Does the Rio remote control follow any standard for audio functions (Play, Stop, Next Song) as any other device, such as another manufacture's CD-player. In other words, can I use a universal remote with the Rio Receiver, or is the Rio just using their own codes for the remote. It would be nice if I could a least get the next song function working.

There are no "standard" codes - but there are standard protocols. Every manufacturer - including Rio - has a unique identity code. A universal remote which is pre-programmed for specific devices will not work (unless they happen to support the Receiver), but a learning remote will work fine.

Rob

If you're interested in a Universal Remote that can control the Rio Receiver (or the Empeg Car for that matter), look into a "learning" remote. These remotes will "record" the functions of another remote, regardless of brand.

The Radio Shack 15-1994 is a particularly good one for this. And if you're really into fancy stuff, you can build a simple interface for it, allowing you to use your PC to reprogram it and remap the buttons. The details of this hacking project can be found here.

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Tony Fabris

Thanks for all the information, I am trying to get my A / V receiver remote to control the Rio, and as it is not a learning remote, I was hoping the Rio just might match some popular CD-Player's control signals. If anyone has found a compatible unit that the Rio understands please let me know.

What I really would like to see, is a firmware update that allows Streaming MP3's to be player from the server, such as Internet Radio or even my own local LAN based MP3 Radio station. Then I could use a wireless laptop to control the song selection. Plus, finally read the song currently playing.

I am looking into the Rio Hack http://www.mock.com/receiver/server/
At least using this you can incrementally add songs to the database, while the receiver is still playing. Hope some of this makes it into a future update.

I was hoping the Rio just might match some popular CD-Player's control signals.

Generally, manufacturers deliberately avoid matching other companies' IR signals. This is to prevent you from accidentally controlling both devices at the same time if you own them both.

That's why the companies that make universal remotes keep coming out with new ones. The manufacturers keep inventing new codes, so the remote control makers have to keep upgrading their eproms.

That's why I like the 15-1994 and its ability to be hacked by the PC. It's got an upgrade memory that you can fill with new codes, so it's future-proof.

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Tony Fabris

Tony,
Thanks for the information and the link before, yes it makes sense that you would want codes to be different when controlling other devices. I will look into that 15-1994 remote. I'm sure the Rio Receiver will never be included as a device in any Universal remote, that's why I thought they might have made it similar to another device.

I wish someone from Rio could post the remote's control codes, I couldn't even find them in this extensive Cross-Ref list. You never know, may just match someone else codes.

I've also checked Remote Central.com couldn't find anything about the Rio's Remote. Has anyone been able to program a learning remote to control the Rio, without hacking the 15-1994? Maybe I'll give it a try.

I wish someone from Rio could post the remote's control codes

The beauty of the 15-1994 (and heck, any PC-programmable learning remote such as the Pronto, for that matter), is that you can use the remote to learn the buttons, then dump that binary information to the PC. From there, you can examine it, translate it (there is software to translate 1994<->Pronto for example), publish it, etc. My point is that you can do it yourself, you don't need the Rio guys' help.

I'd do it myself, but I'm kind of swamped right now.

One of the more interesting things you can do with the 1994 is: You can learn all the buttons, then translate those learned codes into an "upgrade" file, essentially turning it into another standard device code. If you're interested in doing this, check out the JP1 hacking site.

My point is that everything you're talking about can be done as a D-I-Y project if you've got the right hardware.

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Tony Fabris

The remote codes will not match any other remote - the manufacturer ID is unique.

The car player supports Kenwood automotive remotes, but that's purely for historical reasons (empeg used to ship a Kenwood remote before manufacturing a custom part).

I daresay it would be possible to hack the player to support other remotes, though. This has been done by enthusiastic owners of the car player, and a similar process could work with the Receiver (AFAIK).

Rob

I daresay it would be possible to hack the player to support other remotes, though. This has been done by enthusiastic owners of the car player, and a similar process could work with the Receiver (AFAIK).

Of course! I'd forgotten about that. Talk to Frank Van Gestel and see if he's got any clues on how to hack the Receiver's kernel in the same way he hacked the Empeg's kernel. I'll bet it's not that hard.

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Tony Fabris

New to the forum, but I have hacked the codes for the receiver and will post them here. Check out the RS-1994 remote forum to find out how to create a custom device.

Jeff

protocol name: NEC1
device code 1 130
device code 2 19

Advanced Codes (EFC)
num 0 131
num 1 124
num 2 252
num 3 127
num 4 255
num 5 126
num 6 254
num 7 129
num 8 001
num 9 128
power 188
enter 191
menu 061
up arrow 060
down arrow 190
select 191
play 192
pause 192
rewind 195
fast fwd 194
stop 125
exit 062
list 000
search 002
random 065

Great work, am sure it will end up in the FAQ

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/N.341 Empeg 2xDigital Audio Receiver - one Wireless