Power Tracking on IR without Discretes

cheekytigerapps

Hi All,

I am wondering what the best method is to track if an IR device is already on.


EXAMPLE:
I have selected source XBOX and tv turns on (and matrix, amp, etc) later I select Bluray (matrix, amp, etc do there stuff) but the tv turns off because the Power command is being reissued.

The TV in question does not have discrete codes (i have contacted the manufacturer). I have thought of using functions but I am not quite sure what the best method is.

pdabrowski

Only reliable way is to use some form of hardware based sense device.

AMX have the video sync sensor http://www.amx.com/products/VSS2.asp that is able to detect a video signal (ie, the Video Out connector on the device you are controlling), or the http://www.amx.com/products/PCS2.asp a 110V power current sensor that apparently is able to detect whether a device is in On or Standby modes.

a_riot42

All you can really do is set a variable according to the TV power state and track it. It can get out of sync though and then the user is turning it on when they want it off and vice versa. In that case they have to hit the source button twice to get it back in sync. Short of installing a current sensor on the TV to track power, you are left with trickery, perhaps giving them a power toggle button, and the user understanding that they shouldn't buy uncontrollable TVs. Its been a long while since I've had to control a TV that didn't have power discretes though, most manufacturers have wizened up in that regard.
Paul

cheekytigerapps

Something like this

DEFINE_CONSTANT
   INCLUDE 'SNAPI'

DEFINE_VARIABLE
INTEGER nZ1TVPowerStatus = 0; //  0 = off, 1 = on

DEFINE_FUNCTION PowerStatSend(CHAR sCmd[]){
	IF(nZ1TVPowerStatus)
		//Send String to Matrix
	ELSE {
              BUTTON_EVENT[dvTPSD,166]
{
    PUSH:
{
    PULSE[dvSoniqTV,sqPower]
}
}
	}
}

DEFINE_FUNCTION Power On

Can some check if i am on the right idea

Darkside

Some/many TV's actually have a form of discrete on that is not the power button.

For instance Panasonic screens will switch on if you press a numeric digit on the remote. Therefore, you are pretty nearly always right to assume the screen is on after firing that IR digit cmd.

From there all you need is a small function to force it back to your AV mode. The Panas can actually accept this source change before you see or hear anything from the FTA (from the power off state) making it almost unkown to the end user you've gone via TV mode first.

It can be a little messy (read: time consuming) when going from say av 1 to 2 when it's already on - in that for you to be sure you're on, you will need to fire the digit 1 at it first etc...

It's a bit of overhead for sure and may even score you a flash of FTA now and then depending on the screen, but it's generally ok for most people and a small price to pay for resolving the 'power on sync issue'....and, it's done in code.

Test your screen by firing every button but power at it whilst it's off to see if it powers up...

As mentioned by others already the only 1000% sureity is hardware, however, this method runs a pretty good second place in my experience...

cheekytigerapps

I will give that a go Steve. I believe that turning the channel up turns it on so I will use that.

vining

If your decide to go with a hardware sensor here's some from Xantech that I've used lately. The first link is the connecting block to which any of the following sensor devices will connect. From the connecting block you then go to an IO on the master. You can power the connecting block to the master's power supply or its own plug in power supply.

Sensors: current, magnetic, video, audio, contact closure, ac/dc voltage (discontinued led/light).

http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/CBCSM1/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/CSM1/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/SMMAG01/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/SMVID01/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/SMAUD01/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/SMCC01/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/ControllersSwitches/ControllersSwitchers/SMVLT01/

There was also a SMLIT01 led/lighting sensor which they seem to have discontinued for some reason and of course that's the one I've used the most.

alexsquared

Without discretes, hardware sensor is the best way to go.