What exactly does the UIRT do, and how can it help me?

[oe1k]

As my page on building the UIRT1 ( http://www.ida.net/users/oe1k/uirt/uirt.htm ) says, www.newark.com and www.digikey.com were good suppliers of electronics parts for me last year. (They are both based in the USA, so Canada should be fine for shipping.)

The parts shown on my page (nice pictures of each part) were almost all from Newark, but right now Newark doesn't seem to have the PIC16F84 or IR receivers anymore.
From digikey:
PIC16F84-10/P is US$7.38/each (works up to 10MHz, so can do either)
PIC16F84A-04/P is US$5.63/each (4MHz rated, and the 'A' means nothing)
I can't find the TSOP1738 here anymore. (discontinued by manufacturer and the supply here has run out). They were like US$1.75/each, I think.
PNA4602M IR-receiver is US$1.53/each (a 'newer type' IR-reciever, 38KHz)
IS1U621L IR-receiver is US$2.03/each (another 'newer type' one, 38KHz)
ECS-100-S-1 10MHz Crystal is US$0.64/each (the DALE XT49U 10MHz from newark is US$0.45/each)
Ceramic resonators may be cheaper and should work fine.
IR LED's should be like US$0.25/each
Last year, everything was slightly cheaper, and from newark mostly.

This should give you some price guides. Good luck!
-richard

[Wykat]

Hi,

I started to write on the AVSforum, but maybe it's better to answer in this forum because I believe more people are following the discussions about the UIRT2 and may have become a little confussed :wink:

I am not using any redhat device (Where did I write that :-? ), I'm only using the UIRT2 (bracket version) together with Netremote. That's all.

The UIRT2 is a further development of the original UIRT (Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter) as developed by http://people.a2000.nl/rwvgesse/ . As you can see on the picture it has both a receiver and 2 IR LEDs for transmission. I've build this version (UIRT) myself but I was never able to get the transmitters to work :cry: . So since the UIRT2 also allowed power on via remote control I bought 2 UIRT2 (bracket) PCB's from Luc (http://users.skynet.be/sky50985/).

What I've answered in the AVSforum is how I used Netremote to Have Girder/UIRT2 to control my VCR (just a quick test setup).

Netremote is able to send (and hopefully also receive for me :oops: ) commands via Wireless LAN to Girder. So you can use for instance a PDA with Pronto CCF to send "PLAY" and "STOP" commands to Girder. Then you have Girder with the UIRT plugin (I would propose to rename it to UIRT2 plugin) to send an IR signal via the UIRT2.

Please note that the bracket design of the UIRT2 does not have any receiver or transmitter onboard. It uses 3 connectors; 1 for the receiver and 2 for transmitters. Luc includes all parts with exception of the cable. The nice thing is that you have a very small receiver (basically the thickness of your cable :lol: ) and transmitter. The UIRT2 also has a connection to the serial port (cable included) to send commands to Girder or to (re)program the UIRT2 inline.

The standard configuration of the UIRT2 is made to use the WOL feature. This connection allows you to power on your PC via remote and provides the required +5V also in standby to the UIRT2 receiver. In the UIRT plugin you can program with which IR command you want the UIRT2 to power on your PC. (Only thing I have still not resolved is how to recover from hybernate).

Since transmitting IR codes with the UIRT2 is controlled by Girder (with plugin), you can only transmit with the UIRT2 when the PC is running.

Hope everything is clear. If not just ask :wink:

I believe that the combination Netremote/UIRT2 provides the ultimate platform for a user friendly HTPC.

Wykat

[Wykat]

Robin is completely right. The UIRT2 does work and uses plugable cables for the receiver and transmitters.

Wykat :wink:

avsforum == www.avsforum.com. There is a subtopic about HTPC (Home Theater PC's). For German speaking people there is www.beisammen.de .

[Wykat]

I have no confirmation yet, but it seems that (at least) the receiver needs some 'good' cabling'. My original receiver with approx 2M cable running accross a lot of emitting devices such as speakers, AV links, etc. didn't work. I replaced it with a better (shielded) cable of approx 1.5 meters and different receiver and that's working fine. Since I've replaced length, cable type and receiver type, I'm not sure yet which has the biggest influence :oops: .

There are too many things going on simultaneously that I've not experimented with the receiver cable :cry: . However the present one works :wink:

Wykat

[Wykat]

np. :D . It took me less then an hour to get netremote working and everything was new to me (e.g. ccf files)

Wykat

[Robin]

To the best of my knowledge the bracket design of the UIRT2(b) is simply using the PC's case as a housing ... it doesn't plug in to any PCI / ISA slots ... do not mistake this for a PC add on card, it's still connected via a PC serial port and will require other connections to be made for full functionality.

