RE: IR to Serial on a PC

[Mike Griffiths <mike@xxxxxxx>]

> 
> I missed the serial bits in ACE - I guess you use a HomeVision event
in
> ACE?

[Mike] No it is a separate tab so any button on ACE can send a serial
command 
Or Homevision can instruct ACE to send it out - works well

> I use Win2K server for all my HA apps - decided on this route as
I'm
> also running Exchange 2000 and IIS. Only trouble is I've run out
of
> serial ports (4) as I've got connections to Comfort, HV, Meteor
and
> something else I can't remember! Might go for a USB serial option
as
> I've had a few problems in the past with IRQ sharing and the
serial
> ports :-( + expandability would be better.
> I run PC Anywhere on it and other PC's (my BT Satellite gateway)
quite
> successfully - shame W2K doesn't have a desktop sharing app that's
> compatible with the XP desktop sharing tool (and works in the same
> way):-(

[Mike] That is the problem I encountered so I opted for a separate PC
to
play with for my Win2K server

> Shame that Pioneer don't publish the serial protocol - seems
rather
> strange. My Panasonic plasma has the codes in the user manual and
Onkyo
> sent me a load of docs about their kit on request (excellent tech
> support).


[Mike] I couldn't believe the guy at Pioneers attitude but browsing the
Newsgroups I see it isn't uncommon 

> How are you getting on with your screen? I'm loving mine - just
ordered
> a load of Component cables from RGB Comms (broadcast cables hugely
> cheaper than the audiophile rip off merchants!) + an RGB to
Component
> converter from rgbtosvideo.com. The Onkyo amp (989) has 3
component
> inputs and switches between them.

[Mike] The Pioneer screen is excellent 
I'm feeding Component from my Toshiba 900e DVD the progressive scan
looks
amazing
Sky/Tivo go in RGB
Then the Shuttle goes in VGA at the native 1280x768
I use my ATI capture card then to input the small Pace freeView box set
to
RGB then converted to S-Video using a rgbtosvideo.com converter the new
box
is good as it also passes through RGB 
I've also been playing with the an RGB to Component converter on my PC
Monitor - it gives great results

My Biggest problem at present is redo-ing the Pronto and HV controls

At present I have about 4 new remotes and I'm afraid it is doing my head
in



> Paul.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Griffiths [mailto:mike@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 23 November 2002 12:16
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] IR to Serial on a PC
> 
> 
> 
> I do this  Paul
> 
> I use a mixture of IR and Serial
> The IR bit is easy
> Just learn the IR into Homevision
> Fire it off with ACE and distribute from HV via little emitters
> 
> Serial control is as easy once you get the protocol sorted
> ACE allows you to send ASCII to serial ports and Dan has done a
great
> job of
> modifying ACE to allow the flexibility needed for the termination
> characters
> Best way is to prove the control without ACE, then programme ACE
> To be honest the real advantage of serial is that you can
interrogate
> the
> serial controlled kit so that you know what state it is in
> I used to do that with my own VB program but ACE is so simple to use
I
> have
> moved over to it totally, I'm sure that using scripts within ACE I
could
> get
> the status working again - it is just finding the time.
> ACE will olso send serial out on any PC connected to the network (
very
> useful!)
> 
> As you can normally find now discrete codes for IR on the web, there
is
> little difference in practice with controlling between IR and
Serial
> 
> I use the ByteRunner x4 PCI board for the serial
> Works like a dream
> For the IR I use Xantech ket for neatness BUT you can source
everything
> individually
> 
> I have a dedicated PC (Terminator from Overclockers or Scam) This
has
> HomeVision, Comfort, ACE , ACE webserver, serial card.
> I find by leaving a dedicated PC to control the house it works for
> Months
> without touching it - and the cost of the PC now is very small. I run
XP
> on
> it so that I can remote desktop onto it so the unit itself has
neither
> Mouse
> nor keyboard.
> 
> Hope this helps
> 
> Mike
> PS If anyone can get hold of the serial protocol for a Pioneer 503HDE
I
> would be eternally greatful
> I have the protcol for the 503 MXE but it differes slightly and
Pioneer
> in
> their wisdom refuse to give out the HDE protocol even though the MXE
is
> available on their web site.
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Gale [mailto:groups@xxxxxxx]
> > Sent: 23 November 2002 09:50
> > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: [ukha_d] IR to Serial on a PC
> >
> > My Plasma, DVD and Amp all have an RS232 port for remote control.
I'd
> > like to use them as there are a number of benefits including
absolute
> > control of volume (set directly to a level), input switching and
no IR
> > LED needs to be stuck over the IR window.
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm running Comfort, HomeVision, ACE and a multi-room audio
system
> with
> > IR distribution. This means getting IR to HomeVision (and
possibly ACE
> -
> > but I'm not too sure about this) is easy.
> >
> >
> >
> > What I want to do is have a PC (with a few more *cheapish*
serial
> > ports), take the IR signal and depending on what it is, issue
a
> > definable serial command over a selected serial port i.e. IR code
X
> > received - Serial command string Y issued over serial port Z.
> >
> >
> >
> > Any thoughts on the PC software/hardware needed?
> >
> >
> >
> > Paul.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
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