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Topic:
Thoughts on TiVo remote - crazy or ?
This thread has 16 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Thursday October 26, 2017 at 15:16
SpivR
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Many consumers love the TiVo remote. Has great layout for DVR functions along with a few dedicated keys that seem to fit many typical consumer usage needs.

It also has the right curved shape for the hand, easy to pick up in the dark, top versus bottom orientation auto sense in the dark, etc.

Just wondering - since the remote can work in IR mode - thinking out loud that with an IR receiver hooked in to a control system, might almost make sense to learn all the IR codes and use a TiVo remote as an alternative to the more expensive, but clunky handheld "pro" remotes or horrible smartphone apps.

For entry-level, single-room setups, one or two dedicated buttons linked to a "watch tv" activity plus the keypad on the TiVo might fit the bill.

To be clear - buying the $39 TiVo Remote and using it without any actual TiVo DVR box involved in the AVR setup.

Also, as a side-question, is there a generic programmable/learning RF receiver (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) available from any manufacturer so potentially could use the TiVo in RF non-line-of-sight mode instead of IR?
Post 2 made on Thursday October 26, 2017 at 15:57
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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This post is just soo sooooo ripe for sarcasm! It's hard to believe you've painted yourself as such a large target.

If you want to develop the hardware and software required to convert the commands from a TiVo remote into commands for something else, well, enjoy the learning! Part of the learning you'll be doing will have to do with the nature of doing something by yourself, for yourself, and the astoundingly large amount of time it will take. Your reward for this astounding amount of spent time will be a remote control. I am now going to take a moment to say this: Whoopee!

I hardly think it will be worth the effort if the goal is to do what you say. If you change the goal to "what will I learn about remotes, software, and the behavior of people who beat you down when you have an original idea [that they judge to be a waste of time]," then you will be educated indeed.

By the way, I've seen projects such as this called science projects or art projects, because like those kinds of things, you won't have any idea how much time it will take, how much it will cost, or even whether it's possible with the skill you have and the unknowns you don't have.

TL; DR: Yes, crazy.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 3 made on Friday October 27, 2017 at 08:54
buzz
Super Member
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SpivR,

I have no experience with nor am I endorsing this gadget, but it is out there and it's in your price range.
Post 4 made on Friday October 27, 2017 at 11:07
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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This won't do what he wants. He wants to use a TiVo remote to control other things. If this works, it will allow his TiVo remote to control his TiVo by RF.

It's been several years since anybody mentioned this device. Since it hasn't caught on as the answer for anything, it's probably not.

IIRC, the way it works is that one of the normal batteries in each remote is replaced by a battery-sized RF transmitter that has room for a smaller battery inside of it. For instance, a AA-sized transmitter with an AA battery inside it.

I wonder what they do for the remotes that use AAA batteries!

It's a surprise to me that Ir commands can be sensed by looking at current draw on the batteries. One little filter capacitor in a remote would kill that capability.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 5 made on Friday October 27, 2017 at 13:00
Diskreet
Long Time Member
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I saw something at my local distributor the other week (am in the UK) that he told me did exactly this.
It was a global cache/command fusion/bitwise style system. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of it, but he was trying to wow me with the "you could just set it up with the clients favourite remote to do anything".
I asked how would i define selecting 4 different video sources from a matrix, to which he said it could be ANY button you want!

Nice idea, but the application will be a nightmare. Trying to explain to a client how to switch between, Satellite box, Apple TV, Blu-ray, radio & music would just be lost when you start saying this X button does Y, but then when your on Z it does F...
The Future's Bright, The Future's Controllable.
Post 6 made on Friday October 27, 2017 at 13:20
Fred Harding
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Decades ago, a manufacturer made a device that would learn IR codes to act as triggers to output different IR codes.

It did not succeed in the marketplace.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 7 made on Friday October 27, 2017 at 14:01
Fred Harding
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Decades ago, a manufacturer made a device that would learn IR codes to act as triggers to output different IR codes.

It did not succeed in the marketplace.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 8 made on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 05:25
edmund
Elite Member
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On October 27, 2017 at 11:07, Ernie Gilman said...
This won't do what he wants. He wants to use a TiVo remote to control other things. If this works, it will allow his TiVo remote to control his TiVo by RF.

It's been several years since anybody mentioned this device. Since it hasn't caught on as the answer for anything, it's probably not.

IIRC, the way it works is that one of the normal batteries in each remote is replaced by a battery-sized RF transmitter that has room for a smaller battery inside of it. For instance, a AA-sized transmitter with an AA battery inside it.

I wonder what they do for the remotes that use AAA batteries!

It's a surprise to me that Ir commands can be sensed by looking at current draw on the batteries. One little filter capacitor in a remote would kill that capability.

The battery gizmo is size to fit AAA battery, then its fitted with plastic outer sleeve to fit AA batteries.
Post 9 made on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 05:34
edmund
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With the new release of TiVo Hydra UI, you will need a new Tivo remote with a microphone for voice commands.

[Link: amazon.com]

With all the new oem remotes with built-in microphones, Fire tv, Roku, and now TiVo, what are universal remotes going to be used for?
Post 10 made on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 08:39
buzz
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On October 28, 2017 at 05:34, edmund said...
With all the new oem remotes with built-in microphones, Fire tv, Roku, and now TiVo, what are universal remotes going to be used for?

For control of a single device or CEC linked devices the OEM device might work fine, but this is not currently a "Whole House" solution and I can't imagine that voice will work well in situations where kids or a significant other are sleeping nearby.

We also need to shake out a common vocabulary for Whole House.

While it does not operate at a Siri level, TouchControl can respond to voice  commands on iDevices.
Post 11 made on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 09:48
dcci
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On October 28, 2017 at 08:39, buzz said...
For control of a single device or CEC linked devices the OEM device might work fine, but this is not currently a "Whole House" solution and I can't imagine that voice will work well in situations where kids or a significant other are sleeping nearby.

We also need to shake out a common vocabulary for Whole House.

While it does not operate at a Siri level, TouchControl can respond to voice  commands on iDevices.

I don't agree. Sony (etc.) TV, TiVo, Sonos Playbar/Sub = extremely capable system with no custom control. Replicate all over the house with Mini's, with or without a Playbar/Sub.
Post 12 made on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 10:35
InAMinute
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This is funny because we do this. we have clients that love Tivo remotes.

Here is a video of a Tivo remote controlling a Tivo Bose SoundTouch and Apple TV
This is all done via RF and IP.

Post 13 made on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 11:10
andrewinboulder
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On March 10, 2018 at 10:35, InAMinute said...
This is funny because we do this. we have clients that love Tivo remotes.

Here is a video of a Tivo remote controlling a Tivo Bose SoundTouch and Apple TV
This is all done via RF and IP.


That’s interesting. The Tivo just controls the Apple TV with CEC automatically? I’ve seen Samsung TV’s do that, but not Tivo.
Post 14 made on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 12:40
InAMinute
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No this is not using CEC. The control system keeps track of what input the TV and the Matrix are on. The Apple TV is local but the Tivo is on the rack. We can make any button do anything we want on any device that is being controlled by the control system.

On homes that have LG WebOS we display what you are viewing directly on the TV display

Post 15 made on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 17:11
andrewinboulder
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On March 10, 2018 at 12:40, InAMinute said...
No this is not using CEC. The control system keeps track of what input the TV and the Matrix are on. The Apple TV is local but the Tivo is on the rack. We can make any button do anything we want on any device that is being controlled by the control system.

On homes that have LG WebOS we display what you are viewing directly on the TV display


What kind of control system?
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