Panasonic VT50 Viera Link to PS4

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Paul1977

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Topic # 151724 3-Sep-2014 09:23

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the gaming forum.

I recently purchased a PS4, and as many of you probably know Sony haven't released a blu-ray remote for it.

I have had some success using Viera Link (CEC) with my TV (Panasonic VT50) to control the PS4 with my universal remote using commands for the TV.

This works OK for basic functionality (play, pause, stop, next chapter, etc), but I haven't been able to find an equivalent to a "menu" button to bring up the Blu-Ray menu while watching the movie. Using the TV's menu command brings up the TV menu, not the Blu-Rays one.

Has anyone had better success than me using CEC to control their PS4?

Thanks

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JarrodM

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Reply # 1121011 3-Sep-2014 10:16

I've found CEC implementation hit and miss on the PS4, I have a Bravia and the dedicated play/pause/stop/FF/RW buttons don't work when playing a dvd but the arrow keys and select button used for navigating menus work.

whereas on the PS3 CEC worked like a charm

Paul1977

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Reply # 1121025 3-Sep-2014 10:36

JarrodM: I've found CEC implementation hit and miss on the PS4, I have a Bravia and the dedicated play/pause/stop/FF/RW buttons don't work when playing a dvd but the arrow keys and select button used for navigating menus work. whereas on the PS3 CEC worked like a charm

Mine seems to be working pretty well in most respects (but haven't tested much - just last night). I was pleasantly surprised that it worked even with the HDMI going through my Yamaha amp before getting to the TV.

But the real pain is not being able to bring up the blu-ray disc menu once you have already started playback.

Has anyone got this particular function to work with any CEC implementation?

EDIT: Ideally I would like to only use the DualShock 4 controller for games, and do everything else with my remote.

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datahawk

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Reply # 1121032 3-Sep-2014 10:50

I use the Viera Link and PS4 connectivity via my Panasonic PT-AE7000 projector for basic control. Mostly used to watch and control Netflix.

It is a good power on tool and for basic navigation but has limitations. Apart from the usual navigation buttons, the only button that will take me back to the main PS4 menu is the Viera-Link button that allows me to re-select the 'Player' from the projector interface. I have not been able to find an equivalent button for the PS4 'O' which is a bit frustrating and you can get locked in the Netflix interface.

Sadly the PS4 is the 'black sheep' of all my AV Home Theater equipment because it is very restrictive when wanting to operate remotely.

All other devices and equipment in our house are currently controlled via IR, RS232 or TCP/IP via my custom written linux - PHP - mysqli all in one remote control system. Because the PS4 is too restrictive in this aspect, I cannot consider it as a true Home Theater device.

(Edit: Typos)

Paul1977

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Reply # 1121039 3-Sep-2014 11:04

datahawk:the only button that will take me back to the main PS4 menu is the Viera-Link button that allows me to re-select the 'Player' from the projector interface.

I'm not too concerned about going back to the PS4 menu, I'm happy to just hit "stop" and close right out of the blu-ray for that. It's really the ability to go back to the blu-ray menu to select a different title I'm after (e.g. a tv show blu-ray and i start the wrong episode so want to go back to the menu to select a different episode).

I'm happily controlling everything else with my Logitech Harmony Ultimate remote, and would love to add the PS4 to the list; and currently CEC via the TV seems to be the only viable option.

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datahawk

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Reply # 1121044 3-Sep-2014 11:27

Paul1977:
datahawk:the only button that will take me back to the main PS4 menu is the Viera-Link button that allows me to re-select the 'Player' from the projector interface.

I'm not too concerned about going back to the PS4 menu, I'm happy to just hit "stop" and close right out of the blu-ray for that. It's really the ability to go back to the blu-ray menu to select a different title I'm after (e.g. a tv show blu-ray and i start the wrong episode so want to go back to the menu to select a different episode).

I'm happily controlling everything else with my Logitech Harmony Ultimate remote, and would love to add the PS4 to the list; and currently CEC via the TV seems to be the only viable option.

