Database Develop

IR Remote Control Transmitter Module

Has anyone tried the remote control software Total Remote with the related infra red transmitter module on the XDA(http://www.griffintechnology.com/griffinmobile/totalremote/index.html)

I am trying it with the XDA II.
To send it works fine, but I am having big trouble to make it learn.
Felipe

More details on this product
I have checked the website but cannot find out more details.
What hardware does the product come with? It looks like a small round "ball" and from the website sounds like it plugs in via the speaker socket.
How does this "ball" attach to the PDA?
Do you have to use the earphone socket on the PDA for the "ball" to work? If so does that mean all sounds are directed through the "ball" and you get no sounds from the PDA until the headphone jack is unplugged?

at least judging from that ipaq picture is does use the audio connector because thats where the ipaqs connector is

Here is what I discovered with my experience using the Total Remote:
1st- Yes it is like a ball with two (they claim) powerfull IR trasmitter (see site)
2nd - Yes it goes on the earphone jack
3rd - Yes you lose the sound while using it. But the you just need to lose the conector a little not take it all off.
4th- Since the conector in the XDA II is proprietary, you will need to buy a special adaptor. I found one at expansys and it work pretty well, plus it is small and is curved, so if you use the standard XDA II case you can bend the wire and conector to the side of the case and plug the TR module, you then can adapt some kind of tape or leather on the side of it to keep it protected and tight with the case.
5th - The software promises to be far better then the pronto from philips. In a matter of fact it comes with a module that let you use the files used on the pronto software but they don´t appear to be as good as thee Total Remote one.
6th - The module and software will work very fine to TRANSMIT and also from a good distance (large rooms)
BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS A SEA OF ROSES: Lets enumerate the bad points.
1st - And most important, the XDA II is not capable of receive any IR signal from any remote controle and I tryed more the 15 , with diferent distances (even with the IR window of the XDA II and the remote controler windows touching each other) and diferent time pressing the buttons. If it can´t receive it cant learn, if it can´t learn it useless, unless you use any of the pre determined profiles, wich I do not because I bought this for customization. And no the module will not work to receive the signals only the IRda port of the XDA II.
2nd - By needing the adaptor you rise the cost of the entire package.
3rd - The Techsupp of Griffing technology is very bad. They do not read my emails with attention, they do not have much interest to solve problems or they are really dumb regarding the matter including their own software and module and they do not force themselves (creativity and imagination) to try a workaround with their customers. Plus they are rude.
BUT there is a possible way around the learning problem. But that involves more then only the Total Remote software and hardware and the XDA II.
I did not tested this yet but I really think this can work.
As I already told you, the Total Remote let us use the pronto files, in a matter of fact it emulate the pronto software.
If you have the software to design the pronto pages, you can do it and also get the right IR codes from the Remotte Central site. There is a very good chance you can get exactly the IR code you will need for each button on your virtual control. So it is not as pratical as learning directly from the remote control, but it is a solution.
But there is a higher level of solution for this too.
If you have a Pronto, Marantz or any other remote controler that use those files on Pronto software and hardware, you can just use it to learn all the IR signals from other controls and then load it on the computer, after that you can access the IR codes from the Pronto design software and aply them to the pages of your new virtual remote that will be loaded to the XDA II and used with Total Remote.
Unfortunatelly you will not be able to use Total Remote, but only the Pronto emulator, wich I think there is some disvantage points like lower page resolution.
If at least the people in Griffin let us aply the IR code from the software , this would make things much better. But I think they are not inclined even to take suggestion.
Hope this helps.
Any questions?
Felipe

Thank you!
It was a very interesting and clear description.
Thank you for taking the time to expain us all of that.
Chris

Thanks for that
Thanks,
That was quite enlightening.
I think I'll hold off on it though. My main use would require learning I think and it sounds convoluted to get it to use these learned commands. I think I'll have to look for something else!

sure i would had liked using my xda2 as a remote but with all that it's more trouble then it's worth

that is so informative,
but its also expensive and INTENSIVE. Clever though it seems, its hard o setup and involves additional hardware. What i would have wished for...Remote Control applications that only uses the existing XDA 2 IR port...if only it could THROW signales that far.
But thanks for the info. I might try it someday, when perfected.

