Remote IR

[Tycho Morgan]

It seems that most people are really interested in using their Pocket PCs (and Palms) as neat universal remote controls. It makes perfect sense: you have a great device that is properly equipped for the most part, and besides it would be just plain cool. <br /><br />I must admit, however, that the idea doesn’t really appeal to me. I don’t watch enough television to really even use the non universal remotes that I have, and even when I do watch television I’m never more than 15 feet from the set, so long range remotes don’t really have any use in my household; but nevertheless, the geek in me is interested in the idea of the universal remote. <br /><br />So of course I was quite interested when I found not one, but <i>three</i> messages in my inbox relating to the development of two different tools for using your iPAQ or other Pocket PC (I presume) as a Universal Remote. The biggest problems people are running into are limitations of memory (storage and usage of the right codes) as well as limitations of range. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.ultramote.com/">UltraMote</a> software and accompanying software and hardware IR extender seems to make a powerful Universal Remote. Ultra Mote has support for macros, multiple devices, and with the optional hardware extender, up to a 50 foot range. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.pdawin.com/">PDAwin</a>, a company specializing in developing software solutions for the Pocket PC and other Windows CE based devices, is marketing the second generation of their TV Remote Controller software. This program runs on all StrongARM powered devices, without additional hardware, while still providing users with (what is in my opinion) a suitable range of nearly 20 feet according to one user and reader of this site. <br /><br />Now that suitable options for using your Pocket PC as a universal remote are available, dare I ask ‘How good of a Universal Remote is a Pocket PC?’

[ironguy]

I downloaded the PDAWIN remote and gave it a try. It only had one piece of equipment in my home theater loaded in it's database that worked. I would also like to see the satellite equipment added. I change channels through my DISH remote. I didn't want to fiddle around with learning - too much trouble. It would be nice if there was an associated desktop program where you selected equipment modules from an extensive list and these would be loaded on your PPC. Macros would be cool also. There are remotes that do this right now like the marantz and Philips models (but they're hecka expensive). I would like a macro that shuts everything off at once, or switches all components from watching TV to watching a DVD. These remotes also allow you to customize your scren(s) to put what controls you want on a single page. Now that is great. And why can't we associate buttons with functions? We can for WMP! Understand that I'm a bit of a Home Theater enthusiast and am picky about these things!

[PDAlien]

I just tried Ultramote remote control software, and I have to say, it works fairly well. I even took the time to make a Tivo skin for it. I can actually get fairly reliable results from about 8 feet away. It would definitely be better with the extender. I'm thinking this is worth $40 for the extender card and software bundle!

My only gripe is the limitation of having to layout your buttons on a 5x5 grid (25 buttons on one page). 25 is enough, but I wish we could define the locations of those buttons...not just a square grid. But you can get creative with it...here's my skin:

http://home.pacbell.net/caggiani/tivo-remote.gif

[Kilmerr]

Via OmniRemote on my Palm and a custom .pdb I am able to IR 'control' Furby and Shelbys. :) Not just TV. Wish there was a config file for the Pocket PC. Heh.

http://www.blueneptune.com/~maznliz/marius/furby.shtml

0000 - Hello
1000 - Hello
0001 - Boo Koo- Doh / Sneeze
1001 - Wee-Tee / Sing
0010 - Noh-Lah / Party
1010 - Noh-Lah / Dance
0011 - Who-Bye / Hide
1011 - Who-Bye / Hide
0100 - Hello
1100 - Hello
0101 - Loo-Loo / Joke
1101 - Twinkle Twinkle
0110 - Mmm... OK
1110 - Noh-Lah / Dance
0111 - Way-Loh / Tired
1111 - Way-Loh / Sleep

[spg]

I think a PocketPC can make a great universal remote controls. If nothing else it narrows the amount of devices you have to hold! :wink: And like I said in a previous post, "if my remote cost me $500 I would be much less likely to lose it!". :lol: The only thing I don't like is that you have to use your stylus. With other universal remotes you can sorta memorize where the buttons are and press them with out even looking. That is hard to do when you have to keep your fingers off the buttons. Anyway, just my two cents.

