Ruark Vita Audio R4 R4i R4MK3 radio Remote control faults and IR Codes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 02:30:43 pm
content: The Ruark audio R4i is a desktop DAB/FM CD player and USB stick player. It has a depression on the top that the removable Infra red Remote control sits in.Ruark and Vita R4 MK3 and R2i remote codes are in later additions to this post below.A separate post on the R2i remote codes describes how to program (not learn from an existing remote) an "all for one" URC1210/1240 remote with all the codes in this post.The R4/R4i radio will not work without the remote, there are no operating buttons on the radio itself. As the remote often gets lost and a replacement from Ruark is about £60, I tried to repair a non functional remote.I had hoped to modify an existing remote but the cheap IR remotes use a 0x00FF custom code and are not modifiable. My aim was to produce a solution that anyone in my family could use, which I still need help with !Opening the circular remote by removing the bottom metal cover, exposes two AAAA batteries and two screws. The chip was found to be a Princeton Technology PT2221 which is a copy of the original NEC uPD6121 (datasheet attached).The data sheets describe the 38khz format and circuit diagrams (NEC datasheets are more detailed and have fewer silly errors)I started by purchasing an IR 38Khz receiver from eBay the YS-IRTM board which when used with the "Realterm serial capture terminal program 3.0.1.44" allowed hex to be read from a remote and sent to a computer via a serial port. There is also a IR transmitter on the YS-IRTM board.E.G. using the ys-trm board and the program Realterm to send these codes you must first send A1 F1 making 5 bytes per command ( for example 0xA1, 0xF1, 0x8F, 0xEF, 0x0F is vol down)The YS-IRTM user manual is attached below. It only works for 38Khz and NEC coding structure.(Note: most cheap transistor testers such as the T7 and FNirsi LCR-P1 have an IR read and decode function for NEC codes)I read the codes transmitted for each button on the good remote which are shown below going anticlockwise from the large "OK" button.This way I could check what the faulty remote transmitted and use Realterm to send hex to the radio to check that the radio responded correctly.8FEF08 ok sw148FEF09 right sw158FEF00 info sw068FEF0A source sw128FEF05 pr5 sw018FEF04 pr4 sw028FEF03 pr3 sw038FEF02 pr2 sw048FEF01 pr1 sw088FEF06 audio sw108FEF0E clock sw168FEF07 left sw130B,0C,0D not used8FEF1E power (push)8FEF0F vol down (rotate left)8FEF1F vol up (rotate right)8FEFFF Mute A bonus, not on remote but works on R4i models not R4.The last byte is set by each of the switches listed above.The custom code (0x8FEF) is set by D1 to D5 (1N4148 or A6) and R1,R2,R6 to R9 100k resistors. As outlined in the datasheet schematic.I found that my remote was sending the wrong custom code due to an open 100k resistor.For this remote the circuit is as follows:-The diodes set the first 8 bits by tying five selected KI/O lines to the CCS line ( 0x8F is a diode from KI/O 0-3 and KI/O7 to CCS)The resistors set a second code by tying six selected KI/O lines to the SEL line (0x9F is a resistor from KI/O 0-4 and KI/O7 to SEL--- R6,R1,R7,R8,R2,R9 respectively)The NEC datasheet shows how the second code is used to modify the first code to give the second byte.LSB is first as that is the way it is shown on the datasheet......0x8F 1111 00010x9F 1111 1001 These bits mean invert when 0 on the first code 0x8F resulting in.0xEF 1111 0111So now I could control the radio using the Realterm program/ YS-IRTM board or even PIC/Arduino/RP2040 and knowing how to set the "Custom"codes I could build/modify a remote using the PT2221 or NEC uDP6121 .I may also be able to use the wifi to IR transmitters on eBay such as the Tuya WiFi IR RF Universal ControllerBUT I would still like advice for making a family friendly remote for this radio !IMPORTANT update August 23 :-The early Ruark radios such as the R4 and R2 use Infra red receivers that are sensitive to High Frequency Fluorescent lighting ( CFL or Electronic ballast). The long push on "info" , "Presets", "Volume up/down" and "Left/Right" will not function reliably.The null repeat field has random pulses (Caused by the HF fluorescent tube) in it so the radio thinks a new command has started.Later IR receivers in R4i and R2i use an internal AGC system that seems to eliminate such interference- See Vishay datasheets TSOP31238.

author: Koray
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 08:52:53 pm
content: Great information! Vita Audio or Ruark Audio R4 has beautiful design and very good sound. However, the remote design is really stupid. The AAAA batteries are a pain to find and they deplete very quickly. The rubbery texture on the remote goes gummy. Good luck with your design, anything new will be better than the original design!K.

