iRule - Page 217

You can see the part of the page with Gizmo embedded, as the rectangular area on the left side of the insert with the word Player, album cover, name of album, and the like. It is a slightly lighter grey than the black background.

The buttons to the right control J. River Media Center in Theater View, using the device I created for that purpose that controls Media Center over IP using HTTP commands.

WebGizmo can control whatever player you want, and will thus control playback on the computer or another zone or the location controlling Media Center via the web interface. So you can tell it to play stuff on the computer and launch and control playback for music, videos, pictures, etc. Since it can play to the iPad, you can use it to listen to music stored on the computer. It will transcode music to whatever works on the iPad, but I don't think it will transcode video to send to the iPad. In that sense it acts like a server, and you can set up the server to launch with startup and always be on and available even if Media Center is not open.

I'm just your average home user and have irule on my iPhone and iPad. So yes on occasion a device will run out of juice but usually not both at the same time.

I had a Harmony 1100 before I moved to iRule, and I just put my iPad and iPhone on the charger just like I did the Harmony. Between phones, cameras, and even game controllers and GPS', it seems like I've just gotten used to putting stuff on chargers after use so it's always ready.

Still, I could see how you could go a week or more without charging a battery on an iOS device if you dedicated a device. The last movie I watched, I left iRule connected the entire movie, and I think the battery level dropped only about 5%.

SC

And even if it would run out, you could just plug it in and use it while it is charging,( provided you have an outlet next to your favorite couch of course,)

+1, favorite couch, IMPORTANT ;-))))

Thanks for the responses everyone. Honestly battery life is not a big concern for me just wondering if people had problems with it much. Also it looks like I can do state tracking and variables by using some intermediate PC software that goes between the IP commands from iRule to the GC devices. Since I already have a HTPC it wouldn't be any additional cost (other than time) to implement that. My only concern now is whether the novelty of using a touchscreen, particularly one on a large tablet, would get old and I would want to go back to a traditional hard button wand style remote.

In my mind the trick is this.... Provided the remote can indeed provide a full remote experience ... In other words I truly don't need to dig out the wand that it came with, then having the iPad as my only remote wouldn't get old.

After all, given the extra pixels and the power the experience could really be amazing when done right.

Also with proper use of gestures even those who can find certain buttons in the dark on a traditional remote could be convinced.

Thanks Alex. The codes do work! The problem was the delay had to be 0.3 msec or more. The default 0.2 msec did not work for the Key Digital HDMS4x4. Thanks again for your response.

Stefan

Remote control preferences seem to be very personal, and all over the place. Personally, I've never liked hard-button learning remotes like Harmony and URC... I can't really even explain it beyond the fact that I always hated the "genericness" of it and the whole "push this button first, then that button will perform a different function" thing... A hard button should do one thing - like the factory remote.

So, my dream was always an AMX or Crestron-style control. With that kind of control, the layout and graphics are very customizable, but more important, the button can and does do exactly what it says it does. Too bad I could never afford anything like that.

Enter iRule. With the iPad, I now have pretty much the AMX system I always wanted, only better in some ways - and FAR cheaper. The buttons say and do exactly what they should, and my remote looks like *I* want it to look. I've been using iRule on my iPhone and then the iPad for a couple years now, and it's pretty much my dream remote. It's not a novelty, so there's nothing to wear off. On the contrary, it just keeps getting better.

Like I said though, remotes are very personal. You'll just have to try it and see how you like it.

SC

I agree, iRule works fantastically well if you are prepared to spend some time on it. It is with out doubt the best upgrade I have added to my system in a long time. Couldn't live with out it now.

Can you change the delay default?

I am programming all the channel logos for the Comcast cable box. I need a delay of .5 seconds to properly input the 3 digits needed. Or is there a better way to set the delay for all the channels?

u can add delays as u add commands. then click on the delay in the tree on the left in the builder and u will see the delay time. 0.2 default. click on it and change to .5. i have comcast also and u need at least .5 sec. works fine then.

hope this helps.

jim

I was hoping to find a way not to have to change every delay. Save some keystrokes Guess I am inherently lazy. I have about 75 channels so far.

Well I think you guys have convinced me to give iRule a try. I have an android phone that I can try things out on but I would like to get a dedicated tablet to use with it. I am not a huge apple fan so I would like to get an android tablet, something like the kindle fire I think would work well and is much less expensive than an ipad. However, I see that there are a lot of bugs with the android version, and some of the ios functionality hasn't been added to the android version yet. I'm wondering if android is just a lower priority and it might just be best to go for the ipad. What do you guys think?

