VITO Remote

[marlof]

<a href="http://www.vito-tech.com/products/?prod_id=10">http://www.vito-tech.com/products/?prod_id=10</a><br /><br />If you don't have a Compaq iPAQ 3900 or 5400 series with included Nevo remote control software, you might be looking for something else. If you're in the market for universal remote software, check out VITO Remote. I didn't test it myself, but it looks quite user friendly. Does anyone of you have experience with this?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/vitoremote.gif" />

[Fzara]

Are there really any PPC's that can take advantage of this?

(I'm talking about the IR port) I tried some remote software with my Axim, it was a total waste time.

PPC Manufacturers need to start making more powerful IR's into the PPC line like the Palm M500 series.

[AndyP]

The Jornada 568 seems to be good for this. I'm able to control my TV from up to 8/9 metres away. The further you are, the better aim you need though. For people who have had no luck with theirs it may well be useful looking at Griffin Technology's "Total Remote." This utilizes an extender connected through the audio jack to control up to (or so they claim) 100 feet away.

[67stang]

i downloaded and tried TV Remote Controller 5.1 (pdawin.com)
it worked flawlessly. It's great because all you do is point your device remote to the infrared port, and select the button you want to program on the application screen, then press the remote and your PPC learns the remote control. This is super because it works with any IR controlled device... like my old Aiwa stereo, this application learned it no problem.

SOme other apps simply have a catalog of preset makes and models. This sucks because Murphys Law dictates that at least one of your devices wont be on that list!

only thing i dont like is that on my e740 the IR window is on the side of the PPC, so you have to hold the thing sideways, and read the application sideways. They should have an option to "turn" the application display. (I know you can use something like dotPocket to turn the screen..but thats a pain.

[brockgr]

Guys,

If you really want to use your PPC as a remote - have a look at http://www.netremote.org/. This uses IP (i.e. 802.11b or Bluetooth) to control a PC, or optionally through a "Consumer" IR transmitter, control devices such as TV's HiFi's etc.

The cool thing is that it emulates a Phillips Pronto so there are hundreds of standard screens already.

Gavin[/url]

[heov]

how does NetRemote work w/ IR? I was under the impression that it only could connect to a computer via TCP/IP and THEN could control IR which was connected to a TV. Can you use the PPC's IR port to control TV's w/ this app w/o any internet/wifi/bt stuff?

[brockgr]

heov,

You are right - it is TCP/IP - you don't use the PPC IR port.

For NetRemote, the PC you talk to has to have an IR transmitter. These vary in price from $10~$100+. The UIRT2 kit is the cheapest, but the Slinke or IR-Man are more polished comercial products.

The problem with PPC's is that the IR is usually so weak, and is normally IRDA frequencies. Do any PPC's support Consumer IR frequencies over reasonable (sofa to TV) distances?

My system at home is:

iPAQ->802.11b->PC->UIRT2->IR->TV/HiFi/Video.

I can control the PC (HTPC) which is the DVD player and MP3 Jukebox, and my consumer deveices with one PPC - from anywhere within 802.11b range, even in a closet (no line of sight issues). I can also get feedback to my remote from the PC - e.g. Track name, track time.

It's a lot more complicated than the Vito, but it is talking the solution one step further.

Hope that helps ---- Gavin

[Murad Nazaraliev]

i downloaded and tried TV Remote Controller 5.1 (pdawin.com)
it worked flawlessly. It's great because all you do is point your device remote to the infrared port, and select the button you want to program on the application screen, then press the remote and your PPC learns the remote control. This is super because it works with any IR controlled device... like my old Aiwa stereo, this application learned it no problem.

SOme other apps simply have a catalog of preset makes and models. This sucks because Murphys Law dictates that at least one of your devices wont be on that list!

only thing i dont like is that on my e740 the IR window is on the side of the PPC, so you have to hold the thing sideways, and read the application sideways. They should have an option to "turn" the application display. (I know you can use something like dotPocket to turn the screen..but thats a pain.

VITO Remote has very usable learning interface. In addition you can construct your own skins by using build-in buttons and labels library

[JonnoB]

The cool thing is that it emulates a Phillips Pronto so there are hundreds of standard screens already.


TV Remote Controller also supports the Pronto CCF files and it will use the built in IR port. I get about 30 feet of use with my standard HP 568 and you can use an extender (CF card) in your iPaq.

[ChrisW]

For people who have had no luck with theirs it may well be useful looking at Griffin Technology's "Total Remote."

I have a Total Remote. While the physical product is pretty good, their documentation and support suck -- they pretty much don't exist. :x

The device learns anything, and has amazing range. But this doesn't help with my DirecTiVo. None of their screen layouts come anywhere near covering the functions I need.

Now, this is supposed to be skinnable, too. But they have provided no documentation at all about creating skins. When I wrote to them a month ago, they said the docs were still in development, and would be available in about 2 weeks. They also said they'd send me beta docs. Nearly a month later, nothing's been released. And the message saying they were sending docs had no attachment.

And now they won't respond to any email requests.

:arrow: Update - writing this got me annoyed enough to phone them. About an hour later, they sent me the document. Know they just need the web site for users to exchange customizations, which they indicated is coming.

[heov]

does VITO support CCF files?
Also, are there any plans to included features such as voice activaiton... which I love w/ TV remote controller and it works very well. I seem to like this UI better though and if it has a smaller emory foot print, it would be great.