I did a research and ended with the following:



Dell Axim X5 PDA + RemoteControl II + Ultramote IR extender.

I can do anything the best Pronto can and then some more for the fraction of the cost.

Links:
RemoteControl II $29

http://wincesoft.de/html/remotecontrol_ii.html

Ultramote IR extender $37 shipped

(you need to download a copy of their remote control software to buy a package. Their software does not support CCF so you need RemoteControl II or PDAWin TV Remote or Vito Remote, RemoteControl II is better IMHO).

http://www.ultramote.com/

I did a research and ended with the following:



Dell Axim X5 PDA + RemoteControl II + Ultramote IR extender.

I can do anything the best Pronto can and then some more for the fraction of the cost.


Really?! Can it control equipment that is out of line-of-sight or hidden in a separate equipment closet? Because the best Prontos can do that, and I don't see how your suggested IR-only solution can go around corners or through walls.

Really?! Can it control equipment that is out of line-of-sight or hidden in a separate equipment closet? Because the best Prontos can do that, and I don't see how your suggested IR-only solution can go around corners or through walls.

Thanks.


I don't need this, but there are quite a few IR-RF converters/blasters available. They are pretty cheap too.

Really?! Can it control equipment that is out of line-of-sight or hidden in a separate equipment closet? Because the best Prontos can do that, and I don't see how your suggested IR-only solution can go around corners or through walls.

I bet you have a pronto and are just snapping.

Whatever

This sounds like a good setup.

BTW, IR repeater system > RF

I did a research and ended with the following:



Dell Axim X5 PDA + RemoteControl II + Ultramote IR extender.

I can do anything the best Pronto can and then some more for the fraction of the cost.

Links:
RemoteControl II $29

http://wincesoft.de/html/remotecontrol_ii.html

Ultramote IR extender $37 shipped

(you need to download a copy of their remote control software to buy a package. Their software does not support CCF so you need RemoteControl II or PDAWin TV Remote or Vito Remote, RemoteControl II is better IMHO).

http://www.ultramote.com/

This combination is the best I have found too. The only thing I do not like is that I have to "program" the remote using only the PDA screen. But I found software called Pocket Controller. You can do a google and find it fast. It allows me to use my computer to run my PDA while it is docked. So I get my full keyboard and mouse. It makes programming Remote Control II a LOT easier.

Also, I have exchanged a couple of email messages with the folks that make Remote Control II talking about a WiFi or Bluetooth enhancement to the software.

I also got lucky that my PDA has a 30 foot range for its internal IR xmitter.

Joe

This combination is the best I have found too. The only thing I do not like is that I have to "program" the remote using only the PDA screen. But I found software called Pocket Controller. You can do a google and find it fast. It allows me to use my computer to run my PDA while it is docked. So I get my full keyboard and mouse. It makes programming Remote Control II a LOT easier.

Also, I have exchanged a couple of email messages with the folks that make Remote Control II talking about a WiFi or Bluetooth enhancement to the software.

I also got lucky that my PDA has a 30 foot range for its internal IR xmitter.

Joe

Interestingly, I use Pocket Controller with 300% zoom too to set it up etc.

Joe, do you mind posting screen captures of your PDA remote and mayb project files?

I thought I would post my screen shots.

Controls Samsung S6767 67" DLP HDTV with discrete inputs (yes, baby :D), DirecTV H20 box (first picture), Zalman HTPC and Onkyo receiver (second picture), Sony DVP-CX777ES and Avel Linkplayer 2 (third picture).

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/6620/rc21lx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/6871/rc22to1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/4858/rc23zh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Um... There are way to many buttons. You definately need to make a better layout.

What I would do is actually take a nice picture of the original remote.

The make each button on the picture the buttons that you need to press! That'd be neat to have on the screen.

Um... There are way to many buttons. You definately need to make a better layout.

What I would do is actually take a nice picture of the original remote.

The make each button on the picture the buttons that you need to press! That'd be neat to have on the screen.

I might redesign at some point giving one panel to one device instead of one to two, but there is no way original remotes will make it to my PDA remote screens. I like "unified design", for some it might suck, for me it is pefrect.

