Can anyone who is using or has used an HP/Compaq iPaq 54xx or 39xx with PDAWin's TV remote controller v5.4 tell me exactly how good/bad IR signals are?

The reason I ask is that the latest version (5.4) is supposed to support the Consumer IR functions of these PDAs.

I really want a colour remote (using an RU940 at the moment), but would like to have the functions of a PDA as well, so one of these models would be ideal (if they were any good as a remote).

I know there are remote extenders available, but you need a sleeve to use them and I don't like the idea of having the IR "lamp" sticking out of the end (it's bound to get broken off in my house!)

Thanks in advance
Richard

I doubt you can break it even if you try hitting it with a hammer. The IR Emitter is in an acrylic housing.

I thought it stuck out of the end?? looks like it could get snapped off?

Not by accident. It would take quite a bit of deliberate effort to damage it. And I doubt whether it can be "snapped off".

In any event, not one has been damaged to date.

As for range without it, others have reported about 20 feet (6m) maximum with the Nevo CIR emitter.

I only need 17 feet of range, so it would appear that the CIR is capable of this. Does TVR 5.4 not support the CIR properly yet?

Whilst I know fromm reading these forums that the ir extender is a great product, I don't want to have to use a sleeve and none of the PDAs with built in CF slots seem to support wireless networking (without a sleeve!).

Actually, the (admittedly limited) range reports I've seen are about the same for PDAwin and Nevo software so I think this is more a matter of Nevo hardware limitations.

I understand the preference to avoid a sleeve. The Toshiba e740 has internal 802.11B and a CF slot. I thought it would make the ideal remote. However, it also has a less than shining reputation for quality.

There are rumors that the next Dell PDA will have internal 802.11B and Bluetooth but will only have an SD slot.

I'll need to use ccfs with it, having owned a pronto for a year or so now, so TVR interests me more.

It's the 802.11b that interests me as I'm getting a wireless broadband router soon.

I think I'll wait a while and see what the next generation of PDAs have to offer (hopefully 802.11b, a CF slot and decent CIR!!!)

I have the iPaq 3970 with the 5.4 It works great with my home theater equipment. I am about 14 feet back. I used my CCF from my Pronto PRO 6000.
JD

Thanks jnd53 - that's what I wanted to hear!!

I have a 3950. Got PDAWIN 5.4 and for me it works well to around 5m but falters at around 6m. It's a good program but they need to fix the keypress issue as some remotes volume or in my case FF/REW on my Pioneer DVD do not work properly.
Hope this helps.

The problem with the CIR, at least on my 3950, is that it is still very directional. I have to be pointing almost directly at a component for it to work. This makes most of the macros that I have programmed useless.

I am much happier with the set up I use for my main, dedicated remote. I use an iPaq 3635 with a sleeve and a PDA-ir. With this, I get range out to 35ft+ with no directivity problems.

Regards. Jay.

One more thing. I can back up Dave's claims of the durability of the PDA-ir. Even though the emitter 'sticks out' slightly, I don't worry about it getting 'snapped off'. It's feels very solid. Not much chance of damaging it, in my opinion.

I have an iPaq 3970 (purchased in Australia if that makes any difference?) and have great IR coverage across my living room which is 9m (27 ft).

Cheers, Paul :-)

Question, NEVO or PDAwin?