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2023, 12:54:39 pm
content: Koray,I have just found a retailer who sells the GeeMarc TV10 programmable as a control for the R4i. It has large buttons and fits in the hand better than a round control.I have tried both the GeeMarc TV10 and the One for all Contour universal remote. Both can be programmed using an existing remote or the YS-IRTM board and an PC.Programming the GeeMarc is problematic as it it does not always learn properly. However once programmed it works fine.The One for all remote was easy to program and works well with a better selection of keys.All I need now is someone to tell me the IR codes for the Ruark-Vita audio R2i !

author: pej
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2023, 07:24:26 pm
content: My YS-IRTM board arrived yesterday and here I use it to show the codes for the R2i after some delay:Clock 86 6B 12Audio 86 6B 1AOn/Off 86 6B 1E1 86 6B 012 86 6B 023 86 6B 034 86 6B 045 86 6B 05Info 86 6B 06Back 86 6B 07OK 86 6B 08Fwd 86 6B 09DAB 86 6B 0AFM 86 6B 1BVol+ 86 6B 1FAux 86 6B 0CiPod 86 6B 0DVol- 86 6B 0EI tried both the original Vita Audio remote and a universal remote - both gave the same codes as above.Delays encountered on the way:1. This probably will not effect you, but as I used a Bus Pirate UART. I had to enable Bus Pirate +5v to power the YS-IRTM.2. I already have Tera Term SW Terminal installed but Tera Term cannot handle hex. RealTerm was needed for the hex above to show.3. Realterm took no notice of my 9600 baud request - it turned out you have to close the port and reopen it for new 9600 baud setting to take place!I see a new thread has been opened for the R2i remote. I will soon post how I programmed a universal remote to work the R2i. If you have an R2 then you will find this solution will also work very well with only a small restriction.

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 05:55:52 pm
content: Update:- Ruark R4 MK3 IR remote codes.NOTE: Not all the buttons on the top of the radio are on the remote ! ---- Alarm/Sleep and Info are NOT on the Ruark remoteThis remote uses 38Khz NEC1 encodingThe device code is 0x02 sub device 0xFB, Hex function codes (OBC) follow+ 00Power 01Menu 06- 09Left 0ASelect 0C n.b also pause/play/muteSource 0EPreset 14Right 15Example :- Power 0x02 FB 01 or Source is 0x02 FB 0ENote that the source forge program RMIR uses decimal when entering the One Button Codes (OBC) and the device / sub device numbers. Source would be 2, 251, 14You can now produce a "one for all remote" URC 1204/1210 that controls the R4, R4 Mk2 and R4 Mk3 using the program RMIR downloaded from Source Forge. See my post on Ruark R2i IR codes.An example RMIR file for the R4 Mk3 is attached below.

author: Biff00
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 02:34:56 pm
content: Hi, thanks for the post. I have a vitaaudio r4 but no remote.. do you know if the ruark r4i remote is compatible? They look the same cosmetically.If not am I correct in thinking the remote you mentioned could be an alternative to get it working again?Thanks

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2024, 01:05:38 pm
content: Biff00,The R4i remote will work the R4. They are expensive and use AAAA batteries that do not last long.The cheaper solution using the URC 1210/1240 remote, which is available on ebay or Amazon, is to program the URC remote using a USB to Serial converter and the program RMIR as described in EEVBlog posts search for Ruark R2i and then use the codes from this post.If you want one ready programmed I could list one on eBay but it is not difficult to make one or go through the remotes learning procedure that comes with the remote if you can borrow a Ruark remote that is !

author: Panama1uk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 12:21:32 pm
content: Good afternoon, I have seen for sale a very cheap Vita R4 Mk 1 with the USB port in the front, I'm a great fan of Ruark having bought several of their speakers in the late 90's, so I recognise that they hopefully didn't forget their roots to much when designing the Vita range. Unfortunately as seems so common the unit doesn't have the remote making it useless. I see you mentioned the URC 1210 / 1240 remote. These are cheap at around £10 or less... but I can't see how to program one without a working remote ? perhaps you could enlighten me.. Regards Steve

