The New Flirc doesn't work: "Button already exists"

[arentep]

Hello,
today I got my "New Flirc", I bought it directly from Flirc. OK, my device was pretty dirty and seems to be a used one, but it's not the problem.
If I try to set up the buttons on my remotes, it does only work for 2-4 buttons, and then I get the message "Button already exists".
What I've tried:

• Erased all buttons;
• Cleared the configuration;
• Forced firmware update.

Remotes I've tried:

• Samsung TV
• Onkyo AV-Receiver
• Logitech
• Squeezebox
• Xiaomi TV-Box
• Apple Remote (white)

Computers I use:

• Mac Mini
• iMac
• MacBook Air.

Thank you in advance.

[jason]

Is this the new metal one? Or is it plastic?

Edited December 12, 2016 by jason

[arentep]

Its the new metal model.

[jason]

I ask because the plastic sometimes doesn't look pristine. Surface isn't always perfect. Even so, I don't recycle products.

However, the metal is newly released. It wouldn't even be possible to recycle material, your the first to ever receive it and see it. They just started shipping.

I have super strict quality control this go around. I'm even opening up 50% of them and inspecting them myself to ensure they are adhering to my standards. I send them emails all the time telling them what is and what isn't okay.

Your unit is not behaving correctly, let's get you a replacement. Send me an email at support@flirc.tv and I'll take care of everything.

[arentep]

OK, thank you and sorry for my assumption.

Anyway, sometimes I'm getting my unit to work correctly for a couple of minutes, but then it falls back to behave the same faulty way. Not only "button already exists"; for example, sometimes even a correctly mapped button triggers a completely different function.

I will contact you, thanks for your help.

[jason]

When you pair your remote make sure you aim your remote away from the device this can happen if it's too close. 

[yawor]

What remote are you trying to use with Flirc? I would also test with a different remote. If you use an universal remote you can try different setup codes or device profiles.

[arentep]

I think I've solved the problem.

As soon as I map at least 1-2 buttons on the Xiaomi remote, Flirc gets unusable with it and with any other remote (Onkyo, Samsung, Apple, Logitech) until reinstalling the firmware!

Edited December 13, 2016 by arentep

[jason]

Can you post a link to that remote you are using?

 

[arentep]

Yes, it's infrared remote included with an older version of Mi Box (newer versions have BT ones)

[djn04]

I'm having the same problem with a new flirc I just received. I have an old plastic one that works fine with the remote, but the new metal one is giving me the "Button already exists." message after it accepts the first command.

[jason]

I'm having the same problem with a new flirc I just received. I have an old plastic one that works fine with the remote, but the new metal one is giving me the "Button already exists." message after it accepts the first command.

What firmware is the old one running?

[jason]

What firmware is the old one running?

Also, please link a pic to your remote or the model.

[djn04]

Jason-

I sent an email to support and replied there, but I'll include the information here.

The plastic flirc is running FW 3.8 and the metal flirc is running 4.0.5.

I'm using version 2.0.3 of the software, which I think may be the problem. I tried to program the plastic flirc and received the same "Button already exists." error.

Is there an older version of the software available that I can try?

The remote is a Savant universal remote.

https://www.savant.com/product/remote-host

I had no problem using this remote to program the plastic flirc before.

Thanks.

[jason]

Just add another profile on the savant, panasonic or a samsung tv, and then map it to flirc to your liking.

Also, tell me the name of the model you were using on savant to try and pair with flirc.

[djn04]

I'm not sure you're understanding my issue.

The Savant has a Comcast cable box profile. I would like to use those IR commands with the metal flirc to control a Raspberry Pi, but when I try to program the flirc, I get the error after 2 buttons are programed.

I have a blu ray player profile on the Savant that is mapped to the plastic flirc that works, and I'm able to program the metal flirc with the blu ray profile but when I tried to program either to the Comcast remote I get the error. I tried using the remote that came with the cable box and I get the same error.

 

I don't think the flircs like the Comcast IRs.

[jason]

I understand. Something is up with the comcast profile you chose. Flirc doesn't like it and I'll need to debug it. Pick another profile on your savant.

[djn04]

This is the problem.

Is there a way to get the Comcast remotes to work with flirc? 

[jason]

This is the problem.

Is there a way to get the Comcast remotes to work with flirc? 

Not right now, I will be improving the algorithm on the second generation, but I have about 5 other things on the list right now.

[Daniell R]

I'v purchased Flirc February this year (the new metal). I have the same problem with "button already exists."

I have tried the following remotes:

• SONY DVD RMT-D206P
• SONY DVD RMT-D198P
• SONY Soundbar RM-ANU191
• Philips TV 2422 549 02314
• Samsung TV/Box 00070A

What is the solution?

Edited March 26, 2017 by Daniell R

[jason]

Did it ever work?

[Daniell R]

Yes, from the start worked fine.

Just moved Flirc from the front to the back of PC. Seems to have made a difference somehow. Now all remote keys gets mapped and working. Will do some more user-testing and get back here.

[Daniell R]

Yes, from the start worked fine.

Just moved Flirc from the front to the back of PC. Seems to have made a difference somehow. Now all remote keys gets mapped and working. Will do some more user-testing and get back here.

Cleared config today to try again, to see if everything still worked. Sadly no. I get "button already exists." again. It was a short joy :(

There is no clear pattern what keys are read by Flirc as the same button.

[Daniell R]

Cleared config today to try again, to see if everything still worked. Sadly no. I get "button already exists." again. It was a short joy :(

There is no clear pattern what keys are read by Flirc as the same button.

Aha: Does this give any idear of that's wrong?

Unplugged Flirc while PC is turned on. Plugged Flirc back in again in another USB port, and now everything works again, like yesterday evening.

Restart the PC and I get "button already exists." again, when trying to configure a remote.

EDIT: And some hours later, after getting it to work by unplug/replug, it stops working again. this is annoying.

Edited March 27, 2017 by Daniell R

[dharrah]

I have a v1 Flirc (FW 3.08) and just got a v2 (FW 4.024). The remote I'm using is a DirecTV RC64RB. Both of the Flirc devices are continuously displaying the 'button already exists' message. I've tried the various inputs from the switch at the top ("DirecTV Logo"; "AV1"; "AV2"; "TV") and they actually act a bit differently. For example, while in 'TV' mode, I am unable to set each number from the keypad without seeing the 'button already exists' dialog. However, if I switch to the 'DirecTV Logo', I can successfully map each number. The one area that fails regardless of your remote mode is "Volume". Once you map one of 'mute', 'Vol+', 'Vol-', the dialog will pop for the subsequent attempt.

I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling as mentioned above with no success. I've tried different USB ports and I've ensured that I'm not pointing directly at the Flirc device (also mentioned above). I'm simply unable to map this remote. I configured the 'TV' input for major TV brands such as Sony, Samsung, Pansonic, and Pioneer. Tried 2 or 3 codes from each brand. Same issues across the board with both devices.

Please see attached for log files of this event. In each log I simply map 'mute' successfully and then attempt 'Vol -' which results in the error. Then I exit.

 

Flirc_v2.txt

Flirc_v1.txt