in mind and left all that info out. Like you have a home theater PC permanently hooked up to your TV & sound bar and are trying to control everything thru the computer (media remote).
Which will neither be cheap or easy - not if it works right & consistently anyway.

Take a moment to suss out his his situation. He's asking for advice and doesn't seem to know about remotes.com, so his imagination delivers him a possible solution. Of course he doesn't know what a poor idea that is, because he doesn't have the experience solving these problems that we have. He's hoping we can give him a good idea and a source.


Are there any remotes out there with "soundbar" buttons? really? Or might his situation be like the old TV/VCR combo, then the TV/DVD combo remotes, where the manufacturer classes them as remotes for devices with transports and therefore leaves off the volume commands? I think it is not likely that a universal would do "exactly" what is needed. It might come frustratingly close!


Experienced installers have trouble asking questions here that include that amount of detail. It wouldn't bother me to see a rank beginner ask for help in ways that require refinement.

Unless the remotes.com solution works. Then it will be both easy and, because of it being a one-step solution, it will be cheap due to a lack of wasted research time.

Lord knows I can get pissy, but Brad's entire response sounds like he's angry with the guy!

Why does that always get assumed? Why would I be angry with the guy, when I don't know him or even what exactly he's trying to do (because I think there is more to it than he says).
I don't like fluff and like to get straight to the point with things. I guess that can look aggressive sometimes in reading on a forum, I don't know.
If I was demeaning someone, I would certainly use more colorful words and get off subject. I would say that would be a very rare thing for me. Although I do like to give a little crap sometimes for things that are elementary to me. It is not in anyway meant as an attack on someone. Example: the Denon response I did before this one about tools of the trade.

You took the 'easy/one-step solution' out of context Ernie. I was talking about doing a setup that controls software on a computer, for streaming etc. Those solutions never seem to work well unless you pay for some of the dedicated software out there for such.

As far as not knowing about universal remotes? It is certainly possible he knows nothing about those. With no info in his profile, he could be from rural India and has never seen one - but he has a Denon sound bar and a PC, so perhaps not.
A lot of the cheap universal remotes these days, have codes for sound bars (and TV/DVD, TV/VCR, too) - companies like URC, OFA, etc.
And the remote.com suggestion for an OEM coded remote, would work as well.

The Denon DHTFS series of sound bars use the Denon-K IR protocol, devices 5.1 and 5.2.  Many universals will not send these signals.  Of course, a Harmony will work.  So will the more modern cable remotes.  UEI remotes (OneForAll, e.g.) and Comcast 1067BC4 (may say RC1475511/01B inside the battery cover) use setup code Audio 2502 (or 32502).  A OneForall OARUSB04G, URC-6440, etc. will work.

If you get a replacement from e.g. remote.com, make sure that you get one for the DHTFS series.  A remote intended for use with a receiver will not work.

I asked the question because I wanted a cheap and easy solution. I got this soundbar from a friend without the remote and wanted to try it out before buying a universal remote. I'm good at building things, DIY electronic so I thought maybe I could build something just to try it out.
But if the best solution is buying a universal remote I will do. I'm also having a Apple Tv so it could get in use with my other equipment if I skip this soundbar.

Cheers
Soeren