User manual B&K SR10.1 REMOTE CONTROL - REMOTE PROGRAMMING MANUAL

B & K COLLEGE OF AUDIO VIDEO DESIGN AND INSTALLATION Guide To Programming The B & K SR10.1 Remote Control 2002 Customizing Automating Saving Installation Time GUIDE TO PROGRAMMING THE B & K SR10.1 REMOTE CONTROL © 2002 B & K Components Ltd. All rights reserved. The information in this manual is copyright protected. No part of this manual may be copied or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from B & K Components LTD. B & K COMPONENTS LTD. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS/OMISSIONS MADE IN THIS MANUAL. The information in this manual may be subject to change without prior notice. SIMPLY BETTER is a registered trademark of B & K Components LTD. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or organizations. S IMPLY B ETTER! B & K Components, Ltd. . 2100 Old Union Road Buffalo, New York 14227 1.800.543.5252 In NY: 716.656.0026 Fax: 716.656.1291 E-mail: info@bkcomp.com . On the web: www.bkcomp.com B&K Table of Contents i 1 1 1 1 1 1 BEFORE YOU START Prequalifications You Need a Personal Computer With Serial Port You Need an RS232 Connecting Cable & Adapters As Necessary You Need to be Skilled With Windows and Home Theater Configuration How To Use This Book T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R BASIC PROGRAMMING GUIDELINES Overview The Goal - Minimize Training Time and Effort TIP - Program To Operate As Shown In The Guide to Operation MAIN Power On and Power Off MAIN Activity Based Macros MAIN Punch Through Volume and Mute FAV Channel Macros Are Optional The Programming Window 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 WINDOWS, MENUS,TOOLS AND DEFINITIONS The Menu Bar and the Menus File Menu Program Menu Communications Menu Help Menu The Toolbar and Shortcut Buttons The Simulator Navigating and Selecting Buttons Button Capabilities and Flags Tree View Devices and Pages 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K ii Table of Contents SR10.1 Tree View or SideKick Via Tabs The Edit and Label Buttons Window 10 11 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 13 U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M The Edit and Label Buttons Toolbar The Delete Window Labels Shortcuts - Copying Buttons The Macro/Favorite Window The Macro Toolbar Re-Ordering Macro Steps Macro Details STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 17 17 17 20 20 20 21 21 22 Programming Overview A. New File, Existing File on PC or in Remote B. Use SAVE AS C. Use the Program Menu D. Save and Export E. Download to both Remote Controls Creating, Naming and Arranging Devices Open the Create and Name Devices Window Creating Devices Using the IR Database Discrete Codes,Toggles and other New Words Selecting a Code Set from the Database Testing Downloading to TEST Pre-Programmed IR Commands From The Database Preparing the List of Buttons to be Learned Using LCD Button Editor Labeling and Deleting Buttons Dragging and Dropping Buttons S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Table of Contents iii 22 22 22 23 23 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 27 27 28 28 29 33 34 35 36 37 38 41 41 42 43 Hiding Pages Moving Through Pages In Favorites Shortcuts - Copying Existing Buttons Learning Tips Learning IR Codes One at a Time Learning a Batch of Buttons Efficiently Download and Test All Learned Buttons Copying and Pasting Devices Importing and Exporting Devices Importing Step by Step Macro Programming What is a Macro? What Buttons Can Playback a Macro? Discrete IR Codes vs Toggle IR Codes Toggle Commands create "Point & Pray" Macros Finding Workarounds for Toggle Commands in Macros Programming a Power On Macro Programming a Power Off Macro Programming Activity Macros on MAIN LCD "Device" Buttons Programming FAVORITE Macros Inserting Macros (Copying or Cloning a Macro) Programming Punch Through Programming the Optional SideKick Backlight On Time Downloading to SR10.1 and SideKick Download Failures Uploading from the Remote to PC T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K iv Push and Hold Macros Table of Contents ADVANCED PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES AND IDEAS 44 44 44 44 45 47 47 48 49 53 53 U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M Push and Hold for Activity Macros and Tap to Switch Devices Two Functions on One LCD Button Status Messages for Impatient Clients with Long Macros Helping Confused Clients TOAD - TV Input "Scrolls" or "Toggle" and has no Workaround All the Components Have "Toggle" Power Commands MAIN Page Only - Changing Devices Confuses Client Modular Macro Programming - Using the Import Macro Feature Building A Device Library INDEX ERRATA Batteries Cleaning The Screen Warranty Specifications 54 59 59 59 59 59 NOTES 60 S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Before You Start 1 Prequalifications You Need a Personal Computer With Serial Port B&K Editor will run on any Pentium II or faster Windows PC. Your PC should be equipped with an adequate amount of RAM for the operating system you use. B&K Editor is compatible with the Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and XP Pro operating systems. Note that many modern laptops do not come equipped with a serial port. If there is no serial port, purchase a USB to Serial adapter. Although many manufacturers supply adapters or hubs for this purpose, we can vouch for the operation of Belkin and Keyspan hubs and adapters. B&K Editor is installed via a B & K suppled CDRom. You do not ever need to uninstall it to update it. Simply connect to the internet and select "Live Update" from the Help Menu.The latest updates will be automatically installed. Since IR codes are constantly added to the B & K database, it is a good idea to check if an update is available on a monthly basis. T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R You Need an RS232 Connecting Cable & Adapters As Necessary B & K offers a pre-made cable suitable for connecting a Serial port to a B & K remote control. However, should you wish to make your own, here is the pin configuration for a serial cable: DB 9 Pin 3 Pin 2 Pin 5 DB25 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 7 Function Host Transmit Host Receive Host Ground Stereo 3.5mm Plug Connection To Tip To Middle Ring To Base Ring You Need to be Skilled With Windows and Home Theater Configuration Before attempting to learn B&K Editor you should have a working knowledge of Windows.We assume that you understand how Windows programs open, close, minimize, maximize and save files. If you do not know how to use a mouse or navigate through Windows Explorer and My Computer, please stop now, go to a bookstore and purchase a basic Windows "How To" manual. You will not understand any of the following instructions until you have these fundamentals mastered. In addition, we assume that you understand home theater operation and configuration in great detail. Many of the tricks of programming automated home theaters have nothing to do with programming remote controls and everything to do with how the system is hooked up! How To Use This Book Read the planning guide first with the Operations Manual and the remote control itself beside you. After familiarizing yourself with its basic capabilities, dive in. Using the step by step instructions most installers complete their first basic configuration very quickly. If you have questions about a specific feature, use the INDEX or the TABLE OF CONTENTS for page numbers for the feature. When you are ready to see how you can stretch the SR10.1 to fit unusual requirements with its advanced features, read the Advanced Programming section. If you use this manual on screen electronically, both the index and the table of contents are HYPERLINKED. Simply click on the page number in the table of contents or index and you are immediately jumped to the page you clicked. