RC-5

The RC-5 protocol was developed by Philips in the late 1980s as a semi-proprietary consumer IR (infrared) remote control communication protocol for consumer electronics. However, it was also adopted by most European manufacturers, as well as many US manufacturers of specialty audio and video equipment. The other main protocol used by consumer electronics manufacturers is the NEC protocol. This protocol is largely used by Japanese manufacturers and assigns each brand with its own unique header(s). Each brand is then free to create any command set it wishes. The advantage of the NEC protocol is that there cannot be any interference between remote handsets for pieces of equipment made by different manufacturers. The advantage of the RC-5 protocol is that (when properly followed) any CD handset (for example) may be used to control any brand of CD player using the RC-5 protocol.

Protocol Details
The basics of the protocol are well known. The handset contains a keypad and a transmitter integrated circuit (IC) driving an IR LED. The command data is a Manchester coded bitstream modulating a 36 kHz carrier. (Often the carrier used is 38 kHz or 40 kHz, apparently due to misinformation about the actual protocol.) The IR signal from the transmitter is detected by a specialized IC with an integral photo-diode, and is amplified, filtered, and demodulated so that the receiving device can act upon the received command. RC-5 only provides a one-way link, with information traveling from the handset to the receiving unit. The command comprises 14 bits:

A start bit, which is always logic 1 and allows the receiving IC to set the proper gain. A field bit, which denotes whether the command sent is in the lower field (logic 1 = 0 to 63 decimal) or the upper field (logic 0 = 64 to 127 decimal). The field bit was added later by Philips when it was realized that 64 commands per device were insufficient. Previously, the field bit was combined with the start bit. Many devices still use this original system. A control bit, which toggles with each button press. This allows the receiving device to distinguish between two successive button presses (such as "1", "1" for "11") as opposed to the user simply holding down the button and the repeating commands being interrupted by a person walking by, for example. A five-bit system address, that selects one of 32 possible systems. A six-bit command, that (in conjunction with the field bit) represents one of the 128 possible RC5 commands.

The 36 kHz carrier frequency was chosen to render the system immune to interference from TV scan lines. Since the repetition of the 36 kHz carrier is 27.778 s and the duty factor is 25%, the carrier pulse duration is 6.944 s. Since the high half of each symbol (bit) of the RC-5 code word contains 32 carrier pulses, the symbol period is 64 x 27.778 s = 1.778 ms, and the 14 symbols (bits) of a complete RC-5 code word takes 24.889 ms to transmit. The code word is repeated every 113.778 ms (4096 / 36 kHz) as long as a key remains pressed. (Again, please note that

these timings are not strictly followed by all manufacturers, due to a lack of widespread distribution of accurate information on the RC-5 protocol.)

System and Command Codes

While the RC-5 protocol is well known and understood, what is not so well documented are the system number allocations and the actual RC-5 commands used for each system. The information provided below is the most complete and accurate information available at this time. It is from a printed document from Philips dated December 1992 that is unfortunately not available in electronic format (e.g., PDF), nor is an updated version available. This information is provided so that companies that wish to use the RC-5 protocol can use it properly, and avoid conflicts with other equipment that may or may not be using the correct system numbers and commands.

Accuracy of Information
The information in the tables on this page is known to be accurate. Yet it is also clear that there are many gaps in these tables. For example, there is no category listing for DVD players in the system table. (They were not developed until five years after the date of publication of the material from which this information was obtained.) It would obviously be useful therefore to expand these tables with known accurate information. At this time, there are only a few possible ways to do so. The first would be to capture the IR bitstream from the handset of newer Philips products, such as DVD players and analyze them to see what system number is used. The other would be to use the popular Philips Pronto series of programmable remote controls. These can be programmed to operate Philips components using the RC-5 protocol. Again, the bitstream output of the handset would need to be captured and analyzed. The only other way is to obtain the appropriate documents directly from Philips.

System Number Allocations

Table 1 - System number allocations for RC-5
System Number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TV 1 (TV receiver 1) Description Command Tables 2, 3, 4a

TV 2 (functions and command numbers as system 0) 2, 3, 4a Txt (teletext) Extension to TV 1 and TV 2 LV (LaserVision player) VCR 1 (video cassette recorder 1) VCR 2 (functions and commands as system 5) Reserved Sat 1 (satellite TV receiver 1) Extension to VCR 1 and VCR 2 Sat 2 (functions and commands as system 8) 2, 3, 8 2, 7b 2, 3, 8 2, 3, 5 2, 4b 2, 3, 6 2, 3, 7a 2, 3, 7a

