Computer controlled remote - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Hunter1919hunter
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 07:05:50 pm
content: I would like to have a device that i could set in next to my TV that would turn on my converter, tune to a channel and record for s drt time then turn off at a set time.

author: janekm
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 08:57:56 pm
content: Logitech Harmony?

author: suicidaleggroll
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2014, 11:39:02 pm
content: Easiest option I can think of (probably not the easiest, but it's the route I would take) is to build a little UART to IR translator board, stick an FTDI chip and USB port on it, and then your computer can send any IR command it wants serially. Set up a cron job or Windows "Scheduled Task" for the commands and times you want and you're golden.I haven't built one of these before, but I have built  the reverse - a little board that takes an IR signal and sends out a UART message. I use it to control a Behringer DEQ-2496 through its MIDI interface with your basic universal IR remote. It uses a TI MSP430G2533 and is a little champ.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 06:38:27 am
content: Funny how my 20 years old videotape recorder could do this.

author: janekm
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 09:47:38 am
content: Quote from: suicidaleggroll on September 07, 2014, 11:39:02 pmThis is basically what you describe:http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/USB_IR_Toy_v2The Logitech Harmony Hub is effectively a "productised" version of that, which you can talk to via XMPP (but seems like there's some hassles involved).

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 11:14:40 am
content: Or if you want the tablet way look at the hardware from GlobalCache and the software on your tablet that supports it.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 11:19:29 am
content: I solved basically the same problem by programming a PIC mcu to control my VCR/DVD recorder.My older HD/DVD recorder was not able to receive DTV signals, only analog channels, but I didn't want to throw it away and pay big $$$ for a new recorder(the fact is, the digital TV coding standards themselves have changed three times in 5-yrs) that would only have to be replaced in less than two years again by yet a newer model that could handle the changing DTV video standards for TV channels.I use the original DTV receiver remote control to program the digital TV receiver to turn on at the desired time and correct channel and then it will also turn off after the program is complete. The digital TV box connects by SCART cable to my old HD/DVD recorder. My PIC chip detects when the receiver box is on by sensing if the DTV Power LED is on and then sends simulated remote commands by wire cable to the HD/DVD recorder's infrared remote receiver's output pin to tell it to turn on, select external input going to the receiver box and start to record. When the receiver box turns off automatically, the PIC chip detects the Power LED going off and then sends the hardwired simulated remote signal to the HD/DVD recorder to turn it off as well.It was a little bit of work, but it works well. The entire breadboarded PIC circuit fits easily into the DTV receiver's box and gets its power from the DTV power supply. It sends the simulated remote signals to a wired connector outside the DTV box that mates with the connector hack wiring into the HD/DVD recorder.It was all made easy with a digital storage scope that could clearly display the remote control signals picked up by the HD/DVD recorder, so I could program the PIC chip to synthesize them.Newer DTV boxes support USB PVR recording that can eliminate the need for a HD/DVD recorder, but I find the software and remote controls provided for PVR playback no fun to use compared to the smooth operation and feel-nice to-use-to-the-fingers original remote control (conveniently placed large soft buttons and good pause effects etc.) that came with my older HD/DVD recorder..

author: sunnyhighway
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 03:05:30 pm
content: You might want to look at some of the linux receivers from Xtrend or their competition.It contains all you need and more: DVB-T, DVB-S, DVB-C, internet-streams, video streaming to PC's, tablets and smartphones, PVR, time-shift etc. etc.If you happen to have a tv with HDMI-CEC (most modern tv's do) you only need one to remote control to operate it all.Most of these linux receivers are based on open source Enigma firmware which is actively supported and maintained by several large active open source groups like the PLi team and others.