Creative Labs Serial Multimedia IR Remote Control for PC Only $7.95 @ Compgeeks

[Heifetz]

How did you create a macro to simulate "ctrl-enter"? I would like to do that to make media player go full screen, but it seems that you can't simulate that combo.


I've also found a good setup as far as switching between programs. What you do is make a macro group called switch programs, and you create group macros to switch to different programs from key presses. But because they're group macro, they can be any key which is not used as a general macro. So far, I have media player, winamp and wintv setup as 1 2 3. So as long as I'm in the switch program group, I can just press 1, 2 or 3 to switch to the corresponding groups. Now you want to set up a general macro so switch into your switch programs group, so that you can switch to it from any program. Also set that macro as your startup macro, so when IRassistant starts up, it automatically goes into that group.


So what this means is that it only takes 2 keystrokes to switch to any program that you have configured, and you can do that using simple buttons, instead of combos (which don't work well) It is working great for me so far.

I haven't had any programs switching between 2 actively running programs (wintv and winamp) and I've set up all my program specific macros as "specific program" and I select the executible and leave the caption blank. Not sure if you guys are doing the same thing as me, but it works fine for me.


Heifetz

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: hotwin
I have problems with the irassitant.
1. When I have wmp 7 running(I set it as button 3) and winamp in the background(Button 1). it looks like that I cannot bring the winamp back to foreground to control it, I pressed button 1 for sure. It is ok when I try the similar thing with cd player and winamp .

Based on the input in this thread, it looks like the problem is WMP, any version. I'm still hopeful that mouse emulation can save the day, and thanks to Heifetz's VERY helpful idea, it's possible to set the number pad keys now to test this (for those setting up their remotes like i have).

2. Each time when I close the irassitant, it crashs , the error message is "the instruction at 0x0153453" refrenced memory at "0x0153453" .the memory cannot be read". I have to click the same message box 8 time ,then another error message box pop up said" the exception unknow occured.....", then the program closed. It happens all the times, even when I shut down the win2k when the program is running, it happens too.

That one, it looks like superfob99's advice is the best, as I only get crashes like that when I try to create new macros while it's activated, not when I shut it down.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: superfob99

Originally posted by: Dran


Okay, I hate to do this because I know it's annoying, but I'm going to ask this question just so I can have a perfectly clear understanding of what's happening: After you press 2 to start WMP, do you press 1 to return to Winamp, and nothing happens? That is, you press 1 to start Winamp, then press 2 to start WMP, and when you press 1 again, instead of bringing Winamp to the front and returning control of the remote to that, it just stops responding?

Yes that's exactly what happens. It won't return control of Winamp nor will it allow me to do anything to WMP.

Well, it looks like it's just an incompatability between WMP and IRAssistant. I do find it odd that IRAssistant appears to work admirably with everything else, but WMP gives it so much hassle. Especially when it's just emulating keys.

I've switched back to the original program that it shipped with. Its not too much of a hassle to change to the program I want to use it with.

I just couldn't live without WinTV functionality. That was 90% of why I bought the remote.

To everyone who's trying to get winamp to work in the background, use a hotkey general plug-in and use IRAssistant to map those keys. For instance, I have ctrl alt z, to goto previous track, ctrl alt x, to play and so on and so. These controls work even if winamp is minimized so when you map them to buttons on your remote they work the same way.

Now that's just brilliant. Where can we get the plug-in? It's a Winamp general purpose plug-in, right?

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: Heifetz
How did you create a macro to simulate "ctrl-enter"? I would like to do that to make media player go full screen, but it seems that you can't simulate that combo.

There're three checkboxes right under the Keys list in the macro creation dialogue. Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. Just select Enter, then click on the Ctrl box (it's grayed out until you select a key), and it'll add it as Ctrl+Enter.

It doesn't work (what's up with WMP anyway? it launches multiple copies, when it launches at all, it doesn't respond to anything but play/pause, if it responds at all...), but that's how you set it up.

I've also found a good setup as far as switching between programs. What you do is make a macro group called switch programs, and you create group macros to switch to different programs from key presses. But because they're group macro, they can be any key which is not used as a general macro. So far, I have media player, winamp and wintv setup as 1 2 3. So as long as I'm in the switch program group, I can just press 1, 2 or 3 to switch to the corresponding groups. Now you want to set up a general macro so switch into your switch programs group, so that you can switch to it from any program. Also set that macro as your startup macro, so when IRassistant starts up, it automatically goes into that group.

So what this means is that it only takes 2 keystrokes to switch to any program that you have configured, and you can do that using simple buttons, instead of combos (which don't work well) It is working great for me so far.

