This page refers to the One For All Big Easy remote control from Universal Electronics. This is a U.K. model but the content applies to other models.
The Big Easy is programmable to work four consumer electronic devices via infrared remote control. The primary devices must be tv, vcr or satellite. An auxilliary key can be set to any of those devices and it is possible to assign any primary device to another primary key, that is the control could work two tvs and two vcrs, say.
In order to work a device, the protocol for it's infrared receiver must be available in the Big Easy and must be selected. The selection is done from a list of manufacturer's codes, printed in the manual.
Download the One For All, Big Easy, remote control manual
A protocol is a list of parameters that control the way that infrared codes are sent. Protocols vary between manufacturers, but will be common to several manufacturers and models. Ordinarily, consumer devices use codes that make and break a stream of pulses of around 38khz. this is different to the IRDA communication between computers.
Certain digibox protocols, such as BskyB and OnDigital, are not included on the Big Easy.
The Big Easy is able to carry out basic commands such as channel change and stop and start. However, most users would be unaware that it is possible to extend this control using what are called "magic" codes. This begs the question "why would we want to do that?"
Well, the basic codes do not suit all models. Also, with complicated devices such as analogue satellite receivers, we will need more than basic control to get to the menus. Combination devices may pose a problem and the basic controls will not let us switch in a satellite receiver to a tv, though, If we are lucky, this may happen due to scart-lead control.
Universal Electronics will, if asked, provide individual codes to carry out the function of one of the original control keys. this does not help us if we don't have that remote control, or if we need further codes. This, then, is the reason for writing this page.
It is possible to set up a table containing the codes such that, if one needed code is found, the others can then be found near to it on the table. I am providing a printable version of the code table, or algorithm, for download.
Download the Universal Electronics One For All remote control algorithm
Each magic code consists of three digits. These can be sent on the fly or they can be assigned to an available key. If enough unused keys are not available, we simply assign the protocol to another primary key, so we have two copies available. Please refer to the manual you have downloaded.
You will learn from the manual about using the magic key - and waiting for the double blip - to assign a protocol. When sending a magic code we don't do this. Instead we press the magic key, immediately followed by the three-digit magic code. This is ok for occasional use and quick results, but it is better to assign the code to a spare key.
The Universal Electronics, One For All, key code algorithm.
Friday, November 18, 2005. Kelada, Hampton Wick. Algorithm of key codes for use with Universal Electronics European remote control type URC-2585, "Big Easy", chipset 053ZK. Codes will work with other Universal Electronics remote controls. See the how to use sheet.
437 697 695 443 692 440 438 698
565 313 311 571 308 568 566 314
629 377 375 635 372 632 630 378
245 505 503 251 500 248 246 506
725 473 471 731 468 728 726 474
341 601 599 347 596 344 342 602
405 665 663 411 660 408 406 666
533 281 279 539 276 536 534 282
677 425 423 683 420 680 678 426
293 553 551 299 548 296 294 554
357 617 615 363 612 360 358 618
485 233 231 491 228 488 486 234
453 713 711 459 708 456 454 714
581 329 327 587 324 584 582 330
645 393 391 651 388 648 646 394
261 521 519 267 516 264 262 522
701 449 447 707 444 704 702 450
317 577 575 323 572 320 318 578
381 641 639 387 636 384 382 642
509 257 255 515 252 512 510 258
477 737 735 483 732 480 478 738
605 353 351 611 348 608 606 354
669 417 415 675 412 672 670 418
285 545 543 291 540 288 286 546
429 689 687 435 684 432 430 690
557 305 303 563 300 560 558 306
621 369 367 627 364 624 622 370
237 497 495 243 492 240 238 498
717 465 463 723 460 720 718 466
333 593 591 339 588 336 334 594
397 657 655 403 652 400 398 658
525 273 271 531 268 528 526 274
Friday, November 18, 2005. Kelada, Hampton Wick.
