Slink-e Plug-in

[Ron]

Okay short explanation :smile:

The configuration of this plugin is done in the hardware tab.

To make the SlinkE send IR events to girder you have to make an .cde file ( or use the predefined ones ) that support TX AND RX. (TX/RX) for every remote.

Lets say we have 2 remotes a pioneer remote and a philips remote, with the corresponding pioneer.cde and philips.cde files. Both remotes will be using the normal IR-Port 0 receiver.

When you first open the configuration you'll find a predefined settings called "Pioneer" change this name with modify to anything you like. But since we have a pioneer we'll leave it at that.

Set the devicefile to the pioneer.cde ( include the path )

If you only have 1 SlinkE you can leave "Device ID" and "SlinkE" number both at 1.

(You could press okay now and test it via "F9", advised )

Now press "Add", give Philips as name ( these have to be unique)

Set the same options as for the pioneer.

Click okay.

Disable input devices, enable input devices.

Now things should work.


If it doesn't send yet via the commandline interface that is possible, but rest assured i'm working hard on the software side of things.

-Ron





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RonB on 2001-05-14 18:04 ]</font>

[Ron]

with "Both remotes will be using the normal IR-Port 0 receiver." I mean that the IR-Zone 0 will be used ( port and zone are interchangable in the API of the SlinkE ) So if you check IR-Port 0, the SlinkE server will listen AND send on IR-Port 0.

does that make sense ?

[Ron]

I released a new version of the SlinkE plugin (0.9) it can now receive AND send codes. This is the nearly finished plugin. Just a few cosmetic things need to be handled. So try it out!!! (Its on the download page)

[Ron]

If the Jukebox uses the SlinkE Server then it should be okay. The girder driver was programmed for cooperation.... now its up to the other apps to do this also.

-Ron

[Ron]

Steve,

I have to correct you on 1 little point, the SlinkE driver in Girder is an INPUT and OUTPUT driver. Thus you should be able to use the SlinkE as an 'irman' !! If this doesn't work then there is something wrong. Cause it worked when I tested it. So there should be no need for a separate IRman.

-Ron

[Ron]

Hmm,.. I'll hook up the SlinkE tonight and squash that bug!

-Ron

[Ron]

Steve,

I just checked the SlinkE driver, and it seems to work without problems. Could you double check that you are using the correct IR-port. Also could you check what version of the SlinkE server you are using.

Thanks

[Ron]

I need slinkE server but also the ActiveX control (slinkx.ocx) could you send me

slinkeprx.dll
slinkx.ocx
slinkeserv.exe

As a side note can you add remote signals to the device files via E-Z learn ?

-Ron

[Ron]

I've tried it and it works for me,... even with remotes that i didn't teach. I guess you enabled the input devices... (F9) This is a complete mistery to me...

[Ron]

Next time you see me slap me!


DEAL! :grin:

[Ron]

Hmmm... seems i forgot to include the SlinkE driver in the Pre3, i'll upload it separately. (Its there now)

About the green and red buttons:

There are 2 the First Marked "L" is a link to some external information (manufacterer or author of driver)
The second ,"I", displays the file size and MD5 checksum of the file. With this you can check if you got the original.

Now if the button is green it means there is additional info, if its red there is no additional info.

Let the mouse hover over the image, a tooltip should appear with the meaning of the button too.

Goodnight, i'm powering down :grin:


ps. Webpage work,.. hell yeah. Try making IE/Mozilla/Netscape render correctly while sticking with the HTML 4.0.1 standard... now that is fun.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RonB on 2001-05-26 00:02 ]</font>

[SteveV]

Hi Ron,

Rather than being buried in the 3.023 Pre 1 topic, I thought this important subject deserved a new thread :wink:

Anyway, I had a couple of minutes this morning to try out the new Slink-e hardware plugin. I enabled the plugin and created 3 devices: tv, 6000ird, and avrcvr and browsed to the appropriate device file for each. Other settings: Slink-e Number: 1; Ports: IR Port 0 and IR Port 1 are checked.

Initially, I thought that each "Device Name" would need a unique "Device ID". As such, I assigned ID #1 to tv, ID #2 to 6000ird, and ID #3 to avrcvr.

When I disabled/enabled the SLinke device I received "Error SlinkE AddDevice" error messages.

OK, maybe the devices don't need unique ID's, so I set all 3 device ID's to #1. Disabled/Enabled the SlinkE Girder device and the error messages are gone and the Nirvis Slink-e Server shows 3 Dev(ices), 1 User, and 1 Obj(ect)--so far so good.

When I try to send an IR command using the command line interface via Girder's execute action** nothing happens.

