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remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) chewy yeah i know it is kinda a silly thing to use it for, but anyone know of a "remote controll" software that will turn my epods into the ultimate supa 3l33t rockin remote controll. actaully it's not that dumb of an idea if you have seen the price on the philips remote that uses CE, $399 for that bad boy, and the exact same thing but with a marantz label is $499. anyway it would be kinda cool to use it as a remote. 01-19-2001 20:20:59

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) SpaceGhost ditto, chewy. I think it would be cool to surf and fid a show and then hit a few icons and change the channel, turn on the stereo and kick back. I have seen these remotes as well. WAY expensive, but can freaking run NASA. If you find anything make sure you give us a heads up and I'll do the same. 01-19-2001 20:30:45

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) SpaceGhost oh yea, the palms & visors ( i believe) recommend that you buy an add-on or module that increases the IR signal. I wonder if the epods would not be strong enough to successfully negotiate the distance to the TV (especially in a large room)? 01-19-2001 20:32:49

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) nhavar here's my idea, I'm just waiting on the cash for the wireless networking. I have an all-in-wonder by ati sitting in a computer hooked to my stereo, vcr, tv I can control the TV using the on screen stuff but the wireless keyboard is honestly a pain in the ass. Idea 1: Create a program that sends signals via wireless network to the Entertainment PC for control, modify an IR device and create a simple comm program that ported the relevant signals out to the appropriate device. (JVC VCR's come with a small tethered IR device that does something similar for cable and timed recording) Idea 2: Same as Idea 1 but all software is controlled through VNC on the host computer. (Problem VNC still seems a little slow) The IR device on the ePods was designed for a short distance, most likely less than 2 meters and only has an angle of signal dispersion of about 5 degrees. Regular remote controls can easily do several times that distance and have an angle of about 23-28 degrees (don't quote me I'm pulling this from memory). So in order to use the epods as an IR remote you would have to A) aim directly at the device you are sending a signal to B) Be within 2 meters of the device you want to control. Now some of the better ideas are the option of hooking into the X10 firecracker. Hopefully someone who's smarter than I will have that one done with ease. But for now I'll keep planning. 01-19-2001 22:00:24

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) chewy being a EE and ME geek, going through college i always used HP calculators. Having my HP48 i remember there being a big time worry about kids using them in class to copy test answers, but the ir was hindered. it was not that it couldn't do the output, it's that it was hindered by a simple resistor. once this was cut, you could literally x-fer between 2 hp's about 20 ft apart (max that i was able to do, aiming at that distance sucked) anyway that was for playing because they said it couldn't be done. i'm curious if there is a similar thing done to the epods that it is hindered via hardware and not just bad design IMO. if anyone know's please chime in. 01-19-2001 22:08:39

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Groch The distance and angle problem could be solved with something like this: http://www.smarthome.com/8220a.html at a cost of $50. The tricky part is programing the codes. I remember seening a program that will do that, but it was not designed for the MIPS processor in the Epods. Some kind of X10 link may be the best bet. 01-19-2001 22:12:51

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) zhensel There are ir recievers for home theaters that will accept the signal at one location and spit it over a cable into your equipment closet where it is signaled out, duplicating your input. Placing one of these near/on your epods might work - assuming that the ir output can even work like a remote control (isn't irda different from regular electronics signals or something? Made for higher bandwidth?) 01-19-2001 22:55:42

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) boykster Long time lurker in this board, but once a poster on the Iop forum.... Well, there's a great way, but the cost isn't much of a savings over a pronto...the slinke by http://www.nirvis.com would be a great solution. You'd have to have a host pc to run the slinke, you could use vnc, terminal svcs, or dcom to control the slinke from the epod. Actually, as soon as I get my epod (should be here any day!!! :P) I'm going to experiment with integrating my slinke/cdj jukebox program with my epod via a webserver app. Cheers, boykster 01-19-2001 23:28:29

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) mjm012 I have an infared printer at work and have been messing around with it on friday... I will test out how far it will allow me to transfer from on monday sometime and post. That should at least give an idea as to at least how far a simple remote transmission can occur since printing transmits soo much data. Wish me luck (so far I have only tried it about 3-4 feet away and it works great) -Micah 01-20-2001 10:06:44

