Has anyone acutally used TV Remote Controller with CCF files? Can you use ProntoPro edit to setup everything just like you would with a Pronto Pro then open the CCF in TV Remote Controller and it will work, macros and all? This sounds perfect to me as I have an extra Compaq iPaq that would be perfect to use... I looked everywhere and couldn't find an answer....

You can download the app from www.pdawin.com. It runs in trial mode until you buy a registration key but is quite useable for testing it for yourself.

The short answer is that the CCFs work as expected for the most part. There a few little quirks but they are easy to work around or avoid. Certainly much better than the price tag on the Pronto Pro.

I know where to get the software, hence my questions. Are you actually using an iPaq as a Pronto Pro? Where do the volume and channel buttons map (the calendar/contacts/etc buttons). Can you remap the up/down/left/right controller? What are you using for IR distrubution?

I'm using my iPAQ 3630 pretty successfully. I've also noticed that the hard buttons are "taken over" by TV Remote. I haven't tried mapping them, but did notice on one of my cable box panels (using it), the right and left controller functions (on the 4-way speaker button) were mapped to channel up/down.

Looking at the device properties in PPEdit, the 4 hard buttons on the iPAQ probably map exactly to the 4 hard buttons on the Pronto Pro, left to right. The rocker button in the middle probably goes something like this:

iPAQ rocker: Right side hard buttons on Pronto Pro
Rocker up: Vol+
Rocker dn: Vol-
Rocker L: Ch-
Rocker R: Ch+

Also, I bet the "record" button on the iPAQ maps to Mute on the PP.

Anyway, that's the way I would have designed it.

...hmm, I wonder if one was designed off the other, they both have the same # of functional buttons...

BTW, I'm using Dale Crawford's .ccf as a base and modifying it for my remotes.

Jello

Actually pretty close, the FAQ on the PDAWin site tells you how things are mapped (FYI, the joybutton is mapped: L/R is channel -/+, U/D is vol-/+, and button push is mute). I believe, but haven't gotten around to testing it yet, that the four hard buttons on the Pronto do correspond to the four iPaq buttons for email, contacts, etc). I don't know that the record button is mapped.

But, to answer the original poster, yes the iPaq does make a good ProntoPro substitute (color is always a plus). IR range may be a problem. For my home theater, I have no problem getting the IR to work from where I sit in the big comfy chair, which is 8 to 10 feet from the components. Some of the components are more ornery than others, and want you to point directly at them...like the Toshiba TV...others like the Motorola digital cable seem to be hypersensitive.

I haven't bought the PDAWin software yet, since I'm still in 'evaluation' mode. It's gotta do everything I need before I fork out the $$$, and I've still got some things to work on. But, dependng on your system, it should be well worth the money.

Is IR range a problem even with extender hardware? Also, does the ipaq allow for adding a wireless networking card? Room for both at the same time? I have an Audiotron, and am thinking this would allow me to interact with it through its web server interface.

I would assume an extender would alleviate any range issues. As I said, for me the range of the iPaq's IR is just fine and dandy.

The iPaq does allow for wireless networking via the expansion sleeves. You can get a CF expansion sleeve for like $40 on ebay, and a CF WiFi card for under $150, or you can get a PC-Card sleeve for under $100 on ebay and a WiFi PC-Card for under $100 and you're set (assuming you already have a WiFi access point and broadband connection).

The only CF IR extender is from..hell I can't remember the name (you can search this site), and as of now it only works with their software...though that's sure to change.

As for running both the IR CF extender and a WiFi card, yes you can do that... There is a dual PC-Card sleeve for the iPaq, and you can get a PC-Card-CF converter. There is also a dual CF sleeve out there I believe. LOTS of options.

The Audiotron thing looks cool, but I didn't see any sort of wifi built in...

Everyone, thanks for the info. I'm gonna buy the software today, I've gotten everything working great (except the hard buttons which I'll play with today).

As for IR Range for me, I use a Xantech IR Distrubution system. I had my IR sensor in the front of the room just under my center channel (about 15 feet away). I moved it to the ceiling just above where I sit. That way I hold the iPaq so the screen is facing me (which means it is pointing at the ceiling) and it works great (since the ceiling is only about 5 feet from the sensor). And since I use an amplified system it is VERY sensitive. So far it runs all me gear perfectly!

As for the IR Extenders there are several options. There is a device on Smarthome.com ([Link: smarthome.com]) That will re-transmit IR wirelessly. I haven't used this, but would think it would work great. Also the UltraMote IR extender ([Link: ultramote.com]) is going to be supported in a future release of TV Remote Controller 3.0 (per an email I got from them) so that too may be an option.

As for wireless I am thinking about using that too so I would have Internet access from my iPaq in my theatre (but it make the unit so big). Don't know if it would be useful enough to warrent the extra size...

Yes with IPAQ 3870..... My initial tests are very encouraging.... Range is 13 feet no problem


Now I am going into the Pronto world to set something up for my whole system... Right now I am trying to figure out where to start.... Start with a system that is close to mine and edit... Or should I go to the individual parts which are available..and paste them together...UGH... I hate to go to the manuals for this project but I might have to.....UGH!!!! again

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No, the IR extender (from http://www.myelectricdog.com) requires a real CF slot. The PCMCIA adapter does not map the necessary pins to its CF slot.

So what's your point? You can easily get the CF/PC card sleve that will hold both a CF card and PCMCIA card.

I don't see the problem...

Ross

Are you guys having to learn the Ir codes into the IPaq? I used my CCF from my Pronto, but I am having to relearn the IR codes into the IPAQ.

That's odd. My Pronto-codes all worked fine. Were you using code from the builtin library perhaps.

Wilhelm

If you were asking this of me, my point is that it will not work in the dual PCMCIA sleeve with an adapter.

I haven't seen sleeves with both CF and PCMCIA slots. Could you provide a URL?

You may be right, I haven't been able to find it again (it was more than a year ago when I got mine). I'd swear I saw a CF/PCMCIA sleve but I could be smokin' crack!