Great little remotes, I have several for projects. IR control is a great addition to any project. My only complaints:
1) IR output is low compared to a full-sized remote. Coin cell remotes can't put out 200 mA like those powered by a pair of AAA batteries, so you have to aim the remote directly at the device instead of bouncing it off walls & ceilings.
2) Getting them into Sony mode without a Sony TV requires setting up a Stamp to monitor their output (watch for mute code 20 in DEBUG window)
Nice analysis of the output signal, PJ. Merry Merry!
OK PJ, you're my perfect foil here. I've been putting off an IR project since I have so little time to delve with our young twins. Clearly you are interested and up to a thorough technical investigation of another interesting universal IR remote. The challenge requires intellect; technical excellence; tenacity; and a fervent desire to push the envelope.
More and more, the cheap universal remotes using built-in codes just can't keep up with modern HDTV and A/V equipment; the codes keep changing. But these learning remotes can "learn" any codes from the manufacturer remotes. Clearly each key can record and play back some finite length IR coding.
I imagine they could also record serial IR output of some duration. That is, numbers, text, what have you. I don't know the ultimate application, but I'm intrigued that each key of a learning remote could send a unique serial message that could be decoded directly by a Stamp, Prop, or any other micro that's listening. You could have a word or phrase assigned to each key and send that string with a single keypress.
The key is the learning remote's sampling rate and memory allottment per button. That dictates the max baud rate and how much data can be transmitted per keypress.
I find this kind of stuff intriguing... is it just me?
Comments
1) IR output is low compared to a full-sized remote. Coin cell remotes can't put out 200 mA like those powered by a pair of AAA batteries, so you have to aim the remote directly at the device instead of bouncing it off walls & ceilings.
2) Getting them into Sony mode without a Sony TV requires setting up a Stamp to monitor their output (watch for mute code 20 in DEBUG window)
Nice analysis of the output signal, PJ. Merry Merry!
Are you up to it, old chap?
These Ebay China $5 learning remotes work quite well: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Learning-Remote-Control-TV-VCR-SAT-DVD-/320432918569?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4a9b4a5029 I have a few and they put out a very strong signal, stronger than some original remotes.
More and more, the cheap universal remotes using built-in codes just can't keep up with modern HDTV and A/V equipment; the codes keep changing. But these learning remotes can "learn" any codes from the manufacturer remotes. Clearly each key can record and play back some finite length IR coding.
I imagine they could also record serial IR output of some duration. That is, numbers, text, what have you. I don't know the ultimate application, but I'm intrigued that each key of a learning remote could send a unique serial message that could be decoded directly by a Stamp, Prop, or any other micro that's listening. You could have a word or phrase assigned to each key and send that string with a single keypress.
The key is the learning remote's sampling rate and memory allottment per button. That dictates the max baud rate and how much data can be transmitted per keypress.
I find this kind of stuff intriguing... is it just me?