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile I've been looking into increasing the IR output of the ePods. I haven't found the specs for IRDA1 yet. The part# is 6101E-001. By reducing R153 (or maybe R152) the IR output may be able to be increased. The other idea that I've considered is to add an additonal IR diode. This diode would be a high output device like what is used in TV remotes. A simple circuit of the diode and a transistor to drive it could be used in parallel with the existing trasmitter. I wouldn't be surprised if the diode/transistor combo is available in a combined package. This would make the design pretty easy. Please chime in if you know of such a device. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 01-20-2001 11:47:17

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile BTW, a trick that I use for debugging IR devices is to use the "night vision" feature of a camcorder. Point the camera the IR transmitter and watch the LCD display. The camcorder will convert the IR spectrum into the visible spectrum. It is handy somtimes to "see" that a device is actually transmitting. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 01-20-2001 12:02:58

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) soldierman Most pc web cams will also see IR as well Glitch. 01-20-2001 13:43:18

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) duvell The One-for-All line of universal remotes used to have (not sure if current models still do) a three pin serial interface inside the battery compartment. There was a program available (freeware written by an HA enthusiest) that would control the remote via this serial interface. If I remember correctly it put up a remote layout and any button you clicked on the display was sent to the remote and the corresponding IR code was sent. I was thinking of using something like this to control my entertainment system. I already have a bookpc in my etertainment center so I would just connect the serial interface to the remote and place it so it can be seen by all compoents and use vnc or terminal server to control it. Although, I would much prefer to use the epods directly. Seems like there would be at least a niche market for a small IR transceiver that plugged into a serial port and could be used to sample IR codes for learning as well as send learned codes. I'll look around and see if I can find some more info on the software to control the One-for-All remotes. duvell A quick search turned up some info on the Serial protocol used by the newer OFA remotes: Here 01-20-2001 17:51:01

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) duvell I found a remote control program for Windows CE that says "This software is designed for MIPS CPU (NEC VR-4000 series)". I downloaded it and I got the program to run on the ePods but it did not seem to be driving the IR port. At times it said another program was using the serial port so it may have been a config problem. If this thing does work, its exactly what most people have been asking for. The program can be downloaded from Softwares for IrDA Devices Home Page. If anybody has any luck with this please post your findings. 01-20-2001 21:11:39

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) sphiend I was doing some research on this and came across this program http://skycommander.webjump.com/ this will not work on the epods.. but the reason I point it out is because of a comment the author makes on mips based machines.. here is what his site says... "MIPS I've done some reading up on the datasheets and user manuals of the various MIPS processors(NEC and Philips) used by Windows CE devices, and the conclusion is that the Consumer IR driver cannot be ported to these MIPS platforms. This is due to the lack of certain features on the IR modules of the various MIPS CPUs. Hence, the same implementation of the Consumer IR driver on the SH3 cannot be applied on the MIPS. I am terribly sorry to disappoint those who have been waiting eagerly for SkyCommander to be supported on their devices. Nevertheless, a big thank you for showing interest in this product. " So, it may be difficult to find a good solution for the epods.. perhaps the TS or VNC with a wireless network and some sorta IR blaster would be the best solution. -sphiend 01-20-2001 21:55:39

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Billings I think that message was the author's shortcomings, because a Japan programmer did release a remote control program for MIPS-based machines, the link is in another thread, it works on Casio and Compaq machines as well as others. I got it to work on a MIPS Compaq Aero 1550. It runs on the epods, but will not send or learn IR controls because the "port is constantly in use". I think this has something to do with the "IR Modem on COM 3" settings in the registry and drivers that lock up the port from access. 01-21-2001 01:21:57

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) duvell Billings: I also tried this program and had no problems running the program itself but did get the same messages that another application was using the serial port. What brand of processor does the compaq you ran it on have? I ask because the author states this is specifically for NEC-VR4000 series MIPS CPUs. I assume the processor core is compatible between that and the Toshiba part used in the epods. But the serial interface comes from the processor directly and this logic may not be 100% compatible with the NEC version. This program seems to have the best potential of anything currently available. There is a link to it in an earlier post in this thread. duvell 01-21-2001 12:19:54