I don't know about you guys, but I use about 10% of the remote functionality 90% of the time, and vice versa. When time comes for the complicated tasks such as TV / Amp setup etc. I can always reach for the original remote(s).

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/lvisneau/pronto1.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/lvisneau/pronto2.jpg
a couple of screens i created for my pronto. yours are pretty cool too

I love the pronto layouts!

Those would be nice on the PDA!

I love the pronto layouts!

Those would be nice on the PDA!

I think they are great too. They should be able to be duplicated pretty easy with Remote Control II.

Even the backgrounds.

Joe

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/lvisneau/pronto1.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/lvisneau/pronto2.jpg
a couple of screens i created for my pronto. yours are pretty cool too

Most excellent.

I will add something like this to my PDA in the future.

I want to keep my entire HD DVD & DVD collection catalog on my PDA with something like your screens.

Don't know where to start yet, RemoteControl II has a nice feature "Macros", that might be an answer.

One thing that would be very lengthy, but awesome would be this:

Lets say you had a 200 disc changer. So you'll have the movies in there all the time.

Well, it'd be cool to have a different art for every movie!

One thing that would be very lengthy, but awesome would be this:

Lets say you had a 200 disc changer. So you'll have the movies in there all the time.

Well, it'd be cool to have a different art for every movie!

Something like this?

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbyppc.html

Joe

Exactly!

That would be so cool

Make the MX-3000 guys jealous

One thing that would be very lengthy, but awesome would be this:

Lets say you had a 200 disc changer. So you'll have the movies in there all the time.

Well, it'd be cool to have a different art for every movie!

you can get mini dvd covers and install them on the pronto. i'll bet they would work on a pda too. hmm i can't get remote central to come up, or else i would include a link.

One thing that would be very lengthy, but awesome would be this:

Lets say you had a 200 disc changer. So you'll have the movies in there all the time.

Well, it'd be cool to have a different art for every movie!


OK guys, I figured it all out.

Frank, the author of the RemoteControl II gave me the basic idea..

The best $29 I've ever spent.

No cinemar is necessary :D

I don't need wi-fi.

I don't need Bluetooth.

I don't need Internet connection.

I don't need a host PC.

I don't need Girder.

I don't need my beloved xlobby.

All I need is my PDA.

All my 800 DVDs + 200 DVDs from the upcoming Sony Firewire DVD changer will be controlled from this thing with the cover art for each.

And then I will work on my HD DVDs from the HDD.

I'll post pictures when I am done.

BTW remotecentral seems to be down all day. Is it related to my posts ? :D

You could at least share the idea!!! :mad: (jk)

Joe

You could at least share the idea!!! :mad: (jk)

Joe

The idea is this:

- you add your device in "Edit IR database" dialog;
- you teach it all the IR commands necessary;

- You put the bitmap of the cover art into your /Bitmaps directory
- you create a new panel with one button with this bitmap and assign to this button "Call Macro" function;
- in the macro you put all your IR commands necessary one by one, including Wait times;
- you are done :D Presuming the DVD Indiana Jones is located in the slot 5 of your DVD changer, click on the button "Indiana Jones" will send IR commands (in my case "Stop", "Stop", "Display", "Send Digit 5", "Enter","Wait 30 seconds", "Display", "Play".



Catalog can be created with even smaller thumbnails and those thumbnails will be assigned function "Jump to Panel Indiana Jones", Jump to Panel Batman" and so on and so forth.


That's all folks. :D

The idea is this:

- you add your device in "Edit IR database" dialog;
- you teach it all the IR commands necessary;

- You put the bitmap of the cover art into your /Bitmaps directory
- you create a new panel with one button with this bitmap and assign to this button "Call Macro" function;
- in the macro you put all your IR commands necessary one by one, including Wait times;
- you are done :D Presuming the DVD Indiana Jones is located in the slot 5 of your DVD changer, click on the button "Indiana Jones" will send IR commands (in my case "Stop", "Stop", "Display", "Send Digit 5", "Enter","Wait 30 seconds", "Display", "Play".



Catalog can be created with even smaller thumbnails and those thumbnails will be assigned function "Jump to Panel Indiana Jones", Jump to Panel Batman" and so on and so forth.