[innersky]

I actually think a Pocket PC is not suited as a remote control.
When I watch tv, I want to operate my remote without having to look where I must push a button. I just hate it always having to look at the touch screen where the buttons are.

[Dave Conger]

Now that suitable options for using your Pocket PC as a universal remote are available, dare I ask ‘How good of a Universal Remote is a Pocket PC?’


I have tried various other software to use my Pocket PC as a remote, but nothing ever seemed to work quite right with my TV. It will be interesting to see how much better this product is, but I fear it could be a little bit of a problem beacuse it is a CF card and not on the device. Tell you more about it Monday when I get it!

[PDAlien]

Here's a skin for Ultramote using the Dish Network.
http://home.pacbell.net/caggiani/dish-remote.gif

[JMountford]

I have been taking Ultra Mote for a spin. I am liking it a lot. The learning feature is easier to use than other PPC remotes apps I have tried. It works very well. Unfortunately my range is only about three feet tops.

My take on the whole PPC as an Universal Remote is this... If you can get the IR range to match that of a true remote and if you can get Apps out there that Will learn ANY! IR Remote control than why the heck not?!! PPCs cost quite a bit. They are the ultimate gadgett there are quite a few users out there who are technophiles. THe bigger the tech stuff sitting at home the better and personally I would love to see my PPC work it all!!! What about having my PPC able to work the lights and the coffe maker at home? Using like the GE/RCA line of home outlets that can be remotely controlled by IR or PC?

Off hand question can the IR on a PPC be replaced with the components from a remote controll? I am weird and just wondered.

[JMountford]

BTW PDA Alien Your Skins Are very Nice I like them a lot! Keep up the great work.

[garretwp]

PDA Alien, what did you use to make the skins for? and how did you get the buttons and the whole look? I want to make my own skins. also as i followed the directions on there site to make the skins, what was the layout you used as the size etc and the spacing?

Garrett

[tonymus]

Pardon me for being a cheap, but why is remote software so expensive?

I can buy a universal remote for $10 or $15 dollars. Why does remote control software (which, of course, has no manufactured parts) cost $20 or more?

Sure, I know about remotes that cost $200 or more, but these software remotes don't approach the capabilities of these pricey units.

Give me a usable remote for $5-10, and I'll bite...

Tony

[weisco]

As someone with a passion for home theater (and toys), I have had a Pronto remote control for a few years. (made by Phillips & very cool).

If I could get a pocket pc to have skins like I've made for the Pronto, and work as well, I would do so in a flash. The new Pronto model in color is more than double the cost of many pocket pc's.

The Pronto has been able to learn every code or macro I have given it. This includes lighting control through an X10 compatible interface..

Does anyone have experience with a range of approximately 10 feet? Has anyone been able to program macros or x10 commands?

[weisco]

BTW, the skin by PDAlien for a Dish remote is awesome.

[Dave Conger]

I still think the Extender is a better purchase then something like this:
http://t3.co.uk/review.asp?rev_id=1751&category=VIS
You already have a device with a touch screen, memory, and IrDA, you might as well allow it to do something else as well that normally sells for $75-$100 USD. Other then using one of those things with your TV, what else would you do with it...

...then again, I guess you could just buy a $10 universal remote, or the one that came with your TV.

[PDAlien]

Thanks for the comments!

[JMountford]

Touch Screen universal remotes are becoming more and more popular so why not just use a PPC and add some really sweet software. I think the ONLY limit to such things is the short range and an extender is much cheaper than a pronto or something like that. RCA has a $100.00 digital remote. As does Sony and Phillips and that is JUST for a universal remote with an LCD display at the top.

So yeah if you already have a PPC why not have it be a remote? I like to sit on the couch with my iPaq and just surf and play games and what not so not even having to track down the remote that my kids just took is very nice.

[JMountford]

I am curious if any one knows whether or not it is possible to do a hardware mod on a PPC to enhance the IR range internally. Like take a regular remote and scrap it for parts and then add those to the ppc.