There is hope! This is what I am waiting for!
Hi!
Have a look at this SD to IR remote:
http://www.novii.tv/blaster/
it now works only with PALM (on just with a few model) but the the developer promises he is developing a version for PPC!!!
Chris

chameleon said:
that is so informative,
but its also expensive and INTENSIVE. Clever though it seems, its hard o setup and involves additional hardware. What i would have wished for...Remote Control applications that only uses the existing XDA 2 IR port...if only it could THROW signales that far.
But thanks for the info. I might try it someday, when perfected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes unfortunatelly it is an expessive and very complex solution. But at least in part I did not choosed this.
I live outside USA and this make things more complicated.
I first bought the TR, then I discovered that it does not work with the earphone jack.
Since I could not get a refund from the TR because I am not in USA and I still would like to make use of it (even because I had already paid for), I then spent more money with the earphone adaptor.
And for my bad luck, the XDA II did not worked learning those controls.
The complicated part comes from the fact that now I spent more money with two pieces of hardware and since my nature is not to give up expecially with computer things, I then tryed to find another way to make it work. I even took in consideation to remove the actual IRda and substitute it with another kind of IR emitter.
I don´t have much time also but as soon as I get some I will try my theory and let you know if it work.
Meanwhile I really suggest you to buy from another company. It is more cheapper and give less headaches.
Felipe

Have some1 tried to:...
To learn the codes using the biult in IR on the XDA and then replug the thing on the earphones jack to use the remote ?????
It's an obvious thing that may be overlooked.... perhaps ?letme know...
BTW I"m looking for the pin out of the Ir that goes onto the earphone jack as I hava stripped the ir from an IPAQ 2210 and wanna attach it to my XDA IIs....
any advise ???

Here is an interesting link. It seems you can record the "sounds" that infrared emits and utilize it. Although the article refers to ipod it also says it will work with pocket pc and laptop etc. 100 feet range.
http://features.engadget.com/entry/6336778455600767/

ok i have a htc eris and a peripheral ir blaster that connects through the headphone jack can someone make an app that uses this to control tvs and such

who makes it
Is it the total remote made by griffin? Is it the Novii?

Remote Control Software for 8125?

Does anyone know where I can find some remote control software (TV, DVD player, etc.) for my 8125? I'm willing to pay but if I don't have too, I can live with that. :lol:

I have try about 5-6 and non work. I read somewhere around here that the infared port is not strong enough.

While I realize direct IR control of the TV may not be possible, anyone know of any device that converts BT signals to IR? That hardware combined with the right kind of software would do the trick...I guess what I'm thinking of is like a BT/IR gateway or translater, although the IR signla would be much different that the BT signal. Anyway, jsut a thought. And if someone reads this, makes the device, and earns billions, give me a cut!

AT&T Tilt, What is Beam in comm mgr?? No irDA???? Can someone clarify??

All the ad sites for Tilt says it has irDA. When i try to install a remote control app, it says no IR port. I also tried it with my IBM T60. It is not detected. irDA is not in Tilt as advertised?????? shame!!!!

sundar_amn said:
All the ad sites for Tilt says it has irDA. When i try to install a remote control app, it says no IR port. I also tried it with my IBM T60. It is not detected. irDA is not in Tilt as advertised?????? shame!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
always search the Wiki first - I've answered this q there. http://wiki.xda-developers.com/inde...nnections - Beam - Receive all incoming beams

As the poster above sort of says, the beam in the device refers to sending and accepting files via BT - as it doesnt have IR.

sundar_amn said:
All the ad sites for Tilt says it has irDA. When i try to install a remote control app, it says no IR port. I also tried it with my IBM T60. It is not detected. irDA is not in Tilt as advertised?????? shame!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, which ad said it has irDA? None I saw said that, so certainly not all had that. As stated above, the Tilt and TyTN II do not have it.