**FYI: I have the following entries in...
File: c:progra~1nirvisSlinkXslcmd.exe
Step Size: send tv:source

If I run the following command from a DOS window I get the following error:

--SNIP--
C:WINDOWSDesktop>c:progra~1nirvisSlinkXslcmd.exe send tv:source
tv is not a known device name
--SNIP--

In looking at the Slink-e Server IR 0 and IR 1 listings, the 3 devices are present and all of the commands defined within the device file are listed.

What have I missed?

Thanks -- Steve

[SteveV]

Ron,

I'm jumping the gun--I'll let you finish your work on the software plugin before I try to make it work :smile:

One last question regarding your statement: "Both remotes will be using the normal IR-Port 0 receiver." Do you mean IR-Port 0 Emitter? I was under the assumption that the IR Port 0 - IR Port 7 listed in Girder's SLinkE Hardware plugin settings were for IR Out. Is this not the case?

If not, will there be a means of assigning which port the IR OUT is routed to? OK, that was 2 questions :wink:

Regards -- Steve

[SteveV]

Got it -- Thanks

[SteveV]

Thanks Ron--I'll try to play with it tonight.

--Steve

[SteveV]

Ron,

You're a genius! The Slink-e driver works perfectly. I'm now using Girder and the Slink-e to switch my TV's video inputs; something that was absolutely impossible to do prior to Girder [reg] functions and Slink-e support.

Thanks a million!

Steve

[SteveV]

Hi Eric,

Girder's Slink-e plugin is a *software* driver and as such does not need a serial port to connect to the Slink-e.

In order to react to incoming IR signals, Girder needs a seperate IR receiver such as the inexpensive ($35) Irman (http://www.evation.com/irman)

I have this very setup and it works exceedingly well. Slink-e is setup on Com1 and Irman on Com2. Everything plays together nicely :smile:

I can't comment on CDJ operation with Girder as I'm still waiting for my 400 disk sony changer to arrive. I can't see any reason why Girder would cause any issues with CDJ however.

Hope this helps -- Steve

[SteveV]

Ron beat me to the punch again--by 5 seconds this time :razz:

Regarding the Slinke Server: yes CDJ does use it. And since Slink-e Server handle multiple devices/users/objects it shouldn't be an issue.

Regards -- Steve

[SteveV]

Eric,

I'm sure Ron will answer this more accurately, but in the meantime here's what I know (or think I know). The Slink-e receiver is not currently used by Girder in the sense that there is no way to teach Girder to execute a Command or MultiGroup based on an IR signal received by the Slink-e. In other words; Girder can send IR Out via the Slink-e but can't do anything with Slink-e's IR In.

I'm not sure what, if anything Ron has up his sleeve regarding this aspect. As far as I'm concerned the only downside to having to use the irman in conjunction to the Slink-e is the loss of one serial port.

Keep in mind, however, that you'll need the Slink-e's IR Receiver if you plan to have Slink-e control a CD Changer via CDJ. In this case, you'll use CDJ's map file to define what CDJ is to do when it receives a specific IR signal.

Also bear in mind that you'll also need to create (or use existing) device files for each piece of equipment you want to control with Slink-e. This is fairly easy to do using Nirvis' EZ Learn software. When you set up Girder to work with the Slink-e, you'll be telling which device files to use and later selecting codes from these same device files when you want to send IR signals.

In essence, Girder's SLinkE plugin allows using Girder to send out IR signals and *should* allow sending X10 signals via the X10 CM11a interface. Note that I haven't tried the Cm11a portion out yet but suspect this should work given that Slink-e's X10 commands use a device file similar to IR device files. I won't be able to test this until next week as my 2 month old Philips HDTV died unexpectedly last week :evil: . The service guy had to order parts and I'll be down at least until Wednesday. Since my HTPC is connected to this set, I'm also without my Girder/Slink-e machine unless I haul a monitor over there.

I hope this helps -- Steve

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SteveV on 2001-05-22 23:14 ]</font>

[SteveV]

Ron,

My bad--I didn't realize the SLinkE plugin could do this :oops: .

After reading your post, I relocated my Slink-e to my office PC and I tried getting the receive function to work--no luck. I can't teach Girder any commands using the "Learn Event" button. Girder just sits there displaying "Waiting for IR code" in the status bar. I've tried a variety of remotes without success.

Everything appears to be setup properly; the Slink-e enables properly and I can send IR commands.

Also, the only selection available in the combo box near the "Learn Event" button is "All". Should this have an entry for Slink-e?

FYI: I'm using 3.0.23 Pre2 and SlinkE driver version .91.

Regards -- Steve

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SteveV on 2001-05-23 02:24 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SteveV on 2001-05-23 02:25 ]</font>

[SteveV]

Ron,

I'm using IR ports 0 and 1. Slink-e Server version is 1.32 Build 664 (05/15/01).