This is absolutely fantastic. You just gave me back the ability to select specific channels, instead of surfing only. Start button selects the program switching macro, and number pad inside the program switching group to launch individual programs (or mouse control, which i also have now thanks to this switching system).

Excellent idea, and thank you VERY much for sharing it with us. It's definitely a big help, since it allows us to set a single button to control the program you're in (about time Start had a use!) and frees up the rest of the buttons for controlling those programs, AND well worth the minimal effort of pressing two buttons instead of one.

 

[superfob99]

Here's where you can find the hotkey plugin.
Text

 

[aceO07]

Is IRAssistant better than Girder3? I've noticed a lot of the recent posts were questions about IRAssistant. I'm just curious if I'm missing out on something great. I'm also too lazy to try it out right now, since I already have girder3 working.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: superfob99
Here's where you can find the hotkey plugin.
Text

Thanks superfob99. Very useful addition to the whole setup.

I started using Heifetz's method of group switching last night, and I have to say, it's VERY good. But I think I've managed to improve on it slightly. For each Close Program macro I have for each of my programs, I added a command to switch back to the switching group. Now I'm back to pressing a single button to launch programs, but still have full access to all the buttons in each and every program. ALL the credit for that addition goes back to Heifetz, because it most certainly never would've occured to me if he hadn't posted.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: aceO07
Is IRAssistant better than Girder3? I've noticed a lot of the recent posts were questions about IRAssistant. I'm just curious if I'm missing out on something great. I'm also too lazy to try it out right now, since I already have girder3 working.

I don't think either program is really better or worse than the other, it's just a matter of which one got more coverage in the thread. People like things to be easy, and all the feedback on IRAssistant has made it easy to figure out and use. If we'd started out using Girder and posting suggestions and how-to's, we'd
very likely all be using that and wondering how IRAssistant worked in comparison.

If you're curious, installing IRAssistant shouldn't have any negative impact on Girder, so you should be able to have a look at it yourself (as i plan to do with Girder... when i stop finding nifty new ways to make IRAssistant work better. so many ideas, so many things to try!).

 

[ChefJoe]

Heh... is there a config file you can share with us Dran? I'm a lazy, lazy guy and am thinking of sticking with the provided software simply because I don't want to make all the groups and figure out the commands for PowerDVD, WinMedia, and WinAMP.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Heh... is there a config file you can share with us Dran? I'm a lazy, lazy guy and am thinking of sticking with the provided software simply because I don't want to make all the groups and figure out the commands for PowerDVD, WinMedia, and WinAMP.

Right-click and save, then copy or move it to where you installed IRAssistant (c:\program files\sesame.tv\irassistant is the default on 98). Make sure IRAssistant isn't running at the time (well, that should be obvious), and it'd be wise to back up the current copy of irassist.cmd just in case you dislike this configuration with rabid intensity.

Once the file's in place, start IRAssistant, and re-learn the remote buttons to your preference.

Here's how I currently have it set up:

On launch, IRAssistant starts the program switching macro, which redirects it to the program switching group. In the program switching group, I have WinTV (button 1), PowerDVD (2), Winamp (3), CD Player (4), ATi DVD Player (5), WMP 6.4 (6), and general mouse control (7). Each of those are also independant groups, but the groups aren't slaved to any remote buttons. The only pre-configured buttons outside of groups are Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute (all of which use the Windows master volume controls), and the Start button (which is dedicated to the program switching macro).

Pressing 1 through 7 while in the program switching group launches the above-listed app, and exiting any of the above apps via the remote returns focus to the switching group, so you're ready to launch another app.

In the WinTV group, I have the number buttons set to act as the number keys. The Shift button is +, the Mouse button is -, the Play button re-launches the program or returns focus to WinTV2000, the Stop button toggles full screen mode, the Pause button mutes, the >> button turns the WinTV2000 volume up, the << button turns the WinTV2000 volume down, and the Eject button closes the program (again, it also automatically restores the program switching group as the focus group so you're ready to launch the next program).

In the PowerDVD group, the buttons correspond to the interface (Play is Play, Stop is Stop, etc.), and Eject closes the program.

Winamp group - Play is Play, Stop is Stop, Pause is Pause, >| is Next Track, |< is Previous Track, << is Volume Down, >> is Volume Up (with two keypress emulations in each of the volume controls, for greater speed), and Eject is Close Program. I haven't gotten that plug-in that superfob99 shared installed yet, so it doesn't have background control yet, but those of you who've beaten me to the punch can easily reconfigure the key emulation for each macro to make it usable in that manner. I'm also considering creating individual playlists and having each of the number buttons launch a different one, but that's also something you can (and should, since my playlist locations and names would be very different from yours) do on your own.

