My custom install is DIY hifi preamp. The link will show you how I'm thinking to implement remote controlled volume: an IR transmitter + receiver/decoder/relay kit that will control a motorized volume pot. The receiver board will of course go inside the preamp chassis. The stock transmitter is some seriously butt-ugly stuff though. Can anyone tell me if a typical learning remote would be programmable by this thing? Is the 38khz modulated pulse stream standard for remotes, or even the relevant parameter?

I posted this in 'universal remotes' too.

Pointers for other places to post this Q, or for more elegant solutions, also much appreciated :o)

Peace
Sanaka

Sorry, but I did not see a link here.
38 kHz is definitely a relevant spec, and is perfect for learning remotes.
Let me suggest that you design around the Xantech RP41AV. It is an IR controlled preamp that allows you to select one of four audio/video (copmposite video) inputs. There are also volume, balance and tone controls. The spooky thing about this is that it is a plain black box with an input for an IR sensor and RCA inputs and outputs. Nothing more.
The GREAT thing about it is that it can sit in a cabinet and work just like a preamp without you having to pay for lights and knobs that you are not going to use -- if your intention is to control it remotely and only remotely.
The only catch is that the IR codes come from a Xantech remote control, the RC-68, I think, and maybe their new one, too. The RC-68 is butt-ugly because it is a technical tool intended for thousands of codes. It is NOT a consumer-looking remote!
You might be able to find the Xantech IR codes here on the site...I used them once so I could send you at least the basic volume and selection codes in a ccf if you cannot find them.
You can find installation instructions at www.xantech.com, so you will be able to see how this thing will work in place of your original concept.
Good luck with this. It sounds like fun.

OOOPS! Here's the link. Thanks for the idea, sounds like a cool preamp, but I'm set on building my very own :-) Cheap, and will do EXACTLY the bizarre combination of functions I want it to and nothing more or less. I have also found some more stuff to indicate that this will indeed program to a regular, 'pretty' learning remote. Thanks for the reply.

peace
Sanaka

[Link: electronickits.com]

Thanks for the link.
That project at the link looks like a cool product. You rarely find a proejct that does not have all the control outputs tied to some particular function, so this looks like it will get your creative juices going and be able to do what you want.

I don't get how you intend to have it work the motorized volume control, but, hey, that's your part of the project.
I think you will have a lot of fun and learn a lot. I can only think of one down side, being, as you already said, its basic butt-ugliness.

The ugliness part will be solved by using a regular learning remote (mine will be a X-10 model because I also use X-10 stuff, but any Sony or whatever would work) to learn the codes from the ugly kit transmitter. The receiver half will be inside the preamp chassis, with a tiny window drilled for the IR eye.

Two of the relays on the receiver board will hook right to the two leads on the motorized pot, one to turn it clockwise (volume up), one ccw (vol. down). These are the two buttons from the kit transmitter I will program to vol. up and vol. down on the learning remote.

Other relays on the receiver board can be similarly used for other functions.

If it has a motorized volume control, doesn't it already have remote volume control already? And if that's the case then why not just learn those codes?