Temporarily switching the unfolded circle remote to control a specific device?

General
1

I’ve a Dreambox/VU+ box (Dreambox Integration) at my Sony TV (Android TV Integration).

The first problem was the switching to a hdmi port not possible with the actual Android TV Integration - please bring a solution to it! I’ve learned the “TV”-Button of my TV IR-Remote and configured this button in my TV to the correct hdmi port. So I’m able to switch to the correct hdmi port now. May be, I’ll use the Switch-HDMI project in future for this.

My question is now: I’ve now 2 Activities. One for showing TV over the Dreambox called “show TV”. The second to use Apps direct at the TV called “Streaming”.

There is a very special problem of config the audio system (also an Sony one, but always integrated via HDMI CEC to the TV). The volume and mute functions are not the problem. This is handled by TV CEC config to the audio system. But after every switching on the system, the audio system is very loud and bass dominant. So I’m forced to switch the audio system to the “night mode” again (and again). It isn’t possible to create a macro, because, this is handled by a popping up menu of the TV with selecting many features with the cross-control and cross-select buttons. This is made by a special remote button “fast setup”-button at the TV remote (this key is’nt available in the Android TV integration too). But I’m able to teach this IR-Code. No worry.

But now comes my question:

If I’m in the “show TV” Activity and send this IR Code via an Touchscreen-Button to the TV, I’ve to switch the mapping of lower part of the unfolded circle remote buttons (up, down, right, left, select) for some seconds to the TV-entity, to be able to control the TV functions for a short time, to control a popping menu of the TV. How I can do this?

2

To my knowledge you cant.

3

This was also not possible by a harmony remote. And now the unfolded circle remote isn’t able too? LOL

I’ve now always 2 remotes near me. The old harmony elite or the new unfolded remote 3 and the sony tv remote! I want to put the sony remote away.

4

Tap on top of the screen and a list of included entities is shown. Select your desired device and the entity opens. Do what you want then the cross on top right und then a tap again on the top and you should be back in your activity.

Ralf

5

This is like going into a specific device with my harmony elite. This way is not very intuitive. The problem is: my wife will never check this…

6

Inside that activity in “user interface” create a new page and name it let’s say “TV control”.

Inside this page add the wanted commands. After the activity is started you can slide the display left/right to come to the new page where you find your added commands.

1 Like
7

Yes, this seems to be a solution. To create a new page with a second controlpad (left, right, up, down, select) to the TV entity.

Is there a possibility to switch that pages by program-code or is it only possible by doing it manually by sliding?

8

The only thing i know so far is inside web-ui to move the new page to top position.

Then this page is shown directely after the activity is started.

9

The solution with an additional page with an alternative control of the TV buttons is working now. As alternative, I teached the IR Remote of my Sony theatre quad and routed a IR-blaster to the Sony theatre quad. So I can send now the Nightmode_toggle IR-Command directly.

I think, I got it now how unfolded is working…. This was a great problem in the first months… I got the device and I doesn’t understood it for a very long time. So many months are gone past with nothing.. the device was lying around in the corner with many questions…

10

Once you realized how it works and progress will speed up and it is fun.

1 Like
11

Operating Android TV with the Unfolded Circle Android program is actually quite cumbersome. Most commands don’t work, for example, switching between individual HDMI inputs. I’ve found two working workarounds. I can access the Sony TV’s menu via a button (in principle, any button can be assigned), and I have a subroutine that allows me to display the menu and apps and switch between inputs. This works with Apple TV, Magenta, Waipu, etc., and all other devices in the Android TV configuration.

12

Input switching is not the fault of Android TV or unfolded circle it is the fault of Philips, Sony, TCL and Hisense. Android TV has commands for HDMI 1..4 but nobody cared🤬

Ralf