If you are having a problem with the Virtual Remote Control setup on your Vulkano it usually comes down to a couple of basic questions:
- When I run the Video Source set up my Cable/Satellite/DVR device is not supported.
- My On-Screen Remote control has no effect on the device.
Let’s look at each of these questions in turn:
1. When I run the Video Source set up my device is not supported
The first thing is to make sure you try all the models associated with the manufacturer of your device, as most manufactures use similar code sets across their device range. Also, if it is applicable, try your provider as well. For example, Comcast tends to use Motorola boxes so try all the options under both Comcast and Motorola.
If none of the codes work then you may need to create your own learned remote codes. We have a great article on how you can do so here. How To: Create Learned Remote Codes for Vulkano
If creating your own code does not work for you then you may need a Custom Remote. But you are in luck. Quite a few of these have already been built and have been stored in our download area:
http://vulkanocommunity.com/downloads/
So check there to see if your device, or one with a similar name, had been produced.
If your device is not there then post a request in the Remote Control Discussions forum.
When doing so make sure you supply the
- Manufacturer and Model Number of your device.
- Which Vulkano Product you own.
- Confirm in the body of the posting that you have carried out all the above checks so we do not just redirect you back to this post.
2. My On-Screen Remote control has no effect on the device
Here is a list of checks to make sure that everything is working properly, so first work through these.
The Vulkano controls your A/V device(s) with the IR Blaster and a IR Blaster cable that is included with the Vulkano.
So if you can’t control your Vulkano first do these checks;
- the IR Blaster cable is inserted firmly into the back panel of the Vulkano;
- the emitter (the bulb at the end of the IR Blaster cable) is positioned properly in front of the IR receiver of your A/V device;
- and you have chosen an appropriate IR code when you used the Setup Wizard to configure the Vulkano software,
…then you should be able to control the A/V device from your Vulkano Remote Control.
But what if you still can’t then;
If the onscreen remote control doesn’t work at all (such as, none of the Vulkano remote control buttons work) here are some advanced things to try.
Verify the location of the IR sensor on your A/V device:
- If you don’t see or can’t find the IR sensor: Sensors are often behind a dark, reddish plastic window on the front of your device. Others may be hidden behind the plastic on the front of the device. If you don’t see the sensor, shine a flashlight on the front of the device and look for a small bulb similar to the one on the end of the IR Blaster. Make sure that the IR Blaster is properly located so that its light bulb can trigger the IR sensor on your A/V device.
Verify that the remote control system on your A/V device is still working:
- Make sure that your handheld remote control and your A/V device are set to use IR signals to communicate. Some remotes and devices can use either IR (infra-red) or RF (radio frequency) signals. IR Blasters only work with IR signals.
- Put fresh batteries in the handheld remote control that came with your A/V device, and try to control it. If it doesn’t work, then something’s wrong with your A/V device’s ability to accept remote control signals.
Verify that the IR Blaster is working properly:
- You can also try the digital camera test. Rather than configuring a different device, you can visually inspect the emitters to see if they’re transmitting a signal when you press a button on the Vulkano onscreen remote control. To do this, you’ll need any digital camera. You’ll also need to place yourself so that you can press a button on the remote control while viewing the IR emitter up close through the camera’s LCD display. (Getting help from a friend might be the easiest solution.)If you’re viewing the IR emitters through the camera LCD viewfinder, you’ll actually see a small flash of white light (as shown below) when any Vulkano remote control button is pressed. The flash is quick but easily detected through the camera LCD display.
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| Proper position of camera in relation to IR emitter. | The small white flash on the emitter (as seen by the camera LCD view) indicates the emitter is transmitting properly. Note: The human eye can’t detect this white flash directly; you need to look through the camera’s LCD screen. |
If you see emitters flashing when you send commands, chances are good the problem is not in the IR Blaster.
Remote control still not working?
If the device you are trying to control is a DirecTV, Dish Network and TiVo box then these allow for multiple Remote Addresses so you have to make sure your select the correct address (The normal remotes assume the
default address). Some of the devices have built-in remotes for some alternative codes, but if yours is not included (and you cannot change the address to one that is supported) then post a request on the forum, giving the device and the address.
Some of these also use RF for their systems so make sure you have IR selected for the output you are using.
If that doesn’t help then it might be the wrong codes being sent.
Check out the answer to Q1 above and see if using Custom Remote helps.
If all that fails then post a question on the Forum but again make sure you mention you have carried out all the tests described in this post.
Join the Remote Control Discussions forum discussion on this post here.