That's all folks. :D

That makes a lot of sense. You could then have 2 smaller buttons to advance through the DVD panels or the thumbnails.

It is too bad that RCII doesn't have variables. It would be nice to just have a single macro and send it the slot number. Oh well, maybe a future enhancement.

BTW, What device are you using and what does the "display" function do?

Joe

That makes a lot of sense. You could then have 2 smaller buttons to advance through the DVD panels or the thumbnails.

It is too bad that RCII doesn't have variables. It would be nice to just have a single macro and send it the slot number. Oh well, maybe a future enhancement.

BTW, What device are you using and what does the "display" function do?

Joe

Yeah, variables would be nice, why don't you suggest it to Frank?

Actually, you only need to create Macro file (.mcr) once.

Then you can use Notepad on the PC and edit it by changing the slot number and saving it under a different name.

I have 2 Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 DVD/SACD changers. "Display" function brings the dialog on the main display (TV) where you enter the Disc number. Second call dismisses the dialog.

@lvisneau:

I really like your buttons. Do you mind posting jpegs of the buttons? Thanks a lot.

Meanwhile I just stole them with Photoshop, hope it's OK.

So it will be something like this:

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/2668/indiana2ik4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

not sure how to make these jpeg, but heres a link to daniel tonks library of tsu7000 buttons,
(thats where i got some of mine). if you download the pc software then his file, you can open it then save and possibly change the to jpeg.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=prontong&db=systems&br=color&dv=&md=danielscolortsu7000layout&fc=co&kw=&st=&ar=&dt=&so=&pg=1&file=prontong/systems/daniel-tonks_pro.zip

If one was to buy a ppc or pda for a remote what does everyone recomend for around 100$ or so? i`d be ebaying it...Don`t need it for anything more then a remote that can handle the above or well if NEVO then even better....

not sure how to make these jpeg, but heres a link to daniel tonks library of tsu7000 buttons,
(thats where i got some of mine). if you download the pc software then his file, you can open it then save and possibly change the to jpeg.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=prontong&db=systems&br=color&dv=&md=danielscolortsu7000layout&fc=co&kw=&st=&ar=&dt=&so=&pg=1&file=prontong/systems/daniel-tonks_pro.zip

Thanks!

If one was to buy a ppc or pda for a remote what does everyone recomend for around 100$ or so? i`d be ebaying it...Don`t need it for anything more then a remote that can handle the above or well if NEVO then even better....

I use my old Dell Axim X5, I am sure you can get a used one from fleebay for around $100.

Thanks!


let me know how it works out....

let me know how it works out....

Works out just fine, open with Pronto Edit NG, print screen to clipboard, paste in Photoshop new document.

Works out just fine, open with Pronto Edit NG, print screen to clipboard, paste in Photoshop new document.

I found a nice trick. Will save you a LOT of time.

Take the .pcf file and rename it to a .zip file. Then open it with winzip or winrar. There will be a bitmaps directory. Guess what is in there!?!?

Joe

I found a nice trick. Will save you a LOT of time.

Take the .pcf file and rename it to a .zip file. Then open it with winzip or winrar. There will be a bitmaps directory. Guess what is in there!?!?

Joe

Thanks Joe.

It is good to know.

In other news:

The whole concept has been redesigned regarding the DVD changer control.

It is cool to have a separate cover art for each DVD but it does not make much sense.

So the idea now is to have 8 DVD cover art pictures per screen/page/panel + basic controls for each page.

Click on each cover art will invoke the macro which will load the corresponding DVD and play it. This macro will also switch the TV to the corresponding input, turn on the receiver, dimm the receiver and swithch the receiver to the appropriate input.

At the moment RC II supports 128 panels.

I need ~ 122 panels.

Now let's see if my Axim X5 will be able to handle it.

OK, everything is redesigned.

New and Improved PDA remote is below. Replaces 8 remote controls.

Each click on the image of the device, be it TV, DirecTV receiver, Onkyo receiver or any of two main HTPCs does the following:

- switches TV to the corresponding input;
- swithes receiver to the corresponding input;
- switches remote screen to the corresponding control screen.

HDMI and Component switchboxes controls are shown on each panel.