CD Player group - Same as the previous two, buttons correspond to the onscreen interface. Eject is Close Program, again.

ATi DVD Player - How well this one works for you will depend on which version of ATi DVD you're using and where you let it install. You may need to reconfigure the Launch path. I don't remember exactly which buttons correspond to which commands, since I prefer PowerDVD, but it's almost identical to the onscreen interface, plus I think I set 1 as Full Screen mode. Exit is Eject.

Media Player - Still not having much success with this one, but it will launch WMP 6.4, and if you manually select a vid, it will play/pause. Play/Pause is the Play button, and because I'm still working on it and trying to get it to be more responsive, I currently have the Pause button set as Stop (which also works). I did that because I'm still trying to get full screen mode to work and slaved that to the Stop button (it's close to the Play button, making it easier for me to test). This one's still very much a work in progress, people, but "work" and "progress" are my key words.

Mouse control - 1 is left click, 2 is up, 3 is right-click, 4 is left, 5 is down, and 6 is right.

The server I've got the file hosted on might be slow, and the router it's on was just replaced, so be patient and try not to kill it. My friend will be a little upset if it goes down again while she's on vacation.

 

[KSee777]

I'm using IRassistant, is there anyway I can use scripts or anything to do a number of things? for example, if I wanted to switch from monitor mode to TV mode, I need to go to display setting to change it. Is there a way I can program it to do all that with a push of a button? It would kick so much a$$ if I could get this remote to do these complicated commands.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: KSee777
I'm using IRassistant, is there anyway I can use scripts or anything to do a number of things? for example, if I wanted to switch from monitor mode to TV mode, I need to go to display setting to change it. Is there a way I can program it to do all that with a push of a button? It would kick so much a$$ if I could get this remote to do these complicated commands.

You could try using the mouse emulation function (click-to commands). Or if you already have a script or file that does it for you, you can just set that up in IRAssistant.

 

[KSee777]

please elaborate... I heard of this mouse emmulation thing but am still clueless about it

 

[Shagger]

Is it possible to use this thing as an IrDa port? For transferring data from my phone and back? TIA!

 

[JumpOnDeals]

>> Creative Labs Serial Multimedia IR Remote Control for PC Only $7.95 @ Compgeeks <<

Use the 10% coupon code that can be found.... for an additional 10% off.

Steve

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: JumpOnDeals
>> Creative Labs Serial Multimedia IR Remote Control for PC Only $7.95 @ Compgeeks <<

Use the 10% coupon code that can be found.... for an additional 10% off.

Steve

woohoo...save .79 cents or do they round up and make it .80?

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: KSee777
please elaborate... I heard of this mouse emmulation thing but am still clueless about it

Open any of the macros and have a look at the Mouse options on the left (where the menus to select macro commands are). With the controls it offers, you should be able, by creating a move-to or click-to command for each action needed to open the Display Properties dialogue, navigate to the correct tab, and set TV-out to enabled, to do it by forcing the mouse to control the pointer and make click commands.

Actually, it could be done with a combination of click-to's and keyboard emulation. Once you have a dialogue open, it can be navigated by hitting various keys (like Tab or the arrow keys), and buttons pressed or checkboxes selected with the Space bar. Getting the dialogue open would be the tricky part, but even that could be accomplished if you have an expanding Control Panel in the Start menu. From that point on, it's just a matter of adding all the Tabs/Arrows/Spaces/ to navigate and select. Put everything in a single macro, and it's a single-button action.

Even better, if you're running something like Winkeys, you can skip the click-to's altogether and just use keyboard emulation. Or if there's a hotkey for Display Properties, you could use that and save that few KB of RAM and .01% CPU utilization.

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: Shagger
Is it possible to use this thing as an IrDa port? For transferring data from my phone and back? TIA!

Not unless your phone sends the correct wavelength IR signal to the receiver, and even then, any of the software discussed in this thread would just treat that phone like a remote.

 

[hwdc]

has anyone experienced any problems with their remotes? my cancel and mute buttons do the same thing when pressed and i can only assign a macro to one or the other.

/edit -> apparently it is happening with many of my buttons, but then it disappears. could it be a problem with the battery? thanks

 

[KSee777]

Originally posted by: hwdc
has anyone experienced any problems with their remotes? my cancel and mute buttons do the same thing when pressed and i can only assign a macro to one or the other.

/edit -> apparently it is happening with many of my buttons, but then it disappears. could it be a problem with the battery? thanks

change to a lower com speed

 

[jhk2]

Originally posted by: Dran

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Heh... is there a config file you can share with us Dran? I'm a lazy, lazy guy and am thinking of sticking with the provided software simply because I don't want to make all the groups and figure out the commands for PowerDVD, WinMedia, and WinAMP.

