Help With Universal Remote

[Jack Hammer]

I recently bought the URC300 remote. I'm having trouble with a few setup issues.

1. How do I use it to control zone 2 on my Denon 2805?

2. Is there a way to add learned functions to Macros? I'm trying to have it automatically switch to the DVD control when I hit the HDMI input (learned from tv's remote) button while controlling my tv.

3. Is there any way to move the lcd touch functions around that are learned without just manually retyping the name in a new location and then relearning the button from the original remote?

4. A lot of the controls I use from my original remotes get a "Failed" message while trying to learn them.

I like this so far for controlling my tv, but its a real pain to setup up (very tedious). I'm having trouble with the layout. I did download the excel spreadsheet a few minutes ago from remotecentral to help me plan a layout.

Thanks

Jack

 

[MDS]

1. How do I use it to control zone 2 on my Denon 2805?

You need to put the original remote in Zone2 mode and then learn every command that you want to use to the URC300. I don't know if that remote allows you to relabel the main page device buttons and if it doesn't just pick one you don't currently use, like Aux. If it does, rename one of the main device buttons Zone2.

If the Denon remote has a specific button to enable Zone2, I think a logical choice for the URC300 would be to use a press-and-hold macro on the main device page button you use for zone2. Have the press-and-hold macro send the command to enable zone2 and then switch to the zone2 page where you will add all commands available for zone2.

2. Is there a way to add learned functions to Macros? I'm trying to have it automatically switch to the DVD control when I hit the HDMI input (learned from tv's remote) button while controlling my tv.

You should be able to use any command from any mode in a macro. You would need a macro on the button that switches to the HDMI input. Have it do the receiver switch to HDMI, switch to the DVD page and do whatever it needs to do and then end on the DVD page.

3. Is there any way to move the lcd touch functions around that are learned without just manually retyping the name in a new location and then relearning the button from the original remote?

No. Only the MX-800 and above that require their software to program the remote can do that. I usually label everything first and then learn the commands.

4. A lot of the controls I use from my original remotes get a "Failed" message while trying to learn them.

If the original remote uses standard IR frequencies and protocols there is practically nothing it can't learn. It can't learn from RF remotes or remotes that use protocols unknown to it or using frequencies above 100 kHz. It also can't learn 'toggle bit' commands (which are rare).

You can try various things to make learning go smoothly:
- Fresh batteries in both original remote and the URC300.
- Turn off any overhead flourescent lights.
- Vary the distance between the URC and the original remote. A few inches usually works best.
- Tap quickly vs press and hold the button on the original remote. Commands that repeat, like Volume+/- sometimes learn better if you hold the button on the original remote for a few seconds so the URC can see the entire sequence. Other commands work better if you just tap the original button.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Yeah, next time I buy a remote, I'm ponying up for something that is computer programmable.

As far as I can tell, the main device buttons are not changeable. When I try the macro, it overwrites the learned code. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it the way the manual says..

Also, it would be nice if when I select FAV tv channels from the main menu I could operate the tv without having to switch back to the TV control.


Jack

 

[MDS]

I used to have an MX-500 and now have an MX-350 but I would think they would both be similar to the URC-300.

You can only have one command (or macro) per button. If you have a command you want to use within your macro, you have to learn it to a different button and then use it within your macro.

So if eg. you had the HDMI input button under the receiver mode and wanted to use it as part of a macro in Aux mode, you'd have to use Page to navigate to the receiver mode, press the button for HDMI input, and then use page to navigate back to where you were.

I have mixed emotions about the computer progammable remotes. I like the fact that the remotes that have to be programmed directly on the remote can be changed while you are sitting in front of the TV rather than going to your computer to make changes, but it is more tedious.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Allright, I figured out the macro thing. I was doing it wrong. In order to have a feature button as a macro you have to have to hit the button twice to begin with. Once to select it as the macro and another to tell the macro to press that button first. Actually, it makes sense that way. I should have figured it out before. Anyway now that works nicely for me.

Like I said, once stuff is setup it is really nice. But programming it is a real PITA. I'm not sure if the computer programmable remotes can be programmed on the fly or not, but they should have the capability, just in case you need it.

I ended up getting the RF extender, but haven't touched it yet. The IR on this goes much further than any of my other remotes did, including 'around' things in front of it, like my hand. I'm impressed.

Jack

 

[808htfan]

You can only have one command (or macro) per button. If you have a command you want to use within your macro, you have to learn it to a different button and then use it within your macro.

