Multiple Remote control solution ?

[bitman]

Most of us have a plethora of remote controls, sky, hauppage, sound system, TV etc.

My missus is driving me nuts over this so I have decided to develop a 'simple' device which will sit in between the Hauppage IR receiver and the PVR card
to intercept the decoded IR signal stream and redirect it to the appropriate devices.

So basically if you push the TV button on the remote it will talk to your TV, or if you push the Music button the remote will talk to your sound system. Possibly the power button on the remote could even turn the PC on or off.

I intend to do this using a small Microchip processor and a few cheapo components.

Its early days yet but I'm looking for some co conspiritors to bounce ideas off and to make suggestions for improvements or added features.

Although I am capable of writing the chip and PC software, and designing the hardware any help or assistance would be very welcome.

So to summarise. A device which a Hauppage IR receiver plugs into, which has a plug to connect to the PVR card. Powered by the PVR PC. LED outputs for all your IR controlled devices. Command sequences if required (ie change sound input source with device select). Programmable from the PVR PC. With learning capability. DIY construction for under £10.

Any comments most welcome.

Best Regards

Bitman

[mkenyon2]

sounds like you have an older setup. Most of the newer Hauppauge setups have a USB IR receiver, and an IR Blaster, a little infrared transmitter that plugs into the receiver to relay commands. Couple that with a multifunction remote that will do the Media PC commands, and you're in business.

Under £10 though... that's a tougher order.

[stustunz]

harmony remote
problem solved

[Carlito]

harmony remote
problem solved

I was thinking the exact same thing

[bitman]

I have a Nova T just purchased and a pvr350. both come with hauppage remotes and the small plug in reciever. No blaster included.

I do have other issues which make this solution attractive. My TV remote interferes with the Hauppage receiver.

I figure that by putting a small device in series with the hauppauge receiver I can intercept the remote signals and process/retransmit them to the required devices.

Thus selecting the different modes on the Hauppauge remote will actually automatically control the other devices.

Power supplied by the 5v standby PC supply would allow remote power up of the HTPC as well as shut down.

Use of the Harmony remote would not resolve my IR interference problem, whereas an IR LED attached in front of the sensor and screened form other IR sources will eliminate the interference problem I have.

The harmony device is also expensive (£50 ??). Whilst it has an excellent bling factor it looks a bit short on functionality.

If no one else has this problem I will just make one for myself, although I thought it would be a useful community project.

Best Regards

Bitman

[stustunz]

a mce remote and blaster they are like $60nz so 20pound
you get the remote and 2 blasters
they are similar to the hauppauge but better

still make it and document what you did and how its still interesting
it will be of use to someone
sorry i wasnt trying to put you off

[butterstick]

It's a little pricey, but has everything you could possibly need and is half the price of comparable remotes. I love mine. http://newegg.com/rf30

[zehd]

The harmony device is also expensive (£50 ??). Whilst it has an excellent bling factor it looks a bit short on functionality.

Bitman

I know. There's no way I would ever pay that kind of money for a REMOTE. And then I got a really good deal on one. Best thing for the company because I almost became salesman of the year (not really)

I know that this sounds expensive, but it works and it works really really really (have I said 'really' enough?) well.

You'll need a MCE remote kit that comes with remote, IR receiver and two blasters. And you will want a Harmony remote. Yes that's right I've just told you to buy two remotes...

How would you like one button to do everything. I mean everything. TRurns on your TV, your Amplifier, dims your lights, turns of the dvd player and feeds the kids so you can settle to watch a movie. One button.

The Grandma can use it. The two year old can use it (well she can, we just don't let her)

And the final push is..... the WIFE CAN USE IT....

As far as IR interference, the IR buds that come with the blaster have a very short range. In fact it may even be difficult finding the right spot to place it to make the first device to work, let alone worry about firing the second up by accident...

[gazoo]

Sorry, but harmony does just work and work well. I used to have a programmable neo remote and it took me an awful lot of time to get it working and it was never working just right. It wasn't real good at knowing what state you were in.

Bit the bullet, got a harmony, and I don't even worry about it anymore. If it's too much $$, get an older version like I did for the upstairs like a 676 harmony or something even older. The older ones do the same thing, but there is a longevity issue with the buttons. I had to "repaint" the conductive paint ($20) on the back of my 676 after a year, but now it's like new again.

[soccerdad]

I bought a harmony xbox remote and it has 100% WAF. It saved me daily phone calls at work. I don't have an xbox, but the xbox remote has the 4 colored buttons, just like the hauppauge remote. It is easy to map, and what is really great, I can totally change the hardware (like different tv, pc instead of mvp, etc) and the wife can just push "watch tv" or "watch GBPVR" and it just does it.