Hi guys,

I just upgraded my MX-500 to an MX-850. I have discreet codes for all of my devices with the exception of my older Hitachi RPTV. What is the best way to set up my main page/ or subsequent pages knowing this.

I was thinking of leaving the 2nd page blank, and when the system is turned off, having the remote go to that page as to force a power on to start the system which would then take me to watching tivo/sat. On the first page, I would have activity based macros to watch DVD or Watch Tivo or listen to CD's. When the user is watching something, and hits the main button, it would take them to the activity page 1. You could then push an activity and turn everything else on (the TV would be already on). When all is done, power off would turn everything off including the tv and return to the blank page 2 for the next person to power up again. I hope that wasn't too confusing.

If I am off my rocker, please feel free to advise how you may have worked around this issue.

Thanks a bunch
Greg

There's a few ways to work around this.

One is just to have a toggle power button and use it manually. Use the master on button from the main page to execute a macro that turns everything on, and send a power code to the TV, but you will need to have a toggle button handy just in case things get out of sync. So, on the page that you use to watch TiVo, have the master power on button be just a toggle for the RPTV, just in case. The Master off button on that device can be an "all off and return to main page" macro.

The other way is to figure out if you can do one of those on-off-on macros to fake discrete power on and power off commands. I used one of these for my cable box before just allowing it to stay on all the time. The theory is that after getting a power on command, the set will not receive another command for about a second or two. So, if I remember correctly, the power on macro is power-power; if the set is off, it gets the first power command and ignores the second because it is busy starting up. If the set is on, the two power commands turn it off and on again. The power off macro is power-power-delay-power. The first two make sure it is on, then add a delay for the system to get ready for IRs again, and the 3rd power command turns it off. You have to experiment with the delay but it often works, as long as your set has that period time after an initial power on when it is not receiving IR commands. That's easy enough to check by hitting the power button twice quickly when the set is off. I might not have this exactly right, but it's described in these forums and you can find it if you search wisely.

Also, be sure to check the file section to be sure that discrete power commands are not out there. I had my Sharp Aquos sets for about a year before the discrete power codes showed up; I had just assumed for quite a while that they were not built into the set. They are, and they eventually made their way here, and I have added them to my 850 and 950.

Some devices, like the SA cable boxes, just do not have discrete codes built in, so you are stuck with using a manual toggle or some work-around like the above. Or get a 950 and use the variable function, but that's a big incremental price to pay for pushing a power button once in a while.

Have fun.

Thanks for the well thought out reply. Those are some nice workarounds. I think unfortuately since it is older, my Hitachi does not have discretes built in. I will do some searches to make sure. I will try the fake discrete power workaround tonight with my original tv remote.

If anyone else has additional thoughts, I would love to hear them.

Greg

Greg,
I'd use the main power on button to start the TV first thing, and the LCD macros will assume the TV is already on.

As you've read here before, the main power off can turn the TV off again, with the final command being a flip to the main page. You can then shortcut the power off macro to cable, dvd, and other devices on the big red OFF button.

As a former repair tech, I don't like on-off-on sequences, because the major stress on a device is often in the turn on surge of current.

You may get your inputs to work by sending a Channel Up command that takes you to the tuner, then add a TV/Video or two to get you to the right input. Works with quite a few different sets. If you are on a video input, ChUp takes you directly to the tuner.

Thanks Tom,

Funny enough, I just logged on to post a question whether or not anyone thought that the on-off-on sequence would put additional stress on my tv. I guess my instincts were right on. I probably won't go in that direction.

That is exactly how my inputs selection process works, and how I have my current MX-500 configured to get me to the right inputs.

What do you mean by "You can then shortcut the power off macro to cable, dvd, and other devices on the big red OFF button."?

Thanks
Greg

Oh, you have an MX-500. With an MX-850 for instance, set up main power off to put all your electronics to sleep. Then, in the software, you can program a shortcut from the cable page so that it runs the MAIN OFF command. Probably can't do it on the MX-500?

Sorry for the confusion, I am upgrading from the 500 to an 850. The 850 is on the way, and I am trying to figure out the best way to set it up. Maybe I am a little dense, but I am still trying to figure out what you mean by running the shortcut sequence.

If you have the patience, I am willing to learn.

Thanks
Greg

Well, you have to have the software running....

First save the macro on MAIN OFF button.

Go to the cable device page 1. Click on the OFF button, and it should be highlighted in green.

Go to the Edit & Label Buttons box; click on DEVICE and bring up MAIN from the drop-down box.

Click on IR Code and scroll down to P-OFF, which should have a green M in front of it because you have already saved a macro to it.

Click SAVE and you are done.

Don't forget the GotoPage MAIN Page 1 when you first save the macro.

I was thinking that one too much. So basically you are creating a power system off, for the off button no matter which device you are on. I assumed that the off button would act the same way no matter which device you are in.

Yep.

If you don't do it that way, someone will be on a device page, say cable, and press the off button. Great, picture went black, we're done. Guess what, the TV and receiver are still on, because you just pressed CABLE power. Next time you run your WATCH CABLE macro, you'll get nothing because the cable box is off.

Thanks for you patience Tom, that makes sense. Two more questions for now :)

1) If I shortcut the power off for each device, will the 850 overide the off buttons for each individual device in effect making the macro useless?

2) Majority of viewing is sat/tivo, so I will make the "power on" go to the WATCH TIVO device. It would not power up the DVD player yet. Would you then recommend the WATCH DVD or LISTN CD turn on their indiviual devices, switch the inputs and play the DVD or CD?

I delete whatever is on the device off button before adding the shortcut.

There's a couple ways - some like to power EVERYTHING on at the beginning so all's ready to roll.

My personal preference is not to power up what's not being used. Especially when a DVD wakes up easily with a PLAY command. CDs don't always have that luxury, so you have to decide what to do - maybe plug in to the switched outlet on the receiver if it has a mechanical power switch, and leave it on. Else turn it on manually if seldom used.