I am programming my own MX-700 and have read most of the threads in this and other forums over the past few weeks, the MX-700 programming manual, etc. One issue I cannot resolve is whether it is more efficient/reliable to configure macros using discrete codes, assuming you can find them, or "All On" or "All Off" macros, in combination with macros that switch inputs to allow for the various A/V functions.

My system consists of a Pioneer Elite Pro 1110HD (TV), Linn Classik Movie Di (CD, DVD, Tuner, Receiver), Scientific Atlanta HD Cable Box, and a NAD C320BEE (Integrated Amp). Note: The TV screen attaches to a media box that has a separate power supply from the screen. I am not sure if there is anything special to take into account regarding this when creating the macros - whichever way I end up configuring them.

I would like to make the remote user-friendly and self-explanatory for guests that come over, as well as for me.

The more I read, the more conflicted I get and - the more nervous I am to download anything to the remote. Please excuse the novice question and angst. And, thanks to all of you who have posted such helpful and patient replies to so many similarly basic posts in the past.

There are many ways to program a remote, here is a couple. BTW, ALWAYS use discretes if available!

1. You turn on/off the system with macros for the 'on' - 'off' buttons. Switching macros is done from the main screen. You can program the remote to go to your most likely activity when you hit 'on' or just return to the main screen and let the user choose.

Advantages: Good to use if some devices take a while to warm up when turned on before they can switch inputs. ie Your TV.

Disadvantages: Nothing happens when you hit an activity if everything is off.

2. The system turns on the devices needed and goes to the correct inputs when you choose an activity. Also it turns off ones you don't need. ie Turns off TV if you hit 'CD' button. BTW, you can have yout TV turn off with CD as well for method 1 but only comes back on with 'on'.

Advantages: Very nice for the user. Especially, if you have devices that power up on input commands and go to that input.

Disadvantages: Can take a long time to switch between activities if you have to program delays to wait for devices to be powered up before sending them more commands. Can take 30-60 seconds or more for a someone to say watch TV after a watching a DVD. This delay tends to frustrate users. I wish these remotes had some way to check status. (HTM: hint hint:-)

In your particular system I would choose method 1. Leave your cable box on all the time if it doesn't have discretes. I'm not too familiar with SA, everyone seems to use the motorola around here. Is the integrated amp for the second zone? If so I would have a device button for second zone activities. What is the media box, is this a Windows Media Center Extender? If it has discretes use them if not leave it on.

You can hit the 'power' button for your cable and media boxes with each on/off macro if they don't have discretes. Personally I find it easier to just leave them on but that disturbs some people. Unless you are in Europe and can use that SCART thing to do this. I'm not familiar with SCART at all.

I hope this helps

Bob

Bob,

Thanks very much. I will try Method 1 this weekend.

I am in NY and think that I have the discrete codes I need for the Scientific Atlanta (the cable box that seems most prevalent in NYC). I like the idea of leaving it on all of the time, especially since it is also a DVR that I may want to use to record shows that are on at obscure hours.

The integrated amp is for a second zone and I currently have it configured as you recommended.

The "media box" is just the box that Pioneer calls the device that controls the TV. All of the connections to the TV go to the "media box" rather than to the TV screen itself. I am not sure yet whether or not I have the proper discrete codes for the media box. Will know more when I can test in a couple of days.

Thanks again for your help,
Amy

bluegrube,

Doesn't the ELITE remote for the PRO1110 have direct input buttons on it? If I remember correctly, it does. And if it does, you could just learn them to your MX-700. Can't remember if it has seperate buttons for "on" and "off" or "on" and "standby", but if it does then the same learning would apply. I'll check at work tomorrow and get back to you if you havent already found out.


Marcus

I prefer creating "system on" and "system off" macros, but will incorporate the discretes into them, if they are available. I find that a) it's less complicated to program...b) it's less likely that things will go out of sync...c) it saves a lot of time. That's just my take on the issue.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Programming

This message was edited by Control Remotes on 03/15/05 12:43 ET.

Marcus,

My Elite remote has only one button for On/Standby/Off. It does have an input button. The Elite manual indicates that inputs for various components can be learned by the Elite remote - which must mean that they can be learned by the MX-700 after that.

Thanks for the suggestion,
Amy

Damon,

That is precisely the advice I was seeking. An easier, quicker, and more reliable set-up it is definitely the approach I will try first.

For some reason I thought "system on" and "system off" configurations were only used when discrete codes were not available. Of course, it makes perfect sense to use the discretes when you have them, as Bob also pointed out, regaradless of the way the set-up is configured.

