Filter
Top Products
24
U
S
I
N
G
M
X
9
5
0
C
O
R
E
E
N
G
I
N
E
T
O
E
D
I
T
Macro Programming
Bullet Proof Macros or Point N Pray?
Professional Installations Require “Bullet-Proof” macros (all discrete codes or workarounds, no toggle
commands). A Point and Pray macro is created when you place a toggle command in the macro (like
a TV Power command). The use of Point & Pray macros that only work if the customer follows strict
rules will create service calls and a lot of bad will (for example, you force the customer to verify that
the system is completely off before using the TURN ON macro). When you cannot find discrete
power commands, create an extra device called “POWER” or “SYSTEMPOWER” and give your client
one place to find all the power commands. Instruct them to power on their system manually from this
easy, convenient page, then return to WATCH or LISTEN to use the automated input switching Macros
for the ACTIVITIES like Watching CABLE, Watching a DVD movie etc. - For systems with lots of tog-
gle Power codes, create
a “Power” HELP list.
Finding Workarounds When There Are NO Discrete Codes
By creatively experimenting you may find that you can workaround the lack of discrete codes. This takes time
and there is no guarantee that you will find a workaround for any given component. Here are some common
examples:
DVD and VCR Power Workaround
Most DVD players will turn on when off when they receive a Play command. Thus you can workaround like
this:
DVD ON = 1) Play DVD OFF = 1) Play
2) DVD Stop 2) A delay of 2 to 4 seconds
3) DVD Power (toggle command)
TV scrolling “INPUT” Workarounds
Many televisions respond to a channel up or a channel number command by changing to the Antenna input
regardless of what input was last selected. This creates an “anchor” action that puts the television in a known
input. Thus you can create a workaround as follows:
EXAMPLE - CH Up takes TV to the ANT A input (and the TV has 5 inputs -Ant A, Ant B, EXT1, EXT2 and EXT3)
Macro Programming
In this example, the program-
mer has created a device called
SYSTEMPOWER. The client has
one convenient page to power
up their system manually.
Each button is labeled for the
power command the program-
mer has placed via the IR
Database Navigator.
This is much better technique
than programming a Point N
Pray Macro that will result in
much customer frustration.