HD-200 Question:How do you control the volume for audio formats not decoded by HD200?

[mkanet]

I currently have my HD-200 (set to bitstreamed audio) hooked up to a receiver via optical SPDIF which decodes several different format such as: AC3, DTS, TrueHD and Dolby, Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio, etc.

I didnt really think about this before buying my receiver, but SageTV can only control the audio volume of PCM. I'm not even sure if it can control AC3. All I know is pretty much every movie on premium movie channels and blu-ray, I dont have any control of the volume via sageTV's remote control; ending up having to go get my receiver's remote control just to turn up/down the volume.

I'm curious what other people do about this. Is there a setting in the HD200? I'm not exactly sure whats the different between bitstreamed and the other settings for the HD200 when it comes to the SPDIF optical out. Do people just get used to using two remotes, one for controlling the sound and the other for everything else? Surely, there's an easy way to control the audio and do everything else on the same remote. I really dont want to get a programmable remote that requires several hours of my time programming and switch back and forth inputs just to control volume.

Anyway, thanks for any useful suggestions that may fit my needs.

-Michael

[Fuzzy]

I think most just use a universal remote that has the capability to control teh volume at the receiver. Even most recent cable box remotes I've had have this capability. If you've got your sound going through a receiver, you will get FAR better quality controlling the volume there, instead of in sage, regardless of the audio format.

[toricred]

That's how I handle it.

[Taddeusz]

Logitech Harmony. Nuff said.

The Logitech Harmony 520 I have for my living room is a life saver. It took a short amount of time on a computer to specify all the devices I have an create activities out of those devices. Then another short amount of time to tweak all the activities to our liking. Once it's all set up it's dead simple:

1. Press "Watch SageTV"
2. Ensure the remote is kept pointed at the TV.
3. Start watching TV.

The Harmony essentially creates a macro of what devices are to be turned on and off for a given activity. And if you're watching something on your DVD player and want to switch to your HD200 it knows that it needs to turn the DVD player off, switch inputs, and turn on the HD200.

The only problem I ever have with it is either when people walk in front of the remote when I'm powering things on or off or when family members get impatient and/or forget to keep the remote pointed. Otherwise it works flawlessly and is definitely worth the extra money over a cheaper non-smart universal remote.

[stanger89]

URC MX-880 in the HT
URC R50 in the living room.

Surely, there's an easy way to control the audio and do everything else on the same remote. I really dont want to get a programmable remote that requires several hours of my time programming and switch back and forth inputs just to control volume.

Any "universal" remote worth it's salt will offer "punchthrough". What that means is even for device-centric (rather than activity-centric) remote, you can "punch through" volume from your AVR to all your other devices so no matter what device or activity you have selected, volume buttons always control the AVR.

Of course a good Activity capable remote will let you build macros to turn everything on together, switch to the right inputs, etc.

[mkanet]

Thanks Stanger89, is the URC R50 a a good Activity capable remote that will let you build macros to turn everything on together, NOT requiring the need to switch inputs? If I'm not mistaken the Logitech Harmony requires a PC based USB based receiver. Anyway, I'll buy whatever Universal remote that I can just have all the sageTV commands easily on it with up/down for my receiver. Does this mean I have to learn each and every single button off the sageTV remote control or does sageTV have a compatible universal remote control code that I can just punch in.... and map just the volume buttons. I wouldnt mind having a power button that turns on both my TV in the living room and the receiver (the receiver once in a while goes to sleep mode).

Thanks again Fuzzy, toricred, Taddeusz, and stanger89! I really appreciate all your suggestions. I'll go ahead and choose the ultimate simplest remote contol (with the fewest buttons) that supports just what I mentioned above; nothing more, nothing less (or as close as possible to that).

-Michael

Originally Posted by stanger89

URC MX-880 in the HT
URC R50 in the living room.



Any "universal" remote worth it's salt will offer "punchthrough". What that means is even for device-centric (rather than activity-centric) remote, you can "punch through" volume from your AVR to all your other devices so no matter what device or activity you have selected, volume buttons always control the AVR.

Of course a good Activity capable remote will let you build macros to turn everything on together, switch to the right inputs, etc.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by mkanet

Thanks Stanger89, is the URC R50 a a good Activity capable remote that will let you build macros to turn everything on together, NOT requiring the need to switch inputs?

I assume you mean not needing to switch devices on the remote. Yes, you can set

If I'm not mistaken the Logitech Harmony requires a PC based USB based receiver.

You program it via USB, but it's IR, works like any other IR remote.

Anyway, I'll buy whatever Universal remote that I can just have all the sageTV commands easily on it with up/down for my receiver.

