General Setup Flow for Flipper Remote

The main model in distribution is v10, and soon v12, via Amazon US, CA, UK and AU. 
Most inquiries will be from the US and CA.  

A common problem we have had is people not reading the manual all the way through. 

I’ll first ask people, “What are you having problems with, or do you just want to walk through it from the beginning?”   That lets them say, I have the TV )or STB) working, etc, then we can start there without starting over.

We have tried different firmware to make this easier.  Unfortunately, nothing has worked 100%.  The overall arch of the firmware is how Flipper is preset to work the devices:

V10:  set to work a TV Only; 

V9+: preset to work a TV and STB;

V8 and below: set to neither.

Don't worry about this so much, most are v10 now, but sometimes a v9 will call.

Below is the general Flow that applies across the board, then the differences will be segmented out.  This will be seemingly overspecific, but try to think of your own TV and Cable Set Top Box (STB) setup as a guide.

But if it sounds like they did some things, then they say, now it's not working, I'll reset to factory settings even if they think they have it partially working, and start from scratch.  

Reset: press and hold ADD till solid, then 954, light blinks out;

1. Start with the TV and Cable STB on, if any;
2. Make sure they are in direct line of sight, and we are 4-5 feet away- The IR infrared signals need to spread out to hit the iR receiver.  Closer is not better;
3. Make sure a TV show is on - an increasing problem is they have the TV set to the Home Screen or an app like Netflix;  See online article for TV Home Screens.  This issue usually appears when we test on/off;
4. What is your brand TV and Cable Set Top Box (STB), (if any)

On Flipper:

5. Slide down the bottom half of Flipper to reveal the 0-9 and setup buttons;
6. Sync TV:  Press Volume to see if it works the TV:  Flipper is preset to work Vizio; LG and some other TVs;  if working, continue.  If not:
   1. What is your brand of TV?  Look on the code list for the 4 digit code.  
   2. Press and hold the TV button until light turns solid, release.  Enter the code for your device, light turns off.  

3. Press Volume.  Does it work?  If yes, go to the next step.  If not, repeat with the next code in the list until a match is found;
4. Common Codes:  Samsung: 3831; Roku 3381; Sony 3611 or 6391; Toshiba 4054; Panasconia 2591; TCL: 3441 or 3381; Insignia 3961; Hisense: preset, 2621, or 8791; FireTVs, preset, 2621, 8791;Soundbar:  (rare but it happens) See online for specifics.  Generally, we still sync the TV, then do the SOundbarlast.  Reason is that we need the TV code for the power function.  But we can tell if synced two ways:  the volume bar n the TV still works even if there is a sound bar; test on/off;

7. TV Only:  press Channel.  If it changes the channel, the basic setup is done.  If not:
   1. Check to see if they have a STB.  Some pointers:  some people are travelling to their loved ones residence and don't know if there is a cable box.  So ask:  How do you change channels, with the TV branded remote, or a cable branded remote?  If TV Branded remote, then they have a TV Only;  If Cable branded then they have a STB;
      1. If they still can't locate the box, then have them follow the wire from the TV to the box.  This is the STB.  Make sure it is in direct line of sight;
         1. Xfinity:  Some Xfinity boxes are installed on the wall or behind the TV.  
         2. Once box is located, then continue:
8. Sync the STB:  What is the cable provider, or manufacturer and model of the box?  Thai ino in on the front, ot the back label.  Codes can be listed by the manufacturer of the device.
   1. Some common codes:  Spectrum:  1294 or 2084 (Flipper doesn't work Xumo boxes); Xfinity:  always 3084;  Dish usually 2324; Dish usually 2294; Then they need to either move the box or TV, or get an IR Extender.  See out support article on IR Extenders; 
   2. Xfinity:
      1. Some Xfinity boxes are behind the TV or against the wall.  Set Flipper to 3084 and have them point Flipper to the box to show it changes the channel.  Then discuss that Flipper requires direct line of sight, and they need to move the V, or STB, or get an IR infrared extender.  See the article on IR Extenders;
      2. Some Xfinity STBs have a very small IR receiver on the front bottom edge of the box.  Have them pull the box forward so it overhangs the shelf.  Then press Channel.  We get better IR reception this way.
   3. DirecTV and Dish:  some though very few STBs need to have IR infrared enabled in the box.  Use Device remote then:   menu-settings-remote control-activate / enable IR.  Channel should work.
9. Test ON/Off:  Press on/off both should turn off.  IMPORTANT to allow 5-8 seconds before turning on again.  The reason is that TVs need to power down and are not designed for rapid testing cycles.  Once powered down, then turn on.
   1. If there is an on/off mismatch, then see article on on/off mismatch;
   2. TV Home Screen:  If TV powers onto the Home Screen, need to change the power, display or default input settings.  See online article;
10. Updated codes many listed by manufacturer and model are online; Also see the csv though most common are online;
11. If no code is listed or can be found, then use Code Search.  If that doesn't work, then use Learning.  Both of these are rare.  More common for TVs.
12. Favorites:  Follow manual for Favorites.
    1. Just set two to test format;
    2. Some boxes we will getrandom channels - this is due to the speed of the IR signal:  see article on IR Timing and adjust accordingly;
       1. Mosty on Xfinity but can be some TVs

V9+:

Same as above but v9 is preset to work a TV and STB.  The Channel buttons are preset to work common STBs.  Therefore, if a customer has a TV Only setup, there is an extra step to map the Channel buttons to the TV: press and hold TV till solid, then 970.

V8 and below: rare but once in a blue moon:

Same as above but while the TV and STB are reset to common devices, there is not a preset mode:

1. Set TV;
2. Set STB;
3. Dual Mode: press and release ADD once, light flashes test VOL and CH;
4. Lock: Press and hold ADD till solid, then 955.