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) nowhere From the datasheet of the microprocessor that controls our ePods: http://pdf.toshiba.com/taec/components/Datasheet/TX3922AUds.pdf 5.3.9 IR MODULE The TMPR3922AU has an IR module with the following features. · IR consumer mode · allows control of consumer electronic devices such as stereos, TVs, VCRs, etc. · programmable pulse parameters · external analog LED circuitry All we need now is somebody to tell the micro to get into that operating mode & copy the IR section off a typical remote control. nowhere 01-21-2001 13:11:29

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) nowhere More detailed info about IR port operation can be found here: http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components/Generic/TMPR3922/sec10.htm I'm not a software writer, but I think I could put together the IR driver circuit easily. nowhere 01-21-2001 13:48:10

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) duvell Reading into the specs further, it looks like the (consumer) IR logic and the IrDA logic are separate. They have separate config registers and separate physical pins. So it looks like we cannot use the existing IR interface since it is setup for IrDA. The pin used for consumer IR output is a shared use pin that is programmed on reset. Depending on how the thing gets configed at reset, the IR Out from the consumer IR logic may not even be available. If you assume it is availabe it looks like we need an IR driver to connect to it. duvell 01-21-2001 14:19:56

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) zhensel You could rig up an IR output to the serial port. There are serial IR receivers (IRMan for one), so I imagine that this is feasible. If it is, there are probably already products out there somewhere. 01-21-2001 18:50:03

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) qx4_man Here are some good links on Infrared Remote Control software and hardware... perhaps some of these can be combined to get something working on the epod? http://www.armory.com/~spcecdt/remote/remote.html http://www.technick.net/ http://www.lirc.org/ http://www.imagineeringezine.com/PDF-FILES/40kvcr.pdf 01-22-2001 07:55:49

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Mark I will have a system to use an ePod as a wireless remote but am waiting for my ePod. My current setup is: Red Rat for IR (it can learn and transmit IR) connected to the 233 233 Pentium as my Web Server (intranet) Notebook (pretend its an ePod) wired LAN I wrote a program to 'talk' to the Red Rat called RedRat.exe. I designed some html pages to be the buttons for different remotes I wrote an asp page to take the button presses and send them to an ActiveX dll that sends commands to RedRat.exe. An asp page can not talk to an ActiveX exe, it must be a dll. I can now surf my intranet and control all my devices. I designed all the html pages to fit into the ePods 640 X 480 screen. After I receive my ePod I will purchase a wireless LAN. I do not want to use the notebook since it is so heavy and does not have a touch screen. This way I can use any device that can 'surf' as a remote. I can also change the look and feel of my remote page with little difficulty. I can also make special 'guest' pages so other people can figure out how to use my home theater. 01-22-2001 12:01:31

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) SpaceGhost Mark, this is exactly what i am looking for. Are you going to post a link or send the file(s) over to Randy? I would definitely like to have a similar setup. If you have a chance, could you elaborate a bit more on the Red Rat and the connectivity between components. I have a wireless card for my epods, a win98SE desktop with ethernet card to my Cable modem. I don't currently have a computer in the den with all my AV equipment, but could easily put together a k6-2 300 to operate the Red Rat. (I have a 5 port hub and could run some CAT-5 if needed. Thanks so much for sharing! 01-22-2001 12:15:51

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) JohnZ Well, I found this page about 2 days ago, and I think I've read just about every post here! I usually hang out over in the AV Science Home Theater PC (HTPC) forum http://www.avsforum.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Home+Theater+Computers&number=12&DaysPrune=5&LastLogin= There's a program I was introduced to over there called Girder http://www.stack.nl/~stilgar/windoze/girder.html that lets you map just about any function in your PC to a miriad of inputs, including TCP/IP control. The advantages? 1) Most of you folks already have some form of lan connectivity for your ePod, so you don't need to add any hardware to it. 2) IRDA is flakey stuff when trying to control home theater equipment. Basically, they don't speak the same language, and the IR signals are transmitted in different wavelength ranges (although they do overlap), since an IRDA transmitter doesn't transmit the optimal wavelength for home theater equipment, range is severely affected. 3) You don't have to aim your ePod at your equipment, heck, you don't even need to be in the same room! For controlling your home theater equipment from your computer check out the AV Science forum above, there's lots of info on this there. now if I can just find an ePod!!! all the eBay auctions out there are pushing 3 bills for one of these things! 01-22-2001 13:44:24