I bought the tilt thru wirefly.com. The product specification says it. Below are the links. Moderator, i should have searched before i asked. sorry about that. The conclusion is no IRDA. I really liked the PPC remote for TV / DVD and other remote controled devices.
http://www.wirefly.com/HelperPages/...35&action=swap&dest=&phoneId=27003&viewmode=1
http://www.htcwiki.com/thread/968513/Beaming+???/post/8211955/Beaming+????t=anon

sundar_amn said:
I bought the tilt thru wirefly.com. The product specification says it. Below are the links. Moderator, i should have searched before i asked. sorry about that. The conclusion is no IRDA. I really liked the PPC remote for TV / DVD and other remote controled devices.
http://www.wirefly.com/HelperPages/...35&action=swap&dest=&phoneId=27003&viewmode=1
http://www.htcwiki.com/thread/968513/Beaming+???/post/8211955/Beaming+????t=anon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you should let them know thier specs are wrong. I didn't contend no one listed it. I did take issue with your saying they "all" said it.

sundar_amn said:
I bought the tilt thru wirefly.com. The product specification says it. Below are the links. Moderator, i should have searched before i asked. sorry about that. The conclusion is no IRDA. I really liked the PPC remote for TV / DVD and other remote controled devices.
http://www.wirefly.com/HelperPages/...35&action=swap&dest=&phoneId=27003&viewmode=1
http://www.htcwiki.com/thread/968513/Beaming+???/post/8211955/Beaming+????t=anon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly why you should always do your homework before purchasing such an expensive device. Did you actually go on HTC's website and check the specs?

I havent noticed a visible IRDA port on my device but I was able to beam a contact from one phone to another. It took some wierd positioning of the phone but it did work. Seemed like it worked from the left hand side of the phone. I didnt use bluetooth, unless the tilt automatically attempts using bluetooth withut saying if it doesnt have irda?

Goanna said:
I havent noticed a visible IRDA port on my device but I was able to beam a contact from one phone to another. It took some wierd positioning of the phone but it did work. Seemed like it worked from the left hand side of the phone. I didnt use bluetooth, unless the tilt automatically attempts using bluetooth withut saying if it doesnt have irda?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Tilt/TyTN II/Kaiser 100% definitely does NOT have irDA. If it did beam, it used BT. But then the receiving device would also have to have BT and it needed to be switched on.
The Tilt/TyTN II/Kaiser does (I beleive) automatically enable BT to beam.

Hi, I know this is an old thread. Let me put what I found anyway. The 8925 Tilt does not have IR. However, on selecting the Beam under settings, engage recieve beams and you can send stuff to it with BlueTooth. I just fired up the old 8525 and sent over some of the contacts with the extended info (extra numbers, picture, ringtone) and the 8525 connected BlueTooth without a hitch.
Understanding that you were more interested in employing the IR as a remote control. I noticed a number of hits on a Bing for BlueTooth to IR. It would seem the last couple of years have spawned a number of IR handoff devices that recieve your BT command and pass it off to PS3, etc with IR projections. Some appeared to have a combination of WiFi function which would extend your range from device drastically.
I know this original bit was like 3 years old. And solutions are old hat.

Alternative Use for Wizard

Like me, I imagine that for many of you a new phone may be on the horizon to replace the old wizard. Given the robust hardware and software that the wizard represents, I wanted to ask if any of you had any cool plans for an alternative (non-phone) use for the old boy?
Maybe a highend remote control?
Dedicated media hub?

i will use it as a navigation system

anybody else have any ideas?

It could be from the Wizard also a multimedia car radio building.
Only a new tinker hide, then the touchscreen einlassen and finally an adapter for the GPS navigation and the camera back to the basket as auto reversing camera

Geocaching GPS reader
Link it up with a bluetooth reciever and BAM! It's done.
Already use mine like that.
High end remote - the IR transmitter is pretty weak (compared to my old palm TX, which worked great as a remote). For the wizard I'd have to line it up with the TV's receiver and stand about 4 feet away - at which point I ask myself "Why Can't I walk the remaining four feet and change it myself?".

hmm. mobile wifi spot?