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2025, 11:31:01 am
content: Thanks for the inquiry about the R4 remote.The URC 1210 remote can be programmed in two separate ways.1. By entering learning mode and reading codes from an working remote.2. By using the program RMIR to program the remote via the serial port under the cover on the back.Using the NEC codes for the remote you want to copy. These are listed above.The RMIR program is free on the web and well documented and supported. Its use is described in another Ruark post on the R2i remoteYou will also need a laptop and a USB to serial ( Com port) converter such as the one made by FTDI. Buy one with RTs and CTS connections not just RX/ TX.Message me if you need more detail

author: Panama1uk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 11:08:55 am
content: Hi Rob, much apreciated for the responce, I have now the RMIR program installed and I have a USB to serial adapter... upon looking at pictures of the URC 1210 remote , for the life of me I can't see any serial com port plugThe pictures just show the battery cover and batteries. There are several lists of codes, but it looked like the guy was sending them to the remote he was programming using an IR transmitter, YS IRTM. I believe the R2i and R4 ( mk 1) use the same codes...Clock 86 6B 12 Audio 86 6B 1A On/Off 86 6B 1E 1 86 6B 01 2 86 6B 02 3 86 6B 03 4 86 6B 04 5 86 6B 05 Info 86 6B 06 Back 86 6B 07 OK 86 6B 08 Fwd 86 6B 09 DAB 86 6B 0A FM 86 6B 1B Vol+ 86 6B 1F Aux 86 6B 0C iPod 86 6B 0D Vol- 86 6B 0ESo at the moment I am a bit confused if the URC 1210 has a com plug and its termination to go in the remote and what codes to use..Hope you can adviseRegards Steve

author: rh100605
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 04:16:08 pm
content: Steve,First of all I suggest you check that the R4 you have will receive DAB+ (if you need it). All R4i models receive DAB+The R2i does not use the same codes as the R4/R4i. The codes you need are at the top of this post.All start with 8FEF, For example 8FEF1E is power.The connections to the serial port in the URC 1210 are under the battery cover. You will need push on female wire ends. Pin 1 has a white dot.Look at the photos below.Use 3.3 volt logic NOT 5 volt. The batteries should be in the remote to power the processor inside.The connections for the FTDI wire ended usb to Serial converter on ebay (FTDI FT232RL USB to Serial adapt module USB TO TTL RS232 Arduino Cable 6Pin D F2):-Pin 1 has a white dot on the pcb. Look at the remote horizontally with the batteries to the left as in the picture below.5 3 1 NC GND(Black) NC (White DOT)6 4 2 White Green Yellow White wire： RXD Green wire： TXD Yellow wire: RTSRed (5 volt) and Blue (CTS) are tied back. You are using a com port with flow control.Com port set at 9600,n,8,1 will work with RMIRA description of the connections/ baud rate etc are in the EEVBlog post below for programming the URC1210 remote for the R2/R2ihttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/ruark-vita-audio-r2i-remote-control-ir-codes-needed/msg4904822/#msg4904822The attached RMIR file is one possible setup for the R4i. The R4 RMIR file is in plain text format, take a look with a text editor such as Notepad or Notepad++Remember RMIR OBC codes are in Decimal....NOT Hex

author: Panama1uk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 09:55:37 am
content: So here is the situation to date, can't remember if I previously said or not, but the R4 is working, annoyingly the CD doesn't work ... I took it out and took the metal lid off, there were all manner of mechanical arms and levers.... I tried to understand what they did and sort of put them where they looked right, to my amazement upon reconnecting everything, the CD sucked in the CD and played even without the remote, then upon ejecting it got stuck, I got my tweezers and helped it out... now its dead as a dodo, I opened it up and couldn't see anything obviously wrong, but then I noticed a little bit of plastic , like a 5mm x 1 x 2 , a little stop or pip was floating around... As an industrial designer of medical drug delivery devices I can appreciate the complexity of these CDs but they are definitely not user friendly of robust.. I think I will postpone further torment... Anyway after the replacement of the Diodes and surface track that was blown all is working.. Strange that it has DAB+ though... I'm not complaining but as far as I read R4's with the figure of 8 power supply plug were only DAB.... Anyhow the remote is on order, I just need to get the USB to JP1..Are you familiar with Ruark's history, I have a pair of Solstice Reference monitors, cost me a lot more than I told the wife in 1998... Fantastic build quality..Regards Steve

author: Panama1uk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 10:43:28 am
content: UPDATE...I programmed the remote and all works a treat.......................Big thanks to ROB who walked me through the process ( and Chat GPT)