I personally use a variant of the UIRT1/2 ... it's Jon Rhees version without in-circuit programming ... so that the receiver / transmitters (and a couple of LED's / Power switch over-ride) are all neatly housed in one box.

[Robin]

Marsupial,

I believe the UIRT2(b) Bracket design DOES come with the IR Receiver & Transmitters, they're just not hard-wired to it ... there wouldn't be much point in having an IR receiver/transmitter on the BACK of a PC would there ? :lol:

It also contains all parts for the ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming) so the PIC can be programmed, and you won't need one pre-programmed (although I believe Luc sends it out with Jon Rhees' v1.7 firmware already loaded)

AND IT DOES WORK (at least it's predecessor does ... I've got one !)

[Robin]

It's called Bracket because it comes mounted on a PC card bracket (the type that cover the expansion slots in the back of the PC)

If you don't necessarily want it in the back of the PC the UIRT2(a) is an external device that can be put into the box of your choice !

Luc has a web-page devoted to these things, he'd be the best person to ask for confirmation / availability.

[Robin]

Marsupial: As Dizzy49 states, Luc's site is http://users.skynet.be/sky50985/

Dizzy49: Yes, to transmit IR you use IR LED's ... I don't know how long the original wires are, but you should be able to extend them to whatever length you need ... the only side effect is that longer lengths of wire have a (minimally) higher resistance, so you may find that the transmission range is reduced.

As my UIRT can transmit in excess of 5m anyway, I doubt you'll notice.

Just as a side issue ... my HTPC (and IR emitters) are on a shelf level with my VCR / Satellite box under the TV ... all three respond to reflected IR from the other side of the room (about 6m round trip).

You may not need (or want) that long lead after all.

[PGPfan@work]

Sean,

The device that you are referring to is a "RedRat" and it is basically a slightly less capable, commercial version of what the UIRT2 is.

Universal Infra-Red Transciever (UIRT) version 2

Transceiver is a 'transmitter/receiver' in one. The UIRT2 is able to power on the HTPC also, which the RedRat (to the best of my knowledge) cannot do.

You can use IR or serial to control the UIRT2, and it will then 'broadcast' IR to other equipment for control of those also, so the touchpad application should work just fine providing it can communicate with the UIRT2 via serial or IR.

Hope this answers your questions.

-PGPfan

[dizzy49]

I was reading a forum in AVS about some remote hardware/software etc, and I was given a couple links to some UIRTs. I believe the one I was looking at was UIRT2. What exactly does this do?

I have a remote control program I run on a touchpad computer. It is on a wireless network. Untimatly I want to be able to hit a button on it, launch a command in Girder (which it does already) to control my PC. The catch is, I also want to be able to use it to control my other A/V equipment. I was looking into an IR Blaster to help accomplish it. Someone also sent me a link to Redhat I think. Price diff is hefty, the redhat is nearly twice as much. Wykat on AVS has this setup working. He uses Netremote to control his VCR, and it's going through Girder, to the UIRT2, and his Redhat.

Can someone please explain how this works, and what part the UIRT2 actually plays in this, because I have read all kinds of stuff and I just don't get it. About the only useful thing I have found and understand is I can power it on with a remote.

Thanks!

Sean

------
I plead ignorance. I'm a guy, I can do that.

[dizzy49]

Actually, that does answer alot of my questions. I'm not sure why Wykat is using the redhat AND the UIRT2, but I'll ask him that.

The touchpad remote controls girder. So the UIRT2 needs to be able to be controlled by Girder, which it sounds like it is.

I was checking out the UIRT2 Version B, was a slot UIRT2 design. If I want to send IR to it, I suppose I need to hook up an IR receiver. I have an Airboard reciever, as well as a received for the MyHD. I have a DIGN case on it's way, I hope to be able to use that.

My biggest question was, where is the transmitter? The designs look like they go into the case. How is the IR then transmitted outside of it to the components? I didn't see anything that looked like an external transmitter.

Thanks for your reply PGPfan!

Sean
---------------------
I plead ignorance, I'm a guy, I can do that.

[dizzy49]

Okay, I just ordered my assembled UIRT2 Version B (Yeah, I'm lazy) from http://users.skynet.be/sky50985/ It says,

Kits and assembled units contain all parts on the PCB except the external wiring, they do have the DB9 and an extender cable (9pin male/female) to the serial port. For the bracket version 2 stereo jacks, IR receiver and 2 IR led's are included but would not be wired.
The 2 IR led's, I assume are the emitters? If so, how long are the cables? I'm wondering if http://www.smarthome.com/8174.html would work with it to give me a very long cable. My HTPC will be sitting in my A/V cabinet, so I would need to get the emitter around somewhere so it's pointed towards everything, so they can actually pick up the signals.