Right-click and save, then copy or move it to where you installed IRAssistant (c:\program files\sesame.tv\irassistant is the default on 98). Make sure IRAssistant isn't running at the time (well, that should be obvious), and it'd be wise to back up the current copy of irassist.cmd just in case you dislike this configuration with rabid intensity.

Once the file's in place, start IRAssistant, and re-learn the remote buttons to your preference.

Here's how I currently have it set up:

On launch, IRAssistant starts the program switching macro, which redirects it to the program switching group. In the program switching group, I have WinTV (button 1), PowerDVD (2), Winamp (3), CD Player (4), ATi DVD Player (5), WMP 6.4 (6), and general mouse control (7). Each of those are also independant groups, but the groups aren't slaved to any remote buttons. The only pre-configured buttons outside of groups are Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute (all of which use the Windows master volume controls), and the Start button (which is dedicated to the program switching macro).

Pressing 1 through 7 while in the program switching group launches the above-listed app, and exiting any of the above apps via the remote returns focus to the switching group, so you're ready to launch another app.

In the WinTV group, I have the number buttons set to act as the number keys. The Shift button is +, the Mouse button is -, the Play button re-launches the program or returns focus to WinTV2000, the Stop button toggles full screen mode, the Pause button mutes, the >> button turns the WinTV2000 volume up, the << button turns the WinTV2000 volume down, and the Eject button closes the program (again, it also automatically restores the program switching group as the focus group so you're ready to launch the next program).

In the PowerDVD group, the buttons correspond to the interface (Play is Play, Stop is Stop, etc.), and Eject closes the program.

Winamp group - Play is Play, Stop is Stop, Pause is Pause, >| is Next Track, |< is Previous Track, << is Volume Down, >> is Volume Up (with two keypress emulations in each of the volume controls, for greater speed), and Eject is Close Program. I haven't gotten that plug-in that superfob99 shared installed yet, so it doesn't have background control yet, but those of you who've beaten me to the punch can easily reconfigure the key emulation for each macro to make it usable in that manner. I'm also considering creating individual playlists and having each of the number buttons launch a different one, but that's also something you can (and should, since my playlist locations and names would be very different from yours) do on your own.

CD Player group - Same as the previous two, buttons correspond to the onscreen interface. Eject is Close Program, again.

ATi DVD Player - How well this one works for you will depend on which version of ATi DVD you're using and where you let it install. You may need to reconfigure the Launch path. I don't remember exactly which buttons correspond to which commands, since I prefer PowerDVD, but it's almost identical to the onscreen interface, plus I think I set 1 as Full Screen mode. Exit is Eject.

Media Player - Still not having much success with this one, but it will launch WMP 6.4, and if you manually select a vid, it will play/pause. Play/Pause is the Play button, and because I'm still working on it and trying to get it to be more responsive, I currently have the Pause button set as Stop (which also works). I did that because I'm still trying to get full screen mode to work and slaved that to the Stop button (it's close to the Play button, making it easier for me to test). This one's still very much a work in progress, people, but "work" and "progress" are my key words.

Mouse control - 1 is left click, 2 is up, 3 is right-click, 4 is left, 5 is down, and 6 is right.

The server I've got the file hosted on might be slow, and the router it's on was just replaced, so be patient and try not to kill it. My friend will be a little upset if it goes down again while she's on vacation.

 

[jhk2]

I've downloaded IRAssistant and ahev downlaoded the prefigured settings, but I can not seem to "learn item". When I hold down the one key until it 100%, I can';t get anything else to learn. This will not launch anything. I am probably missing a step or two trying to learn the new buttons. If anyone could take me step by step in detail how to learn these prefigured settings, that would be great!

PLEASE HELP!

 

[Dran]

Originally posted by: jhk2
I've downloaded IRAssistant and ahev downlaoded the prefigured settings, but I can not seem to "learn item". When I hold down the one key until it 100%, I can';t get anything else to learn. This will not launch anything. I am probably missing a step or two trying to learn the new buttons. If anyone could take me step by step in detail how to learn these prefigured settings, that would be great!

The answer was posted several times already, including just above your request. If it thinks some or all of the buttons are the same, lower the generic COM driver speed. Instructions on how to do that are also extensively covered on top of this page of this thread.

 

[jhk2]

I will try that. I have read the posts, but I thought my problem was different.

Thanks Dran.

 

[alm99]

can't decide if I want one or two of these, i can justify one for the home theatre/mp3 machine