Image of the currently controlled device and "Power" button for this device are at the bottom of the panel.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5184/remote1tb9em5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ok, I am new to this.... But if I understand things correctly, all I need is a PDA and the remote-control II software to develop a universal remote for my equipment. I mean what are the basics, did I get everything, or is there something else that I have to install or buy? This is cool, thanks for the help.

Ok, I am new to this.... But if I understand things correctly, all I need is a PDA and the remote-control II software to develop a universal remote for my equipment. I mean what are the basics, did I get everything, or is there something else that I have to install or buy? This is cool, thanks for the help.

You got it. Just make sure that the PDA you either have or purchase has a strong IR transmitter. If it doesn't then you can purchase a CF IR xmitter card that fits into your PDA. I think on the Remote Control II site there is info regarding the strength of the IR for many of the popular PDAs as well as the CF cards you can purchase that have strong IR xmitters in them.

Joe

You got it. Just make sure that the PDA you either have or purchase has a strong IR transmitter. If it doesn't then you can purchase a CF IR xmitter card that fits into your PDA. I think on the Remote Control II site there is info regarding the strength of the IR for many of the popular PDAs as well as the CF cards you can purchase that have strong IR xmitters in them.

Joe

What he says.

Just keep in mind it's not easy.

It took me a while to learn the program, make all the buttons, test, redo, etc. etc.

However, now when it is done, I can add any new remote control to the set, make a few changes and bingo! :D

I even tried to control my Benz with this thing. RemoteControl II freezes while snding "lock" signal though. I need to send a bug report to Frank.

What he says.

Just keep in mind it's not easy.

It took me a while to learn the program, make all the buttons, test, redo, etc. etc.

However, now when it is done, I can add any new remote control to the set, make a few changes and bingo! :D

I even tried to control my Benz with this thing. RemoteControl II freezes while snding "lock" signal though. I need to send a bug report to Frank.

say what? What do you mean by "Benz"?

Joe

say what? What do you mean by "Benz"?

Joe

My Mercedes-Benz key / remote control to lock/unlock/alarm/open the trunk :D

My Mercedes-Benz key / remote control to lock/unlock/alarm/open the trunk :D

Heh,

that is funny. I have a Benz too. I thought the remote was RF. Is it IR too? I know it is definately IR to close and open the windows but I thought the locking stuff was RF only.

Joe

Heh,

that is funny. I have a Benz too. I thought the remote was RF. Is it IR too? I know it is definately IR to close and open the windows but I thought the locking stuff was RF only.

Joe

Since RemoteControl II was able to learn codes from the Benz key, I thought it was both. I could be wrong.

Since RemoteControl II was able to learn codes from the Benz key, I thought it was both. I could be wrong.

What was the name of the program for the pocket pc where you could view the screen of the PDA on your regular monitor or actually be able to control it from your desktop??? Thanks.

What was the name of the program for the pocket pc where you could view the screen of the PDA on your regular monitor or actually be able to control it from your desktop??? Thanks.

Soti Professional or Enterprise Controller.

http://www.soti.net/default.asp?Cmd=Products&SubCmd=PCPro

The same remote now controls all the lights in my house. As well as some things that don't have their own On/Off IR controls, such as Icy Dock enclosures.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/997/pccapture1yd3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Really?! Can it control equipment that is out of line-of-sight or hidden in a separate equipment closet? Because the best Prontos can do that, and I don't see how your suggested IR-only solution can go around corners or through walls.

Dennis,

I got myself Powermid, which is IR-RF-IR.
http://www.x10.com/pro/entertainment/pex01.htm

Can control any equipment from anywhere now...about $45 shipped.

Man, it took you 7 months to do that? ;) (time between posts)

How are you doing it w/o variables? Totally separate screens that all look alike?

Joe

Can I use wifi to control my PC along with all those other infrared devices? My pc is in a different room from my htroom so instead of buying any dongles etc, i'd like to use my PDA's wifi to control the PC.

Yes you can. There are a few remote control softwares out there that do it and are fully customizable. Do a search and you should be able to find them. I cannot remember any of their names off the top of my head.

Joe

To clarify: When I said control the PC i didn't mean some remote desktop thing. I mean like a normal remote.. Bind keys to my PDA