Yep, that is the same problem I have when trying to get back to the main menu in Netflix with the CEC control. The 'O' button is required in my case and there is no functionality for that one.

Agreed, it is very frustrating not to be able to control the PS4 via IR or TCP/IP connections.

Paul1977

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Reply # 1122348 5-Sep-2014 09:52

After many hours of messing about have finally got this working great, and I couldn't be happier.

I ran into some strange things with my combination of components, but I now have it working so PS4 powers on and off when it should, and commands like directions, OK (mapped as X), Return (mapped as O), Play, Pause, Stop, FF, RW, Next Ch, Prev Ch, Popup Menu, and Top Menu all work.

Don't know if this will assist anyone else as this may only work like this with my specific components, but my working setup is as follows:

PS4 (CEC enabled) --> Yamaha HTR-3065 (CEC enabled) --> Panasonic TV TH-P55VT50Z (CEC enabled, and digital audio from TV tuner passing back to receiver via ARC).

I use TV remote IR commands to control PS4; except for Top Menu and Popup Menu which I use Yamaha IR commands.

I use a Logitech Harmony Ultimate as the only remote control.

All other components (PS3, WDTV Live) go through Yamaha as well, but I don't use CEC for these as Harmony supports them natively.

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datahawk

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Reply # 1122405 5-Sep-2014 10:58

Paul1977: After many hours of messing about have finally got this working great, and I couldn't be happier.

I ran into some strange things with my combination of components, but I now have it working so PS4 powers on and off when it should, and commands like directions, OK (mapped as X), Return (mapped as O), Play, Pause, Stop, FF, RW, Next Ch, Prev Ch, Popup Menu, and Top Menu all work.

Don't know if this will assist anyone else as this may only work like this with my specific components, but my working setup is as follows:

PS4 (CEC enabled) --> Yamaha HTR-3065 (CEC enabled) --> Panasonic TV TH-P55VT50Z (CEC enabled, and digital audio from TV tuner passing back to receiver via ARC).

I use TV remote IR commands to control PS4; except for Top Menu and Popup Menu which I use Yamaha IR commands.

I use a Logitech Harmony Ultimate as the only remote control.

All other components (PS3, WDTV Live) go through Yamaha as well, but I don't use CEC for these as Harmony supports them natively.

Well done, I never thought of trying the AV Receiver Buttons for extra functions. My set up is PS4 --> Denon 4311 --> Panasonic 3D Projector in the Theater room and another PS4 --> Marantz 1603 --> Panasonic 65" Plazma in the Lounge so I'll have a play with both.

How is the Harmony controlling the PS3 - IR or Bluetooth support ?

Cheers Paul

Paul1977

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Reply # 1122436 5-Sep-2014 11:19

datahawk:How is the Harmony controlling the PS3 - IR or Bluetooth support ?

Bluetooth. Harmony does RF to it's own hub in my cabinet, then the hub sends IR and Bluetooth to components.

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datahawk

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Reply # 1122457 5-Sep-2014 11:41

Paul1977:
datahawk:How is the Harmony controlling the PS3 - IR or Bluetooth support ?

Bluetooth. Harmony does RF to it's own hub in my cabinet, then the hub sends IR and Bluetooth to components.

I suspected that was the case. That still makes both our PS3's the other two 'black sheep' in my collection that can't be controlled easily like all my other AV equipment. I had given up on them years ago because of the lack of remote control support.

The previous PS2 worked nicely with it's built in IR option - pity it was never continued in later models.

Paul1977

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Reply # 1122464 5-Sep-2014 11:47

datahawk:
Paul1977:
datahawk:How is the Harmony controlling the PS3 - IR or Bluetooth support ?

Bluetooth. Harmony does RF to it's own hub in my cabinet, then the hub sends IR and Bluetooth to components.

I suspected that was the case. That still makes both our PS3's the other two 'black sheep' in my collection that can't be controlled easily like all my other AV equipment. I had given up on them years ago because of the lack of remote control support.

The previous PS2 worked nicely with it's built in IR option - pity it was never continued in later models.

I've read (haven't tried it) that CEC in PS3 worked really well, but only supported starting with the slim models.

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