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Topic:
MX-500 PC Interface
This thread has 267 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday May 8, 2001 at 22:35
Duane Tolbertson
Historic Forum Post
The MX-500 can make great strides just by interfacing with a computer. Consider the following:
The MX-500 can both transmit and receive infrared signals.
There are many infrared to RS-232 (serial port) converters around, So we can get the signals to the PC and back. That part is not the problem.

What we need is the software on the PC to intelligently decode what is sent to it, or send codes back to the MX-500 that it can understand.(hint..hint).

Then we could upload or download the entire command set with the Clone command, or possibly some individual commands or macros we exchanged with another MX-500 owner.

I think that this would make the MX-500 much closer to the ideal remote without changing the remote at all.

What do you think?

Duane
OP | Post 2 made on Tuesday May 8, 2001 at 22:52
GregoriusM
Historic Forum Post
I think it is a good idea. If someone can make a JP1 box to do that for the RadioShack RS-1994, I'm willing to bet that someone could do that for the MX-500?

Of course the interface would not be the JP1 connection, it would be IR, but the idea is the same.

Anybody up to it???

... Greg
OP | Post 3 made on Wednesday May 9, 2001 at 01:35
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Don't forget the little pins in the battery compartment -- they're used for uploading the program (though I asked about this a while ago and there's no provision for downloading yet). I assume the remote either doesn't need power to update, or DC power is provided via one of the pins. Wouldn't you like to flash-update your own MX-500? :-)
OP | Post 4 made on Wednesday May 9, 2001 at 01:38
GregoriusM
Historic Forum Post
I mentioned those pins a couple of months ago, and no one took me up on doing something with them. But, I see the IR thing as a viable option.

Anybody?

... Greg
OP | Post 5 made on Sunday May 13, 2001 at 04:00
bareyb
Historic Forum Post
I would sure like to have a way to "back up" my configuration to my PC. It has taken alot of thought and time to get it just how I want it (actually I am not done yet and still working on it). So far the only insurance I have is that I plan to copy everything down in a webpage (also so my TiVo buddys at AVSforum.com can use it as a guide if they decide to purchase one of these bad boys) It would be nice to be able to do a "restore" in case the remote for some reason my MX-500 lost all it's programming.
OP | Post 6 made on Sunday May 13, 2001 at 07:24
Jim Maloney
Historic Forum Post
Having the ability to back up your MX 500 configuration to your PC would be an outstanding feature. Another idea for having the ability to back up might be to have more than one configuration saved on your PC.
OP | Post 7 made on Monday May 14, 2001 at 02:29
MartinH
Historic Forum Post
Actually, no changes to the MX-500 would be needed to implement a PC interface! One could use the "Clone" Feature. I mean the user could "clone" his remote to the PC interface, then edit, save, change, etc. the configuration in an emulator on the PC and when done, he could download the config back to the remote by cloning it the other way. This way one could even input discrete codes directly into the MX-500!

Semms to be quite simple. The only thing missing is a serial to IR converter and a good piece of software. Can't be so difficult, can it?

Regards, Martin
OP | Post 8 made on Monday May 14, 2001 at 04:10
GregoriusM
Historic Forum Post
Martin: It would be great! All we need is someone to write the software. Any PC can have an IR sender/receiver.

Anyone?

I'm sure a small fee (shareware?) could be charged for the software, and many people would use it, thus making it worthwhile to write. Even if you couldn't change the configuration on the PC (extensive software writing), at least being able to save your config would be worth it. But, it would be cool to be able to share IR codes - discretes, etc.

... Greg
OP | Post 9 made on Monday May 14, 2001 at 16:55
MartinH
Historic Forum Post
Greg: If I had the technical info (timings, frequencies, protocol, data format for cloning, etc.) and if I knew which PC<->IR converter works with these technical specs, I sure could write the software. I'm not sure if URC wants to give out the technical specs for the communication of the remote?

So if someone has the necessary info, please email it to me and I'll see what I can do. Also, please tell me where to get a suitable IR converter (I'm in Austria, Europe, so I should develop the whole thing with a converter that the majority of MX-500 users can get easily - probably somewhere in the USA).

Regards,

Martin
OP | Post 10 made on Monday May 14, 2001 at 17:26
Duane Tolbertson
Historic Forum Post
Martin,

I've been trying to find a good commercial IR to Serial Port interface, so far the best one I have found is at Actisys (below link). It is kind of pricey at $59.00 but it sure looks good, and I think that I would be willing to pay that for the device if there was some software to support it. Maybe another MX-500 owner knows of a cheaper one.

Good Luck,

Duane


[Link: actisys.com]
OP | Post 11 made on Monday May 14, 2001 at 20:05
Chuck Hutchins
Historic Forum Post
This page provides some good information on Infared to PC interface.
[Link: ee.washington.edu]

This page has a device with software for ~$99
[Link: innotechsystems.com]
[Link: innotechsystems.com]

Also for technical info check
[Link: epanorama.net]
[Link: epanorama.net]
[Link: cgl.bu.edu]
OP | Post 12 made on Tuesday May 15, 2001 at 09:19
Buddy
Historic Forum Post
I posted this in another thread but thought I would be better posted here!(sorry for the repeat)

YIKES!! I just read the thread about the damaged MX-1000, and it occured to me that maybe one of the best upgrades for the MX-500 would be the ability to back-up your config on a PC. Maybe URC could develop some software and offer a "package" deal selling the software and an IR device for your PC? I know I'd be willing to spend a little extra for the security of being able to back up.

Buddy
OP | Post 13 made on Wednesday May 16, 2001 at 23:45
AJRitz
Historic Forum Post
Most laptops already have IR ports built-in (sometimes you just have to go to your Control Panel to activate them). Also, a program utilizing the Palm IR port might do the trick.
OP | Post 14 made on Thursday May 24, 2001 at 00:38
Duane Tolbertson
Historic Forum Post
What method does URC use to "backup" our programmed MX-500's when we send them in for upgrade? Do they use the Clone command to a PC or to a "duty" MX-500?

Duane
OP | Post 15 made on Thursday May 24, 2001 at 00:49
GregoriusM
Historic Forum Post
They clone it to another MX-500, upgrade it, and then clone it back.
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