URC Remote upgrade

[BoredSysAdmin]

I just bought on ebay URC MX-900 + MRF-350 used, but in very good condition . Both for $215 shipped. I think it's a pretty good deal.
Currently have URC RF20 + RF base (bought as a kit for $85)
I felt like RF20 is good remote overall, but on remote programming drove me nuts plus for whatever reason IR blasters couldn't talk to my cablebox, remote was fine, but not thru RF to IR box. I spent hours trying to play with ir blaster against the IR sensor on the box, but all were fruitless ... I heard something about SA boxes using borderline IR frequencies ... I really hope MRF-350 wont have this problem.

I already got my sweaty hands on CCP and played with it for a while - I don't see much problems making one sweet, wife&kids proof configuration...

Is there anyone here deeply familiar with URC CCP, I could [strike]bug about[/strike] ask a question or two ?

 

[adk highlander]

I've programmed a few systems for myself and friends in CCP so I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

I think the MRF-350 has adjustable IR output levels so that may help the issues with the box. Also in CCP you can adjust the number of repeats which also may help.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thx.
one more reason for upgrade is ccp allows to overcome issues with my power toggle controls - aka one button/command to turn it on and off on TV and cablebox, harmony kinda tried to get around that, but since it was IR only the success rate wasn't 100%...

 

[Hi Ho]

Programming URC remotes is part of my job. I own an MX-900 and MX-980. Power toggle commands are the bane of the remote programmers existence, as you know. Cable boxes are among the worst offenders (really... how hard is it to add discrete codes???). I typically leave the cable box on all the time and leave cable power commands out of the macros completely. This works quite well for Comcast Motorola and Pace boxes which is what we have around here. I have never worked with an SA box.

You can use variables in an attempt to get around the lack of discrete commands but this doesn't work well with cable boxes (Comcast boxes, anyway). The problem is that when they power cycle or receive updates they often change the state of power. The remote has no way of knowing this and will send a power command when it's not needed or not send one when it is. I typically leave the cable box on all the time and leave cable power commands out of the macros completely. This works quite well for Comcast Motorola and Pace boxes which is what we have around here. I have never worked with an SA box. The Comcast boxes usually default to on when they are power cycled.

Dish and DirecTV have this all figured out (discrete commands). What is it about cable companies and sub-par software and hardware?

 

[highfigh]

Programming URC remotes is part of my job. I own an MX-900 and MX-980. Power toggle commands are the bane of the remote programmers existence, as you know. Cable boxes are among the worst offenders (really... how hard is it to add discrete codes???). I typically leave the cable box on all the time and leave cable power commands out of the macros completely. This works quite well for Comcast Motorola and Pace boxes which is what we have around here. I have never worked with an SA box.

You can use variables in an attempt to get around the lack of discrete commands but this doesn't work well with cable boxes (Comcast boxes, anyway). The problem is that when they power cycle or receive updates they often change the state of power. The remote has no way of knowing this and will send a power command when it's not needed or not send one when it is. I typically leave the cable box on all the time and leave cable power commands out of the macros completely. This works quite well for Comcast Motorola and Pace boxes which is what we have around here. I have never worked with an SA box. The Comcast boxes usually default to on when they are power cycled.

Dish and DirecTV have this all figured out (discrete commands). What is it about cable companies and sub-par software and hardware?

You can set an event in the timer of the cable box, if needed. That way, it's on at most times of the day when there's a good chance that someone will want to watch TV. I usually set the Time Warner boxes to turn on at 5AM and 5PM. The chance of an update during daytime hours is very slim but just in case, it's on. Time Warner's boxes default to OFF after an update, which really sucks.

As far as the cable boxes not doing discrete ON/OFF commands, I spoke with someone at Scientific Atlanta and he said they make the boxes with the ability to use discretes, but Time Warner's programming doesn't allow it.