I have been trying to set up an Easy Theater .ccf for a RC 5200. I use a Marantz 18EX AV Receiver. I was trying to import my IR codes for the AVR to ET, and when I went to the Alias layer to reassign my keys, I didn't see a device or any panel in the Alias layer that had keys in it that would be suitable for my AVR. For example, there are no keys for selecting a source, no keys for selecting the mode (Dolby, THX, etc.), and no keys to control the advanced functions. Am I looking in the wrong place (I think I've been through all the panels in the Alias layer)? It is okay to create the keys I need by adding panels/keys in the Alias layer, or will this mess things up? Are there any special steps you must follow if you are creating new keys or panels? Thanks in advance for any advice.
--Adam

The reason there are no keys in the Alias layer for selecting sources is that I originally intended for the macros in the System device to handle all source switching. Whether that works for your setup or not, only you can decide. But on my own system, the source icons on the menus alias to the source selection macros, so I never have to manually switch sources on anything.

Sorry, but I don't understand. I thought that all IR codes reside in the alias layer, and that you have to manually assign (alias) each IR code in the device you are adding to a button in the alias layer so that ET can send the correct code when it is performing the various functions, including source switching via the source selection macros. I have no problem with automatic source switching, and not having buttons for manual source switching, but where I'm getting confused is: How does ET know the correct IR signal for my Marantz AVR if I haven't aliased the IR code in question to a particular button in the alias layer (e.g., source switching functions for the macros)? What about the advanced functions, e.g., the processing mode (THX, Dolby, etc.)? I know how much time and energy Dale Crawford puts into this already, and I don't want to add to his burden by suggesting that I expect a personal tutorial directly from him; perhaps someone else out there can shed some light?

The IR codes are stored in the IR Layer. The buttons on the Alias layer are aliased to the IR Layer.

Because of this, if you're merely replacing one of the default EasyTheater components with one of your own, then you specifically don't need to reprogram the buttons in the activity panels. All you have to do is replace the codes for the buttons on the IR layer, or add your new device to the IR layer and reassign the buttons in the Alias layer to the IR codes in your new device.

Adding New Functions to an Activity:
However, if you have functions on your component that you want to use in the Activity panels (and if you want to maintain the structure of EasyTheater), you should start by adding those buttons to the Alias Layer. Then, alias these new buttons to the appropriate IR codes on the IR Layer. Finally, add your new buttons to the Activity panels, and alias those new buttons to the buttons you added to the Alias layer.

Source Switching:
There is a single device in the Macro Layer. It contains a panel called Macros. These buttons are programmed with the sequences required to switch from one activity to another. The buttons in the Macro Layer are aliased to the IR Layer directly. Therefore, because source and mode switching is done automatically by these macros, most source and mode buttons do not need to appear in the Alias layer. If you have a need to switch sources or modes manually, you can add these features to the Alias layer and then to you Activity panels.

Does this help a bit?

Thanks,
Dale

That helps a lot. I just didn't quite understand the mechanics of it. Thanks very much.