What software is available to record the codes of a remote, so we can share with the community? I am assuming the computer already has a built-in IR receiver?

I did look around the site, but didn't seem to find the documentation on this?

taikon,

I'm not aware of any computers that offer a built-in IR receiver. It will probably be much easier for you to tell us the brand and model number of the device that you are attempting to learn. Most of the IR codes for mainstream devices are already online somewhere.

IRScrutinizer is the best IR recording software that I'm aware of. It works with many IR receivers. In addition to this site, the JP1 site is an excellent source of codes.

Built-in IR is quite rare. But it's cheap and easy to add. You can even build your own receiver if you're handy with a soldering iron. But I would say most in this forum simply use their remotes to record IR. Transferring it to a PC from the remote is trivial.

You'll also find that "recording" codes is rarely even necessary. We already understand the structure of most signals and have large databases of them. Whatever you're looking to record is probably already posted somewhere, as buzz said.

I have a Mac Mini which has a built-in IR receiver. There are also some USB IR receivers out there. I was asking the question as much to see how people could contribute in general, when there wasn't a remote in the database. Also, to see if there was a basis to write an open version of the Logitech Harmony database, for use with software.

At the same time, the specific remote I am looking for is actually for a Viewsonic ePoster. I asked the question in the 'professional remotes' section, but did not get any replies, as of yet. If I was able to source a real one, if no-one knows the codes, I would be interested in contributing back.

I'll take a look at both JP1 and IRScrutinizer

An open version of the Harmony database would be fantastic. As it is today, we have to capture codes one at a time.

I actually tried to find some eposter codes for you when you first posted, but came up empty. Harmony doesn't even have codes for it.

I think scrutinizer is still your best bet.

I like to add my 2 cents of wisdom here. I am the author of IrScrutinizer, BTW.

IR receivers: The problem with almost all build-in IR receivers is that they are so limited. Not only are they using a demodulating receiver (like TSOP xxx38 or so), removing all information on the modulating frequency, most often the system, which is interested only on recognize its very own remote (in the Apple case the one with six buttons), more or less completely decodes the signal, outputting only the information it considers important, namely, if it recognized any of its own signals, not the received sequence of timings. AFAIK, that goes for the Mac Mini too. (I happen to have one too...)

IR databases: There are more than Logitech. A completely non-commercial is http://irdb.tk, unfortunately a bit BBD (broken by design) since it orders the devices by protocol and parameters. The "old" GlobalCache data base http://irdatabase.globalcache.com/ is free, after registration, but no longer mainted. These two are fully supported in IrScrutinizer, i.e. you can suck the codes with just a few key clicks. The new one https://irdb.globalcache.com/ has a few problems for non-premium users ([Link: harctoolbox.org]) but is a very nice, sort-of free data base. The latter two contains several Viewsonic devices, but I am not sure if any of these maps to your device. Trial and error.... (With hardware configured for sending, you can download and shoot the signal with just a few key clicks, without leaving IrScrutinizer.)

Thanks for the info.

It turns out that the http://irdb.tk/ also exists as a GitHub project: [Link: github.com] , so it is an open project. There aren't any Viewsonic devices yet, but with the right community support I am sure that can change?

Edit: There is also lirc-remotes on GitHub, which is a fork of the database at the LIRC project.