Usage sheet for Universal Electronics remote control, algorithm.
Reference should be made to the standard lists from other sources. Chief source is the Unofficial One For All site. Before using the algorithm, prepare the control as best as possible. Try to enter or find, the correct manufacturer's model code for the device it is intended to control or, at least, press the appropriate device selector button on the control - tv, vcr or sat. This is to ensure that the codes are sent with an appropriate transmission protocol. Most URC controls will not do hi-fi.
The sought codes will normally be in either the top or bottom half of the algorithm, or may be mirrored in both, though one code set did occupy the first column of the whole algorithm. Combo devices, e.g. tv/vcrs, may have codes in both halves, though many of them use vcr codes only.
Find the first "magic" code using the frequency of use list printed below. Frequency is from left to right. Locate the first code on the algorithm, either using the standard location sheet, inspection, or, if using a PC screen, the find facility.
Try out codes above and below, then those to left and right. As codes are found, it helps to highlight them with felt-tip pen and the function should be written next to the code.
A pattern will emerge, typically of adjacent columns of eight, but it is not uncommon for whole columns and, occasionally, rows, to be left unused.
Notice should be taken of likely codes left un-highlighted. It may be that these may have some hidden purpose and they should be re-tried in order to find menu-scrolling codes etc. This is possibly the most important use of the algorithm - to discover that which is not obvious. Look out for child-proof codes. Codes which yield information to the screen may have a second purpose as "select item" keys when used with a menu.
The procedure to try a "magic" code is press "magic" followed by the three digits and watch for any reaction in the controlled consumer device. Any important code, such as a menu code, should be assigned to an unused button as follows:-
Press and hold the magic key on the remote control till the led blinks twice. Enter the key-assignment code digits, 9 9 4. Again, the led blinks twice. Press the magic key, followed by the three-digit code derived from the algorithm. Press the key to which the function is to be assigned. The led should blink twice. The required function should now be available on this key. Yes, you can get your original function back - after keying in the 994 assignment code, press the appropriate key twice - without using the magic key again.
One-For-All Extended Function Codes (EFC's) in approximate descending order of frequency of use: Read the codes left to right i.e. 571 is the most common code.
571 377 612 238 438 492 279 629 437 635 568 246 248 500 251 443 652 420 558 683 465 378 408 276 660 308 565 423 630 370 306 305 233 313 677 334 506 411 698 720 680 548 566 466 468 725 311 594 627 314 624 689 560 296 425 485 534 491 666 657 268 369 231 375 658 690 243 498 240 728 632 702 406 503 300 299 333 602 405 536 440 495 486 678 364 642 357 450 692 435 584 330 347 539 622 621 228 695 281 234 596 665 697 288 655 582 237 358 449 563 593 526 488 553 344 432 575 430 718 382 293 294 372 551 360 342 617 391 483 323 651 426 282 291 384 540 641 497 648 286 615 738 403 480 474 363 388 252 400 264 255 245 339 531 723 267 522 731 274 669 645 533 545 704 505 258 587 324 381 477 285 670 261 543 608 317 512 367 528 463 327 418 387 707 554 510 460 444 341 273 318 429 687 262 471 599 546 303 397 636 684 417 456 320 393 447 577 717 601 646 336 663 726 515 459 271 516 521 478 454 711 618 708 572 525 581 453 735 713 415 519 354 394 714 701 348 672 412 473 732 557 509 578 351 329 606 588 639 611 353 257 398 605 737 675 591
The code tables were preformatted in other documents. If there is a problem seeing them on your browser or copying and pasting them, please contact me by email: [email protected]
Footnote, 21st November 2006
I was surprised to note the interest shown in this One-For-All page and decided I should try it myself, after downloading it.