Thanks for saving me much time and frustration,
Amy

Here's another suggestion. This is how I've set up my remote (MX 700).

On the Main screen, I've set "push to hold" macros for each device button. If you push the button quickly, it just switches to that device. However, if you hold the button for more than 1 second, it runs a macro that (using discretes) turns on the necessary equipment and sets correct inputs. On the main screen, the On button doesn't do anything.
I use the off button as a system wide, everything off button (again, using discretes), but I've put a half second delay on that macro to keep from hitting it by accident. I then punch it through to every device so it's easy to turn everything off when I'm done. My wife really likes this feature.

I only use the On button in each device to be able to turn that device on if the macro hasn't worked for some reason. I also create an LCD button for power-off on each device, just in case. It's mainly the VCR that I use that button for, since you have to turn the VCR off for the programming to take effect.

Even though I have to explain how it works to people the first time they use the remote, I've never had to explain it twice. It's easy to switch activities this way, although you will have to sit through any delays that I've built into the macros. But, I think that it's worth that small inconvenience.

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

I will share my method, take it as advice worth the amount you paid for it. I install about 15 HTM remotes a month in all sorts of various systems.

First, you wont find a discrete for the cable box, so leave it on. KNow that if you turn your system on and dont get a picture, then the cable box is probably off. Some people put fix buttons on the cable remote page that is just a power command for the cable box, but I dont do this. My sole number one priority is to avoic return calls and trips from my clients, so I dumb down the remote as much as possible. No possibility of changing any settings or other things either. I ALWAYS hide the discrete and any power command on hidden pages so they cant get the system out of wack.

So, the main page power buttons are the only ones that do anything. THey are macros the use discretes when possible and workarounds at other times. So, the client HAS to be at the main page to turn the system on and off. That is insurance they dont turn it on or off by accident.

Power on turns on the TV, dvd player, vhs, and any other equipment that has discretes. Cable box is already on. Power on also turns the TV in cable input, tunes to the favorite channel and jumps to the cable remote page.

Power off turns off everything via discretes from the main page only.

Then, main page only has activities like Watch DVD> with watch on the left side of the LCD and DVD> on the right side. Both macros do the same thing. Here's the trick, in these macros I bury power on commands for all affected components. So I repeat TV on, DVD on, VHS On, then choose the correct input etc, the jump to the device page. By putting the power on commands here if the system was out of wack for whatever reason this gets all the discretes devices back on track. I have 4 or 5 of those activity macros like: watch TV>, WATCH DVD>, WATCH VHS>, LISTN FM>, LISTN CD>, etc...

Remembering my goals should help you understand why I do it this way.

Oh yea, and since you're a noobie, if you want to do it this way, put all your devices on Main page 2 and then once finished testing everything hide page 2. Now if you hide everything and do all the setup correctly on the receiver and tv etc... ahead of time, you should have a remote that is very robust and nearly impossible to screw up any of the settings.

If you are a tweaker and want full device control form the HTM, then ignore all of this.

Good luck.

I have a question to add. I would like to setup my remote as you described above and I am almost there, but the problem is my DVD Player and TV and toggle on and off, so when I build macros like Watch TV it might toggle the TV to off. Also after watching a DVD I must go back to Watch TV before I turn the system off or the system will be out of sequence.

Turn on the TV with the "ON" button and turn it off with the "OFF" button. Don't try to do it when switching devices or you will definitely get out of sequence. Your dvd player might come on with the play or open command. You can use that as a descrete on and just make sure it is on before turning it off. If it doesn't come on with one of those commands just turn it on/off like the TV. It will be on even when you are just atching TV but it won't get out of sequence.

Bob

Next step from what BobL said is a discrete power on for the dvd is play - if its off it will turn on, if its on it will start to play. Discrete power off will be play at the start of your power down macro and power at the end of that macro. That makes sure that its on first then it turns it off with the power command.

Your TV will be a little tougher and if you only use the power command in the main power on and off you MAY be okay, but it is definately going to get out or wack sometime. You just have to live with it or go to a more advnaced remote with power sensing.

What brand of TV is it? There are a few tricks you can use to simulate discrete codes with certain brands of TVs.

Also, nearly all DVD players have discrete codes these days. Do a search over in the Pronto Forum and look for your player. There's a good chance someone has divined discretes for it.

Dale

Thanks for the explanation - and fo the tip on LCD labeling. The simplest approach is definitely the best for me at the moment!