I need to switch to a particular A/V input on the plasma (component in) but the Panasonic remote merely allows you to switch sequentially from input to input (PC-->S-Vid-->Component-->something else !). Is there any way to get directly to the input you need so that you can incorporate this into a macro ?
Secondly, is there any way to simply have a device button that sends a learned code but then doesn't go to the device page - ie. it just sends the code and sits there like an 'internal' button.

While this doesn't get you to the correct input directly, you could have the TV turn on and then add channel + command. This will usually set a TV to the TV tuner (input). Then change inputs sequentially. This way, you always have the correct starting point regardless of which input was used when you turned the set off. Therefore, if VCR is the second input (TV being first) then one input change will always get you to the VCR input. If you are setting up other components and the TV will always be on when you select them, then you can still use the TV channel+ command to get it to TV input and then sequentially get to the correct input.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, the plasma does not have a tuner so it just comes on 'tuned in' to whichever input it was last switched off with. It doesn't have a channel button - just input switching :(
I guess what's needed is a dedicated code !

Yeah, after I posted, I thought that plasma's didn't have a built-in tuner. The only option I can think of without discretes for the inputs is to only turn one source on and have a input changer button. This way anyone using the remote would just press the button as many times as it takes to get a picture. Not automatic or elegant and I'm sure you thought of it already.

I don't see why the plasma unit can't simply check the inputs when turned on and select the source that sees input. However, this would be something for the engineers / designer of the plasma unit. Discretes would be simpler but falls in the lap of the programmer.

Which model is the unit?

At present the only way that I can think of is to have a learned button that simply advances thru the inputs until you see a picture. It's pretty clumsy but what else is there ? At least the plasma comes on with the input it went off with so if you switch off the unit after watching satellite TV then when you switch it on, that's what you'll see.

The problem is when you watch a DVD or VCR or PS2 and switch off in that mode. When you switch the system on, all you get is a blank screen and you then have to hit that input switch button. It a pain in the ass !!

Apparently no plasma 'senses' an active input so it is one for the engineers. The plasma's a 42" Panasonic.

I solve this by having a macro first select the "PC" input and then advance a specific number of times with "input".

yea.. that's the only way to get a Panny plasma to jump where you want it send it to the one input it has a discrete for, then switch from there...

Also, a 500 won't accept a channel + signal in a macro- that's the button you push a SAVE macros!


Al
W Home Tech
Houston

There are discrete codes for Panasonic plasma inputs (I know because I use them). I have a MX-700 and I got the codes for the 700 from another user on this forum. There are also Pronto discrete codes on this forum for Panny plasma. I don't know how to get them into MX-500 format though (I guess they have to be learned from a remote that has them).