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 2 Overview Basic Programming Guidelines The Goal - Minimize Training Time and Effort Training clients has traditionally taken too much of an installer's time and effort. Creating hand written summary sheets and instruction books for customers is a waste of time.The SR10.1 remote control is designed to save time.With each remote control, B & K includes a pre-printed Operation Manual. Unlike other remote controls, this manual has nothing to do with setup or programming. It is a guide to operating the client's home theater! Although the flexibility of the B&K Editor software enables you to program remote controls in thousands of different ways, the operations manual will show the customers how to operate their home theater if you follow a few tips as you program. GUIDE TO SIMPLE HOME THEATER OPERATION WITH YOUR B & K SR10.1 SYSTEM REMOTE TIP - Program To Operate As Shown In The Guide to Operation 1 You must create a DEVICE (a set of hard buttons and 1 to 4 dedicated LCD pages) for each remote control in the system. Use the IR database or IR learning so that the SR10.1 replaces all the remote controls for normal operation. 2 The MAIN Power On and Power Off buttons turn on and off the entire system with a macro. 3 Each of the MAIN LCD Device buttons issues a macro that reconfigures the system inputs and modes as necessary for the client to watch or listen to the selected source. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K The Owner's Manual the operation of a Home Theater. 4 Punch Through Volume and Mute have been programmed for all devices so that the client can always adjust the volume regardless of which device has been selected. MAIN Power On and Power Off 2 Turn On Your Entire System Power on/off your entire system with the MAIN Menu by following these steps: 1. Touch the MAIN button to make sure that you are on the MAIN Menu. It doesn't matter which page of the MAIN Menu is displayed. Since most systems will require some delays in the macros you program to turn the system on, you will make operation much smoother for your customers if you have them turn everything on first with one long macro.Then, after the system is on, they can switch between activities like DVD and Satellite without lengthy delays in the macros. In a system that responds instantly (no long Power On delays before responding to input or mode commands) you might opt to program Power On commands for each activity macro as well. The manual describes a two step operation: 1) Go to MAIN and press Power On. 2) Choose your activity and tap the correct button. The manual emphasizes the need for the client to point the remote during the macro at the TV or the sensor near the TV. You need to spend time explaining the time needed for each macro. Encourage the client to be careful to hold the remote control steady and pointed at the equipment or sensor until the macro is finished. 2. Point the the remote control at the system (usually a repeating sensor near the screen). 3. Touch the On or Off button as desired. Hold the remote steady and pointed at the system until all components are correctly powered on or off. Turning on the system may take ten to twenty seconds. 4. If one component does not turn on/off, simply touch the button again. TIP ­ Hold the remote control steady and pointed at the system until the indicator stops flashing. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Page 2 of the Owner's Manual describes Powering On/Off. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Basic Programming Guidelines MAIN Activity Based Macros 3 4 Hold the remote steady and pointed at the system until the sound and picture have been switched. The MAIN Menu buttons issue MACROS that reset the sound and picture of your home theater to a new activity. 3 Using the MAIN Menu The MAIN Menu enables you to either select a new Activity or simply select a new Device to control. When you select a new activity, the remote control will issue a MACRO (a timed sequence of many commands from many different remote controls). This MACRO was custom programmed for your system by your installer. It will issue all of the commands necessary to switch the sound and picture of your system. When you select a device, the the remote control becomes the remote control you select WITHOUT affecting the home theater. The device LCD buttons on MAIN are automatically programmed with a navigational "jump" to the device they correspond to. The device LCD buttons on the MAIN menu should be programmed with a macro that issues every command necessary to reconfigure the home theater for the activity (inputs, modes, play, channel etc. ). This macro will be issued every time the client presses the button. This is described in the manual. Remember to train your power user clients to hold down the MAIN button while they press a device LCD button.That way, the macro is not sent, the SR10.1 simply jumps to the device. If you are willing to make your own summary sheet, you can program the activity macro to only be issued if the client presses and holds the button.This requires the use of the Advanced Programming technique Press and Hold Macros on page 44. TIP Hold the remote control TIP ­- Hold the remote control steady and pointed the system steady and pointed at at the system until the indicator stops indicator until the stops flashing. flashing. If the sound or the picture still are not correct, repeat steps 1 - 4. T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Select a New ACTIVITY Select a DEVICE Only 1. Touch the MAIN button to make sure that you are on the MAIN Menu. Touch the PAGE button if you don't see the activity you want. 1. Touch the MAIN button to make sure that you are on the MAIN Menu. Touch the Page button if you don't see the activity you want. 2. Press and hold the MAIN button. While holding the MAIN button down, touch the button next to the desired screen label. The remote control will now display the name of the selected device and all buttons will operate the device, however, the sound and the picture of your system have not been changed. 2. Point the the remote control at the system (or at the repeating INFRARED sensor if one is installed). 3. Touch the activity button next to the desired screen label. For example if you wish to watch a DVD movie, touch the DVD button. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Page 3 and 4 of the Owner's Manual describe how Activity macros automate their system. MAIN Punch Through Volume and Mute 5 6 Controlling the Volume For your convenience, the VOLUME Up, VOLUME Down and the MUTE buttons will always control the surround sound system, regardless of what activity or device you are controlling. The Power ON and OFF buttons now operate only the selected device (to turn the entire system on/off, return to the MAIN Menu). Use the Punch Through programming step (step #6) to program Volume and Mute to operate the surround sound processor regardless of what device is active. It has been common in the past for installers to program a way for the customer to watch TV using the internal speakers of the TV rather than the surround sound system.There is a good way to accomplish this on the SR10.1 system.You could program the TV's internal volume on two of the LCD buttons on the TV device. The ten screen labeled buttons are now labeled with any commands that do not fit one of the buttons with printed labels. Operating any Device You can see the name of the device at the top of the screen. If it is not the one you want, return to the MAIN Menu and select a new device or activity. DVD OPEN CLOSE AUDIO VIDEO ANGLE SCENE TITLE SKIPSUB SKIP+ DVD OPEN CLOSE All of the printed label buttons on the remote operate just like the original remote control (with the exception of Volume Up, Volume Down and Mute which operate your surround sound system). Up to 40 screen labeled buttons are available for each device. To view the additional buttons, press the PAGE button to display additional pages. The the remote control can display up to four pages of screen labeled buttons for each activity or device! As you scroll through the pages, notice that the bottom title bar displays which page you are viewing (PAGE 1, PAGE 2, etc.). S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Page 5 of the Owner's Manual describes how volume always adjusts the surround sound system. Page 5 and 6 describe normal operation of any device. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 4 U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M 7 8 Basic Programming Guidelines FAV Channel Macros Are Optional The thumbpad is a the remote control exclusive control for both right and left handed operators. When you are operating a device with any kind of onscreen menu, guide or display, the thumbpad offers you easy one-handed control with your thumb. your system. Discuss any non-channel favorite label with your installer, so that you understand how to use it. To use the FAVORITE Menu: 1. Press the FAV button. The top title bar will now display FAV. A channel lineup change in the future will require a service call to reprogram a few pages of channel macros for your client. If the client approves the costs of reprogramming whenever the channel lineup changes, then by all means program channel macros in FAV. However, there are many other uses for FAV that will not be affected by channel lineup changes. Remember the advantage of FAV. Whenever you press the FAV button, the SR10.1 remembers the device you were last on. So, when you are finished using FAV, you simply tap the MAIN button. The SR10.1 will return to the device and page you were last using! FAV LCD buttons can do a macro with 1 to 190 steps. Thus it can issue (by programming a MACRO of one step) any single IR command that is learned or preprogrammed with one exception. FAV LCD buttons cannot issue an IR code that must be sustained when the user presses and holds the button, like volume up. This makes FAV the perfect place to program one step macros to all of the system components' Power commands. You train your customer to go to FAV to turn individual components on and off. This is the recommended technique when the lack of discrete on and off codes makes macros unreliable. To SELECT or say OK, simply press your thumb straight down. You'll feel the click as the OK/SELECT/ENTER command is sent. Using FAV - Favorites The favorites menu is created uniquely for you by your custom installer. The screen labeled buttons now issue timed sequences of commands that will reset your system with one touch. Typically, the favorites menu is programmed with one touch "shortcut" buttons that issue all of the necessary commands to change the channel of your satellite dish or television. Thus, instead of entering a two or three digit number (which you must remember) and the enter command, you simply select the favorite button labeled HBO, CNN, TNT etc. The Favorite menu can be programmed with any favorite activity. It is not limited to channel favorites. Your custom installer may invent a feature unique to S IMPLY B ETTER! Use the FAV button and the PAGE button to navigate through your various pages of FAVORITES. The FAV button scrolls up from Page 1 to Page 5, using the PAGE button scrolls down from Page 5 to Page 1. As you select a new page, the bottom title bar will display the page number (page 1, page 2, etc.) FAV HBO CNN SHOW ESPN CNBC SPORT DISCO LEARN NICK DISNY To EXIT Fav and return to the last activity/device selected, press the MAIN button ONCE. To EXIT Fav and go to the MAIN Menu, press the MAIN button twice. B&K S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Page 7 and 8 of the Owner's Manual describe how the FAV button navigates to the Favorites pages. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions 5 The Programming Window A B C D T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R E F A B C D E F Menus and Shortcut buttons for common tasks. The Program Menu activates each task in the correct order. Tree View of the SR10.1 configuration. Tabs enable you to switch to program the SR10.1 or the SideKick. Tree View enables quick navigation, Sidekick enables drag and drop programming of the SideKick. The SR10.1 Simulator is used to navigate and to select a button to program, edit or record a macro to. Floating Edit and Label Buttons window is used to label buttons and move IR commands via shortcuts. The floating Macro and Favorite window is used to view and edit macros. The information bar displays whether your keyboard is cap locked or num locked. The important thing to remember as you program is that most Windows conventions hold true in B&K Editor. Explore the program menus. Hover your mouse over most of the buttons and controls and a balloon will appear with a hint as to purpose. Navigate around the program window and explore a little before you begin programming. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 6 Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions The Menu Bar and the Menus U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M Like all Windows programs, the menu bar reveals menus of commonly used tasks. Simply click on the menu title and the menu appears. Move the mouse cursor over the menu choice you wish to select and click. File Menu Configurations for particular clients are saved as files on your PC.Thus the file menu enables you to open, save and save copies of configurations. New - Use this to start programming a file from scratch. Open - Use this to open a file anywhere on your computer. Close - Closes only the current file, not B&K Editor. Save - If you wish to save your work to the current file. Save As - If you wish to save a new copy of the current file with a new file name. Recently opened files appear here for you to reopen with a click. Exit - To exit B&K Editor completely. Program Menu Many of the Program Menu steps will open a new window in front of the main window. Simply click on Cancel to close these windows if you open them in the course of exploring B&K Editor. 1. Create & Name Devices - Opens a new floating window for creating and naming Devices. You'll need a grouping of hard buttons and LCD pages for every remote control that you are replacing. That is called a Device. With the Create & Name Devices window, you will be able to create, name and rearrange up to twenty devices. 2. IR Database - Opens a new floating window to test and program IR code sets from the B & K IR database 3. LCD Button Editor - Opens a new floating window that allows you to arrange, label and program the LCD buttons for MAIN, Devices and your Favorites. 4. Learn - Grayed out until you select a button. Once you have selected a button, selecting LEARN on the Programming Menu activates the LEARNING function (which is a button on the Edit and Label buttons window) on whatever button is currently selected. 5. Macro - This menu choice is grayed out until you select a button capable of being programmed with a macro (Power On, Power Off or an LCD button only). Once you have selected a button, selecting Macro activates the MACRO recorder. Now, use the SR10.1 Simulator to select each step of your macro. The recorded steps appear in the Macro window. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions 6. Punch Through - Opens a floating window that enables you to program a button to "punch through" to another device.Typically used to program Volume Up, Down and Mute to always operate the surround sound receiver/preamp. 7. SideKick - This switches the left hand tabs from TREE VIEW of the SR10.1 to a simulator of the the SideKick. Once the SideKick is in view, you can drag and drop any button of the SR10.1 to the SideKick. 8. Backlight On Time - Opens a new window for adjusting the amount of time the backlighting will stay on. 7 T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Communications Menu Upload - Get the programming from a remote control and open it in B&K Editor as a new file. Once it is uploaded, you can save it, edit it and/or export the devices in it. Download - Send the currently open file to the remote control. Settings - Choose a different com port for the cable connecting the remote control to your computer. Help Menu Go to website - This will open your internet browser, connect to the internet and link you to the B & K website for additional technical support and resources. Live Update - Click on this after connecting to the Internet to download the newest version of B&K Editor. Firmware Version - Connect your remote control to the PC and click on this to identify the firmware version of the remote control when asked to do so by technical support. The Toolbar and Shortcut Buttons Hover your mouse over the Shortcut buttons, you will see a popup flag displaying the function of the shortcut. Click on the button to activate it. The most common functions of the menus are displayed on the toolbar, plus the two icons for displaying the Edit and Label Buttons Window , and the Macro Window . When you click on these shortcut buttons you turn the corresponding windows display on and off. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 8 The Simulator Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions Navigating and Selecting Buttons U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M The Simulator is the center of programming. You use the Simulator to SELECT a BUTTON. When a button is SELECTED it has a green circle around it. Once a button is SELECTED, you can use the Edit and Label Buttons Window or the Macro Window to program it. When you want to switch to a new device, first, click on the MAIN button. Choose the new device from the MAIN MENU by double clicking on it. On a real SR10.1, the double click is not necessary. But within B&K Editor you sometimes will want to program an LCD button on the MAIN page and single clicking the button enables you to select it for editing or macro programming. Cycle through Pages 1 to 4 of any device by clicking on the PAGE button. Navigate to the FAV device by clicking on the FAV button. Hover your mouse over a button to see the drag and drop flag. Click on a button to SELECT it. Button Capabilities and Flags A button with no flag will not do anything when pressed. It is empty and has no programming yet. A red dot indicates that the button is programmed with an IR database code. An IR database code can be tapped or pressed and held for a sustained burst. All buttons except the hard buttons within the MAIN or FAV devices can be programmed with IR database codes (you cannot program the navigation buttonsPAGE, MAIN or FAV either) . An L flag indicates that the button is programmed with a learned IR code. A learned code can be tapped or pressed and held for a sustained burst. All buttons can be programmed with learned codes (including all MAIN buttons, hard and LCD) except the buttons on FAV pages and the navigation buttons themselves. An M or F flag indicates that the button is programmed with a Macro (the F flag indicates the Macro is on one of the Favorites pages). Only the LCD buttons and the Power ON and Power OFF buttons can be programmed with MACROS. Hard buttons cannot be programmed with MACROS directly (they can issue a macro, if you program the macro on an LCD button and create a shortcut from the hard button to the LCD button). A macro with a single step cannot be pressed and held for a sustained burst. A black arrow on yellow indicates that the button is programmed with a shortcut to another button. A shortcut programs the button to do whatever is programmed on the button the shortcut points to (thus if it shortcuts to a learned or preprogrammed code, the button can be pressed and held for a sustained burst; while if it points to a macro with a single step, it cannot). A shortcut can point to any kind of button. FAV buttons cannot be programmed with shortcuts. A PT flag indicates that the button is programmed to "Punch Through" to another device. The drag and drop flag appears when you hover your mouse over a button. It will reveal the device and the button label plus indicators for pre-programmed, learned, etc. This aids programming the SideKick. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions 9 Tree View Devices and Pages Tree View controls what you see in the Simulator. It serves as the quickest way to navigate (especially when programming macros) and enables you to cut, copy and delete devices and/or pages via the right click context menus. A Page refers only to a group of ten LCD buttons, not to the hard buttons in the same device. A Device is comprised of up to four pages of LCD buttons and one set of functions for the hard buttons. Click on a device to SELECT it (the highlighting indicates it is selected) and the corresponding MAIN LCD button (the green circle indicates that a button is selected). T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Double Click on a device to expand or collapse your view of its pages (or you can single click on the +/-). Collapsed Expanded A single click on a page in Tree View will change the SIMULATOR to the selected PAGE and DEVICE. Right click on a device to reveal the Device Context Menu: Insert Page will insert an additional page to the device (to a maximum of 4). Cut will copy the entire device and when pasted will delete the original. Copy will copy the entire device without changing the original. Paste will paste the copied or cut device into the selected device, completely replacing whatever previous programming you had. Import Device will enable you to import a device you have previously exported, replacing the selected device. Export Device will allow you to save the selected device for future import. Delete Contents will delete all labels and codes but not the pages of a device or the name of the selected device. Delete will delete everything about the selected device. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 10 Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions Right click on a page to reveal the Context Menu for pages: U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M A macro from MAIN Power On is dragged to the SideKick. In this illustration, you can see that the MACRO from MAIN Power On has been successfully dropped into the SideKick's ON button. You can delete the contents of a page, or delete the entire selected page.When you select the last page (4 of 4, 3 of 3, 2 of 2 or 1 of 1) you can HIDE a page. A page that is hidden can still be used to hold commands that are used for macros. However, the end user will not be able to navigate to a HIDDEN page, so he/she will never accidentally issue codes that you place there. Cut, copy and paste are always grayed out, you cannot cut, copy and paste PAGES. SR10.1 Tree View or SideKick Via Tabs Switch between the two views by left clicking on the tabs. SR10.1 Tree View is useful for navigating while programming the SR10.1. SideKick view is used to program the optional SideKick remote control. SideKick programming is done via drag and drop. You simply drag any button on the SR10.1 to one of the SideKick's buttons. