I know this is an age old question that has been asked many times in various guises, but having searched through the previous posts until I'm crossed eyed and my brain hurts, I'd like to ask a few simple questions about controlling a PC with my Pronto.

All I want to do with the PC at present is play music via winamp.

1) Am I right in thinking, that I can buy an IRman and get the winamp plugin, and then I'll be able to control winamp by teaching the IRman codes and getting it to associate those codes with winamp controls???

2) Am I right in thinking that the IR codes I send can be anything, so I can program codes from a piece of kit that I don't have (ie a laser disc player) into my pronto and and teach the IRman to recognise the codes???

3) Am I right in thinking that I can use Supernudelist to create playlists, so I can copy my CD collection onto my PC and then use my pronto to play a particular album at the press of a button???

4) Is supernudelist easy to use (I've read a few of the posts about it and on some occassions have been baffled, is there anywhere that explains in really simple terms how to use it???

5) Is this the easiest cheap way to get control of my PC??? I've read some of the stuff about IR keyboards etc but don't really want to go down that route

6) Is there any where in the UK where I can get and IRman or do I just get it from the website???

Many thanks in advance for any help people can give me, it's much appreciated!!!

Lowres

1) The IRMan is just a receiver. You'll need to generate your own codes or use a remote that you don't actually use for the IR codes.

2) Yep.

3) This is harder....but can be done.

4) I think it's basically easy to use, but if you don't have a lot of experience with setting up your CCFs, you might find it a bit daunting.

5) From your questions, I'd actually recommend an IR keyboard. There are some that work well for around $40US (and others that are much more expensive...)

You may also want to check out the Girder website:

http://www.girder.nl

and these threads at the AVSForums:

[Link: avsforum.com]

[Link: avsforum.com]

What you are looking to do can be done, but it is not merely a day-long project. Good luck!

Best,
Brad

I've had very good success using an IR wireless keyboard. I have found it trouble-free. I taught the necessary keystrokes (and combinations such as Alt-F4, etc) to my Pronto. Now my Pronto can then emulate any keyboard function I need it to. Plus having a wireless keyboard allows me to move around in my home theater.

My $0.02 worth.
Mac

Hmmm, now I'm in a quandry, do I go for an IRman or an infra red keyboard?!?!?

I like the sound of the Irman, as by most reports it is a very sensitive receiver and picks up signals from most angles, however others have said that a keyboard is very good.

I realise that with the IRman I can teach it to recognise codes from any device so I can just copy and paste codes from something I don't have, whereas with a keyboard I would need to teach the pronto the codes...

I've also had a look at the girder software and this seems to be pretty interesting, how easy is it to intergrate an IRman, winamp, girder and supernude list??? I've not had masses of experience with my remote but I have been using computers for years and am willing to put in the time to get this to work. Also, what I have done with the remote has all seemd very logical and made sense.

Basically if I get an IRman, and download the winamp plugin, girder and SNL, would I be able to load up playlists in winamp with the touch of a button??? I realise this would take a lot of work to get right but that doesn't bother me, I just want to know I can do what I want before I commit to buying anything.

angain many thanls for the help!!! :o)

Lowres

Have battled this same question and here is what I found.

1. I wanted to be able to control a 187 gigs of mp3 music through my tuner
2. Opted for wireless keyboard w/ built in mouse.
3. Why? That way i can program any infinite number of music lists...plus surf the internet from my hdtv. Plus as stated in earlier threads, your pronto can learn the commands so creating a macro based on your keyboard w/abit of work will also work...seems to me the best of both worlds.

Check out Bruce Hartley's MP3 tools that integrate SNL, Winamp, and Girder for use with IRMan.

[Link: seahunt.co.uk]

IR Keyboards are nice but probably not the way to go.


Lyndel McGee

I'm still thinking I'd rather go with the IRman but don't want to buy something that won't do what I want fairly easily. I realise that it'll take time and effort to get it performing as I want but I am prepared to take time and play around with it until it does as I want.

Basically I think I'll go down the IRman route and use either girder or the winamp plugin from the evation site.

If I were to use the plugin, would I be able to load a playlist and start it playing by programming one button to send the following commands (with delays as necessary) (example of playing list 123)

Load playlist
1
2
3
Play

or something similar???

If so then this would be fine for me as that is all I want it for at the moment.

Lowres