I had set up a Panasonic ctv. I downloaded the algorithm and the frequency of use table to disk at the Public Library and copied them to sheets of A4 paper at home. My One-For-All manual showed the Panasonic tv codes to be - 226 250 126 274 and 347. I switched on the Panasonic ctv. I tried each code as follows - I selected tv on the remote control, held the magic key till the red led flashed twice and entered the three-digit code. I pointed the remote control at the tv and pressed the power key. Code 226 did not work but 250 did - switching the tv into standby. That procedure set the remote control protocol for the Panasonic ctv. Magic key codes will not normally work till the correct protocol is found, using this procedure.
I tried the frequency of use table - pressing "magic", followed by the first three-digit code from the table. 571 did not work but 377 gave me the vcr function on the tv screen. I allocated that code to one of the spare buttons as follows: I held the "magic" key till the red led flashed twice and entered 994. I pressed "magic" followed by 377, then pressed the small round key at the bottom left of the remote control. The vcr function was now allocated to this key.
I searched above and below, and to the left and right of 377 in the algorithm. As well as finding the usual handset functions, I continued left, back to the row above, and discovered that code 314 yielded a sleep timer which I did not know about and which worked.
Magic codes are particularly useful for finding menus and tuning functions, where these are present on the original remote control, but are not, ordinarily, included on the One-For-All. In other words, they can extend the usefulness of the One-For-All beyond the station change and power on and off that they are usually limited to.
As mentioned above - when finding magic codes it is a good idea to highlight them on an individual copy of the algorithm. You will notice a pattern developing, which helps you to find new codes. You may also find codes within the pattern which do nothing or very little. These can be the most useful codes and you should try allocating them to a spare key. It may be that, once you have found the onscreen menus, these keys have some special function such as to store information or scroll the menu. Sometimes, pressing an apparently useless key and following it with a digit key, will throw up the onscreen menu - a child-proof device. This happened on my first attempt and it took me hours to find because I did not have the original control or instruction book. If you are aware of these possibilities, it makes things much easier. Ocassionally, you will encounter codes that work on your chipset but to which the consumer device is not equipped to respond, such as switching from the local tuner to an AV input, when no such input is available. Switch the device off and it should reset when you switch it back on.
Remember, these ofa controls are quite old now - they may not do digiboxes and are not equipped to do hi-fi, cd or dvd. Surprising things do happen - the ofa can do the European Vestel terrestrial box, for instance, because it uses old Philips satellite codes.
Matsui VP9608 - added 26th June 2008
UK model, vcr with one Scart socket, Videoplus+ and OSD (on-screen-display).
This vcr used the first Matsui vcr code in the Big Easy manual - manufacturer's code 209. The first magic key code found was tenth in the One For All frequency of use table - code 635. This was the power on/off code and occured in the third row of the key code algorithm.
The usual key codes were found in the top four rows. Most of these were already on the OFA control, of course, but a few extras were found:-
code 506 was slow motion playback
code 725 allowed setting of the R.F. output channel
code 503 paused the playback
Two important new codes were found in row eleven - separate from the other codes:-
code 357 - "menu/exit"
code 680 - "enter"
When the menu was on screen, the play and stop keys on the Big Easy were used to scroll up and down the menu items. On selecting a menu item (using the enter code 680), the play and stop keys were sometimes used again, though the fast-forward and rewind buttons on the Big Easy were used to scroll through values when setting the clock.
LG DV1010 Combo DVD/VCR Player. The One-For-All, VCR code 037 was, in this case, used to control the DVD player, and codes occupy the top lines of both halves of the algorithm.