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions 11 The Edit and Label Buttons Window If the Edit and Label Buttons Window is closed, reopen it by clicking on the shortcut button on the toolbar. T H E B & K Whenever you SELECT a button, the Edit and Label Buttons window displays the button name (editable), the Device and the IR Code from the database. If you change the button name, the IR Code list box displays both the name you created and the original database name for the code (in paranthesis). The Edit and Label Buttons Toolbar Like the main toolbar, the shortcut buttons will display a hint if you hover your mouse over them. A single click activates their function. TEST - For learned codes. Will only test pre-programmed codes if you have downloaded to the remote. LEARN - Puts the software into learning mode, if an SR10.1 remote control is connected to the PC (See p. 23). CONTINUE - When you are learning a number of IR codes, use CONTINUE mode to automatically save and select the next button of that device. This saves tremendous time. See the section on LEARNING on p. 24. IR DATABASE - Another way to open the IR Database window. DELETE - Opens up the DELETE window, which enables you to selectively delete any part of a button's programming. A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R The Delete Window Simply click on the function you want to delete. For example, you can selectively delete just a MACRO, leaving the button to perform a previously programmed learned IR command. Or, you can delete all programming by selecting Button. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 12 Labels Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M You can change the name of any button. When you change the name of a button, it not only affects how the button appears in an LCD display, it also changes how the button displays in the pull down Code list (although the original name still appears beside the new label). Shortcuts - Copying Buttons You can create a SHORTCUT to another button by selecting it via the pull down lists under Device and IR Code. A SHORTCUT is simply a duplicate of whatever is programmed in the button you select via the two pull down lists. You CAN'T program SHORTCUTS in FAV buttons. You can make a hard button issue a macro by programming the macro on an LCD button somewhere, then creating a shortcut to the LCD button. You must press SAVE to make a SHORTCUT. Each page of LCD buttons is listed in the pull down IR Code list. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Windows, Menus,Tools and Definitions 13 The Macro/Favorite Window If the Macro Window is closed, reopen it by clicking on the The Macro Toolbar TEST You must select the first step you want played back first, then connect the remote to the PC. All steps after the selected step will play back, including any delays. This starts and stops the recording of macro steps. Any macro programming you do will be discarded unless you press the SAVE button. Opens the Delay window so that you can specify a delay in between macro steps. If you shortcut button on the toolbar. RECORD SAVE DELAY T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R place a delay as the first step in a macro, the user has to hold down the button for that much time before the macro will be issued. If the user does not hold down the button for the specified delay, the macro is not issued. JUMP INSERT Enables you to jump to any PAGE of any DEVICE at the end of a MACRO. You must select the button you want the macro inserted in, click on the INSERT button, then click on the button containing the macro you want copied. All of the macro steps are inserted into the new button in one step. Make any changes you want to the new macro, it is independent of the original (the original is not affected by any changes you make, nor is the copy affected by changes you make in the original). You must select the first step you want deleted first, then click on DELETE. DELETE Re-Ordering Macro Steps You can simply drag and drop steps to any order once they are programmed. Just click on changes you made SAVED. Macro Details if you want the The location (Device/Page/Name) of the button that will issue the macro when pressed. A Macro Step indicates the type of step with an icon, the # of the step, the function (name) of the step, and the Device it is actually taken from. Tip - There is more information on Programming Macros in the Tutorial on p. 27. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 14 Programming Overview Step by Step Tutorial A. New File, Existing File on PC or in Remote U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M NEW - Starting from scratch on a new job, go to the File Menu, choose New from the File Menu and pick the type of template you would like to use to program with. None of the templates have any IR codes, just prelabeled empty devices (although the Audio device has codes for factory testing in both the 10 device and the 20 device templates). Any of the three is ok, since you can quickly make an empty configuration have twenty devices, and just as quickly make a twenty device configuration completely empty! It's just personal preference whether you rename a list of devices or create new ones in an empty configuration. OPEN - Open a configuration that you have worked on before and saved onto the PC hard drive. UPLOAD - Get a file from a client's remote control that another installer created. Now, you can save the file on your laptop, make any edits or changes as the client requests or the jobsite requires. B. Use SAVE AS The templates files are simply configuration files that have been preprogrammed for you. They will keep any changes you make. Utilize Save As to make a new file with a new file name. All configuration files are saved with the file extension .mxf; all device files are saved with the extension .mxd (see D. Save and Export, below). TIP -- Always use File | Save As to rename the file before doing any programming! Use the customer's name and a rev # (i.e. SmithTheaterRev1.mxf) C. Use the Program Menu The Program Menu is your lifeline to a fast, easy programming experience. Follow the steps in the order shown in the Menu for best results.Typically, you will download to the remote control several times throughout this process and test what you have done so far.You'll need to download after finishing all programming. For macro playback to work, you need to have downloaded. These downloads are not listed in the steps here in the Program Menu and are not automatically done for you. It is important that you do all of the tasks for each step before moving on to the next step. Keep this manual handy so that you can verify that you have completed all of your tasks. D. Save and Export Archive and save your customer files. In addition, you can export devices as .mxd files. Programming systems with similar components gets even faster when you don't have to redo your work over and over. You have your own ideas about what buttons should be labeled and how they should be arranged. You'll save all of your work in a unique and time saving way by exporting the device stand alone.That way, you can import just the device in any new configuration. E. Download to both Remote Controls For once, you have a pre-printed summary sheet and an instruction manual for the entire Home Theater! Enjoy a brief training with your client and get home on time tonight! S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 15 Creating, Naming and Arranging Devices A device is the basic grouping of a set of hard buttons and up to 4 LCD button pages. You will need one device group for each remote control that the SR10.1 is replacing. You can have a maximum of 20 devices in your configuration. Every device is automatically linked with a jump-link to the device via the MAIN MENU (see operation manual for more detail). Open the Create and Name Devices Window You can open the Create and Name Devices window by clicking on the first item of the Program Menu or by clicking on the Toolbar icon as shown here. T H E B & K TIP - Hover the mouse over the Toolbar buttons and a pop-up label identifies it! Creating Devices 1 Click on the position you would like to create a new device in.Type the new name and hit either the ENTER or the TAB key on your keyboard, then type another name in. If you wish to leave a position blank, simply TAB past it. A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R 2 You must hit the SAVE button to create all the new devices in the order you selected. 