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August 02, 2025
If you've ever found yourself with a perfectly good piece of vintage electronics—a VCR, an old stereo, a CD player—that's missing its remote, you know the frustration. It sits there, a silent monument to a bygone era, its full functionality locked behind a lost piece of plastic. In years gone by there were universal remote solutions like Logitech Harmony which offered a slick solution to unifying remotes through an online portal with a massive library of equipment. Unfortunately Logitech Harmony and others like it have shuttered some of their online infrastructure rendering them unusable and limiting options for solving these types of issues.
One alternative which exists is the JP1 capable remote.
JP1 isn't a brand; it's a specific, hardware-based interface that allows certain universal remotes to be programmed in a powerful, non-proprietary way. Most of these are older remotes, typically from brands like One For All or RadioShack, and they have a small, hidden header port—the "JP1" connector—that allows them to be connected to a computer.
Think of it as a direct line to the remote's brain. Instead of relying on a manufacturer's limited database or a web server that might not be around next year, you can program the remote directly, with a level of control that standard programming methods can't even dream of. This technology is a testament to the power of a dedicated community of enthusiasts who reverse-engineered these remotes to unlock their full potential.
For a repair technician or vintage tech enthusiast, the value of JP1 is immense. How many times have you been unable to test a feature on a device because you don't have the original remote? How many times have you had to guess how to change settings on a TV or DVD player without the remote to access the menu?
The JP1 system solves all of that. You can program one remote to control dozens of different devices in your workshop. Even better, it offers a future-proof solution in an age where other popular universal remotes, like the once-mighty Logitech Harmony, have had their online resources shut down by the manufacturer, leaving users with expensive paperweights.
To get started with JP1, you'll need three things: a compatible remote, an interface cable, and some software.
The Remote: These are the unsung heroes of the universal remote world. They look like any other remote you'd find at a thrift store or in an old junk box, but they contain that magical JP1 header. The key is knowing which models are compatible. Here in Canada communications companies like Rogers, Shaw and Bell often used a series of JP1 compatible remotes from Atlas for their set top boxes.
The Interface Cable: This is the bridge between your computer and the remote. It's a simple cable that connects the JP1 header on the remote to a USB port on your PC. It's a straightforward piece of hardware that's easy to build yourself or buy from a third-party seller such as this example from DIYGADGET
RMIR Software: RMIR (RemoteMaster IR) is the software that brings it all together. It's a powerful graphical interface that lets you view, edit, and create custom code for virtually any device. It's the key that unlocks the true power of the JP1 remote, giving you a comprehensive database of device codes and the ability to manually adjust everything from key mapping to button functions. It is available from https://sourceforge.net/projects/controlremote/
In the golden age of JP1, the HiFi-Remote website was a central hub, a Library of Alexandria for all things remote control. It had everything: vast code databases, user forums, and detailed guides. Unfortunately, like many old websites, it's mostly dead now. The discussion has been picked up on GitHub at https://github.com/orgs/hifiremote/discussions but it is still very much in its infancy. Archived copies of some important pages from HiFi-Remote can be reached using cached copies within the Internet Archive.
JP1 is more than just a hobbyist's toy; it's a tool for preservation, a stand against planned obsolescence, and a lifeline for anyone who believes that older technology deserves to live on.
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