Hi All:

This is my first posting on this forum, and I hope it will make sense to those of you who have high definition TVs and home theater computers.

I’ve recently purchased a Pronto TSU2000 remote control and have started to program it. After extensively searching this site and studying the FAQ, I’ve gotten off to a pretty good start.
Now I’m getting to a more challenging area which will require a Macro. I have a Mits 4:3 HDTV that will sync at two custom resolutions 848x480 and 960x540/1920x1080i. I want to be able to push a button on the Pronto that will toggle my RCA DTC100 satellite receiver back and forth from HD to standard inputs while at the same time switching the custom resolution on my HTPC appropriately. Also, depending on what type of DVD I’m watching (standard full screen, anamorphic, letterboxed non-anamorphic) the Macro would ideally select the appropriate custom resolution and run or shutdown the appropriate software to i.e., YxY, dScaler, PowerDVD, and switch inputs on my HDTV. This would involve 5 conditions:

1. All my standard 4:3 satellite programming is viewed via dScaler with Powerstrip set for a 848x480 custom resolution. The Mits input is switched to standard (s-video).

2. Standard 4:3 full screen DVDs are viewed via PowerDVD with Powerstip set for 848x480. The Mits input is switched to standard (s-video). DScaler is shut-down.

3. Anamorphic DVDs are viewed via PowerDVD with Powerstrip set for 960x540. The Mits input is switched to HD. DScaler is shut-down.

4. Widescreen non-anamorphic DVDs are viewed via PowerDVD with Powerstip set for 960x540. YxY is run to correct the aspect ratio. The Mits input is switched to HD. DScaler is shut-down.

5. HD satellite and Over the air HD signals are sent directly to the HDTV with the TV’s inputs switched to HD.

I’ve started this process by setting up Hotkeys in Powerstrip to switch resolutions and then “learned” the Airboard keystrokes on my Pronto. So right now I’ve got two buttons on my Pronto for each custom resolution. I found the process of learning multi-keystrokes (Ctl+Alt+D) to be somewhat problematic. Is there a better way to do this than learning? For instance, is there a way to directly copy clean IR codes directly into ProntoEdit if they are not available on the IR data base? Also, now that I have learned the codes for two custom resolutions, how do I go about incorporating them in Macros?

What I’m looking for is some tips or workarounds to point me in the right direction. If you have a ccf that performs similar actions that would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Larry

Look at the section in the FAQ on discrete codes. This tells you how you can cut and paste the hex form of IR codes.


You should never put IR codes directly into a macro. You should always use aliases. i.e. set up two buttons each having the IR Code for your custom resolutions. Then your macro simply uses aliases to point at the codes in the separate buttons.

Peter:

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Last night I followed your advice and made some progress. I've been able to change display resolutions, select HD and standard inputs, and turn on and off HD mode on my satellite receiver.

However, as a rookie I was treated to the ProntoEdit labeling bug and crashing ProtoEmulator bug. Fortunately the FAQ mentions these known inconveniences and mentions that the configurations, while not running on the emulator, will still work when downloaded to the Pronto. Without the FAQ these problems would have stopped me dead in my tracks thinking that I had done something wrong.

What about starting and stopping programs running on a computer? Does anyone have any hints on how that might be done?

Thanks again.

Larry

Most all people who use HTPC's use a program called girder for controlling the HTPC with a remote. I would recommend posting HTPC questions at www.avsfourms.com as they have a section just for HTPC's and many knowledgable people. www.girder.nl is the website for that software