How to search for Magic codes

Your OneForAll remote has tons of codes for each devices. Only the most common are mapped to keys. By hitting the Magic key (don't hold it down), then typing in a 3-digit number, you can send up to 256 different codes! (On some of the remotes, the Magic key may be labled Setup.) You can get a list of codes from Universal Electronics (the makers of the OneForAll line), but it can be confusing. Also, to confuse you more, they may list codes going into the 700's. In reality, there are only 256. The other numbers can be converted to modulo 256 (keep subtracting 256 until you get a number between 0 and 255) and they will still work.

You can use a feature called Key Magic to remap other keys, or a Magic code sequence onto any other key.

To get the extended codes for your device, fill out the form here (this is for North America) [not functional, and no equivalent as of Aug 20, 2003]:
http://www.oneforall-int.com/ussite/northamerica/products/advanced_function_codes.htm

Full programming information does not appear to be available on-line anymore since the web site has been extensively redesigned. On the other hand, manuals for many models can be downloaded as Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files. It's easiest to start at the main http://www.oneforall.com page and work down from there. They recently messed around with their addresses. The main http://www.oneforall.com address should redirect to http://www.oneforall-int.com/comfiles, where you can select where you are from. For USA users, you can also jump directly to http://www.ofausa.com.

WARNING! It is remotely possible that you could put your device into an unkown mode, or trigger some form of reset. Be prepared to re-enter channel numbers or other settings!! If you have any doubts, don't do this! Only use codes that are mapped, or that are on the list from One For All!

Searching for codes is easy, but tedious. Have some paper and pencil ready and start typing in the codes. Just start with Magic000, then 001, etc.. up to 255. When something happens, write down what it is. You may have to repeat this several times in different modes (such as playing a tape, tape paused, menus on, etc...) For some codes, you may have to hold the last number down so it repeats. This is often needed for jog/shuttle commands. You may end up with multiple codes seem to do the same thing. It's possible there are minor differences (on the US JVC VCR 067, there is both Index +, and Index +/Menu+/TimeScan+. One code is only Index, the other does three different things, depending on what mode the VCR is in.)

Once you have a list, you can map some of them onto unused keys, or replace worthless codes with something more useful. Don't go nuts with the remapping! There is a limit to the amount of key moves you can do. Also, if you ever have to reprogram the remote, it'll be hard to remember what went where.

To remap keys, following the instructions below.

If your newer remote has an LCD display, such as the USA URC-8080/8090, or the European Topline models:

• At any time, you can hit the ESC key to cancel the sequence.
• Press and hold the Magic key until the display changes to TIMED SEQ.
• Use the Menu + or Menu - buttons to change the display to CONFIGURE, then press SELECT.
• Use the Menu + or Menu - buttons to change the display to KEY MOVER, then press SELECT.
• The display should show FROM.
• Press the key or key sequence you want the 'from' code to be. It can be:
  • An existing mapped key (you CANNOT copy a code from a SHIFT mode key!! You'll need to find the Magic code for that.) If the key is from another device, hit that device key first. Press the key you want to map from. One example of this would be to copy the Volume keys for a receiver or Amp onto a VCR2 volume control (The Volume Lock only works with TV, VCR, CBL, and SAT.)
  • A Magic key sequence. If the key is from another device, hit that device key first. Press Magic (don't hold it down!), then type in the three digit code.
• The display should then change to TO. If it displays INVALID for a second, then the key you are copying from has no pre-defined mapping, or your Magic code was invalid. Try again.
• You have two ways to map onto a key:
  • Press the key you want to map the code onto. If your From code was on another device, press the device you want it mapped to first. You CANNOT map into a SHIFT mode (pressing SHIFT will display INVALID for a second.)
  • Press Magic first, then the key you want to map to (same limitations as above.) To use this remapped key, you will need to hit Magic first, then the mapped key. It's used sort of like an ALT key.
• To restore a single remapped key back:
  • Follow the above instructions, but use the same key for both From and To. You cannot remove mapping from a key that had no mapping on it originally. The only way to do that is to remove all remapping.
• To erase all key remapping (and macros, and timed events):
  • Press and hold the Magic key until the display changes to TIMED SEQ.
  • Use the Menu + or Menu - buttons to change the display to CONFIGURE, then press SELECT.
  • Use the Menu + or Menu - buttons to change the display to CLEAR ALL, then press SELECT.
  • The display should say CLR ALL. Press SELECT for the first confirmation.
  • The display should say CONFIRM. Press SELECT for final confirmation. All your remapping, macros, and sequences have been erased! Your device codes and clock are NOT affected.

If your remote only has a single LED and Magic button (or sometimes, it is labeled Setup):

• Press and hold the Magic key until the remote blinks TWICE.
• Type 994. The remote should blink TWICE.
• Press the key or key sequence you want the 'from' code to be. It can be:
  • An existing mapped key (you CANNOT copy a code from a SHIFT mode key!! You'll need to find the Magic code for that.) If the key is from another device, hit that device key first. Press the key you want to map from. One example of this would be to copy the Volume keys for a receiver or Amp onto a VCR2 volume control (The Volume Lock only works with TV, VCR, CBL, and SAT.)
  • A Magic key sequence. If the key is from another device, hit that device key first. Press Magic (don't hold it down!), then type in the three digit code.
• Press the key you want to map the code onto. If your From code was on another device, press the device you want it mapped to first. You CANNOT map into a SHIFT mode (pressing SHIFT will display a long light.)
• If you are successful in the remap, the remote will blink twice.
• To restore a single remapped key back:
  • Follow the above instructions, but use the same key for both From and To. You cannot remove mapping from a key that had no mapping on it originally. The only way to do that is to remove all remapping.
• To erase all key remapping (and macros):
  • Press and hold the Magic key until the remote blinks TWICE.
  • Type 980. The remote should blink TWICE. Your device codes will NOT be affected.

A note on the AUD and VID buttons: OneForAll's instructions seem to imply that anything put on the AUD or VID buttons will be valid for ALL devices. That is only true for Macros. You can map codes on the AUD and VID codes like any other key, and they will only work when that device is selected.

Click here to go back to the main A/V page.

Let me know what you've found!! E-mail me your code list, along with the necessary information (such as US or European, code number, device, etc...)

Also, many of the remotes can be programmed using your computer!! Look underneath the area covered by the battery cover and see if there is a 6-pin connector labeled JP1. Some remotes will have a header installed. Others will just have holes for one to be soldered in. If so, you can check out the JP1 programming information at one of these sites:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/index.shtml
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jp1/

This page updated August 20, 2003.