Toggle Commands create “Point & Pray” Macros
Imagine a system with three components (a TV, a VCR and a surround sound Receiver). Each has a toggle type
POWER command on the original keypad. You program a macro with the three power commands on the MAIN
Power ON button and tell your client to turn on their system with this button. Here’s what will happen:
The client will pick out a videotape and insert it in the VCR (the VCR will now automatically turn on).The client sits
down, picks up their CK1.2 Keypad and presses the MAIN Power On button.The three toggle type power commands
are issued. So, since the TV and the Receiver were Off, they turn on, however the VCR was already on from inserting
the tape, so it turns off. The client is puzzled that they don’t see a picture, so they press the MAIN Power On but-
ton again.The three toggle type power commands are issued again.This time the TV and the Receiver turn off and
the VCR turns on.The client begins to get frustrated...
TIP - For systems with lots of toggle Power codes, create a “Power” help list.
You cannot successfully train a family to use a Point & Pray macro. It is too inconsistent. You are
better off creating a help list device named “POWER.” On the Power Page 1, create shortcut
buttons to all of the components toggle power commands.Train the customer to turn on the system
by pressing the Power button on MAIN, then turning anything that they need on one at a time. Once
the system is on, they press MAIN and decide what they want to watch or listen to.
Professional Installations Require “Bullet-Proof” (Reliable) Macros or a help list.The use of Point &
Pray macros will create service calls and a lot of bad will. Never leave a customer with a remote
programmed to “maybe” work...
Finding Workarounds for Toggle Commands in Macros
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
2) DVD Stop
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)
TV to EXT3 = 1) Ch Up (takes TV to ANT A regardless of what input was last selected)
2) Input (takes TV to next input - ANT B)
3) Input (takes TV to next input - EXT 1)
4) Input (takes TV to next input - EXT 2)
5) Input (takes TV to desired input - EXT 3)
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Programming Tutorial
DVD OFF= 1) DVD Play
2) Delay (amount of delay varies with brand and model, typically 1
or 2 seconds)
3) DVD Power