3 Tree View reveals the new devices you've created and the simulator shows the new MAIN MENU LCD button names. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 16 Step by Step Tutorial 4 Try the simulator out now. If you click once a MAIN MENU button, you'll simply select the button, if you click again you will jump-link to the device group. Once at the new device group, you can touch the MAIN button to return to the MAIN MENU, etc. U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M SR10.1 Both Tree View and the SR10.1 Simulator show the newly created devices. 5 Open the Create and Name Device window again, and experiment with rearranging devices by simply dragging them to an empty location. Here the TV device is successfully dragged to the empty spot. In this example the TV device cannot be dragged to the RADIO spot.You must move the RADIO device first, then move the TV. TIP - When all positions are filled, you must delete one to do any rearranging of devices. 6 To delete a device, simply select it by clicking on it once, then click on the DELETE key of your keyboard or the Delete Device button. To delete a device, select it first, then click on the Delete Device button. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 17 Using the IR Database Discrete Codes, Toggles and other New Words The B&K Editor database is unique in the industry because it includes "secret" discrete codes that are not on the actual remote controls for many components. These codes are highly sought after by professional installers because they make automation of the home theater possible via reliable macros! Here are the facts you need to know: Discrete Commands versus Toggle Commands When a remote control's only button to turn on and off a TV set is labeled Power, it is usually a "toggle" command. Test it by pressing the button twice. If the power button turns on the TV, then turns it off, it is a toggle command. That is a big problem when you are programming macros! If you program a macro for watching TV with a toggle, then the macro is essentially point and pray (if the TV was off, it will turn on, if it was already on, it will turn off). On the other hand, if a macro is programmed with a discrete Power ON command, the macro will work every time (if the TV was off, it will turn on, if it was already on, it will stay on). So the term "discrete command" or "discrete code" means that the code will only do ONE THING to a component. For example: A single "Input" command is a toggle type command if it simply changes the input to another input when issued, while separate buttons for Antenna A, Antenna B, Ext 1, Ext 2 and Ext 3 are discrete input commands if, when issued, the TV goes directly to the named input (and if you give the same command again, it stays on the selected input). Here are some important facts about Discrete commands: "Secret" Discrete Codes exist for some components. Why are they secret? Because the manufacturer wants the remote control that accompanies the component to have the simplest appearance (fewest buttons). Since toggles reduce the number of buttons, they make the remote control appear easier to operate. Many manufacturers understand the needs of custom installers and build their components to also respond to discrete codes. They distribute the discrete codes via service remotes, etc. For the first time, those codes are collected and integrated into our database. Not all components respond to the discrete codes in the Database. A component has to be BUILT to respond to discrete codes.The fact that other models from the same manufacturer do respond to discrete codes is the reason the codes are added to a code set. However, some models will not respond, because the manufacturers did not build it to respond through budgetary considerations, time constraints or a simple oversight. T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Selecting a Code Set from the Database 1 Open the Database Window - Select IR Database from the Program Menu or the Toolbar. 2 Select the Device - selecting it from the list box as shown: TIP - Start with the top Device first, so that after you have programmed the first device, you can avoid pulling down the menu again, simply tap the Next Device button. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 18 Step by Step Tutorial 2 Category - Select the type or category of component (i.e.TV, VCR or DVD player). U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M 4 Model - Select the Model or the Code Set number (sometimes the actual model, sometimes a generic # assigned by us to a code set that operates many models over the years). 3 Brand - Select the company that made the component (i.e. B & K, Sony, Krell) S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 5 Test the Code Set A.Verify the SR10.1 is loaded with fresh batteries and connect the SR10.1 to the PC via the serial port. B.Turn on the component C. Point the connected SR10.1 so that it is in range and within line of sight of the component. D. Click on the Test button as shown here: 19 T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R E. Observe the component. If it stays on, click on another Model and continue until you find the Code Set that turns the component off. When it turns off, click on Save. F. If you know the Code Set # from prior experience, enter it in the text box, or use the up and down arrows to change the code number. If you have to test all of the code sets, this is probably the fastest way to test all code sets (usually learning codes is much quicker, try that first). G.After you find the correct Code Set, click on SAVE. When you do, the LCD Button Editor window pops open. Check the buttons on the original remote and compare to those on the LCD Button Editor. You can correct any labels that you think could be more user friendly. Feel free to rearrange buttons as you wish. Moving LCD buttons with the LCD button Editor is exactly like moving Devices, simply click and drag to an empty location. Once you are reasonably satisfied with the arrangement, click on the Apply button. 