[spg]

I am curious if any one knows whether or not it is possible to do a hardware mod on a PPC to enhance the IR range internally. Like take a regular remote and scrap it for parts and then add those to the ppc.


Well that sounds reasonable, but I'm not sure it would work. It seems to me if they could increase the IR range of a PPC that easily it would already be built into the device. But then again I am not an engineering expert or anything, that is just my thoughts on it.

[JMountford]

My theory is that it would suck too much power to just have it off the line. Either that or the signals are somehow different, but if that were the case you could not make these kinds of applications at all. So I think it is probably a matter of battery life.

I would love to hear from someone that knows for sure.

[Tycho Morgan]

I am curious if any one knows whether or not it is possible to do a hardware mod on a PPC to enhance the IR range internally. Like take a regular remote and scrap it for parts and then add those to the ppc.


The bigest problem I can see with that is that, if memory serves the IR ports on most URs are either output only, or they aren't IRDA compatiable.

Cheers,

[JMountford]

Sam that could be very possible. I am no means an engineer so I have no clue. Do the extenders that cover the IR Port on PPCs alow for bi-directional IR Connections?

[PDAlien]

For those interested, I use Photoshop to make the skins. I just create a 240x245 image, set up a 48x49 grid as guidelines, and fill in each box with a button. It's not that tough if you can decide on what buttons you want since you can only use 24 out of the 25 available slots (the last one is for the "Next" button)

[PDAlien]

Here's a generic TV skin I made:
http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=40866

[JMountford]

Thanks for the info Alien.

[Carlos]

I just don't think this is very useful for everyday use. I had this capability with my Newton too, and just didn't use it. Well, it is useful when you go to a bar and they have some crap like sports on TV and you want to change it...

[Dave Conger]

Tell you more about it Monday when I get it!


Got my UltraMote Extender in the mail tonight, and am told the newest software should be out tomorrow. I played around with the old software today, and could actually get it to work from my couch to my TV (only a couple of feet though). I am hoping the new software and the card is more "universal" and you don't have to do as much learning with the other remote.

[JonnoB]

I played around with the old software today, and could actually get it to work from my couch to my TV (only a couple of feet though).


The TVRemote2.1 demo software from PDAWin worked well on my Jornada 568. I could control my TV, DVD, Sat Receiver from across the family room. I did not need any sort of extender, but I did have to aim the IR port at the device. I probably had 15 feet between me at the couch and the electronics. If PDAWin makes the software skinnable and the buttons layout configurable, I am going to buy it. UltraMote still does not support HP yet, but if they do quickly, I will try it before I buy TVRemote.

[Dave Conger]

I probably had 15 feet between me at the couch and the electronics.


Yeah, I can only get about 5 with the UltraMote software and no extender, but with the extender you are suppose to get up to 50 feet and a wider beam as well.

[Dave Conger]

Just a note you anyone that uses UltraMote...there is a new version of the software out, 1.2.1, which has some tweaks and includes the ability to use an external IrDA port (the extender).

[JonnoB]

Just a note you anyone that uses UltraMote...there is a new version of the software out, 1.2.1, which has some tweaks and includes the ability to use an external IrDA port (the extender).


Support for non Compaq devices yet?

[Dave Conger]

Just a note you anyone that uses UltraMote...there is a new version of the software out, 1.2.1, which has some tweaks and includes the ability to use an external IrDA port (the extender).


Support for non Compaq devices yet?


Nope, not yet.

Hopefully they change that considering most other Pocket PC have the CF slot onboard so it would be more practical (the extender that is)

[JonnoB]

Just a note you anyone that uses UltraMote...there is a new version of the software out, 1.2.1, which has some tweaks and includes the ability to use an external IrDA port (the extender).


Support for non Compaq devices yet?


Nope, not yet.

Hopefully they change that considering most other Pocket PC have the CF slot onboard so it would be more practical (the extender that is)


PDAWin's TVRemote v2.1 works beautifully on HP. The UltraMote software looks better for skinning. If UltraMote supports HP, I will get it. If TVRemote from PDAWin does skinning, I will get it. Whoever is first.