I think I posted this a bit too deep in the replies (since even I had difficulty finding my own post). Here it is again, for what it's worth........

I don't know whether this affects purpose built universal remote controls, but beware if you want your pacific neotek omniremote remote extender to work with a UK digital TV set top box. The IR system used is completely different (does not modulate a carrier signal) and cannot be controlled with the palm pilot based device.

This was very disapointing for me, since my current cheapo universal remote will already control everything I have except the digibox and I bought the omniremote so that I could control ALL my gadgets.

Are you talking about the Sky Digibox?

If so take a look at www.tvcompass.com which has a PalmOS product (tvPDA) designed specifically for controlling the Sky Digibox (and your TV) complete with TV listings.

In terms of other digital boxes, I know Sky and and about 50% of NTL:digital boxes use standard IR and should have worked with Omniremote. Maybe you have a different box? We're about to extend to Telewest Active Digital and ITV Digital after investigation of their IR command sets.

If anyone has NTL, Telewest or ITV Digital services (and a Palm) I'd be interested in hearing from them.

I'm talking about the Telewest Active Digital Box (PACE Di4000), which I was trying to control with a Visor Edge and an Omniremote springboard module. I think you're wasting your time trying to extend tvcompass to Telewest Active Digital.

I contacted Telewest (who were crap as usual), and then emailed PACE about the problem, who gave the following excellent response that sets out in detail why the Palm cannot hope to control the Telewest box:

"I am sorry but I do not know of a universal handset or remote extender that will control your digital cable box due to a completely different system of I.R. modulation being used by the Pace cable receiver handsets.

The system used was chosen by our customers ( the network providers ) and is a high speed system that gives some " future proofing " of the design . The system is designed for remote keyboard use ( Web browsing ) and to enable multiple handset to be used " simultaneously " as required when playing games . This is because at some time in the near future the network providers will offer these services .

"Normal" handsets use a system of modulating (switching on and off ) a carrier signal . The normal frequency of the carrier being in the range of 35kHz to 60kHz..

The system used by Pace uses TWTV protocol which is based on the IRDA standard that has been designed to enable computer peripherals to be linked without cables . ( This is not surprising as modern digital cable set top boxes contain a powerful micro processing systems and the Pace boxes are the first to also provide an integrated cable modem within the box.) The handset data is transmitted as discrete pulses of IR - it is not carrier based . The pulse rate is approximately 115kHz . The handsets have identification keys / tabs that enable the receiver to identify the handset . Each key sends a 7 byte package of data within 600uSec ( the same time that it taken to send only 1 or 2 bits of information with the normal system ) . This allows the data to be sent very quickly thus freeing time for a second handset to jump in . The receiver software also adds a time stamp to the data to enable the games programmes to decide which handset responded first . The system and protocols used are covered by patents held by TWO WAY TV LTD."

I dunno. If it is based on IrDA then that is what the Palm talks natively. In fact, trying to get the Palm to control "Normal" CE (Consumer Electric) devices involves lots of loop jumping as it is. It could be that the IrDA controls are much easier and could open up the possibility of PCs and other IrDA devices controlling the box.

Ive tried my palm IIIx on an old pace 2200 sky digibox and a new Panasonic. Neither work it just doesnt see the ir(no flashing ir receive). the palm learns ok(buttons turn solid when learnt)

Just a quick note - tvPDA now supports, abeit experimental, Telewest Active Digital and I think the IrDA variant of NTL Home Digital. More info at www.tvcompass.com

I've just downloaded the TV-compass software, so I'll try it and see if it works OK.

Further to Dr Brunsen, I too have Omniremote, and Panasonic Sky Digibox. Omniremote will control all other devices except Sky Digibox. Has anyone got any solutions to this except tvcompass who want to charge £14.99 per month for the solution?

£14.99 _per month_ - where on Earth did you get that from? + Dr Brunsen has a Telewest Active Digital box, not a Sky Digibox. AFAIK, the Sky box does not use IrDA but more usual CE-style IR control. Therefore I don't know why you can't get OmniRemote to work with it.

I have recently purchased the Omniremote software, and have also downloaded the tvPDA software, in the eternal search to find the ultimate universal remote for Palm III. It seems that neither completely fit the bill. Both have great features, but neither quite go the whol way to satisfying my requirements of a remote. Omniremote looks dull, but controls almost everything I own (except my NTL Digital Home set top box, and my Wharfedale 750 DVD Player) and has some great features. tvPDA looks pretty cool, the TV Listings are cool (even though the channel setup is completely wrong!), and it controls my NTL box no problem. But neither do both. If I could configure tvPDA to control all my AV equipment I'd be happy to pay the £14 a year to subscribe. If OmniRemote would control my NTL box, and looked cool, I'd probably buy that too. But neither fit the bill, and I end up using two remote utilities on my Palm which is more hassle than shuffling through my collection of 8 remotes to find the right one!. Can anyone tell me if tvPDA has any intention to branch out into the universal remote arena? and if Omniremote intend to make their application look cool, and control my NTL box (what is the difference here?). Both aplications are great, and I pass on my congratulations to the designers, but they just don't do it all.....yet!

see new thread 'tvPDA vs OmniRemote'