6 Continue with the rest of the devices you need, using the Next Device button to move to the next device (or manually picking them from the Device list box). S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 20 Testing Step by Step Tutorial U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M In most home theater systems, you will find that some codes have to be learned. You may have a brand new component whose codes are not yet in the B & K Database or you may have most of the codes for a component, but a few are missing. To find out what you'll need to learn, you must rigorously test all of the codes you have programmed using the IR Database and correctly label the buttons that have to be learned. Of course you can simply test a button and if it doesn't work, go into learn mode, test the command, relearn as necessary and so on. However, this wastes time. The best approach is to download, test all the commands, make a list, then use B&K Editor to modify labels, and delete unnecessary codes. Downloading to TEST Pre-Programmed IR Commands From The Database When you choose Download from the File Menu or click on the Download button on the Toolbar, the Download window appears.There are two choices for downloading: Partial Download - This quickly downloads all of the pre-programmed codes from the database.This stage of programming (before any learning or macro programming has been accomplished) is really the only time you can use this option. It does save you time! Full Download - This is the normal download you will use most of the time. It takes a little longer, but all commands, macros and programming are downloaded to the remote control. Once you've selected a Partial or Full download, click on the Download button. Preparing the List of Buttons to be Learned 1 Test ALL Buttons Begin testing the codes you downloaded to the SR10.1 remote control. Make sure that you test all buttons (hard buttons and the LCD buttons on each page or every device). Don't try to learn new commands yet, wait until you can do all of them at once systematically. Make a List of all buttons that don't work. Compare the original remote control to the SR10.1. Add missing functions that need to be learned to the List. 2 3 S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 21 T H E D Using LCD Button Editor A C B B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R E F G A Add, Edit & Delete Buttons - Select the button location where you would like to add, edit or delete a button, then simply single click on the desired action. In fact, there is no difference in function between Add and Edit.There are two buttons to prevent confusion. Symbol Shortcuts - Click on one of these buttons to type a symbol instead of a letter or number. Device List - Select the device whose pages you would like to edit. Scroll Pages - Since you can only view four pages at a time, the scroll pages buttons become active in FAV, which has five pages. Button Labels - Select the button you would like to rename by double clicking.To delete, single click then click on the Delete button in E. Hide Page Check Boxes - You must hide pages back to front. If you want page 1 hidden, move the buttons to page 4, then hide page 4. See Hiding pages section on the next page for more detail on HIDDEN pages. Save and Cancel - Only by clicking on SAVE, will your work be saved. No matter how many buttons you move or edit, hitting CANCEL will discard all the work you have done. B C D E F G Labeling and Deleting Buttons Use the LCD Button Editor to correct labels for LCD buttons on each of the devices you've created. Label empty buttons for codes that you need to learn.To LABEL a button, SELECT it by single clicking on it, then begin typing. Delete a button by selecting it with a single click and then clicking on either the DELETE key on your keyboard or the Delete button. Pressing the TAB or ENTER buttons on your keyboard will select the next position. TIP - If you label a button on a blank page, a new page will be added after you save. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 22 Dragging and Dropping Buttons Step by Step Tutorial U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M You can drag and drop a programmed button/label to any empty button. If there are no empty buttons, simply delete unused buttons first, then re-arrange as desired. Drag and drop requires that you click and hold on a button, then move to the new location and let go of the mouse button. Hiding Pages A hidden page is accessible during MACRO programming but the end user cannot manually access the page using the PAGE button. If all pages are hidden, the end user cannot access the hard buttons of the device either, essentially creating a HIDDEN DEVICE. This is the only way to prevent the automatic jump action that occurs on the MAIN menu for any DEVICE LCD button. You HIDE pages using the HIDE checkbox. However, you must hide pages from THE BACK TO THE FRONT. You cannot hide page 1, you must move buttons to page 4 and hide page 4. Once page 4 is hidden, you are allowed to hide page 3; after page 4 and page 3 is hidden, you may hide page 2. Only after page 4, 3 and 2 are hidden may you hide page 1. Tip - You can still program a Macro to jump to a HIDDEN page for special purposes! Moving Through Pages In Favorites FAV or the Favorites device has five pages, thus you cannot view all pages at once in LCD button editor. However, two scroll buttons (normally grayed out) become active when you are editing FAV. By utilizing these buttons, you can edit and view pages 1 through 4 or 2 through 5. Shortcuts - Copying Existing Buttons Any button on MAIN or a Device (not FAV buttons) can be programmed with a shortcut to another button. When you program a shortcut the icon will appear next to the button. When a button is programmed with a shortcut, it is essentially an exact copy of the other button regardless of how it is programmed (Learned IR, IR Database or Macro). Since a shortcut can copy a macro, it is the only way you can get a hard button to issue a macro (you program the macro on an LCD button on a hidden page somewhere, but the end user issues it by pressing a hard button programmed with a shortcut).To program a shortcut: 1 Select the button you want to program. 2 Open the Edit and Label Buttons window if it is closed. 3 Pull down the Device list and select the device where the button you want to copy is located. 4 Pull down the IR Code list and select the button you want by clicking on it. 5 Click on SAVE. 2 3 4 5 S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 23 Learning Tips Start with the remote controls an inch apart. Vary the learning distance from one inch to as much as four feet if the code doesn't test correctly. Make sure the remotes are pointed head to head! Fresh Batteries in the Original Remote Control - Weak batteries will cause B&K Editor to fail to correctly learn. Note that EVEN if the original remote still operates the component, the batteries can be too weak to produce a strong enough carrier for any learning remote control to detect!!!! When a code fails, replace the batteries FIRST! Tap instead of Pressing and Holding - With normal short burst codes (buttons the user would simply tap, rather than press and hold), this will produce better results. Normally, you should press and hold. The "Flutter" Technique - If you are having problems with a "Press and Hold" Code (like volume up or down a button the user would press and hold), sometimes fluttering the button while in learn mode improve its ability to be learned. The "Semaphore" Technique - Use a book or another opaque object in between the two remotes. Press the button on the original remote, then remove the obstruction for a moment, then put it back. Experiment with different timings. T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Learning IR Codes One at a Time 2 4 1 3 1 2 3 Select the Button - Select the button that you want to teach to by single clicking it. Click on the LEARN Shortcut Button - The Learn shortcut button stays depressed to indicate that you have selected LEARN mode. Wait for READY to Appear - The SR10.1 (not the SideKick) must be connected to the PC. Once you see the READY indicator, press and hold the corresponding button on the original remote control while pointing it at the TOP of the SR10.1. When the code is successfully learned, the window will say GOOD, confirming that the code learned "correctly." Actually, the GOOD means that the code might be good.... Press the test icon and point the connected SR10.1 at the component to test if it really is good! Reteach as necessary. Click on SAVE - You must click on SAVE to save the LEARNED command. `4 S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 24 Step by Step Tutorial Learning a Batch of Buttons Efficiently U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M 1 Tip - Find the correct "learning distance" using single code learning before beginning batch learning. 