I have spent quite a bit of time getting my 2100 to work properly with all my devices. My wife is finally happy. Macros away!

Now if I ever lose the setup I'm in serious trouble. I don't want to buy another 2100 just to back-up the data from the first (I'll end up using it if I get another one).

So started looking into getting my laptop to backup the data. I found some source code that enables me to talk with the remote, but since Sony does not seem to publish the T link spec I have been spending time reverse engineering it. This could take a long time.

Does anyone know if there is already software for a laptop (or Palm) that does this already? Anyone working on this? Anyone else see a need for this?

Oman

Where did you find the source that enables you to talk to the remote?

Hi Oman,

Here's the million question, do you have a Palm or
other similar device? Is you do, then you're in
luck, you can back up your 2100 programming and here
is how.

First of all, you will need to purchase some software
for your Palm called OmniRemote. This software will
turn your Palm into a universal remote. After acquiring
and installing the software on your Palm, you simply
teach all of the IR signals into the Palm, since the
Palm has an IR receiver for universal programming.
The software costs around $20 U.S. (see PDA chat
forum on this Web site for the location to find
the OmniRemote software)

Next thing you'll need is software for your PC. It's
called OrDesktop and it allows you to communicate
the remote information from your Palm to your PC. All
you would simply need to do is to download the setup
from the Palm to the PC into the OrDesktop software.
This software costs $20 as well. You can create a
small network between your PC, Palm and Sony remote
and mix and match IR signals between them all.
(see same PDA chat forum to track down OrDesktop
software)

Good luck!!

Neil Sakaitis
Montreal, Canada

Well, that wouldn't back up the programming... that would merely back up the IR signals (which, if he still has the original remotes, wouldn't mean anything). The actual remote programming would still have to be re-created.

Daniel,

I guess you misread Oman's question, no problem
there, happens all the time :-)

Oman actually wants to back up the IR signals
including macros into his PC or Palm. Therefore
my previous mail stands accurate. His "Setup" is
his learned IR signals, component selected IR codes.
The Palm and learn and well teach/send IR and then
you can link it to PC no problem. The idea behind
him backing up the IR signals was in case he loses
or damages his 2100 and would have to buy a new one.
Instead of re-programming a new 2100, he would simply
use the Palm to teach his setup again. Real simple
and fairly smart of an owner if I may say so.

Nice chatting guys...

Neil Sakaitis
Montreal, Canada

Well, I still think my email points out a caution. Sure the Palm will backup the IR signals -- a good thing -- but if he continues to own functional "original remotes", they're just as good.

Backing up a AV2100 to another AV2100 will maintain all features -- button labels, macros, component setup, etc. That's what I was pointing out. Either way -- with or without Palm (the Palm can't learn the macros off a AV2100 nor can it capture the AV2100's "backup" stream of data) -- he's going to have to teach all buttons back to their proper locations (either from the original remotes or from the Palm), change all labels, re-program all macros, etc.

Hi guys,

Absolutely right Daniel. Like they say, nothing in
life is free (well maybe that old polo shirt offer).
You're going to have to teach and learn and teach
again to keep a copy of your original remote setup.
Daniel, the point made about keeping a second
functional remote as a backup is a valid one. My
original mail also adds that the OrDesktop
software can also store these signals and
upload/download to a PC from a Palm for those that
prefer to use a PC as a backup for their remote setup,
as per Oman's original request. I was trying to get
these signal onto PC and that's the only way I know
how this process can be done. Transferring macros
between the 2100 and the Palm may be an issue as
pointed out above.

Oman, any further experience with your backup options??
Keep us posted with the results...

Nice chatting ....

Neil Sakaitis
Montreal, Canada