The Slink-e Server is probably the culprit. I was having slinkeserv.exe crashing problems when the Slink-e saw lots of incoming IR activity. Nirvis created this new build to eliminate this issue. :sad:

I have a copy of the new slinkeserv.exe if you need it.

Regards -- Steve

[SteveV]

Ron,

You've got mail...

Yup, EZ Learn works fine and CDJ appears to be receiving commands OK--weird

Regards -- Steve

[SteveV]

Ron,

Next time you see me slap me! :oops:

All along I've been trying to get this to work using one remote. You'd think I'd know better. For some strange reason this remote doesn't work with with the Slink-e via Girder but does using EZ Learn and CDJ--go figure. Anyway, I tried some other remotes and everything appears to work as it should. Sorry to have put you through testing this for nothing.

Regards -- Steve

[SteveV]

Eric,

It does appear to be missing in action. I just downloaded pre3 and it is not included in the zip file. As far as I know the latest Slinke plugin version is .91. I'd be happy to email you a copy if you need it.

As far as the red and green leds go; looks like Ron's been doing some web site work. I'm sure he'll let us know what it all means shortly :wink:

Let me know -- Steve

[Mark F]

It appears you can click on the green ones but not the red ones. The L seems to stand for "Link" and the I for "Information".

[eric j]

Quick question. One attraction of the Slink-E is its CDJ software, controlling SLink devices such as CD jukeboxes.

Does anyone know if CDJ and Girder gracefully share the same com port? That is does the Slink-E plugin and CDJ have a way of addressing the Slink-E gracefully?
Thanks

[eric j]

Thanks much to Ron and Steve. Good news and quick! I have one question about the recieving IR and the Slink-e. According to specs the Slink-e has a built in IR reciever:
-----------
IR receiver built into the unit
40kHz carrier frequency (works from ~35-45kHz) - others available
--------------
I have and very much like my ir-man, but wonder by the built-in IR receiver is problematic?

I'm going to go ahead with the order in any case, but just wondered what I was missing.

Eric

[eric j]

Ron and Steve:
Thank you both for all your help. I will relay my experiences after the Slink-E arrives.

[eric j]

I'm sure its just my ageing eyes, but try as I might, I don't see the slinkE plug in on the download page. Did it wander?
[found under developer for source,
and the binary is in the 3.023PRE2 prerelease, but don't see it in the PRE3 prerelease]

Also, a quick question, what do the led (green and red) mean on the download page?

Thanks so much!

Eric

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: eric j on 2001-05-25 21:38 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: eric j on 2001-05-25 21:49 ]</font>

[eric j]

Ron and Steve:
Thanks for all the help. Slink-e has arrived and seems to work very well, quite compatible with CDJ, Nirvis's slink control for CD jukeboxes. Quite a setup.
In fact, if you load the low-level device for the slinke plugin you will see all activity going to the cd changer, even if you don't affect it.
As I explore more, I'll let you know, but things seem quite smooth.
Eric

[drbenson]

Eyes are glazed over from reading Nirvis and Girder help files and forums, and I gotta be missing something. I can't seem to get Slink-e to pass what it receives to Girder.

Here are the details: I am using MX-500 remotes from Home Theater Master. I would like to control programs on my HTPC by using the preprogrammed codes in the remote (eg- use codes for Pioneer DVD player to control Theater Tek).

I have been using IR codes learned from my Airboard and hotkeys in the programs, but as number of programs grows, I'm finding it hard to find unique keys, especially since combo keys (alt- ctrl-) don't learn reliably. I can get the Slink-e to do events triggered by the Girder plugin, so it's outputting through the emitters, but when I try to Learn Event, Girder just waits forever, receiving nothing.

I have an IR receiver plugged into a 4-emitter Xantec type system. The Slink-e Zone 1 is wired into the 4-block, and the Slink-e IR input has an emitter attached to it. I know the remotes are putting out signal and Slink-e is seeing them, since I can see waveforms in EZ Learn. The missing link seems to be getting the events to Girder.

I gotta be missing something simple. Help!

[K-Wood]

It's probably a mistake to reply from the office on the basis of memory, but it sounds like all you're trying to do is to get Slinke to pass IR through to Girder, i.e., to act as an IR receiver. I saw a post somewhere (can't find it) that described how to do this. As I recall, it involved using the SlinkeServ application to match up the IR receiver port to the IR out port on the Slinke. In other words, the software would simply route IR received by the Slinke out to another port on the Slinke. I believe that this also would enable the Slinke to pass IR to Girder.

You should definitely do a search on the Nirvis Yahoo list on setting up Slinke as an IR receiver.

Check it out here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nirvislist/.

- Ken

[drbenson]

Thanks K-Wood. I've done the Nirvis search, tried to wade through the hundreds of resulting posts without finding that one. :(