First, ensure that everything works correctly in IR mode before trying to use the companion RF/IR transceiver for the TU6000/RC9200.

Second, If you are going to use the dual IR cables (upto 4 such cables per RF/IR unit) to put the IR senders close to your A/V components, I found that allowing the RF/IR transceiver unit to blast IR as well caused unreliable operation. I tried all the RF codes and no difference. I then took black electrical tape and totally covered the lower, front and top of the IR window on the RF/IR transceiver. Instantly I got reliable RF to IR operation. In my installation, the RF/IR transceiver was NOT pointed at the AV components, but rather pointing AWAY from them and mounted flush with all the AV stuff. Of course, this meant that the AV components were seeing the initial IR from the closely place sender and a slightly delayed IR signal due to the reflection off of the surfaces opposite the AV rack. I understand why Phillips provided the IR blaster capability but it would have been nice if they had provided a switch to kill it when not needed.

Third, if any particular code works okay in IR, but not in RF mode, simply relearn it from your OEM remote. I had several that simply did not work in RF mode, but after relearning, worked in both.

Fourth, if you are using aliases, you need to set the devices containing the real IR codes to RF. If you simply set the device that uses the alias device codes, you wind up with IR since the actual device containing the IR codes is set to IR.

The RF/IR transceiver works great once you get past the initial bumps. I no longer have to be conscience as to where I am pointing my RC9200 and there is no need to open the doors on my AV equipment built-in cabinets in order to operate things.

This message was edited by David Tidmore on 03/22/02 11:15.36.

David,

I agree with everything you said, but I'll add a couple more.

If you have trouble with RF control, try moving the RX-77 around a little bit. Sometimes the location of the extender makes a difference.

In my experience, mixed macros (RF and IR) didn't work very well. The RF worked great and the IR worked great stand alone. When mixed in a macro, they became unreliable. Putting a small delay between signals of mixed types solved the problem. Can't say why this should be so, I just know it solved the problem.

Kudos, to David for putting all this in one thread. Maybe Mike will add it to his help bar and we'll both become famous!!!! (grin)

Jim L

Still having problems with RF -- but figured out what my problem was in downloading CCF's -- I had attached a x-10 unit for controling lights into my COM1 and this made the serial port on the front of my computer default to COM2 (what a drama, my downloading problem began at the same time I downloaded a new ProntoEdit release and I did NOT realize I added the x-10 devise a few weeks earlier).

This message was edited by Kevin Scherer on 03/25/02 01:59.09.

Thanks for the info here. I'm having trouble losing my discrete codes when I switch a cable box from IR to RF. For some reason, they will work when I first dl my ccf into the rc, but as soon as I switch my cable box from IR to RF they don't work any more. What do you think could be causing this?

Thanks
Gipper

Gipper,
You comment about switching your cable box from IR to RF is unclear. Does your cable box supports both an IR and RF interface? If so, you MUST leave it in IR mode as the RF side of the RC5200/9200 is TOTALLY proprietary and only is a RF way of send signal between the remote and the RF/IR companion transceiver. The transceiver converts those RF signals back into the appropriate IR codes and then either thru the remote IR senders or the IR blaster on the transceiver sends the IR to the various components.

On the other hand, if what you are noticing is due to simply switching the remote over to RF mode, then check the positioning of the RF/IR transceiver and/or the individual IR senders attached to it. Your cable box HAS to be able to see the IR codes. I have found that on various IR codes I had to add small delays between commands for reliable RF use (usually .5-1 sec).

Hope this helps

David,
To be more specific, I have a cable box in another location hooked up to the supplied ir emitter which is hooked up to the rf transceiver. I receive rf signal just fine from my 9200. But when I load my ccf into the 9200 and go into setup to switch the mode to rf for this cable box, my TV On/Off,Input 1,3,5,6 seem to not work at all. Could it be because I am altering (essentially overwriting) my current settings somehow?
Gipper

Gipper,

Assuming some codes work just fine (2,4, etc) and the others don't - try relearning the problem codes. Sometimes a marginal code won't work when you convert to RF then back to IR. Another possiblility, is you could try putting some delays between the codes to see if reliablity is improved.

I've never seen the codes erased/altered by swithing to RF in your ccf. You state above they work in IR mode, just not after you switch. Again try relearning the codes.

Jim L


This message was edited by bomberjim on 03/25/02 18:25.59.

