I have an Atlas HD-PVR remote and want to use the learning function so that the remote will control my TV's aspect ratio (two buttons will be required). I have a manual and have read it repeatedly, but it's unclear what buttons on the remote are re-assignable.

Typically any button except the device mode buttons and the power button can be taught or have keymoves and macros assigned to them.

Is your Atlas able to learn signals from another remote? Alternatively, we can tell you how to assign the necessary functions to buttons if the TV is a common model. What TV do you have? Also, look inside the battery compartment of your Atlas remote, and see if a model number is listed.

Or follow the instructions for the 983 command, and blnk back the remote's signature. 9XX instructions.

Thanks for your reply.

There's no model number on the remote, inside the battery compartment, or on the manual. There is a number inside the battery compartment reading "11055BA2-XXX-0001-0001" and a second number below it reading "A083302". It's on a white gummed sticker that looks a lot more like a serial number or production number than a model number). In searching online, I've found three Atlas remotes which appear cosmetically identical. The numbers of those units are: DVR/PVR 1055, DVR Day-1055, and DVR-1054.

The owners manual indicates that this is a learning remote capable of learning between 16 - 25 commands, depending on the complexity. The procedure for doing this is explained quite well, but nowhere does it state what buttons on the remote are assignable. I called my cable provider (since their name is branded onto the remote and got the nonsensical reply "We don't know much about them, and can only tell you what's in the manual".

The tV it's being used with is an LG 37LG30. When I first got the TV and cable box (a Motorola DCT6200/DCT6208), I decided that it would be *much* more desireable to program the LG remote to run the cable box, since I would then have access to not only the aspect-ratio controls, but also the audio and picture controls on the TV (plus the LG remotes about half the size and the buttons are textured so they can be operated by touch without looking). I found the appropriate code to do this on-line and verified that I had the correct code for the Motorola with my cable provider, but was unable to get it to work.

I'm using the Atlas because I have to.....Not because I want to. It's big, heavy, overly complex for my needs and difficult for me to operate because I'm sight impaired. However, since I seem to be stuck with it, I'd at least like to be able to change the TV aspect ratio with it. I'm not sure if it's the same in the US, but here, cable providers supply an unpredictable variety of analogue, digital and HD signals that necessitate adjusting the TV's aspect ratio just about every time you change channels.

Any advice you can offer is much appreciated.

OK, the Atlas remotes are made by Universal Electronics, Inc. and they are can be manually programmed on each button. So my advice is not to bother trying to learn from the LG remote, but rather assign the function codes to whatever buttons you choose. Seems like the PIP buttons at the bottom of the remote would be convenient.

LG is an enlightened company, and they include in their manuals the IR codes that the TV responds to. Below is a list of all the functions, and the corresponding EFCs that you can assign to buttons on the Atlas.

To assign an EFC to a button, you can use the 994 EFC keymove instructions in the link I provided earlier, but here is a summary. Let's assume that you want to assign Ratio 4:3 to the PIP CH- button.

First assign setup code TV 1265 to the TV button. You can also use other setup codes, like 0178, but I believe that 1265 is the closest match to your TV.

Press TV, then
1) Press Setup until 2 blinks
2) Enter 994 (2 blinks)
3) Press Setup briefly
4) Enter 00134
5) Press PIP CH-
The remote should blink twice. Now, whenever you press (in TV mode) PIP CH-, the TV should switch to 4:3 mode.

Do the same 5 steps (with different EFC and button to assign to) for each desired function.

arrow right	00182
arrow left	00186
arrow up	00165
arrow down	00169
REW	00066
(Dash - )/LIST	00036
PLAY	00157
AV MODE	00149
AV1	00231
AV2	00109
CH+	00181
CH-	00185
COMPONENT1	00034
COMPONENT2	00108
ENTER	00164
FAV/MARK	00246
FF	00062
FLASHBK	00247
HDMI1	00046
HDMI2	00044
HDMI3	00081
HDMI4	00239
INPUT	00059
MENU	00171
MUTE	00057
Number 0	00117
Number 1	00121
Number 2	00119
Number 3	00123
Number 4	00116
Number 5	00120
Number 6	00118
Number 7	00122
Number 8	00245
Number 9	00249
POWER	00053
POWER OFF	00176
POWER ON	00172
Q.MENU	00168
Ratio 16:9	00138
Ratio 4:3	00134
Ratio Zoom	00098
RGB-PC	00112
SIMPLINK	00006
TV	00110
VOL -	00187
VOL +	00183
RETURN	00235
REC	00032
STOP	00161
PAUSE	00031

Thanks 3FG. Looks like you went to a lot of trouble on this, and I appreciate it. I definitely will try this, but will probably wait till morning when I'm a little fresher and more clear-headed though. Despite the fact that I worked in the audio industry for most of thirty years, this programming stuff baffles me and I'm pretty intimidated by it. Anyway, this'll be my project for tomorrow morning (my day off!) and I'll let you know how I make out.
I'm pretty impressed. I spent a good part of my day today researching this and asking questions, and you're the only one that's been helpful.