2 1 3 Select the STARTING Button - Select the button that is the top left of the buttons you want to teach to. When learning a batch of buttons, B&K Editor starts at the top left, moves down the LCD buttons on the left, then goes to the top right LCD button.When learning Hard buttons, B&K Editor starts at the top left, moves across each row, then moves down. Select both the LEARN and the CONTINUE shortcut buttons - The combination activates the batch learning capability of B&K Editor. Watch the INFO Window - When the info window says READY, press and hold the button on the original remote control.When it says GOOD, release the button. 2 3 4 4 Automatic SAVE and ReSelect - During batch processing, B&K Editor automatically saves and then reselects the next button. When you see that a new button has been selected and the INFO window says READY, then teach the corresponding button on the original remote control. This greatly speeds the learning process. Tip - To skip a button in the automatic sequence, simply select a new button. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 25 T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R Download and Test All Learned Buttons This time when you download, make sure that you choose FULL DOWNLOAD, otherwise your learned codes will not download to the remote control.Test all the learned buttons, and go ahead and correct the problems as you find them. Copying and Pasting Devices If you right click on a device in Tree View, a context menu appears that enables you to Copy a device.When you select another device, right click and select Paste.The entire contents of the selected device will be erased and replaced by the contents of the device you copied.The original copy stays in place unchanged. If you wish to delete the original, choose Cut instead of Copy.When you choose Cut, then the original device is deleted when you Paste into a selected new device. Tip - Use Copy and Paste to create a duplicate of your customer's receiver device, then rename the duplicate "Tuner" or "Radio".Then use LCD button editor to eliminate all of the surround sound and input buttons in the RADIO device and all of the Tuner functions from the "RCVR" device. This creates a very simple RADIO device that is much easier for your clients to understand. Many installers go a step further and HIDE all the pages in the RCVR device, so that their clients cannot readjust and accidentally ruin the surround sound calibration. Remember, buttons on hidden pages are still programmable as macro steps! S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 26 Importing and Exporting Devices Step by Step Tutorial U S I N G B & K E D I T O R T O P R O G R A M If you right click on a device in Tree View, a context menu appears that enables you to Import or Export a device.When you select a device, right click and select Export.The entire contents of the selected device will be saved to your PC with a new file name.The original copy stays in place unchanged. If you have some saved DEVICE files, choose Import to add the device to your client's remote control. Tip - Name your EXPORTED device files by Category, Manufacturer & the Model #. Importing Step by Step 1 Right click on Tree View and choose Import Device. 2 When the Open dialog window appears (as you see below), navigate to the folder you stored your device files and select the one you want to import. MX Editor for B&K Components 3 Once you select a file, the Import Device window will open as you see below. 4 In the Available Devices window, select the device you see (it will have the original 5 letter LCD label from the original configuration, rather than the Manufacturer/Model/Category name you filed it as). 5 Now select an EMPTY position on either MAIN page 1 or MAIN page 2.You cannot replace an existing device, only an empty spot. 6 Click on the ARROW pointing to the right at the MAIN pages, then click on SAVE. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K Step by Step Tutorial 27 Macro Programming What is a Macro? A macro is a recording of a sequence of commands that is played back when the user presses a single button. A macro can have up to 190 steps. A step can be: IR Command - Any IR command on any hard button, LCD button on any device. IR commands in the IR Database are not available to Macros until they have been programmed into a button somewhere within the configuration. Delay - Adjustable delay between steps of .1 and 30 seconds. Longer delays can be created by using more than one delay. If a delay is programmed as the first step in a Macro, the macro will not be issued until the button is pressed and held for the specified amount of time. Jump - As the last step in a Macro, you can specify a jump to any page of any device. However, an LCD button on MAIN is automatically programmed to jump to the first page of the device as the first step in a Macro (unless all pages are hidden). You can program another jump in the macro, so that the automatic jump will happen at the beginning of the macro and the manually programmed jump will happen at the end of the macro. See Advanced Programming Tips on page 45 for examples of how you can utilize this feature. T H E B & K A U T O M A T E D T H E A T E R What Buttons Can Playback a Macro? Only LCD buttons and the Power On and Power Off buttons can be PROGRAMMED with a Macro. However, any button can playback a Macro by using a shortcut to a button that has a Macro in it.Thus, if you need a Macro on a hard button (i.e. Prev CH), you can program the macro on an LCD button (could be in a hidden page somewhere) and simply shortcut to it (see page 22 for step by step info on shortcuts). Discrete IR Codes vs Toggle IR Codes Manufacturers program their products to respond to IR codes with one action or many: Toggle - More than one action can occur when the code is sent by a remote control. An example is a POWER button.The manufacturer programs the TV to respond to a POWER command by turning it on if it was off and turning off if it was on. So one button can do two things. This requires that the user "know" or "see" that the television is on or off before pressing the button. Another example is a television with an "INPUT" command. When the code is issued, the television changes its input. Since the television has 5 inputs, the single "INPUT" command can have five different results, depending on what input was previously selected.The user has to "know" or "see" what input was previously selected before deciding how many times to push the INPUT button. Discrete - Only one action can occur when the code is sent by a remote control. An example is a television with a POWER ON button and a POWER OFF button. If the television is already on, the POWER ON command has no effect. If the television is off, the POWER ON command will turn on the television. Another example is a television with five discrete input commands (ANT A, ANT B, EXT 1, EXT 2 and EXT 3). No matter what input was previously selected, any of these commands will change the television to the desired input WITHOUT the end user "knowing" or "seeing" what the previously selected input was! Tip - Not all components have "discrete"codes on their original remotes,check the IR Database!. S IMPLY B ETTER! B&K 28