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Macros, of course!
Any remote control in the $60 price range should have at least a couple of macros, and the 15-2133 certainly meets the criteria – even if it doesn’t particularly excel. Macros can be stored on any available key, however they automatically “punch through” to all devices. So, if one is recorded on [M1], that button will contain the same macro under every device. Thus, although the theoretical macro limit could be as high as 45, the realistic limit is only 4.
Each macro can hold up to 15 steps including device switches, so a macro to power off all 6 components would occupy 12 steps. Macros are recorded quite simply: enter recording mode (setup code 9-9-5), select where it should go and then begin entering the desired commands. Recording is completed by holding the “P” key for three seconds, or by running out of available steps. No advanced playback or editing modes are provided, if you want to test a macro just use it.
The inter-command delay time, or the amount of time the remote waits between transmitting each command, seems to be about a half second with a further half second added to switch devices. This delay time cannot be adjusted, nor can additional delays be inserted between individual commands.
Macros cannot be assigned to device buttons, which could be a serious disappointment to anyone looking to fully automate their system. With the incredible wealth of discrete codes readily available in UEI’s database, it would have felt natural to assign power and input-switching commands to run whenever a device is selected.
Locks and scans.
After preprogrammed codes have been assigned, additional codes taught and macros recorded, there’s still more remote customization to be had.
First up is “Volume Lock” (setup code 9-9-3), formerly known as a “punchthrough”. By default the remote has no punchthroughs assigned, which basically means that the television’s volume will be controlled while in the “TV” device, the receiver’s audio in “AUD”, and nothing anywhere else. The typical quick-fix solution to this issue is to merely teach the receiver or television’s volume keys under all devices, but since learning space is valuable on the 15-2133 it’s wiser to use the lock.
By assigning a volume punchthrough the remote will “punch” the volume commands from one device through to another, so while in DVD mode the volume keys operate the receiver. The 15-2133 lets you assign volume lock from one device to all other devices quite easily, and then remove the lock on a device-by-device basis afterwards. Transport-based punchthroughs are not provided.
The next advanced option is called “Favorite Channel Scan” (setup code 9-9-6). This interesting little feature maps to a dedicated key on the remote that will only work for TV, VCR, DVD, Satellite and Cable devices. In essence, the remote stores unique mini-macros containing up to 10 favorite channels under each supporting device type. When the [FAV SCAN] button is activated, the remote will go through a three-second preview of each entered channel. To stop scanning, press any key. The remote supports channel numbers of up to five digits in length, including the [ENTER] key. If this mode has not been specifically configured for a device, the remote sends the [CHANNEL UP] command every three seconds.
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