Please allow me to digress. The device that I am changing to RF is not the same device that I am having problems with. I have discrete codes loaded for my Sony TV (ie. TV On). I have discrete codes loaded for my digital cable box. When I first download my ccf file into the remote they work fine. I then go into the RF/IR and change a different cable box to RF. I then go out to my home page and push TV On and it does not come on anymore. And the only thing I did different was change the code on this separate cable box from IR to RF. Sorry to be such a pain. I'm sure I can eventually work my way through it. You guys have been more than helpful.
thanks
Gary

Are you sure that the actual IR Code for TV On is not stored in the same device that you changed to RF.

Gipper,
Okay I am beginning to get the picture. The only thing that stills needs to be answered...do some of the TV and Digital cable box commands still work AFTER you switch the "other" cable box to RF. If none of them work, do ANY of the devices loaded into the remote work (with the exception of the "other cable box" remote, which I assume is working in RF mode since you have not stated otherwise. If nothing other than the "other cable box" remote works when you switch to RF it sounds like you are somehow switching the WHOLE remote to RF. My experience with switching from IR to RF has been an all or nothing situation and I have done it from the PC side rather than from the remote. You might make sure that ONLY the "other cable box" remote device property for RF is set to the valid Extender Channel and ALL the other devices are set to No Extender, Using IR. Then make sure that under your HOME device property page that the RF tab is set to the valid RF channel (0-3). Then download. This should ensure that ONLY the "other cable box" can even use IR, since ALL the other devices are set to No Extender, Using IR and you should NOT have to change anything from the remote once it is downloaded.

Hope this straightens things out.

david

I though I would like to share this one with you as it has been driving me mad for weeks. Sorry if it has been mentioned before but it could be overlooked when tracking down a problem.
The Problem:-
The companion RF/IR transceiver for the TU6000/RC9200 is located close to were I sit, (on a table next to me actually). Now most things work OK but the red light keeps blinking after sending codes. As stated this points to RF interference. I tried everything I could think of to get rid of the problem all failed, including all the obvious stuff. Change channels, switch off A/V equipment etc. All had no effect on the problem.
The cure:-
I noticed that if I stood in one location the problem went away. So I traced the line of sight and there it was the PHONE. It is a DECT digital portable phone. Switch off the power to that phone and all the problems went away. So watch out for that one as well.

You might make sure that ONLY the

Hi David,
O.K. Here is exactly what is happening. I have system properties set to IR. I have "other cable box" set to RF, all other devices set to IR. I DL to remote. On my home page I have Replay TV (with discrete code to turn on my Sony TV and tune to Input 3) I have DVD (with discrete code to turn on my Sony TV and tune to Input 6) I have VCR (with discrete code to turn on my Sony TV and tune to Input 4). I also have 2 buttons with discrete code attached to turn Sony TV On and to turn Sony TV Off.

O.K. everything dl's fine. I hit Replay TV button and my Sony TV turns on and it changes to Input 3. I hit DVD button and Sony TV turns on and changes to Input 6, etc. I go to "other cable box" (which is supposed to be RF) and learn the keys and they do not function. So I turn to the RF/IR command on the remote itself and hit accept for RF for the "other cable box" and now it works fine for RF. I return to my home page and the following works: I hit the Sony TV Off button and it works. I hit the Sony TV On button and it works. I hit the Replay TV button and it will turn on the Sony TV, but does not change to Input 3 (I even tried placing a 3 second delay to let TV power up) the same is true with Input 4 and Input6. For some reason it is overriding the inputs. I try all this with the System properties on RF like you suggested and the "other cable box" will work, but the rest will not. Basically the same result. I would really like this RF to work for the "other cable box" but am just about to ditch it and be happy with what I have. Wow, this has to be the longest post on here! Once again I really appreciate the advice from everyone on here. If this consumes too much of anyones time please let me know and I will live with it.
Thanks
Gary
aka Gipper

Gipper,

I couldn't follow all of your description, not your fault, I'm just a little muzzy this morning.

One thing I did catch. On my 9200, under system properties, IT MUST BE SET TO RF. If I set mine to IR, nothing functions except in IR mode.

Jim L

The settings actually mean "IR Only" and "IR as well as RF where specified on the Device"

I am trying to use a new ProntoPro RF extender for the first time. While it appears to work well with macros and individual devices, it does not appear to work at all from my Home panels (where I have located a number of setup commands). Is this by design?

My Uninformed Guess: The ProntoPro software is designed to allow use of multiple RF extenders by different devices. Accordingly, it seems possible that each device/macro has access to a specified RF extender, but that the home screen(s) can beam in IR only... Has anyone encountered this issue?