Hi,
I want to use my IPAQ H5550 as a universal remote control with the following kit

Toshiba tv ( 8yrs old ) will be replaced with 42” Panasonic TH-42PE30
Philips DVDR80 DVD Recorder
Pioneer DV535

Will also be getting

Arcam AVR300 Home Cinema Receiver

I have seen that Expansys sell a product called Total Remote which seems to be just what I need [Link: expansys.com]

Does this product work well with the H5550 ?

I have also read somewhere that an audio jack converter 2.5mm <-> 3.5mm is required is this true.

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Colin

My experience so far is that the 5550 does not work with Total Remote (see my post further down).

The Total Remote Web site indicates it does but the remote transmitter does not go in the socket (it is the right size plug but it just doesnt reach the socket!).

I tried putting an extender in and cutting the connector on the extender to fit into the hole in the iPAQ and it still does not work (it does send a signal as I can see it on a Camcorder).

So in short steer clear of Total Remote and save yourself the 30 dollars I wasted :-(

I wish Griffin would be honest and take the 5550 off the compatibility list on their web site as I do not seem to be the first person to post on this forum that it does not work. I can understand if a software fix would cure the incompatibility but the remote just not fitting in the socket is incredible that they claim compatibility!!!

Barry

Thanks for your comments.....would be interesting to see what Griffin have to say about this, did you raise a support call with them ?

Colin.

Based on my experience as the Senior Engineer and Product Manager for Total Remote, AND the owner of a iPaq 5550, I would say it works very well!


It would seem you have one of the older audio transmitters. For the last few months we have been shipping a redesigned module that looks more like a "T", and fits very nicely in the excessively-recessed audio ports of the iPaq 54xx and 55xx. You should contact our tech support and arrange for a swap.


What more can I say that I didn't say at the beginning? My 5550 is one of two "primary" test machines for Total Remote, the other predictably being an Axim X30. When we do development work on Total Remote and something FAILS to work on my 5550 you can bet the new version will not be released until it works for ME and MY PPC.


Total Remote main page, showing an iPaq 3630 and the original transmitter module:

[Link: griffintechnology.com]

Total Remote "Dell page" showing a X50 with the newer "T" transmitter:

[Link: griffintechnology.com]

Hopefully this clears it up.


--Don

Thanks for the post Don.

Just received it today, guess what....it doesn't work !

I've tried the shipped codes and also tried learning a couple of buttons. If I learn via the Griffin IrDA it complaining that no signal is seen yet it recognises the signal on the inbuilt IrDA.

I hope that a replacement will fix this.

If it doesn't, any suggestions where I go from here ??

Colin

DOH!!


First, let me clarify a point that a shocking number of people have missed or misunderstood; the Total Remote audio transmitter is... a transmitter! Learning is not done through the audio port, it is done through the IrDA port. You can learn AND transmit via IrDA, but you can ONLY transmit via the audio transmitter. Nor is the audio transmitter working on the IrDA standard; it is working on the consumer infrared standard and cannot be used for beaming contacts or other IrDA-like functions.


Send an E-mail to the guys at trbeta_at_griffintechnology_dotcom and let us know what PPC you have and what device you are trying to control. We can work with you from there.


--Don

Thanks for the clarification...makes sense now !

Have proved the software side seems ok as internal IrDA works at close range (very close ! ).

Speaking to support now who will hopefully be able to organise a replacement.

Thanks for your help and will update as and when I progress.

Colin.

I have HP-5555. I tried Total Remote a year ago, and didn't have much luck. Sounds like you are saying it works just fine now. I guess I should get a new transmitter module. Question: How do you handle the fact that the headphone jack is on the bottom? Does it work without holding the pda upside down?