Thanks for the prompt, and very thourough(sp?) replies!! :)

Sean

[dizzy49]

Well the basement is about 30ft long, so I don't think I could bounce it. I may be able to put it on the top of my av cabinet and point it downwards. I'll have to experiment :)

Thanks for the great ideas, and information. Now I just need to wait for the UIRT and start playing :)

Wykat, you'll probably get a PM from me with some questions on how to start if I can't figure it out :)

Sean

[kari]

...the IR receiver (the one I got looks like a LED, with only 2 connectors, is it possible??) ...

I'm afraid not. You probably have an IR detecting photodiode or phototransistor, but the device you need also has demodulation and stuff built-in. I can recommend the Vishay-Telefunken TSOP1738 from my own experience.

I got my components (detector, PIC and crystal) from a local Farnell agent. I don't know if they operate in Canada.

-Kári.

[Marsupial]

Hi guys!

I somehow got interested in the uirt lately, and have found plans to one inboard programmable uirt. what exactly is the difference between uirt and uirt2?

then, any built uirt would be interfacable with girder?

Since I have a remote on my PC, my roommates want one in the living room (mp3 & divx), so I intend to build one tranceiver. question is: which one, where can I get documentation...

thanks a lot.

[Marsupial]

Thanks Wykat

Did I understood that luc's UIRT2 bracket does not include the emmitor and transmittor? then how come it is a tranceiver????????? I don't get it.

the page you are reffering is the one I was looking at. so you're saying it's not working? that's bad. I wanted to program my pic without any special device... What if I don't have a pic programmer and don't want to have one? is there anyway to get a preprogrammed pic?

Is there ANY website that document this???

as for AVSforum, I don't even know what it is.

anyhow, thanks.

[Marsupial]

Thanks robin!
(wow that was fast!)

Ok now I get it (sorry my english is not as good as I want it to be, some insight I just don't understand)
So the bracket one has the tranceiver on the wire. sounds just perfect. and it is on-board programmable. This sounds like the piece of hardware I am looking for.

why is it called "bracket" ?

Real question, how do we get one?

thanks a lot guys!!!

[Marsupial]

Ok, where do I find luc's webpage???

please!!!

thanks

[Marsupial]

Hey thanks guys, the website your referred to is quite straight forward.

I decided to build the UIRT2a. I don't quite need to house it to the computer... I still have a sugestion for further modificaion on this model: why bother having db9 cable? since it is INSIDE the computer, you could hook it directly to the on-board serial port, without conversion to DB9...?

Anyhow, I went to Addison's and bought *about* all I needed. (Still need the PIC :( - anyone know where I can get one (in montreal) - and the IR receiver (the one I got looks like a LED, with only 2 connectors, is it possible??) ) BUT: I didn't find either 4 or 10 Mhz cristals. would a 3.9999940Mhz cristal work fine or I need to get some other?

[Marsupial]

Thanks Kari!

that's what I tought, but didn't have any specs. (that's the trouble with Addison. It cost virtually nothing, but you lack the specs.)

Question: Where do I find a stupid crystal? seams evey single place I check don't have any 10Mhz. I'll have either to use this weird HUGE 3.9999940 Mhz (still 6 hz off ) or get one from a defective component. :(

I'd order the PIC, but I prefer knowing what crystal I'll be using.

[Marsupial]

I checked for Farnell.

In Canada and USA, they refer to UK. Therefore not that good.
I still need a 10Mhz crystal. I guess I'll dismount my pager ;)

[Marsupial]

Thanks oe1k!

I had figured out Digikey, but I never have found any partnumbers for the crystals... :(
I have my order placed. Thanks a lot!

[Marsupial]

Maybe I missed someting, but as far as I understood the plans I've been looking at, they're all Plain serial - NO USB.... (Standard RS-232 via DB9)

therefore you should not have any problems using the UIRT or UIRT2 you would build.

I have read somewhere about plans to make the UIRT on a PS2 port, tought. but no USB.

[DCypher]

Thanks for this great discussion. This is just what I was looking for! Just ordered my UIRT2 B assembled (yeah, i'm lazy too).

Looking forward to remoting my HTPC and diving into the world of Girder.

Jeff

[Nazghul]

Hi, maybe this is a little of topic but anyways.

I want to know if it's posible to use UIRT throug a USB to Serial adapter, I live in Mexico an currently I'm using an analog modem to connect to the net, also I have a very, very old Palmtop (HP Omnigo 100 :P) that does not support USB connection, so as you can see I'm limited in the ussage of a real Serial port.

Thanks for your answer.
Nazghul