I just built my new "beast" over the weekend.


Two of the things I still want to do with it are....

1) Sync my Mobile Phone and Palm V via infrared
2) Control Winamp with my infrared TV remote

My motherboard comes with an IRDA adapter on it, but no cable or receiver.

Questions....

1) Are these two different devices? The Infrared for hotsync typically works from a foot away, while infrared multimedia controllers need to work from across the room.
2) If these are two different devices, will the infrared signals interfere with each other?
3) What are some good hardware devices that I can use with my motherboard, serial, or USB ports?

Thanks for the help!

 

IR acts like a serial port. That means only one program on your PC can access the port at once. that means you'd need to stop winamp to hotsync, and stop hotsync to winamp.

does palm allow IRDA hotsyncing now? shows how much i've been paying attention

 

1) The distance that the IR devices work at are due to the strenght of the diodes in them and the type of lens in front of the receiver. PDAs have weaker diodes and usually no lens on the receiver because you are near the computer. Multimedia controller have stronger leds that have high launch levels and the recievers usually have a lens on them to increase the distance...because I wanna sit on the couch when I flick channels.

2) The signals should not interfere with each other as they are coded, but what josh3io said.

Hope this helps.

 

I've played around a bit with a program called "girder". It allows you to control any event on your PC via infrared remote. Very cool and very free. They even have plugins for WinAmp and Musicmatch.

http://www.girder.nl/

I haven't used an IRDA port on my system (because I don't have one), but I did get a breakout box style IR receiver called the "IRman" from Evation (http://www.evation.com/irman/index.html). That was the lazy route - apparently you can build an IR receiver for less than $5 with Radio Shack parts.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DaveZ
[B]I've played around a bit with a program called "girder".

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DJ Qube
[B]

I looked at the IRman, too.

 

a little bit on the work unsafe side don't you think?

 

IRDA != consumer IR (ie a 'remote'). IRMan, redrat, or a homebuilt reciever - coupled with girder - will do exactly what you want. For even more ideas on what you can do with a PC and a remote check out this forum from my other obsession -

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdispla...p?s=&forumid=26

I personally use an X10 MouseRemote (because it's RF and my HTPC is on another floor in my house) with Girder and I can do pretty much anything I want with the push of a button (still haven't found that 'Make Hot Redhead come to my door' button though).