Please post it!

I had ~75 channel buttons to configure as well for that delay. And having to have 2 delays per 3 digit channel button was a PITA

I wish there was a way to set the default for all new delays that way you set it as a global value and it is applied when you add a new command to a button.

I found that .5 was too fast for some of my channels. Worked OK for 2 digit channels but 3 digit channels I set it to .75 just to be safe. It could also be the irblaster I'm using as well but I found this delay worked perfect with any channel/digit combination.

The way around that in DirecTV is a new device called "all Channels" where the 2 and 3 digit codes are hard coded and you don't need to enter them 1 at a time with delays. Maybe you can do something similar for the comcast device..
Clam

I am using url link to my Kaleidescape app but don't seem to be able to link it to a button what am I doing wrong ?

I have 2 ipods, my phone is an HTC Incredible and I have a Kindle Fire.

While the builder and the layout is the same to use for any of the devices, I would be very unsatisfied if I only had Android based devices to use with it.

The connection times to gateways are much slower, commands are dropped, load time is longer, etc. I look forward to it improving, but if I were starting from scratch with iRule I would only consider and iDevice at this time.

I wish iRule for Android would improve. I don't have an ipad, but have played around with one, I am not convinced that a 10" screen isn't too big for a remote. I REALLY like the 7" Kindle Fire layout that I've put together. I wish it worked as well as my ipods do for control. If it did, i would use it exclusively. As it is now, I use it as a back up if other devices are low on charge.

iRule team is in the process of reworking the android app almost from the ground up to reduce bugs and make the code more efficient.


Alex

That is great news. I didn't figure it had been abandoned but it has been awhile since we have heard anything.

I look forward to any improvemets and can't wait to get more out of the current devices I have in my home.

i echo this almost entirely. my situation is very similar (i have 1 ipod, my phone is an incredible 2, and i also have a kindle fire), and even though the ipod is technically the worst of my devices, the androids are decidedly secondary to it. with the exception of gateway connection times being slower, i experience all of the same issues seldomseen mentioned.

specifically, i'm glad to hear someone else bring up the load times. i've been meaning to ask and make sure i'm not the only one with that issue. on my ipod, irule will load in ~3 seconds (aka this is how long the splash screen will be displayed). on both of my android devices it takes ~18. is this similar to what others with both device types are seeing? i've been really keeping my fingers crossed that this is something which greatly improves in the next version.

one thing i can definitely say is that if the android app keeps improving at the rate it did between the first version and the current version, i will be quite pleased.

I want to ask about something that I am sure has been covered, but I have not been able to find in the previous 217 pages. I would like to change some of the existing buttons. I have tried to find where the .png files are but am at a loss. How can I get the button .pngs and modify them?

And I still would like to find a way to set the delay default to something other than .2. Perhaps the iRule team could take a look at a change that would allow you to change the default like the Pronto had.

If the Ipad runs dry, you have to plug it in for 5-10 minutes before it will turn on. It need to have some minimal charge in the battery to power up.

At least my Ipad 1 works this way.

Hey Glimmie, thanks for the buttons for a Lexicon. Made setting up mine very easy.

You can find the buttons here: http://www.iruleathome.com/support/downloads.html

I use PhotoShop to make changes but there are other posts here you can find with a simple search to lead you to other methods as well.

Good luck,
Clam

I was browsing the image library and noticed in the user section someone had created source buttons for the Apple Airplay icon. I'm very curious if someone has figured out a way to control the selection of Airplay speakers from within iRule.

Anyone???

Clam

This is embarassing. Did not realize iRule has made it easy. Thanks Clam.

Another note, I have converted the buttons from my Pronto into .pngs. But now realize, what I thought looked so good on the 9600, don't look so good on the iPad.

I switched from the 9600 to iRule a year or so ago...you're in for a real treat if you like to play around with the graphics.
Clam

Anyone know of a TV with full IP control including power on and off?

I use serial with my LG and it works great. Just went to Best Buy during my lunch hour and none of the new LG units have serial ports. Bummer.

Hopefully companies will come around on this. AV receivers now have it on even some budget models.

I'm pretty sure the new Sharp Aquos LED's allow full IP control.