Unique IR for MVPs?

[BFisher]

I have 5 MVPs in my house, and I have a distributed IR system (means that there is an infrared receiver located near every TV that goes back to my centralized automation closet). I would like the IR code for 1 MVP to be different than all the rest (the other 4 are not on the distributed IR network, just 1). Is this possible?

(what I want is to be able to independently control 1 MVP with different IR codes than the other 4). I have searched and can't find how to do this... so I assume it can't be done.

Thanks!

[Opus4]

The MVP recognizes the RC5 IR protocol, used by some Philips & maybe some other devices. If you can program your remote directly, just choose a different RC5 system code for the series of codes to be used. You'll have to teach the new codes to the MVP & remove the original ones.

I don't think you can change what it sees as the power on/off IR code, though.

- Andy

[CollinR]

I don't know if there are enough available codes to do this without overlapping, you'll want them to be unique.


Please describe your system in more detail so I may possibly better understand your goals.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by CollinR

I don't know if there are enough available codes to do this without overlapping, you'll want them to be unique.

That isn't a problem: there are 128 IR codes (0-127) in each of 32 system codes (0-31) in the RC5 IR protocol. The Hauppauge remote uses a portion of the codes available in one system code (#31). Provided that you don't have another device using one of the code sets, you have a lot to choose from if you have a remote that can be programmed directly. Otherwise, you'll need to find a device code on a universal remote for a Phillips device which uses RC5 -- probably trial & error.

The overlap will be the power button, since I don't believe that can be reassigned.

- Andy

[BFisher]

LOL - the power button is the one that matters most to me!

Oh well... I think I've come up with a couple work arounds.

Please describe your system in more detail so I may possibly better understand your goals.

My house is automated (lights, HVAC, security, etc.). All of my IR is centrally run so that my house can control various functions (such as... on the weekends, if the house is still sleeping (meaning wife and I are still in bed), if one of my kids comes downstairs, it will automatically turn on the TV and put on one of their shows.

I currently have my theater run with an extender in my automation closet (near my amps). To control it, I have it connected to my central IR... problem is if my wife turns on the den extender, it doesn't know the difference and turns on as well.

I plan on getting rid of this extender soon anyways... I've been waiting for the HD Extender, but may have to build a PC for it if it takes much longer...

Thanks!

[GKusnick]

This sounds to me like a flaw in the central IR system. I have a similar whole-house automation system (not quite as comprehensive as yours perhaps), with IR from each room piped to a central controller. Unlike yours, though, mine has no problem detecting which room the IR signal originated in and routing it to the correct device on that basis. So I don't need distinct IR codes for each room; all the remotes are identical, with identical codes, and I don't need to worry about which remote works in which room. I can pick up any remote, carry it from room to room if I like, and it will correctly control the screen in whatever room I'm in.

So if I were you I'd get on the phone to whoever installed your control system and let them know about this flaw in their design. Identical appliances in different rooms should not require separate IR codes.

[BFisher]

Not necessarily - it depends on the design of the system. There are two types of IR systems - zoned and "not-zoned". Yours is likely a zoned system. Mine is not (several reasons, too deep for this discussion). I do have a 8 zone system here that I can use, but I really didn't want to... unique codes is easier (in my case).

thanks (by the way... the installer was me )