Actually on my URC-200 I have a command and a 'press-and-hold' macro on the same button. BUT, what happens is that the command is sent first, then the macro is performed. Also, the steps in the macro don't include the button it's on. Not sure if that would work or not, maybe.

 

[808htfan]

Also, it would be nice if when I select FAV tv channels from the main menu I could operate the tv without having to switch back to the TV control.

Try 'punching thru' or learning the TV controls to FAV like you would another device.

 

[MDS]

Actually on my URC-200 I have a command and a 'press-and-hold' macro on the same button. BUT, what happens is that the command is sent first, then the macro is performed. Also, the steps in the macro don't include the button it's on. Not sure if that would work or not, maybe.

That's why I said you can only have one command or macro on a device button.

With the URC/HTM remotes you can learn anything to any button except FAV, MAIN, and PAGE but typically the device buttons on the main page just switch to the page with further commands for that mode; ie pressing DVD switches to page 1 of the DVD commands (of course you can put non-DVD commands here as I do - surround and late night commands from the receiver in my case).

What's happening is you have learned a command to the device button instead of letting it do its default of switching to page 1 for that device. If your delay is too short it will see the initial press as meaning 'execute the command' but then you hold the button down and the press-and-hold macro is triggered.

In my case, I've found I need a delay of 1 second to make the press-and-hold macros work reliably. Press the button and release and it just switches to the page; press it and hold it for 1 second and it executes the macro.

Anyway, they are very flexible and you can get it just the way you want it. I use a press-and-hold macro on the 'cable' device button to go back to viewing cable regardless of the state of the system. This is a great way to save your wife/girlfriend/other technophobe a lot of headaches. You can just tell them if they mess something up, just go to main and press-and-hold cable - voila back to normal!

 

[808htfan]

In my case, I've found I need a delay of 1 second to make the press-and-hold macros work reliably.

Yep, me too.

Press the button and release and it just switches to the page; press it and hold it for 1 second and it executes the macro.

Anyway, they are very flexible and you can get it just the way you want it. I use a press-and-hold macro on the 'cable' device button to go back to viewing cable regardless of the state of the system. This is a great way to save your wife/girlfriend/other technophobe a lot of headaches. You can just tell them if they mess something up, just go to main and press-and-hold cable - voila back to normal!

Exactly! I found that I needed to get some discrete codes for the various inputs on my TV, etc., though. Luckily, Rob over at the JP1 forum sent me a remote with them already programmed for just over $20.

Try 'punching thru' or learning the TV controls to FAV like you would another device.

I meant for Jack to treat the 'Vol', etc. buttons in 'Fav' as he would for any other device. That way he wouldn't have to switch back to 'TV' to change the volume or whatever.

 

[MDS]

I currently have the MX-350 which is part of their 'total control' or professional line whereas the URC-300 is part of their 'consumer' line. While that really just means that the MX-350 has a few more features than the URC-300, I'm curious if the URC200/300 allows you to punch vol, ch, etc to the Main page.

That's not a great big deal but it is nice because volume will work even if you are on the main page and instead of one of the device pages.

 

[808htfan]

I'm curious if the URC200/300 allows you to punch vol, ch, etc to the Main page.

Didn't try punch thru, but just 'learned' something to Main.

Try 'punching thru' or learning the TV controls to FAV like you would another device.

I guess, more correctly, I should say try doing that to Main.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I currently have the MX-350 which is part of their 'total control' or professional line whereas the URC-300 is part of their 'consumer' line. While that really just means that the MX-350 has a few more features than the URC-300, I'm curious if the URC200/300 allows you to punch vol, ch, etc to the Main page.

That's not a great big deal but it is nice because volume will work even if you are on the main page and instead of one of the device pages.

I was able to 'punch through' the volume & channels on some items but not on the FAV's or the main page. If it is possible I'm doing it wrong.

I read about the press and hold, but haven't decided how I would use it yet or if I need it.

Jack

 

[808htfan]

I was able to 'punch through' the volume & channels on some items but not on the FAV's or the main page. If it is possible I'm doing it wrong.

Hmm, if punch thru doesn't work for Main at least learning does. I just tested learning a button on the Main page of my URC-200. You could teach the Vol, etc keys individually.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Hmm, if punch thru doesn't work for Main at least learning does. I just tested learning a button on the Main page of my URC-200. You could teach the Vol, etc keys individually.

Hmm, I'll have to try that when I get home. It's possible I've been doing it wrong trying to get the main and FAV's to punch through. That was the case with getting the macros to work for me. But I get no option for those when I try.

Jack