Macro Delay/Duration Problems

[chazworth]

I am fine tuning my 15-2117 using the 15-2116 Extender 2. The only remaining problem I am having is that my macros and DSM's sometimes (30% of the time) do not have all of their signals recognized by my AV equipment (e.g., generally the TV turns on and changes its input to Input 1, but 30% of the time it just turns it on and does not change the input to Input 1). I use a pyramid IR/RF conversion device to transmit the commands to some of my equipment, and I seem to have worse results when the signal is transmitted through the pyramid. I have been using an unextended 15-1994 with the pyramid for a couple of years, and had no similar problems.

So, I assume that I can resolve the issues by either adjusting the duration of the commands, or by using various delays to slow the signals down. I plan on working with the delays to try to get it to work, but I am concerned the the duration might also be a problem.

I have read the ReadMe file for the extender to try to figure out the best way to troubleshoot my problem. From what I have read, the best way to address a duration problem is to use the device combiner. The instructions indicate that it only works with S3C8 devices. Is the 15-2117 a S3C8 device?

Are there any other ways to address duration problems?

Thanks very much.

Charlie

[johnsfine]

generally the TV turns on and changes its input to Input 1, but 30% of the time it just turns it on and does not change the input to Input 1

That sort of symptom is almost certainly a function of delay. A duration change should not be needed.

So, I assume that I can resolve the issues by either adjusting the duration of the commands, or by using various delays to slow the signals down. I plan on working with the delays to try to get it to work, but I am concerned the the duration might also be a problem.

If you have some other symptoms, those might be duration rather than delay.

I have read the ReadMe file for the extender to try to figure out the best way to troubleshoot my problem. From what I have read, the best way to address a duration problem is to use the device combiner. The instructions indicate that it only works with S3C8 devices. Is the 15-2117 a S3C8 device?

Are there any other ways to address duration problems?

The 15-2117 is an S3C80 model (A lot of our documentation confusingly refers to the S3C80 chip as S3C8) so you can do duration control with the device combiner.

If a device upgrade needs a protocol upgrade anyway, then it's pretty easy for any of the experts to patch a duration change into that protocol upgrade. I don't think anyone has documented that for non experts. If you didn't need a protocol upgrade then this method would require that you get the hidden protocol upgrade that KM or RM decided you don't need.

[chazworth]

John:

I will experiment with delays, and hopefully that will resolve my issues.

Thanks very much for all your work.

Charlie

[jethrogoss]

Charlie, I had a similar problem with my TV in that directly after being turned on or having the input switched it doesn't seem to want to take another command for some period of time. I interleaved my macros, switching to the next device (DVD, RCVR, whatever) and doing what was needed there before switching back to the TV to finish up what still needed to be done. I also learned the 'exit' key in TV mode so I could clear the on screen display (don't leave the input selection up on the screen, for instance) and sometimes it just didn't take for the same reason as above. In that case I just threw 2 'exit's in a row - if the first didn't take, the second one always seems to, and if the first one does work, an extra exit is just a no-op on this device and so goes unnoticed. Might not be as elegant or technical a solution but it worked for me.

[chazworth]

Jethro, thanks for your ideas. They are very helpful. I spent a bit of time working on fine tuning the commands last night, and, as it turns out, I finally noticed that my pyramid receiver (the one that converts the RF to IR and then beams the equipment) was not working. Jeesh. That explains why I only had intermitent success previously.

I was not able to revive the pyramid, but I had a spare in the basement. After getting the new pyramid installed and experimenting with the delay techniques a bit, it works great, and life is good. My wife does think that I am a bit nuts, though.

So, all is well, and my extender project is just about wrapped up (for this week, anyway). Thanks again for your ideas.

Charlie

[blindler]

I know this is a dumb question, but why would I need a modified 6131. What will I be able to do with it? My understanding is that it will operate a series one tivo right out of the box- some code entering, but what am I missing?

thanks!

[gfb107]

A modded 6131 allows

1. Program it using your computer instead of the manually using the keys
2. Save, edit, and share you 6131 configuration
3. Macros
4. Adding device and protocol upgrades to support devices it doesn't out of the box
5. Special protocol functions, like LKP (Long Key Press), DSM (Device Specific Macro), ToadTog (do a search)
6. ...

[blindler]

Thanks- that helps a great deal!

Take care,
b