Schmart Solutions for PS3 IR Control (Discussion, Feedback, Q&A) - Page 2

Can this device be set up to be on Controller #6?
The Bluetooth is already on 7 and I have a couple of 4 player games that I wouldn't want the kids having to unplug this small dongle to have access to their games.

Thanks!

# Matt

So do you have to have a "learning" capable universal remote or can you use a sony dvd player code and get most of the functions with a standard universal remote, i.e. not a logitech harmony.

No, you don't have to use a Harmony. There are many other universal remotes that will have the Sony DVD player codes in them. Prontos, Home Theatre Master, Harmony, All-4-one's, etc.... In fact a user just reported that they were able to use their Yamaha reciever remote by setting it for a Sony DVD player.

No, if you turn on the PS3 with a game controller, that will get controller #1 and the PS3IR will be #2. As far as I know, only #1 is important. As you add players, it doesn't matter what controller address they are on. Ask your kids about this. They are the experts. LOL

I'm curious about how the on/off function works. Does this sticker/button solution contain code limited to the PS3, or can it theoretically activate manual buttons on other devices that are missing remote power (or other) capabilities?

I would think the same basic technology would work for any touch sensitive button that was implemented as cap sense. That includes virtually all of the newer devices. For this reason I have applied for a patent and have patent pending status on this solution.

Cap sense technology actually senses the capacitance of the human body. There are no moving parts. This not to be confused with membrane switches where you must press down with a small amount of pressure in order to close a set of contacts and make the button work.

What did you have in mind?

Oh, anything really... I have several components that have panel butons with no remote equivalent, particularly: an Emerson DVD/VCR that requires a button push to switch between modes; a Panasonic HTIB with no "Eject" or "FM Mode" on the remote.

But these are all pressure activated buttons; I don't have first hand experience with the PS3, so I wasn't sure of the power button details.

I could see a way to activate mechanical buttons also. It all depends on how much the solution is worth and how many people out there want to buy the solution. I'll keep it in mind.

As crummy as it is (until I buy a Harmony) my universal remote supplied by Verizon FIOS is getting most of what I want done for now. Has anyone tried using Sony DVD or PS2 code to get their cable company remote to control DVD functions with the PS3IR or PS3IR+PWR?

Thanks,
Jeff

I am trying to set up a logitech 880 to work a PS3 - in the hopes of pairing it up with this IR device. Whenever I choose PS2 as a device (by selecting game console, sony, then typing in PlayStation 2) logitech will eventually give me a message stating something to the effect of ~this remote control cannot control this device~. Is this normal? Also, when I check out the button mapping, none are assigned (except for the one I have assigned for my receiver)? Amy I doing something wrong?

Of course, logitech is fairly buggy this evening, so I cannot even experiment without making it a miserable experience.

I didn't think you got that message if you used a PS2 as a device, however I know I get that message having selected PS3 as my device. The message is mistaken in that I have the PS3IRX1 and it accepts the Harmony's IR signal. http://www.schmartz.com/main.sc

I own a Logitech Harmony 880 remote and got it working as advertised with the PS3IRX.

What I did is name my device as Playstation 3 and NOT PS2.
The codes was setup for me by the Logitech Database themselves.
I did name it PS3 though but when I initially setup the device I did it liek this:

Device: Game Console (With DVD)
Manufacturer: Sony
Model: Playstation 3

Thank you very much. When I do all that, it prompts me to ask for "more information" and gives me the information below when I select it:

"This device uses Bluetooth technology and cannot be controlled by this remote."FAQID=1067


Now, I guess this device makes this warning a non-issue, but it seems like the directions were pretty specific in telling people to use PlayStation 2 and not PlayStation 3 when choosing the model...

That is how I setup my device.
Now I setup 2 Activities for my Device.

Activity1:
Play PS3

Activity2:
Watch Blu-Ray DVD

The codes should be setup on your Device and activity when you go to Customize Buttons options in the Activities tab.
There will be Standard Buttons and additional button configuration when you check this out.
I personally changed 1 button setup for my own personal taste and you can too if you want.


As for that Additional information thing, don't worry about that.

As for the specific directions.
I already setup my remote prior to getting the PS3IRX and was surprised it worked perfect on the 1st try when it did arrive.
I am guessing that the Logitech Harmony Database is using the Sony PS3 Blu-Ray Remote codes when you setup your device as I stated above.

