Is there a "MakeHex for Dummies" printed that gives really basic step-by-step details on using MakeHex?

There is a MakeHex_Readme.txt file included with MakeHex. It does give a little more information that YOU (any particular YOU) may want. But it isn't that hard to skim through and find what applies.

The step by step quoted from that file is:


1) Select the .IRP file that corresponds to the IR protocol you want to use.

2) Edit that .IRP file with a text editor. MAKEHEX takes all its input from
the .IRP file including the device number and the range of function numbers.
You should change the "Device=" and "Function=" lines in the .IRP file to
specify the IR commands you want. You may want to change other values in
the .IRP file.

3a) In Windows file Explorer, drag the icon of the .irp file onto the
icon for MakeHex.exe
...
4) Open the .hex file with a text editor or viewer.

5) Copy the hex sequences into your .CCF file.

You don't understand just how BASIC I mean. I don't even know what a .IRP file is, much less how to edit it with a text editor! I know nothing at all about converting files, even where to get the information to start with. Sorry to be so dumb!

JMinyard,

Please start by telling us the device you are interested in generating codes for. This will determine which IRP file you should edit. John has been gracious enough to supply IRP files for NEC protocol and all Sony Protocols.

Presumably, you've downloaded and extracted file from the zip for MakeHex? If you have not, please do so and see the readme, looking at it side-by side in notepad.exe with an existing .irp file (pick any one you'd like).

Then, let us know what device you are wanting to generate codes for. If you are unsure, post a sample learned code and we can point you in the right direction.

Please don't take offense as I'm not purposely trying to be a hard-ass or speak down to you here as this program is really, really technical. This stuff is just plain hard to grasp unless you've done signal processing or other fields such as telecom, etc.

Even I had some difficulty first time around. I still ping JArmstrong and John every now and then. In fact, we are working to decode my IR keyboard's mouse functions. It is not always easy.

A good place to start for background info would be the Pronto (not Pronto NG) faq where discrete codes are discussed. The FAQ talks about device IDs and function(command)s. That is exactly what Makehex does: Generate Pronto friendly IR code data conforming to a specific IR protocol and containing data to address a particular device ID and send a specific command.

IRP file contents.

There is typically an individual .IRP (IR Protocol) file for specific protocol. You will see Sony15.irp, Sony12.irp etc. These are variations of a sony IR Protocol used by different Sony devices. (12 bit, 15 bit). Hopefully, the light bulb just came on. Inside these files are placeholders to specify the Device ID and a range of Functions to generate. That's why it will help to open files side-by-side so you can get the bigger picture.

To reiterate...

To know which .IRP you need to use, we need to know the Manufacturer and Type of device. Then, using well known sources on John's website, especially for all Sony devices, we can tell you what values you need to plug in for Device and Function to generate a full codeset of Pronto-Friendly IR code data.

I hope this sheds some light on this rather deep subject.

And...

You never thought you'd be in this deep when you paid that money for the Pronto, did ya?

It is an addiction. Once you get this thing setup to do what you want, you'll never ever use an OEM remote again.

Lyndel

The .irp files are included in the .zip file with the rest of makehex. You don't really need to know what they are.


The Windows Notepad program (which is under the programs/accessories menu in a default Windows install) is a basic text editor. Once you open a .irp file in Notepad it should be pretty obvious how to edit the .irp file.


MakeHex is at
[Link: john.fine.home.comcast.net]

I'm not sure about what other information you need.

If you post either a sample of Pronto Hex or a URL to a CCF file containing some learned signals (and which device within the CCF it is) we can give you more specific advice, including which .irp file to use.

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I'm still alive! I haven't had a chance to study your instructions and see if I can understand what to do. I'll let you know the results. As always, thanks a million for always being willing to help us dummies!

Joe

Hello all. I would like to know if there is an existing .irp that works for LG CRT Televisions. Perhaps somebody knows the details for me to create one? Thanks in advance.

To use MakeHex, you need to know the protocol and device and subdevice numbers for the signals you want.

If you post a sample of Pronto hex for that device, any expert here could use the IrTool program and decodeir.dll to find that info.

I don't know whether LG CRT TV's are consistent enough across models for us to get the same info without the Pronto Hex sample. I don't have my data on such things handy at the moment.

Hi,

I have a 455KHz remote that the RU980 won't learn correctly. So I was thinking about giving MakeHex a try.. The code looks good, but I can't seem to figure out the format of
One=1,-3
Zero=1,-1
to make a zero = 0015 0015 and a 1 = 0015 0040

Can anyone help with this?

Regards,
Jon

Those One and Zero lines are already correct for the zero and one you want.

But you also need the Frequency and Time Base to be right.

I just tested MakeHex using
Frequency=455000
Time Base=46
One=1,-3
Zero=1,-1

and got the one and zero values you are requesting.

I don't know whether the Pronto actually works right with a value as low as 0009 in the field determining frequency (0009 is what MakeHex computes for 455000).
I also don't know the form for the signals you want. But I guess you do or you would have asked that as well.