Infrared transmitter dongle/adapter for the HD2

I think it would be great if HTC, or a 3rd party hardware manufacturer would create a small and consolidated infrared adapter for the HD2. Or at the least, a bluetooth to infrared transmitter that would serve as a station. I'm looking at having something for the HD2 that competes with RedEye for the Iphone, found here (http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/).
I'm also aware that there are a lot of existing windows mobile softwares, like seen here (http://pocketpccentral.net/software/remote1.htm), that enable the use of an IR port to act as a universal remote, just like RedEye does, but it is limited to phones having a built in IR port. Which is why I was greatly saddened to find out that the HD2 doesn't have an infrared port, which killed my idea of the HD2 not only being a media powerhouse within its own enclosure, but also within my home.
That being said, i'm going to spend the next couple of months doing everything I can in my power (emailing as many HTC and party companies as possible), asking that they create an IR adapter for the HD2 that would connect to the micro usb port. If possible, the ir could be attached by a resistant bendable cable, allowing you to bend the infrared under the HD2 in the direction of your entertainment center. If anyone doesn't see this as being feasible, please correct me, before I make a fool of myself with HTC and it's partners. Everyone's thoughts on this topic will be highly appreciated by me!

conyeje2 said:
I think it would be great if HTC, or a 3rd party hardware manufacturer would create a small and consolidated infrared adapter for the HD2. Or at the least, a bluetooth to infrared transmitter that would serve as a station. I'm looking at having something for the HD2 that competes with RedEye for the Iphone, found here (http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a pocketpc app called Total Remote that had a ir transmitter that plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack.
It was at http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/totalremote but I don't know if you can get them any more. doesn't look like it.
Sean

SeanX said:
There was a pocketpc app called Total Remote that had a ir transmitter that plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack.
It was at http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/totalremote but I don't know if you can get them any more. doesn't look like it.
Sean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought Total remote (on ebay, the last one in the world?) with the sound to ir converter that goes in the headphone jack a couple of months ago to experiment with on my Mogul. Life took a serious detour and I got sidetracked. The mogul has an ir port. Total remote shuts down on my Mogul when I push any of its buttons. Total remote works on my ipaq (without the sound to ir converter) so I bought a mini usb to 3.5mm cord on Amazon to try the sound to ir converter with my Mogul. Same thing. I push a Total remote button and it shuts down.
My true intention with this converter was to try a trick I learned on Engadget and capture my remotes signals on my ipaq, put those files (each individual signal as an individual file) on a pc with audio software, mute one channel, and save to my mogul (Engadget used an ipod) as a song (wav file) and play the song (remote command) with the sound to ir converter plugged in.
I haven't gotten that far, but will hurry up and try it with one signal to see if it works.
Anyway I've been planning on getting an HD2. I'll have to see if this works on it when I get it. I'm not sure how Total remote works. It works on my ipaq (which has ir) without the converter.
I'm guessing it is coded to send the signals out the headphone jack if you don't have an ir port (maybe a setting I didn't think to look for... yep there it is, a setting for infrared sending device with choices for irda or Griffin technology ir device). I'll have to give it another shot with my Mogul... Well, with that setting the program doesn't turn off. Now to find the right tv setting... It doesn't work with the Mogul.
At least with the right setting it doesn't shut down the program. I tried that setting on my ipaq also with the converter plugged in and it worked so I think that confirms it doesn't work for the Mogul. Not sure what that means for the HD2.
There is another setting for a CCF mode. I don't know what that is. Some sort of file. .ccf I don't know what to do with that. The ccf mode takes me to what seems like some sort of explorer with a home, device and macros tabs, what looks like a search field, a menu and a open ccf file button that goes to a file directory it looks like. The program has a library of devices it can control as well as the capability of sampling remotes and the menu button in the ccf mode seems to link to that sampling capability. I was able to complete a sampling, but don't where that sampling went. I need to find that file to try the Engadget method. Oh, it doesn't create a file I can get to. I just have to plug in a line from my ipaq headphone jack to my pc mic jack and play the signal (push the remote functions button) and record that signal on my pc with the audio software.
Griffin had the patent on this sound to ir converter technology and now the iphone has a dongle. Does that mean another lawsuit for Apple or is Griffin making their dongle or a third party? Griffin does make lots of iphone accessories.
Oh, also check out the tv remote control thread under the Mogul. There's a bright guy there working on something. I was going to help him, but I'm a moron. If some type of dongle will work don't worry about a flexible cord, just flip your screen. Total remote has a setting like that so it will open upsidedown each time.
Total remote is a free download now and you could make your own dongle out of a pair of headphones if you want to test it out on your HD2. Just cut the speakers off and wire a couple of ir leds on. I think all you have to do is make sure you wire one ir led on backwards meaning one side has its channel and a ground wired on correctly to the ir led and on the other side do just the opposite (i guess there's an in and an out or a pos and neg on the ir led). There's some info on the internet explaining how to do it. Actually the other thread can point you in that direction too.
Did I ramble?

