DemoPad.com

Just to recap...

Post 2016 Pioneer AVR's have adopted the Onkyo protocol. For volume control and feedback, this protocol uses a two byte value with an ASCII representation of a hex value.

For example, the VSX-932 has a volume range of 00 to C8, equivalent to 0 to 200 in decimal. Except that 'C8' is not \xC8, but rather 2 ASCII bytes: character 'C' and character '8'. For example, setting a volume to a decimal value of 171 requires sending 'MVLAB'. This makes it unbelievably difficult to manage a volume slider and respond to 2-way volume feedback.

Feature request...

Given the market share Onkyo now has with Pioneer AV, I'd like to recommend a new feature: a function that converts ASCII representation of Hex to Decimal and Decimal to ASCII representation of Hex to facilitate interacting with Onkyo-Pioneer on volume control. I acknowledge this would only help a subset of clients, but it is so easy to implement in a lower level language as opposed to establishing 200 custom actions.

For sending the slider value to the device, I would suggest it would be used when setting a label and that the result be truncated to 2 least significant bytes if the decimal number is > 255. The function could be [H]. Example: setting label 'label-A' to [H][decimal_number_variable] would return 'AB' if the decimal number was 171.

For using the 2-way feedback to adjust the volume slider, I would suggest it would be used when setting a number. The function could be [D]. Example: setting number 'number-1' to [D][ascii_representation_of_hex_variable] would return '171' if the variable's ascii representation was 'AB'.

Hello DemoPad,

It would be great if my feature request was addressed.

It would also be great if we (I) knew what was up with DemoPad as a company. Last post from DemoPad November 14th, latest news Feb. 2017, very little chat on the forums. Rumors will start...

We have added your feature request to the development list, however we are currently working on other features for manufacturers, so cannot give a date for completion. The forum is for end-users and installers to use, it is not routinely monitored by DemoPad - direct requests should be sent to support@demopad.com

"It's alive, it's alive"

Thanks for the response.

May DemoPad keep growing in 2018 (and not lose site of their users).

I'm a bit perplexed though on "not routinely monitored by DemoPad". I can certainly channel a feature request directly to DemoPad support, but would that process not take away from the sharing benefit of a forum? I've personally benefited over the years from the shared experience of forum contributors.

Perhaps DemoPad's experience has shown the benefit of a one on one relationship in client support. My experience tends to show that such an approach is rather expensive over time, thus the benefit of forums where many questions get answered by fellow contributors. Just my 2¢

Dear cv27, I also am disappointed with the dwindling forum, as it is a good learning tool and an understanding place to vent programming ideas and frustrations. I can also see how Demopad can not stand around promoting us, they need to pay the rent too!

Recently DP helped me with some code that enabled me to control sy.co.uk equipment with the DP interface, sy have amazing corporate hardware but a terrible App. DP were not making money from this project other than my monthly cloud fee, but they still replied to my email at 10pm 3 minutes after it was sent.

I think we all understand that this industry needs to move and change very quickly to survive. Yes more should be done to promote the forum as it pays off long term.

P.S you will find that AscII to HEX <> tool on the SY programming suite software. (I really hope Demopad approach them about intergration). T

Just wanted to thank you for acknowledging the excellent support the Demopad team provide. Yes we do have to pay the rent and reward the people who make it all happen, but we are not forgetting our loyal friends who use this forum. Its just that we don't always have time to monitor posts. For urgent assistance remember to email support@demopad.com. and continue to request new features on the forum, we do try to accommodate these. Mike Cain, Demopad.