The Only One Remote Database

The Only One Remote Database is a new alternative to traditional databases and is now available to companies who are developing applications and or hardware where an accurate and affordable IR database is vital. The latest Pronto software editor utilized a very accurate and innovative database implementation which inspired us to begin this project. We proceeded to structure our database in an entirely new way taking advantage of everything we have learned in the past eleven years. This approach has yielded the most accurate and easy to use database ever! Below we have outlined the design principles used in the creation of the database.

Inquiries about licensing the Only One Remote database should be directed to our tech support department.

Note: For Pronto customers: download the latest version of the Only One Remote database click here.

Model Numbers

Conventional wisdom is to attach model numbers to each set of codes regardless of the amount of duplication that results from this approach. In this database we have instead chosen to eliminate model numbers since in most cases it is not necessary to include them. O1R made this choice a long time ago after building hundreds of configurations. It became clear that since many products use the same codes, it is not necessary to have each receiver model number in a database. All one needs in the case of Denon receivers for example is a single file called “Denon AVR Receivers Main Zone All Models”. In this single file we include all of the codes available for the top of the line Denon receiver. If you are programming a lower model in a project, not all the codes seen in the database will be usable since certain features are not available in the lower level models. The same philosophy was followed with all applicable products.

Code Labels

Another departure from conventional wisdom is to label codes according to a strict set of rules to ensure accurate code replacement whenever possible. This ensures a highly accurate method to exploit the device change process implemented within your application. So, in cases where the customer needs to swap a new component for an existing one, your application can be optimized to take full advantage of a database that has been designed to best exploit the careful matching of command names!

So in the case of swapping a satellite or cable device, the codes will substitute perfectly every time when using the “replace component” feature. This is possible when a database is carefully constructed to ensure uniform code labels are in place.

Manufacturers routinely label common functions using many different names. In the case of satellite or cable receivers for example the “previous channel” command can be called “last, jump, previous, recall, etc. In the O1R database you will find that we have selected the name “previous channel” regardless of the original label used by the vendor. This will dramatically reduce the possibility of improper code substitution when swapping codes. The main principle is that the command labels attached to these commonly used functions will always be identical whether or not they conform to the vendor’s original button label.

Alphabetical Grouping by Category

The O1R database differs from others in that every effort is made to take full advantage of the alphabetical arrangement in which the codes are displayed within an application. This further enhances usability and makes finding a particular “category” of codes quite simple. Again using a receiver for example, all of the input commands for the device will begin with the label “INPUT.” This makes finding the input you are searching for very quick and easy!

Maintainability

An additional and important advantage of eliminating model numbers is that it allows us to focus on one set of codes rather than hundreds of duplicate codes. By eliminating model numbers, mistakes are isolated to only one set of codes. Eliminating model numbers equals fewer mistakes to fix! Less really is more in the O1R database.

As you can see, it is not our intention to create the “largest” database of codes; instead, we’re focused on producing the most accurate database. There is no benefit in listing countless model numbers or code set numbers that only cause confusion when attempting to find the right codes. All available codes for a given product category are in the same command group so if you are looking for a Denon receiver code, they are all in the same place. If you cannot find it there, chances are it doesn't exist!

Accurate database creation should not be a numbers game. It should be about providing an accurate collection of all available codes for each category of product while striving to avoid code redundancy thereby making maintainability an achievable goal!

Only One Remote has been programming remote controls for over a decade. If we have learned nothing else, we’re certain about the importance of an accurate and easily maintainable code database. The O1R database is intended to set a new standard for functionality. Because we’ve been building and using databases like this one on a daily basis for many years we’ve managed to achieve a very high reliability rate with regard to code accuracy. Used in conjunction with one of our graphics packages, you can create an Only One Remote configuration much like those that we build very quickly!

In Conclusion

Discontinued products you’re not likely to see often will not be included in this database. For example, the VCR category, is not supported. The focus will instead be on current products and the popularity of those products. O1R will continue to reach out to the industry to retrieve vendor provided codes for future updates to the database. It is our intention to include as many codes as possible within the time constraints we face. Codes will be tested in the field, time permitting, to ensure accuracy.

If you are developing an application and are considering our database please contact us with questions about how to best optimize your application to take full advantage of this wonderful tool. Database sample files are available for testing upon request.