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) TheDudeAbides Red Rat info: http://www.dodgies.demon.co.uk/ Verrry interesting! :) 01-22-2001 15:17:51

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Kcimpulse I know ths is a bit off subject but i have an ibm reomte control i bought off ebay. which is really made by logictech. It works great but was wondering if anyone had a good source for mouse/ remote features. Thew software i have could be better 01-22-2001 21:21:59

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) John There even are Redrat 2 drivers available now! 01-24-2001 03:26:52

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) bholio You may also way to consider the ocelot controller by applied digital. http://www.appdig.com/ocelot.html It does IR in/out. It also does X10 in/out (via TW523 controller). It can run standalone and provides it's own storage for IR codes (up to 1024). In addition you can hook up external modules to control relays and other stuff. It programmable, and can handle conditional logic (IF/THEN/ELSE) in standalone mode. The biggest issue is that it's IR output uses an emitter which you stick to the device, as opposed to some sort of IR blaster which will flood a room with IR. You'd have to research this issue before buying one. Street price is around $150. I don't have one, but lots of people in comp.home.automation have them if you have questions. They all seem to really like it. You can get it at http://www.worthdist.com and http://www.futurestandard.com 01-24-2001 08:10:20

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) andrewlago I have found some remote control software that runs on the ePods, but I can not get it to access the IR port. It says that another application is using the serial port. I'm at a bit of an impass here. I have a fairly stock ePods. Basically just password hacked and I have installed an Aironet 4800 wireless ethernet card. The name of the software is PalmRemote. It is by the same author that did the version for the Palm. You can download the software here http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA005810/remocon/premce22.zip And the homepage is here http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA005810/remocon/remocone.htm Thanks in advance for any help. Andrew 01-28-2001 12:06:35

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Fant Just a note...are you guys trying these programs without any pc cards inserted because I believe they take up a com port if using a pc card modem... 01-28-2001 17:46:46

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) andrewlago Profile | Email I tried it without a card in the PCMCIA slot, but I had the same problem. Andrew 01-28-2001 21:47:12

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) NotBinkyTClown Sorry to re-hash this old old old topic, but FWIR, there wasn't a solution to this. Has anyone come up with a workable solution?? 03-31-2001 16:48:16

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) Calvin Nope but thanks for asking. 03-31-2001 16:55:27

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) LDePod Profile Ok, this is FAR from the frugal approach, but if you have all the required items already, its at least neat to implement for coolness sake. My setup is a wireless LAN'd ePod, a Win2K server with Terminal Services, and (the important bit) a Philips Pronto remote. The Pronto remote comes with software called ProntoEdit, which is the config software used to lay out the remote's display and functionality. It has a really nice emulator that looks JUST like the Pronto itself, on which you can test your layout before downloading it to the actual remote hardware. The best part however, is that if you have the Pronto plugged into the serial port when you run the emulator, the buttons on the emulator (on your Win32 screen) actually make the remote transmit the command! Some of you probably see where this is going. I now run the emulator as an app via Terminal Services, leaving the remote connected via serial to the Win2K box. So anything my Pronto can do, so can my ePods now! Ok, so its not the ideal solution, since you can implement something much cheaper with an Ocelot and some software, and if you don't already have a Pronto then the expense would be ridiculous for just doing this, but if you have it all already, its a great thing to wow visitors. :) LD 05-06-2001 02:57:38

RE:remote controll for epods (modified 0 times) jsmmd Profile Does anyone still have: premce22.zip, or did anyone find something that worked directly on the ePod, not using the ePod as a "proxy"? 09-06-2004 11:35:45

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