netarc
October 13th, 2002, 02:55 PM
I've been dreaming about putting together the *ideal* HT user interface. IMO, the qualities important to a successful system would include:
- Extremely customizable[/list]
- Control over every A/V component (including mega-changers)
- Ease of use (i.e., WAF ;) )
- Minimal line-of-sight/distance issues
- Doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
It seems to me an ideal solution may present itself in the integration of UIRT2, Girder, NetRemote and perhaps even DVDLobby (the latter specifically for DVD megachanger control). It would go something like this (where "-->" means "controls")...
General functionality (e.g., turn on TV, volume up, etc):
NetRemote --> Girder --> UIRT2 --> A/V components
Controlling DVD megachanger (e.g., load and play slot 32):
NetRemote --> DVDLobby --> Girder --> UIRT2 --> A/V components
The setup I'm thinking about would use NetRemote (on an Ipaq) to control (via ethernet, to remove line of sight issues) DVDLobby, which in turn would launch/use a Girder command to talk to the UIRT2 device to send out IR commands (via IR "chicklets" in line-of-sight with each a/v device) to the A/V components.
What do you folks think ... is this feasible?
Assuming I haven't missed anything, there are still a couple of unknowns, mainly around UIRT2:
How does the UIRT2 system "learn" IR codes? Or must/can one enter in a Discrete IR code? Or both?
What software is used on the PC to interface with the UIRT2? Or is it completely controlled by Girder & the Girder/UIRT2 plugin?
The UIRT2 device has connections for 2x IR outputs and 1x IR receiver. With the system I described above, the receiver wouldn't be used (since the user is originating all commands using NetRemote via ethernet. However, it may be the case that more than 2x IR outputs are necessary ... is there anything like an "IR Splitter" than can be used w/the UIRT2?
- Extremely customizable[/list]
- Control over every A/V component (including mega-changers)
- Ease of use (i.e., WAF ;) )
- Minimal line-of-sight/distance issues
- Doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
It seems to me an ideal solution may present itself in the integration of UIRT2, Girder, NetRemote and perhaps even DVDLobby (the latter specifically for DVD megachanger control). It would go something like this (where "-->" means "controls")...
General functionality (e.g., turn on TV, volume up, etc):
NetRemote --> Girder --> UIRT2 --> A/V components
Controlling DVD megachanger (e.g., load and play slot 32):
NetRemote --> DVDLobby --> Girder --> UIRT2 --> A/V components
The setup I'm thinking about would use NetRemote (on an Ipaq) to control (via ethernet, to remove line of sight issues) DVDLobby, which in turn would launch/use a Girder command to talk to the UIRT2 device to send out IR commands (via IR "chicklets" in line-of-sight with each a/v device) to the A/V components.
What do you folks think ... is this feasible?
Assuming I haven't missed anything, there are still a couple of unknowns, mainly around UIRT2:
How does the UIRT2 system "learn" IR codes? Or must/can one enter in a Discrete IR code? Or both?
What software is used on the PC to interface with the UIRT2? Or is it completely controlled by Girder & the Girder/UIRT2 plugin?
The UIRT2 device has connections for 2x IR outputs and 1x IR receiver. With the system I described above, the receiver wouldn't be used (since the user is originating all commands using NetRemote via ethernet. However, it may be the case that more than 2x IR outputs are necessary ... is there anything like an "IR Splitter" than can be used w/the UIRT2?