Okay, I know Im in the right place because I see everyone talking about IR and RF - I'm not a complete moron, but I'm definately a rookie when it comes to programming. Heres my situation, and I ask for advice.

Current setup:
Hardware:
Audiotron RF remote/receiver [Link: voyetra.com]

Software:
Winamp
uICE (Remote control Software with winamp plugin) www.mediatexx.com

Right now with this software I can push a button on my RF remote, the uICE program picks up the signal, and from there I can assign this button to do anything (like turn off computer, move the mouse, or in my case que a playlist in Winamp)

Simple setup, but not everything I want. I have thousands of MP3's that are so hard to create playlists for. I'd love to look up by artist, title, (like the new Win XP CME -Media Center-) Or better yet, get a remote that can somehow download my mp3 collection and play them from the touch of a button (using th RF technology -Goes through walls, 100ft, etc.)

Am I nuts? Is this possible. I saw something like what I'm asking- for jukeboxs' using the Pronto RC5000. ([Link: theheartofthecorporatebeast.com]) Is there a way I can use this technology for my mp3 collection?

What I have works, but I want to be able to label the buttons (i.e. touch screen of RC5000) and still have the uICE program pick up the signal. Are there limitations to the # of buttons a RC5000 can send RF? Any feedback would be nice. You can tell me I'm crazy and move on (I hope you won't - but I guess I could be) Thanks a lot.

This message was edited by ErnRenner on 12/13/02 19:01.05.

Can't help with the MP3's, playlists etc. But, the 5000 transmits only in IR. The RF capable remotes are the RC5200 and 9200 and the Pronto TSU6000. As designed, these transmit RF ONLY to communicate to the RF extender, which retransmits in IR. Not to control RF devices.

Jim L

Are there any remotes out there that are progrmmable like the Philips line of touch screen that send out both IR and RF? It seems weird that the only remote I can buy for the RF capeabilities is this one from TurtleBeach! It can control IR stuff too! I must be missing something

Wait... I think thoe remotes would work...maybe!?!? Any other suggestions from anyone?

5...4...3...2...1................

The Audiotron remote that you referenced is made by X-10. I think they call it MP3 Anywhere. It sends 310MHz RF in USA/Canada. All of the RF capable Prontos and clones use 418MHz in USA/Canada and 433.92MHz elsewhere.

Here's what you are missing...

   [Link: laser.com]

Or you could wait a week or two until I get time to finalize the details on the TS1000 RF conversion.

   [Link: laser.com]

The X-10 remote has a limited number of codes. I'm not familiar with the software on the PC end but I suspect you would be better off to build your own RF receiver and use Girder or IR Assistant to control your MP3s.

Take a look at the BX24-AHT. While I designed it for other purposes, you could build it using a 418MHz RF receiver module and send RF directly with the RF capable Prontos and clones.

   [Link: laser.com]

Using the Security codes and User RF codes from CodeGen you would have a couple of billion unique codes. You'll probably never have that many MP3s.

   [Link: laser.com]





This message was edited by Dave Houston on 12/13/02 09:47.31.

This sounds good (well, what I understand anyway).... and as I look at the links, I wonder what Im going to need to make this work, what will it cost, and more importantly...can I do it?

It depends on which way you go.

It will cost you about $100 to build the BX24-AHT. My 13 year old grandson built one with no previous experience. Several novices have built them successfully. The current firmware has an IRMan emulation mode where it will pass all received RF codes to one of its 3 serial ports in the 6 byte format used by IRMan. Girder can also handle this. You do need a null adapter between the BX24-AHT IRMan port and the PC serial port. The firmware that is still under development will allow you to pass this to the main serial port, eliminating the need for a null adapter.

You can find a refurbished TS1000 for under $125. The TS1000 conversion should cost less than $25. You need to solder 4 leads on the small transformer to the signal conditioner board then solder 3 wires to readily accessible points on the TS1000 main board.

I appreciate your help, but I am still a bit confused about the BX24-AHT? I am a novice and appreciate your pacience. Where does the BX24-AHT go? Does this replace my current RF receiver for my current remote? Here's how I'm reading this : I build this device (BX24-AHT), it goes into the Com port, and using Grider Software to control the new pronto I just bought for 125 (+25 with the added modifications) I should be all set - pending upcoming (when?) firmware release? So what is the IR man reference too? Is this reference to the software? I'm really not a moron. Thanks

This message was edited by ErnRenner on 12/13/02 15:15.47.

The BX24-AHT replaces your current RF receiver.


IRMan is an IR Receiver module that has been around for a few years. Girder, IR Assistant and similar software support it.

The BX24-AHT can be configured to emulate IRMan on one of the BX24-AHT's three secondary serial ports. It will output codes to the selected port in the format that Girder and IR Assistant and other applications expect from IRMan. You connect that port to your PC. This you can do with the current firmware.

I'm not sure when the new firmware will be ready but it will only add another way to do the same thing.

Okay. Im getting it, the BX24-AHT just converts the RF signal to "words" as if the IRMan were sending it to the software thus making it compatible...right?!!? So what "configuring" must I do to the BX24-AHT to make this work? Is it in the instructions? And is there no way that my current receiver can understand the commands from the reconfig'd pronto? If no, is it b/c of frequency or software capabilities?

So, you tell me, do I get it?
And do you know if the SuperNudeList would work for this configuration? That is the type of interface I'm looking for.

This message was edited by ErnRenner on 12/13/02 16:24.32.

Right.


Just assign IRMan to one of the 3 output ports. The user manual can be downloaded from the web page.


No. It's mostly a matter of the hardware. Your receiver only reports the codes which it expects to "hear" from its matching remote. As you've already learned, there aren't that many codes. While CodeGen will generate all of the codes your remote can send, your receiver will report only a small fraction of the codes that CodeGen can generate and which you can send with the Pronto.


You got it.

One last question for you, and I'll leave you alone. I sincerely appreciate your help. Are you Familiar with the SuperNudeList that is posted on this forum? AIf you are, will SuperNudeList (or a program like it) work for this configuration? That is the type of interface I'm looking for. Will codegen work with this?

No, I'm not familiar with SuperNudeList.

CodeGen merely generates CCF hex codes. You can paste them into any CCF file.

Okay... thats all for now. Thank you VERY MUCH. I learned a lot from you, and now I feel less ignorant. I'll be back when I get my stuff- and thanks again!