LG1010 One For All magic codes. Use VCR code 037 to set the protocol associated with the VCR device key. 372 STANDBY 632 TV/DVD 437 TRAY OPEN/CLOSE 629 PLAY DVD 695 LEFT ARROW 443 RIGHT ARROW 630 MENU ON 447 SCROLL UP MENU 577 SCROLL DOWN MENU 318 SELECT MENU ITEM 381 TOGGLE TO AND FROM SUB MENU 707 BACK OUT: RESET: EXIT 313 ejects the vhs tape. note I am unable to recall quite what 707 does! It presumably backs out of the sub-menu without alteration. |
The Philips RC5 Infrared protocol is the most common of the so-called protocols used to transmit infrared remote control signals. Like many other protocols, it is based on a 38khz stream of pulses from the handset. This frequency is virtually standardised, to allow receiver modules to be used from stock. One bits and zero bits are both represented by pulses and spaces, as shown here:-
The zero has 0.9ms of 38khz infrared pulses followed by a 0.9ms space.
The one has a 0.9ms space followed by 0.9ms of 38khz infrared pulses.
Other protocols may represent the ones and zeros in a different manner but always using a mixture of pulses on and off.
A command will consist of a recognisable string of bits, as shown here:-
The rc5 infrared codes transmit 14 bits.
Bits one and two start the receiver, and are both logic ones (actually a distinctive one-and-one-half bits as the leading space is clearly not recognised).
The 3rd bit is a toggle bit. This bit is inverted every time a key is released and pressed again. This way the receiver can distinguish between a key that remains down, or is pressed repeatedly.
The four address bits let each infra red receiver know if the command is meant for it to respond to, ie tv, vcr, satellite, etc.
This is why codes can control several devices separately, in the same room and why tv remote controls cannot, usually, control vcrs - the address is wrong.
The six command bits allow up to 64 commands from the remote control handset.
The JVC protocol is similar. A long start bit is followed by data bits in which a pulse is followed by a space, longer for ones than for zeros.
Modern protocols tend to be rather simpler than the ones we saw three decades ago.
Infrared remote control protocols should not be confused with IRDA, used to communicate between computers and similar devices. That system is faster, uses raw data, and is bi-directional, so that the receiver can request that data be re-sent, if it is not accurate.
External control of the One-For-All remote control may be possible, but it is an area where Universal Electronics are keeping information to themselves. If we look inside the battery compartment, we see three connections, in the form of eyelets, to which we could attach a serial cable. Progammes have been developed to control the One-For-All via this port, but these only control the installed codes. On payment of 10 UK pounds, Universal Electronics will install special protocols - British SKY tv is an example - but have published no information on the subject. It is not, of course, worth having any such procedure carried out. Later One-For-All remote controls may have the jp1 socket fitted. These can be re-programmed and there is an enthusiastic following.
Connections within the Universal Remote Control battery compartment:- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx 3 2 1 xxxx ________xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx________ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx Battery Compartment xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 1=DATA OUT FROM URC CONTROL 2=EARTH 3=DATA IN TO URC CONTROL
Added 6 Mar 2007, written 25/11/2005 GOODMANS GDB3 TERRESTRIAL RECEIVER LIST OF UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS MAGIC CODES BRITISH REMOTE CONTROL URC-2585, CHIP 053ZK DEVICE CODE IS SAT 200, PHILIPS ANALOGUE CODE
MAIN MENU 339 SELECT 303 UP OR YELLOW 367 DOWN OR BLUE 655 PAGE UP OR RED 531 PAGE DOWN OR GREEN 243 LEFT SHIFT 591 RIGHT SHIFT 495 CHANNEL UP OR P+ 689 CHANNEL DOWN OR P- 465 GUIDE OR EPG ON/OFF 369 STANDBY 300 SUBTITLES ON/OFF 497 TV/AV DIGITALTV 492 ? 720 |
0 - 429 1 - 717 2 - 621 3 - 397 4 - 557 5 - 333 6 - 237 7 - 525 8 - 684 9 - 960 MUTE 588 VOLUME+ 687 VOLUME- 463 |
Sorry, I don't have teletext codes at present as I cannot get the GDB3 to work properly on air. The Goodmans GDB3 will also work with a UET 609 control, using code SAT/CBL 424 That control code does not give complete access. Use manual tuning of MUXes if auto-scan does not find them. Give time for the eiver to lock to a MUX.