I found this utility helpful in fine-tuning the learned buttons for my Sony DirecTiVo. The page up/down buttons weren't repeating correctly before. Now they work great. (I'll upload my .m5 file soon.)

The program is still in beta form. I've used it to learn codes for my Sony, Denon, and Kenwood components. It's working pretty good for me. Let me know if you run into problems.

It's located at [Link: home.comcast.net]. A help file is included, which also documents what I've figured out (with Mike's help) about the learned button format on the MX-500.

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Mike (of IRCLONE fame) or Dave (of 500e Editor fame).

Dave P

Terrific idea! Similar to editing the hex code of Pronto IR codes, this can really come in handy.

Thanks!

David
www.BlueDo.com

Sorry about the requirement of using the framework. For those that don't know about it, this is Microsoft's replacement for MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes). It makes writing an application much easier, and I expect many apps will use it in the future.

Another requirement (if you want to learn buttons using the IRCLONE) is that you have the IRCLONE driver installed. It's installed as part of the 500e Editor.

Thanks for what looks like an interesting program.

Related question...

You had posted in an old thread

[Link: remotecentral.com]

that you were working on cleaning up the channel number codes for a Sony SAT-T60. Will the cleaned up codes be part of the .m5 file you plan on uploading? I'm still having intermittent problems with using the learned codes for channel numbers in my Favorites macros.

Thanks.

Yup. The channel numbers on the SAT-T60 work great now. I also have the favorites buttons working, thanks to some help from this forum. I've set all of my devices to AUX/155 and just learned every button.

Still, I figure that with your input, and by reading other posts that will come, maybe I'll figure things out...

The learning direct to IRClone certainly looks cool!

That's when people resort to the quick push of the button during learning. But then the MX-500 doesn't learn the repeating part of the sequence. When you hold down the learned button, it doesn't repeat.

This utility uses a fairly complicated algorithm to try to find the essential parts of the IR sequence, the initial part and the repeating part. I kept tweaking the algorithm until it worked pretty well on the remotes that I have. Hopefully not many people will have to modify a learned sequence using the editor part of the program.

By the way (a little late now), the latest and greatest Internet Explorer shouldn't be necessary. This program doesn't use any web stuff.

Dave

That's a very nice utility, thanks once again for your input. I can see that you have been doing a lot of testing since we last spoke.

In your help file you say

"Note: Early versions of the IRCLONE (sold before approximately Jan 25, 2003) use an incorrect algorithm to capture IR sequences. This software attempts to detect the earlier firmware version and warn the user. Contact the manufacturer to see if an update is available."

This is correct. If you think your Irclone's capture is not working and would like it upgraded I will do so free of charge. Please email me at [email protected] with your last name, or email address you used for the original purchase or the original transaction number (preferred). I will check to see if this applies to you. You pay for shipping to me and I'll pay for first class mail uninsured for the return within the US or Canada.

Mike

Can't tell without knowing when I shipped it to you. Please send me an email with your last name etc.

Mike

Saw this posting earlier this week, downloaded, and have fixed over half-dozen problems, programmed TiVo codes for remotes 1-20, wow!

I've been asking the IRCLONE folks (Mike & Dave) for simply the ability to examine codes and edit them for a couple of months. Now I get that and much more. This is just great - at least doubles the usefulness of the IRCLONE package. As it became clear to me I wasn't going to get any upgrade from IRCLONE in the near future (???), I felt discouraged and stalled in realizing the potential of the MX-500. No more.

I just can't think of enough compliments about the great work by Dave P. and how wonderful his work is to some of us that want to do more complex editing with the MX-500.

Thank you, Dave P. !

I've actually noticed a few problems with some of the codes I learned with my utility. For example, vol+/vol- on my Denon amp no longer repeats. I have an idea of how to make the utility learn codes more reliably. If the weather here in Seattle ever lets up (hard to work inside on the computer when it's sunny and 80 degrees every day), I'll see if I can make it even a tiny bit better.

Dave