Autorepeat doesn't work with USB-UIRT and Harmony remote

[stanjordan]

I have created several Macro's (ex: Cursor Right/IR command/Emulate Keystroke/Autorepeat) in EG to emulate keyboard commands to control Beyond TV. I am using the USB-UIRT as a receiver, and a Harmony remote programmed as a Firefly Mini. The autorepeat doesn't seem to work. When I press and hold down the remote key, the USB-UIRT flashes continuosly indicating that it is receiving the IR signal from the remote. The macro executes one time and stops on the autorepeat command. Interestingly, if I click and hold the Execute Item button on the tool bar, the macro executes multiple times. I seems like the USB-UIRT is just sending a "one-shot" command. This is my first HTPC build. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Bitmonster]

If you press a button, you should see the icon staying red as long as you hold down the button and only a single event arriving in the logger.

Is this both the case?

[stanjordan]

The icon in the system tray momentarily goes red then back to steady green even though I am still holding down the remote button. I see a single event arriving in the logger.

[Bitmonster]

Ok, then something doesn't work as it should. I would suggest to try another IR code format for your Harmony.

Jon Rhees has posted a tool, where you can check if the USB-UIRT device is working properly:
http://www.usbuirt.com/lrnhelper_0_0_2.zip
In this tool you should see many codes arriving as long as you hold down the button. If you only get a single one, the remote code is not suitable for advanced event handling like AutoRepeat.

[stanjordan]

I donwloaded and ran the Irnhelper 0 0 5.zip utillity that Jon recommended from USB-UIRT support. The IR code did not repeat or blink initially when holding the remote button. Then I selected File -> USB-UIRT Settings and checked the box "Pass Stop Codes as Repeated Events". The IR code now blinks and the Repeat Macro now works. Problem solved!
Thanks for your help Bitmonster.

[stanjordan]

I've discovered a new problem with the the irnhelper solution of checking the "Pass Stop Codes as Repeated Events" box. When EventGhost is restarted, the "Pass Stop Codes as Repeated Events" in irnhelper is cleared. Once this happens, the autorepeat no longer works. Any suggestions? Is there a way to create a macro in EG that will re-enable the irnhelper setting?

[Bitmonster]

Well, I will ask Jon Rhees if I can toggle this option through the driver, but I'm afraid he is currently away.

I would suggest that you try to use another code profile for your Harmony. The code of the Firefly mini doesn't seem to be the best choice.

Little background:
Codes where this "Pass Stop Codes as Repeated Events" option would help are sending the actual button code only one time and then repeat a shorter sequence as a repeating code. The repeating code is always the same for all buttons. So if the receiver misses the first code, he can't decipher the repeated codes. As a result it is important, that the transmission is perfect from the beginning.

Most other protocols use a repeat code that is different for every button (or in other words they always repeat the button code), so even a partly transmission gives you the right button. They are therefore somewhat more fail-safe.

[Smoker]

Can someone please clarify the need for the alt mce driver ? In plain language for me.

[Bitmonster]

Can someone please clarify the need for the alt mce driver ? In plain language for me.

What has this question to do with this thread?
And the wiki page I gave you should already answer this question.

[stanjordan]

Bitmonster, thanks again for your response. I'll may try setting up my Harmony as something other than the FireFly Mini.

[Bitmonster]

I've now added the option "Pass short repeat codes as enduring events" to the latest beta that does the same thing as the "Pass Stop Codes as Repeated Events" option in the "Learn Helper Utility" from Jon Rhees. I've only renamed it a bit because the context is a little different in EventGhost.