conyeje2 said:
I think it would be great if HTC, or a 3rd party hardware manufacturer would create a small and consolidated infrared adapter for the HD2. Or at the least, a bluetooth to infrared transmitter that would serve as a station. I'm looking at having something for the HD2 that competes with RedEye for the Iphone, found here (http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/).
I'm also aware that there are a lot of existing windows mobile softwares, like seen here (http://pocketpccentral.net/software/remote1.htm), that enable the use of an IR port to act as a universal remote, just like RedEye does, but it is limited to phones having a built in IR port. Which is why I was greatly saddened to find out that the HD2 doesn't have an infrared port, which killed my idea of the HD2 not only being a media powerhouse within its own enclosure, but also within my home.
That being said, i'm going to spend the next couple of months doing everything I can in my power (emailing as many HTC and party companies as possible), asking that they create an IR adapter for the HD2 that would connect to the micro usb port. If possible, the ir could be attached by a resistant bendable cable, allowing you to bend the infrared under the HD2 in the direction of your entertainment center. If anyone doesn't see this as being feasible, please correct me, before I make a fool of myself with HTC and it's partners. Everyone's thoughts on this topic will be highly appreciated by me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read on the Redeye Mini website that the company will write software to support other mobile devices if the demand was there. The redeye mini attaches the the headphone jack, so if we could get them or some other developer to write software for it to run on wm6.5, we could use the redeye mini on our hd2s. It looks like it might be the same setup that griffin used for total remote. I would also be very interested in this.... I'm gonna send redeye an email expressing my interest. You should do the same.

Great Info Everyone!
I had feared that this thread had died a long time ago. Thanks for your inputs, despite how old the thread was! Good searching SeanX! Manicmoguladdict, your "rambling" has helped me, and I'm sure a handful of others, put DIY IR controllers into future mobile device possible, and you've renewed my hope. I must have missed that Engadget article, or must not have been looking at that site yet, for me to have missed the article you reference. I'm definitely going to check out the Mogul forum for the ir remote control development that you mentioned. And I'll also check online for DIY IR as you specified. Zarathustrax, good research on your part as well. I'm sending RedEye an email this very moment. Again, awesome job everyone, and I look forward to us reclaiming Infrared Control for all of our Windows Mobile Devices, whether it be through outside manufacturers, or our own DIY community!