All you really need is punchthrough for that, I think there are much simpler remotes. Even the R50 is way overkill for just that.

[Fuzzy]

pretty much any $15 universal remote at radio shack will do what you are looking for (the punchthrough feature). Another option is to use a remote you already have.. like, perhaps, your receiver's remote. Most likely, it has universal features in it, so it can control tv's, vcr's, etc. You may be able to use it for sage (would have to teach sage teh commands.. once), and I'm betting it automatically punches through the volume and mute commands to the receiver.

[briands]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

pretty much any $15 universal remote at radio shack will do what you are looking for (the punchthrough feature). Another option is to use a remote you already have.. like, perhaps, your receiver's remote. Most likely, it has universal features in it, so it can control tv's, vcr's, etc. You may be able to use it for sage (would have to teach sage teh commands.. once), and I'm betting it automatically punches through the volume and mute commands to the receiver.

The problem with most cheaper programmable remotes (I've been through a bunch of them) is getting the right feature set (DVR buttons, backlight, etc). I've ended up with a Harmony 880 and it seems to do a very good job. It also has backlighting on ALL buttons and includes the alphas on the numbers which are also backlit.

[mkanet]

Sorry if this sound overly simple, but I want to make sure I understand before I buy just any universal remote with punchthrough. If I had to guess a punch through remote control allows me to learn more than one command on the same button; (ie, Power button turns on TV as well as the receiver at the same time with one keypress; and, reciever volume buttons controls receiver's volume and HD200's volume at the same time with each key press). If I can't learn multiple commands per button, how would I do it to handle the example just given? Im looking for a universal remote control that has all the same keys as the sageTV remote control, that will also affect the receiver and TV in the example above; or, as close a possible. I really dont want to program my remote control via a PC's USB; so the Logitech is not something I'm considering. Based on this, what remote control would be a good match for the sageTV remote control's buttons. The R50 is way too much of an overkill for what I need. Simpler is actually better for me. It's too bad I cant program the sageTV remote control for punch through.

BTW, my receiver's remote control has a button which will turn on my TV and the receiver; but, it starts playing the blu-ray disc in it every time I press this button instead of just staying on the optical SPDIF input. The receiver's remote control doesnt conrtol anything at all on the HD-200.

Thanks again,
Michael

Quote:
Anyway, I'll buy whatever Universal remote that I can just have all the sageTV commands easily on it with up/down for my receiver.
All you really need is punchthrough for that, I think there are much simpler remotes. Even the R50 is way overkill for just that.

[toricred]

Punch through just means that no matter what "device" is active on the remote, the volume is always from your selected device (typically your audio receiver). It doesn't necessarily mean that macros or activities are supported. I believe the WR7 will do all you're asking for and it is rather inexpensive.

[mkanet]

Hi Toricred, thank you so much, youre the first person to recommend me a specific remote control closest to my needs. The WR7 looks very simple.

One last question... I'm curious.. does the HD-200 have a standard device code I can enter in the remote control so I dont have to program each and every button? I already tried doing several searches on the forum, but didnt find anything related to this. I'm guessing there's a strong possibility there isn't. However, if someone knows of a device code that's compatible with the HD-200 that would be great.. maybe there's some standard OEM IR device code that SageTV decided to use which works for multiple devices.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by toricred

Punch through just means that no matter what "device" is active on the remote, the volume is always from your selected device (typically your audio receiver). It doesn't necessarily mean that macros or activities are supported. I believe the WR7 will do all you're asking for and it is rather inexpensive.

[toricred]

I don't actually have the WR7, but I do have an R50 which is made by the same manufacturer (Universal Remote Control). The R50 has a database of lots of products, including the Sage HD extender, built-in. You don't actually input codes, but rather select the type of device (for Sage it is Aux) and then manufacturer. After that it takes you straight to the first code for that brand. I believe the first one is right for Sage, but it's been a little while since I set mine up. I believe the WR7 has a very similar, maybe even identical, database installed. With the R50 you can learn codes, but it is absolutely not necessary. The WR7 looks to have very similar capabilities, but obviously there are some things missing since it costs significantly less.

[mkanet]

Toricred, thank you so much for your perfect recommendation!! I was able to get the WR7 to recognize the HD-200 in 3 button presses! It detected each device within 3-4 button presses. I press one button to turn on everything; and, mapped the volume buttons are mapped to the audio receiver.. and the rest to the HD-200. Your recommendation is the perfect example of why I really like this forum!

-Michael

Originally Posted by toricred

Punch through just means that no matter what "device" is active on the remote, the volume is always from your selected device (typically your audio receiver). It doesn't necessarily mean that macros or activities are supported. I believe the WR7 will do all you're asking for and it is rather inexpensive.