Ahhhh yes I just figured that out - I edited my post after you got to it. If I set up a "play video game" activity, it doesn't give me any DVD function buttions (just the sixaxis stuff) - hence my confusion. So now I have a generic "play DVD" activity that will switch my receiver to the appropriate HDMI and allow me to use the remote for DVD purposes. Thanks again!

NP.
Just remember this is what you have to do for Logitech Harmony remote Setup:

Setup Your Device:

Device: Game Console (With DVD)
Manufacturer: Sony
Model: Playstation 3

Then you NEED to setup 2 Activities, 1 for Gaming, 1 for Blu-Ray DVD Watching:

Activity1:
Play PS3

Activity2:
Watch Blu-Ray DVD

You can change the buttons by going to Customize Buttons for each activity.

Maybe MMuecke can add this info for his product.

Yes, if you can use either PS2 codes or the PS3 codes, it may actually be new information (among other things).

I actually won't be using this remote for gaming, I will only need it to switch my receiver to the right input (so I don't need a "play video game" activity). I will just grab the controller for gaming.

But I will use the "play Blu-Ray activity" for my DVD and BD watching...

If things look like they are working, I will upgrade to the unit with the power on/off capability. I wish I would have waited a week before buying.

If all of the inputs are the same, why do two different activities need to be created? If you are playing a game, won't you just use the sixaxis controller once your Harmony switching receiver input over to the PS3 (but use the Harmony if you want to watch a DVD/BD)?

Jeff

One more questions:

If you are using the USBIRX3+PWR, is it basically sending the PS3 on/off code but then using the wire connection to turn off the PS3? The only way to turn off the PS3 without hitting the touch sensitive button is navigating the PS/Home menu, there is not actuall "Off" command with the remote. So how does it know how to do this?

Just trying to decide which adaptor model to get.

Jeff

Yes, that is my plan 100% - I may not have articulated it all that well. But we are on the same page.

I don't think you really need 2 different activities if the primary use is for DVD/BD playback. However, if you only choose 1, it really must be "play DVD". When I choose "play video game" as an activity, none of the DVD/BD buttons are mapped - though you can get around it by manually assigning. So choosing "Play DVD" basically gives you everything you need. Also, on page 2 of the "extra buttons" there are a few sixaxis buttons mapped in case you need them in a pinch.

Having 2 separate activities may be a little more intuitive than a single activity called "PS3" or something like that.

I just set it like that so its easier for the rest of my family to use

So now we can turn our PS3 on and off with this IR gizmo ????

-- Cain

Likely this is because the latter PS2's could be controlled by IR out of the box. The PS3 can not - one must "modify" it with a dongle. The warning makes perfect sense for 99.9% of users. If you've "modified" your PS3 you'll figure it out. You are a perfect example of that.

I assume that both of these Activities are identical. I have but one Activity set up - "Watch BD/DVD" which I use either to play a game or watch a disk.

Exactly!

Yeah I feel like such a modder. I am cautiously optimistic that my current settings will work correctly, but won't know until later this afternoon. Fingers crossed...

No, I setup 1 as Play Video Games setup and 2nd is Watch DVD Setup.
Technically you can get away just by having the Watch DVD Setup and rename it "Use PS3/Blu-Ray" or soemthing.

I think someone stated that by Default, the Watch DVD has more of the commands inputed by default in the Harmony Remote as opposed to the Play Video games setup.

I just set my remote like the way I did because I also have a Wii and it would just be easier for the other people in my family to just click it.
I know its redundant but hell, I have enough room in the LCD Screen of my remote

Come to think about it, I think I will rename my "Watch Blu-Ray DVD" Activity to "Play PS3/Blu-Ray DVD"

How does this interract w/ PS2 games? These are some of the ones that they play that are 4 player. Each player is based on the controller # (1 thru 4). If this dongle is grabbing #2, where does that leave the human player #2?

Is there any way to make the dongle choose #6? (The BT one already chooses #7 for this reason I am told).

# Matt

I think for PS2 games, you have to hit the Start button on the controller anyway to get the game to recognize it. I've never seen a PS2 game notice the USBIRX3 at all. Shouldn't be an issue.

How long does it take to get these shipped out? I ordered one over the weekend and haven't heard anything yet.