tv remote!!

[Dan East]

Okay, a new version of this software is out (thanks for the heads-up Chris). It is now programmable. So I fired it up, and lo-and-behold, I can control my Sony DSS with it. I had to take the Pulse length down two notches for my iPaq.<br>The range is around 5-6 feet (1.6m or so), which is not good enough to be of actual use, but that is a hardware issue. Chris and I were discussing modifying the hardware to increase the range. If I'm not mistaken, the LED used to emit the IR for irDa devices has a very wide spread, while consumer IR devices have a tighter focus. That in itself would greatly effect the range, regardless of the actual output lumens. So it may be possible to replace the existing LED with a $2 replacement from Radio Shack to increase the range.<br><br>Next problem, as I mentioned in an earlier post, is the gui. The gui is static, and extremely rudimentary. The reason I would want to control my A/V equipment with a $500 piece of hardware is so I can do things I can't do with my $10 universal remote. For example, the ability to record macros, customize the button layout, and control many different components from the same button layout. My $10 remote is far easier to use at this time.<br>Oh well.<br><br>Dan East

[RICoder]

Dan,<br>  If you can get the source (HAHAHA) then I would like to see it.  I have a pronto, but I'd rather use my PPC.<br>  The mods you speak of can be done, IMHO and limited knowledge of electronics.  But, I ain't doin' it until I get my HP, so if I smoke my Casio I won't care...

[Luciano U. Werner]

You're wiiling to change your PPC in to a TV remote and loose it's ability to comunicate with other PPCs through the IR port?<br>Is it a good trade?

[Paul]

i'd say its a great trade. a better idea though would be to make them modules so you swap the different IR ports easily.

[RICoder]

hmmmmm?<br><br>*tinker*<br><br>*tinker*

[Moose or Chuck]

Matt showed me a webpage that shows what is needed to create an IR enhancer for the PPC that increases the range to 49.2 feet (15 meters). It seemed quite easy to make, and I'm sure Radio Shack has all the stuff to make it. It only comes with pictures, but they're not hard to follow, as long as you know what the pictures are of . Here's the URL if anyone is interested. It's phyiscally designed for the iPaq, but that's just a matter of where the tape goes.<br>

[Moose or Chuck]

Oh, i didn't describe it. It's a simple module the size of two AAA or double AA (forgot) batteries. They used a small firm plastic 'card' to prop the device in the CF Sleeve. It doesn't connect at all. It has one IR Receiver/Transceiver at the front pointing outward, and one a few mm from the IR device on the iPaq. There is no physical link between the two, so it will work on all PPCs, and by itself if you feel like having fun with the neighbors TV

[Joel Gibby]

Looks easy enough

[Dan East]

After re-reading my post, it wasn't real clear. The new version of the program can learn new codes. You point your remote at your Pocket PC and it learns whatever commands you choose.<br><br>That hardware mod would not prevent your device from connecting to other irDa devices. The range would actually increase. You would simply have to make sure the devices were aligned within a smaller tolerance. Think of the difference between a lamp and a flashlight. The flashlight can illuminate things further away than the lamp, even though the lamp is far brighter. If you were sending morse-code by pulsing the light then the message obviously wouldn't be distorted by the focus, as long as the light was visible.<br><br>Dan East

[Paul]

whenever i try it, it says "COM2 Unavailable" so i try switching to the other com ports, testing each one in turn and nothing happens. am i meant to know which port to use? should i have to change anything? meh!

[Dan East]

Do you have a camcorder? If so, view your Pocket PC's IR port through your camcorder's viewfinder while you try the various com port settings. You can see if IR is being emitted or not, because camcorders convert IR to visible light.<br>Note that your Pocket PC will pulse an IR burst every several seconds to see if other devices are around. Of course you are looking for a continuous stream of IR while you hold down a button on the remote.<br><br>Dan East

[Matt Keys]

paul, last I heard sh3 was not working.

[Paul]

what a darning surprise.

[Mumbo Jumbo]

I tried this thing with my Hitachi tv but it doesn't work at all even if i change the wavelength

[Solarix]

What about MIPS. Does it work on MIPS?<br>