My emails
This is the email that I sent to RedEye, and I sent a modified one(neglecting android concerns) to Microsoft and HTC as well. I'm hoping that, if it isn't already in motion, a partnership is formed between all these companies!
"I'm emailing you in regards of the support of redeye being manufactured for Windows Mobile Devices. There are a vast number of Windows Mobile Devices, as I'm sure your company is aware of. If concerns are that there isn't enough demand for it in this Mobile OS, then my only rebuttal is that it could be explained by the lack of IR hardware in many recent Windows Mobile Devices. I don't know whether it was in the push for thinner, longer lasting phones that cause manufactures to remove this piece of hardware, which was present in many past mobile devices. But, if there is one thing that I can acknowledge, it is the fact that many of the users of these devices has not forgotten about IR hardware and technology. Many of us have been introduced to it, and really want it back, and want to see it return to WM, either built into the devices, or eternally through dongles produced by reputable companies as yourself. What I'm trying to say is that, if you were to introduce IR dongles for WM devices, it would not only be accepted by many, but it would flourish, just as much as it has with apple devices. If standard is a concern, for producing the software that is compatible with these mobile devices, then I guess Windows Phone 7 Series is a bright and stable place to start introducing dongles for. Also, I'm pretty sure the Android community would go crazy if a dongle with proper software was released for them. And, if it is possible for the android community to receive a dongle, then the windows mobile 6.5 community would probably be just as excited to receive one as well. I know many HD2 owners would would love to be able to control their media devices by IR, just as much as the Iphone users are enjoying it. But, to be fair, I'd be happy if it were released just for Android, and for Windows Phone 7 Series. And if it were released for Windows Phone 7 Series, then I think it would be easy to make it compatible with the Zune, which would add even more demand for such a product. In the end, I'm asking you, Thinkflood, to release a product that is 100% lacking in the Android and Windows Mobile Community. I'm sending Microsoft an email as well, just in case they're not aware of this either.
Chinedu Onyejekwe"

Interestingly, Mr. Griffin described his idea here. Easy enough to give it a shot, only concern is about shortcircuit protection on my Leo. I seriously damaged the FM receiver of my Blackstone doing similar things.

this idea is super cool. schematics of that patent look really easy, can be done in 5 minutes. What is more important is to get the software algorithm right. I wonder if total remote would work with this DIY IR adaptor.

I like the bluetooth idea better.
Check this out for the Blackberry.
//unify4life.com/products/avshadow

fits in your pocket?
I'd hate to carry that thing around and connect to everything I'd like to control. We're looking for a pocket solution of existing components technology. Total remote uses a data base of most audio/video equipment and you can control most just by changing your setting. So you can change the channel at your favorite pub.

I love this idea. I subscribed this thread.

Very interested too.
Just some thoughts. Theoretically the HD2 flash can emit some percentage of its light energy in IR range. The photo diode, required for recording of the IR signals to learn commands from a remote, seems to be in place too (the camera is too slow for that, but the proximity sensor may have enough bandwidth). The question is: is there any information on the possible bandwidth for the flash diodes and for the prox. sensor? And is it possible to control them that fast ?
So far my solution for the total control is BT <-> RS-232 adaptor <-> everything else

Anyone heard of a working IR (infra-red) Dongle/Adapter for HTC HD2 (Leo) ??
It is very useful thing. I want to control TV via IR.

+1 this whole thread. So how difficult can it be to find a cheap bluetooth to IR relay (e.g. a little box somewhere in your toom which accepts Bluetooth and suirts out IR)? I know it's a niche tool but someone somewhere out there must be doing it?

Redeye
I am interested in this idea as well!
I finally want to be able to open my car with my phone again !
(See my "Open Your Car With Your Windows Mobile Phone" Thread.
So, yes. I definately would buy that redeye thing if it were manufactured 4 WM.

i ordered a bunch of ir diodes and will start testing if it could actually work.

I'm interesting too - hope you could solve this issue

There are several ir transmitters that plug into the headphone jack out there.... we just need to get a developer to write some remote control software that will output the correct audio signals to the ir transmitter and that has all the different ir codes for the devices we want to control.

Bump I'd love it if this was to happen. Any one have any new thoughts on this?

smeddy said:
Bump I'd love it if this was to happen. Any one have any new thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In mean time i would like to share some links:
http://www.hackint0sh.org/f131/35975.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Infrared-transmitter-for-iPhone-iPod/
I tried the 10ohm resistor variant but I don't think its working...