My Sony KV32HS420 only has a video source cycle button on the remote and the front of the set (push repeatedly to cycle through video1, video2, video3, etc.).

I want to set up a remote with macros and discreet IR codes so I can get all my devices to switch to "DVD" or "PS2" or whatever with the push of one button.

How can I use the "Clicker Picker" on this site to find such a remote? I can't tell which option I should use to make sure I can program the remote to send a discreet video source signal to my TV. How do I know if a remote can send "switch to video 3" to my TV?

If your TV understands a "switch to video 3" function then almost any PC programmable remote can be programmed to send that function, as can several non PC-programmable remotes.

I think most Sony TV's that have a video 3 input understand some discrete code to switch to it. But I'm not certain about KV32HS420 nor any other specific models.

I had never noticed the Clicker Picker. I was curious so I just tried it and gave a combination of choices that should have left it no alternative to a JP1 hard button remote, such as the 8811. Instead it listed lots of expensive choices that didn't fit the specified requirements. I assume JP1 isn't something it is programmed to even consider.

If you don't need custom button labels, but need some other feature beyond the cheapest off_the_shelf remote, a JP1 capable remote plus JP1 cable will be the best answer to almost any "what remote should I get" question. (It does have macros and the ability to send any Sony discrete command your TV could understand).

Sorry, I don't really understand all the terminology. What does JP1 stand for? What is a JP1 cable?
What kind of price range am I looking at?
Can you recommend a brand?

Hi,
I would suggest buyign a universal remtoe mx-850 & learning how to program it, it allows you to customize the remote more. Or gettiing one of the harmony remotes that program your system using your computer
that is much easier to do, but is not as customizable
matt

It is a user freeware project (not supported by the manufacturer of the remotes), details at
[Link: hifi-remote.com]

You need a JP1 capable remote. Several OneForAll remotes are JP1 capable. A few Radio Shack remotes are. A few remotes of other brands are. The best general-purpose choice is the URC-8811 which is available from several online sources for around $20 plus shipping.

You need a JP1 cable. Those are available from a few online sources for around $15 plus shipping. (There are also instructions available if you want to build your own).

The software and very good user support is free (see that forum I mentioned).

My personal opinion is don't even consider the mx-850. I have one on long term loan from someone while I'm helping him with some IR signals issues.

I found it far harder to learn to program than either JP1 or Pronto. And the programming UI is still a struggle even when I basically know what I'm doing.

Lots of imported signals are transmitted incorrectly and even with a lot of skill and good hardware and software tools I haven't yet found practical work arounds.

The remote itself is slightly larger than the urc-8811 (many people find the 8811 too big) and an aukward shape, yet it has many fewer buttons and they are inconveniently placed.

The MX-850 seems to be aimed at a market of people who will have an expert program it for them and don't care much about cost. It may even have some significant advantage in that market.


I've heard that Harmony remotes are easier for a beginner to program than JP1 (but less flexible and more expensive). I don't have any direct knowledge for commenting on that.

Woah, the remote my cable company gave (rents) me has a JP1 connector! So all I need to do get out the soldering gun and take a trip to RadioShack. And then learn how to JP1 program. Nice.

Will I be able to find a way to make regular buttons on my remote become macros that perform around 6 sequential signals (like discreet on TV, discreet on Receiver, TV to video3, receiver to DVD audio, discreet on DVD) ?

Hopefully it really is a JP1 connector. The choice of the name "JP1" for that user supported project causes some confusion, because "JP1" is a generic name on printed circuit boards for many similar connectors. There are a lot of JP1 compatible remotes rented by cable companies, so you have a good chance of having one. But I think there are also remotes with six pin connectors, some even marked "JP1", that aren't what we mean by "JP1".

Almost all JP1 remotes can do macros. But in most cases it is harder or impossible to put a macro on a device selection key, which is the sort of key most people want for macros. It depends on the model. If you have one where that is just harder you can get help in that forum.

If it can do macros, six sequential steps is easy.

The harder question is all those discrete commands for your TV, Receiver, and DVD. Most devices don't have the discretes that you would want for reasonable macros. The remote can't make a discrete available if the device didn't have one designed in (though it can send the discrete code if the device understands one, even if the original remote didn't include it). Have you looked yet for online data about the specific discrete codes you want?

JP1 remotes (and I'm told Harmony as well) can be programmed to remember the state of the external device, so you can have macros act as if there were discrete codes even if there aren't. It can't be 100% reliable. Whether it is reliable enough to be worth bothering with depends on several aspects of how you use your remote and devices. (It is also tricky to program for JP1, and I'm told not tricky to program for Harmony).

I noticed the connector a long time ago but I guessed it was for a jumper to switch the remote between one of a few modes. But the remote says Universal Electronics Inc. on the back, so I'm pretty sure now it's the real "JP1".

I've searched a little for codes for my TV, I've seen references to discreet video codes that work for all Sony TVs. As for my receiver and DVD player, I havn't bought them yet but the receiver will probably be Onkyo. I'd rather wait to learn all about JP1 and nail down whether what I want is possible because I don't have a lot of free time right now.

If it won't work for me with my current remote, the 8811 can do macros for the device buttons, right?

Thanks for all the help.

Only with software called an "extender" that is installed via JP1. It is a little extra to learn beyond the basics of JP1 programming.

Without JP1 you can put macros on most keys of the 8811 and you can program most discrete codes. But you can't put macros on device keys and some discrete codes can't be generated.

With JP1 but without installing the extender software you can put macros on a few keys that can't take macros without JP1, but you still can't use macros on device keys.