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Reserved CD-Video (compact disc video player) Reserved CD-Photo (photo on compact disc player) Reserved Preamp 1 (audio preamplifier 1) Tuner (radio tuner) Rec 1 (analog cassette recorder) Preamp 2 (functions and commands as system 16) CD (compact disc player) Combi (audio stack or record player) Sat (audio satellite) Rec 2 (functions and commands as system 18) Reserved Reserved CD-R (compact disc recorder) Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved 2, 17 2, 11 2, 12 2, 13 2, 11 2, 14 2, 15 2, 16 2, 11 2, 3, 10 2, 3, 9

System Number Recommendations

As can be seen, this information is out of date. There are no longer any systems using CD-Video or CD-Photo, for example. In addition, many of the "Reserved" system numbers have no doubt been allocated by Philips during the intervening 16 years. In order to maintain compatibility, it would be helpful to obtain this information. Unfortunately, this has proven to be difficult. When designing a product using the RC-5 protocol, the designer must follow the published information as closely as possible. For example, one surround-sound processor from a US specialty manufacturer used the system number 16, designated for "Preamp 1". This caused many problems with home theater installations that also included a separate two-channel preamplifier, which if of US or European origin, would also use the RC-5 protocol with system number 16. If the designers of the surround-sound processor had the correct information available to them, it would have been obvious that a better choice would have been to use system number 19, designated for "Preamp 2", as this would have avoided needless conflict between products.

Command Tables
Over time, the information will also be added for the command tables so that all of the available information regarding the RC-5 protocol is gathered in one place. The information in the command tables shown in standard font was obtained from the Philips publication referenced at the bottom of this page. Information in italics is information that is known to be accurate, as it was derived by one of the methods described above. Table 2 - RC-5 commands common to all systems
Command 0 to 9 16 17 18 Function Digit entries 0 to 9 Increase sound volume Decrease sound volume Increase screen/display brightness Decrease screen/display brightness Increase bass response Command 78 80 81 82 Function Decrease linear control setting Move cursor or actuator upwards Move cursor or actuator downwards Switch screen/display menu on

19 22

83 84

Switch screen/display menu off Display A/V system status

23 24 25 26

Decrease bass response Increase treble response Decrease treble response Shift sound balance to the right Shift sound balance to the left Select system mode of RC transmitter Dim local display Increase linear control setting

85 86 87 118

Move cursor or actuator to the left Move cursor or actuator to the right Acknowledge; execute function selected by cursor Select functions defined as sub-mode Select functions defined as options sub-mode; e.g., calendar, alarm, time Connect two items via Euroconnector Disconnect two items connected via Euroconnector

27

119

63 71 77

123 124

Table 3 - RC-5 commands common to all video systems except TV and VCR extension systems 3 and 9
Command 20 21 88 89 90 91 92 93 Function Increase color saturation Decrease color saturation PIP on/off PIP shift PIP/main picture swap Strobe main picture on/off Multi-strobe Main picture frame frozen Command 95 96 97 98 9 100 101 102 Function Select PIP source Mosaic/multi-PIP Digital noise reduction of picture Store main picture PIP strobe; displays a photofinish Recall main stored picture PIP freeze Step up PIP options and display

source 94 3/9 multi-scan: (search for 9 TV pictures and display in 9 PIPs) 103 Step down PIP options and display source

Commands for video extension systems 3 (TV) and 9 (VCR) which use the common video command numbers are given in Tables 4b (TV) and 7b (VCR). Table 4a - RC-5 commands for TV 1 and TV 2 (systems 0 and 1) other than those listed in Tables 2 and 3
Command 10 11 12 13 14 15 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Function 1/2/3 digit entry Channel/program/freq; 11 (Japan) Standby Master mute/de-mute Personal preference settings Display user info on screen Increase picture contrast Decrease picture contrast Search up Decrease tint/hue Channel/program up Channel/program down Last viewed program/channel Command 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 Audio response for speech/music Function View data; advance (USA only) TXT/TV toggle; 12 (Japan only) System standby Picture crispener (contour boost)

Select stereo sound channel/language 74

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

Spatial stereo Stereo/mono Sleep timer Increase tint/hue Switch RF inputs Store; Vote (France only) Display time Scan forward; increment (USA only) Decrement (USA only)

75 76 79 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 Select sound functions in sequence Alter PIP size step-by-step Select vision functions in sequence Actuate colored or other special keys Actuate function highlighted red Actuate function highlighted green Actuate function highlighted yellow Actuate function highlighted cyan Index page/white function Next option Previous option

Secondary control/menu (USA only) Show clock Pause Erase/correct entry Rewind Go to Wind Play Stop Record External 1

111 112 113 114 115 116 117 120 121 122 125

Store open/close

57 58

External 2

126 127 Parental access via PIN code

Table 4b - RC-5 commands for TV1 and TV2 extension (system 3) other than those listed in Table 2
Command 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Pay TV channel + Pay TV channel Radio channel + Radio channel Tilt cabinet forward 10 degrees max Function 4 default video settings (Far East) 4 default audio settings (Far East) Command 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 79 88 89 90 Pay TV channel + Pay TV channel Radio channel + Radio channel + 4 default video settings (Far East) 4 default audio settings (Far East) Function Program 10 (Far East) Program 11 (Far East) Program 12 (Far East)

Tilt cabinet backward 10 degrees max 91 92 93

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 External 3

94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 Tilt cabinet forward 10 degrees max Tilt cabinet backward 10 degrees max

57 58 59 60 61 62 64 65 66

External 4

115 116 117 120 121 External 3 External 4 Channel setting menu

Change 4:3 picture format to 16:9

122 125 126 127

Change 4:3 picture format to 16:9

Table 5 - RC-5 commands for teletext (system 2) other than those listed in Tables 2 and 3
Command 10 11 12 13 14 15 28 29 30 Enter page number in memory Sequential display of pages w/stored numbers Sequential display/deletion of pages w/stored numbers Next page Previous page Standby Function Command 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 News flash (Antiope function) Function

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Erase/correct entry Page hold Display time/timed page Large top/bottom/normal Reveal/conceal TV/TXT TV + TXT/subtitle Print displayed page Mix Antiope/TV pictures Exchange (Antiope function) Main index Row zero (Antiope function)

69 70 72 73 74 75 76 79 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116

52 53 54 55 56 57 58

117 120 121 122 125 126 127

Table 6 - RC-5 commands for a LaserVision system player (system 4) other than those listed in Tables 2 and 3
Command 10 11 12 13 14 15 28 29 30 31 Display user info. on screen Total shuffle play (TSP) once/repeat once TSP/repeat continuously Select next option Fast run reverse Function Display picture number/time Display chapter number Standby Mute/de-mute Command 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 CX 1, 2, 3; toggle for CX noise reduction Function Freeze segment(s) indicated by picture numbers TXT/TV toggle; RF switch (USA only)

32 33 34 35

Entry (prepare to program) Auto-stop at pre-programmed point Slow run reverse Select stereo sound channel 1/language 1 Select stereo sound channel 2/language 2 Still increment reverse Increase speed Decrease speed Slow run forward Still increment forward Fast run forward Automatic search for user choice Search in reverse Open/close lid Search forward Play reverse/play opposite sound track Pause Erase/correct entry

70 72 73 74

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

75 76 79 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Clear memory all Play Stop

117 120 121 122 125 126 127

Table 11 - RC-5 commands for audio preamplifiers 1 and 2 (systems 16 and 19) other than those listed in Table 2
Command 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 28 29 30 Function GEQ L (graphic equalizer left channel) GEQ R (graphic equalizer right channel) Standby Master mute/de-mute Personal preference settings Display user info on local display Command 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 GEQ L+R (graphic equalizer L + R channel) 76 Speaker select Scratch filter on/off 79 88 Scroll linear sound functions Random noise generator on/off Function

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Rumble filter on/off Step function + Step function Signal path scroll Speaker A on/off

89 90 91 92 93 94

Timer on/off News timer on/off

Scroll surround sound options Sleep timer Speaker B on/off Speaker C on/off Timer program mode Time set mode Timer + Timer Open timer memory Open acoustic control setting memory Select acoustic settings in memory

95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 Center channel volume + Center channel volume Delay front to surround increment Delay front to surround decrement Linear phase

Erase/correct entry

107 108 109

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 Dynamic range compress Surround sound on/off Balance front Balance rear Dynamic range expand Clear memory all

110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 120 121 122 125 126 127 Tape monitor

Table 14 - RC-5 commands for a compact disc player (system 20) other than those listed in Table 2
Command 10 11 12 13 Function Scroll local display cursor Scroll local display function Standby Mute/de-mute Command 67 68 69 70 Function

14 15 20 21 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Scan disc forward Store execute Total shuffle play/repeat once Repeat continuously Select increment Select decrement Next Previous Index next Index previous Play/program Speed nominal Increase speed Decrease speed Display user info on local display

72 73 74 75 76 79 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 Digital signal processing on/off Music mode (DSP) Select room acoustics (DSP) Jazz/s-hall effect (DSP) Pop/s-hall effect (DSP) Classic/church music for music/room mode (DSP) Easy/club music for music/room mode (DSP) Disco/stadium music for music/room mode (DSP)

44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 64 65 Dynamic range compress Clear memory all Repeat program marked A/B Dynamic range expand Fast/select disc from cartridge Pause Erase/correct entry Rewind/reverse Scroll local display cursor Wind/fast-forward Play Stop Open/close tray

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 120 121 122 125 126 Fade in/out audio Second favorite track selection Favorite track selection Title into memory

66

127

See also