Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

Can someone recommend and point me to a PalmOS program that will function as
an IR remote for TV, VCR, DVD, etc. Something that works without additional
hardware, and I can at least download and try out and see if it works for me
before buying. My searches so far lead me to PocketPC apps and to something
that requires extra hardware.

The IR only has a 3' or so range for beaming. How far away can it control a
TV et al?

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
>>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
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Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

"Bob Kaplow" <kaplow_r@encompasserve.org.TRABoD> wrote in message
news:v2V3kBng58CU@eisner.encompasserve.org...
> Can someone recommend and point me to a PalmOS program that will function
> as
> an IR remote for TV, VCR, DVD, etc. Something that works without
> additional
> hardware, and I can at least download and try out and see if it works for
> me
> before buying. My searches so far lead me to PocketPC apps and to
> something
> that requires extra hardware.
>
> The IR only has a 3' or so range for beaming. How far away can it control
> a
> TV et al?

I've used NoviiRemote from about 15 feet with my Tungsten T3 to work quite
happily with Sky Digibox, JVC TV, Denon AV Amp. You can get a free trial
from http://www.novii.tv/products/noviir/

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

kaplow_r@encompasserve.org.TRABoD (Bob Kaplow) queried:

>Can someone recommend and point me to a PalmOS program that will function as
>an IR remote for TV, VCR, DVD, etc. Something that works without additional
>hardware, and I can at least download and try out and see if it works for me
>before buying. My searches so far lead me to PocketPC apps and to something
>that requires extra hardware.

That's 'cos the IR port isn't designed for *distance*, it's designed for SPEED.

The parts that can do high power (like the ones in your handheld remotes)
just can't do it very fast, probably 100 to 150KHz tops (40KHz typical with
most remotes). The IrDA transceivers are designed to run around 5 to 10 times
faster than the best that the high power devices can do, and they're only
for shorter distances (bigger die = more power = slower switching speed).
If the IR beaming and hotsync took 5 to 10 times longer, it'd piss off
more people than the relatively few who use it for an expensive remote
control.

If you get more than 10 to 12 feet with the IrDA transmitter used in most
Palm compatibles, consider yourself lucky. The high power IR LEDs are
what's in most of the "additional hardware" you mentioned, although a
few Palm compatibles have both IrDA and high-power IR LEDs, with a soft
switch so that you could do either function. Some of the Sonys had the
dual-mode transmitters, and Pacific Neo-Tek made a dongle with high output
LEDs. Other dongles probably exist, but I haven't researched 'em.

Short lesson in why you're seeing a lot of "extra hardware" for the Palm task.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

On 15 Oct 2004 01:00:11 -0500, Curious <no spam, thanks!> had this to
say...


> kaplow_r@encompasserve.org.TRABoD (Bob Kaplow) queried:
>
> >Can someone recommend and point me to a PalmOS program that will function as
> >an IR remote for TV, VCR, DVD, etc. Something that works without additional
> >hardware, and I can at least download and try out and see if it works for me
> >before buying. My searches so far lead me to PocketPC apps and to something
> >that requires extra hardware.
>
> That's 'cos the IR port isn't designed for *distance*, it's designed for SPEED.
>
> The parts that can do high power (like the ones in your handheld remotes)
> just can't do it very fast, probably 100 to 150KHz tops (40KHz typical with
> most remotes). The IrDA transceivers are designed to run around 5 to 10 times
> faster than the best that the high power devices can do, and they're only
> for shorter distances (bigger die = more power = slower switching speed).
> If the IR beaming and hotsync took 5 to 10 times longer, it'd piss off
> more people than the relatively few who use it for an expensive remote
> control.
>
> If you get more than 10 to 12 feet with the IrDA transmitter used in most
> Palm compatibles, consider yourself lucky. The high power IR LEDs are
> what's in most of the "additional hardware" you mentioned, although a
> few Palm compatibles have both IrDA and high-power IR LEDs, with a soft
> switch so that you could do either function. Some of the Sonys had the
> dual-mode transmitters, and Pacific Neo-Tek made a dongle with high output
> LEDs. Other dongles probably exist, but I haven't researched 'em.
>
> Short lesson in why you're seeing a lot of "extra hardware" for the Palm task.
>
>

<http://www.pacificneotek.com/range.htm>

--
Hope this helps.
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger