Now THAT is COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Craig

It's been said already, but "very cool."

Mike, it sounds like you have the USB driver issue figured out. In case you're still having trouble with it, I might be able to help. There's actually no need to have a Windows kernel driver for a simple USB device. Microsoft provides a driver called usbscan.sys that is basically a pass-through pipe between user mode and an USB device. You can read and write with ReadFile and WriteFile. The driver is in Windows 98 and later. It's intended for scanners, but is actually a very generic driver.

Good luck getting the dongle into production. I just ordered an MX-500 (I hope URC realizes why they are seeing a sudden spike in orders) and I'm sure I'll be buying a dongle from you, too.

Dave

Thank you Davepar I shall look forward to receiving your order. I am sorry for the delay in posting my progress but you have to have some before you can announce it.

I am pleased to say that I have sitting on my desk the first prototype IRCLONE-MX. It isn't perfect, yet, but all the essentials work. I can upload to it which means it transmits and receives and I can capture key presses with it. I can't successfully download from it yet but I know the general area in which the problem lies. I had a major problem programming the micro-controller over the weekend which necessitated me writing a whole load of software. That is now fixed and working.

The good news is that I don't have to change the PCB layout and all the components work the way they are supposed to and right now I am tired but very happy. I'll be in touch.

Goodni zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mike

Good morning,

The problem is now fixed. I am reliably using the IRCLONE-MX to upload from and download to the MX-500 from the PC. It will also capture key presses and will transfer MX-500 files between PCs and back again. Looks terrific. No changes to the design are necessary, other than a few lines of code, so it is now ready for production. I'm seeing a local company about that this Friday and I'll let you know when they can get a lot completed. I do need to send out a few prototypes for Beta testing. Dave will get one so that he can integrate his software and a couple of other people will be getting one.

Dave sent me this description of the software that he is developing:

Basic Features:
· A Windows application which will run on Win98 WinMe, Win2K, WinXP.
· WYSIWYG view of the MX-500 with a 'tree' organization of the Device, Favorite and Macro Data. Icons and Reminder Tips indicate 'programmed', 'learned' and 'empty' buttons.
· Backup the programmed contents of the MX-500 (device codes, labels, learned buttons, macros, favorites, etc.) to a file.
· Reload a MX-500 from a saved file.
· Edit all button labels (Device Names, Device Buttons, Favorites)
· Copy/Move a 'Device' from one button to another on main screen.
· Copy/Move labels from one button to another.
· Copy/Move IR code from one device button to another device button.
· Program Macros interactively by 'clicking' on device buttons.
· Review Macros in a 'Table' format.
· Program/Review Favorites in a 'Table' format.

Advanced (Future) Features:
· Capture IR codes from another remote and assign to buttons.
· Paste 'Pronto Hex Format Codes' and assign them to buttons/macros.
· Save learned IR codes to 'Pronto Hex Format'.

I am sure you all have lots of other suggestions.

So far the IRCLONE-MX has been tested with ME and 2000. Dave has the capability to test 98 and XP as well as the other 2.

Mike

Wow! Waiting in line...

Your device sounds great! Do you have any ballpark figure of what you will be selling it for with the software? Is it necessary to open the remote to access it or are you doing it strictly through ir. This of course includes more than cloning the mx-500. Do you have a website for details?

Keep up the great work
Dave

Dave,

It's all IR-based, using the CLONE feature of the MX-500. You are basically telling the MX-500 that it's cloning from another MX-500 and the PC sends all the data through the device Mike is designing.

Oh man. Be still my heart! I can hardly wait. What spectacular work in such a short time.

How do I pre-order mine now?
Better yet, How do I get on the list to beta test?

Seriously, Well done. I can't wait to get mine.
HTM should pay you for greatly improving the value of their product.
I predict you'll sell a lot of these. I hope your production can keep up with demand.

I haven't yet received my MX-500 should be here tomorrow but I have been following this progress since I first started looking at a replacement unit for my home system. I too would say kudos and great work, and if you haven't already I would be aproaching HTM to sell this, and even if you don't go that route I will be following this story as I am definitely interested in any version of this Beta, 2nd generation released or not, keep up the great work.

HTM (URC) is well familiar with this project, and is following it on this site.

Count me in!

Steve

I am amazed. URC may on one hand see this as potential MX-700 competition, but I would think they have to be at least a little bit excited about where some of its customers have taken this. VERY impressive.

Glad I did not sell my MX-500, I will no doubt pop in some fresh batteries and put it to use with this:-)

Great work! If you can find the time, please email me at [email protected] to let me know when I can order one of your magic boxes! I have about 60 of the MX-500s in customer's homes, and a couple have been broken or gone defective...sure would be nice to back up all the others! Mucho Kudos!

Jeez, I wait for the MX-700, get one, and then you guys to this. Thanks a lot! ;)