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Keyspan USB Remote Control $20 after MIR

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Ok, after hours of searching arcane online stores guess where I find the cheapest IR extender? Yep, at well-known Buy.com 🙂
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90049790&loc=111&queryType=electronics">Recoton Infrared Remote Control Extender Our Price: $27.76
</a>
These convert the IR to RF, then back to IR for a range of 150 feet. There are lots of companies making similar devices, maybe someone can find a better deal?

Also Buy.com has a $10 off $100 purchase in the Electronics Store for new customers (expires on 5/31) and free shipping on select items (the Recoton is one) with an order over $100. Anyone know of any deals (like free after rebate stuff) that can be combined with this?
 
I did a bunch of searching for IR extenders too. Wanna know the best deal I found? (gotta be careful not to break rules here...) EBay. There were a bunch on sale there for ~10. I think I know where I'm doing some shopping this week...
 
It'd be nice to have this, but I'm not going to drive 2 hours just to get it... You think if I called the B&M they'd ship it? 😛
 
Ok, here's the deal I've put together for the IR:

CAPTIVISION 2.0 $49.95 with a $49.95 rebate
SIDEWINDER STRATEGIC COMMANDER 1.0 $22.52 with a $20 Rebate
Recoton Infrared Remote Control Extender $27.76

Sub-total $100.23

less:

Sidewinder $20 rebate
Captivision $49.95 rebate
take $10 OFF the purchase of $100 or more in the Electronics Store (New Customers Only)

Delivered total: $20.28

edit: No tax 🙂

Second edit:

Pricematch Captivision 2.0 with Amazon to save an additional $4.96

New price $15.32
 
Can anybody test for me if it works with the laptop IR ports? If it does, that's pretty convenient for presentations, (although almost every IR ports sit at the back of notebooks and pretty small) I will jump on this if it works fine. Thanks guys!

BTW, if the Infrared Remote Control Extender works fine with it, why can't the laptop IRs IMHO? correct me if i'm wrong.
 
Found the answer, keep digging....

Question:

Can I use irDA with the Keyspan Digital Media Remote?


Answer:

The Keyspan Digital Media Remote uses an infrared technology called tvIR.

The tvIR technology is the same technology that is found in most standard television remote control units. tvIR is used to transmit small amounts of data (in comparison to irDA) over relatively long distances (i.e. across a room).

irDA is a different technology that is commonly used in desktop, laptop, and handheld computers to transmit large amounts of data (in comparison to tvIR) over small distances (i.e. across a desk).

Generally, the two technolgies cannot communicate with each other. For example:

* the DMR Receiver unit cannot be used to send or receive data via irDA to a irDA enabled computer

* the DMR remote control be use used to control an irDA enabled computer.

However, there are some cases where tvIR and irDA can communicate with each other. There are 3rd party programs that allow irDA enabled devices to learn and send tvIR commands (for example, OmniRemote for Palm handheld computers: http://www.pacificneotek.com/). This allows you to use irDA enabled device as a tvIR remote control. Using this software, you send tvIR commands to the DMR Receiver unit so that you can control your computer in the same way that you do when using the Keyspan DMR Remote control.
 
With the right software (I saw lots on the Internet while researching this) you should have no problem using the remote with the laptop IR. The only problem that I could see is that the laptop IR is probably not as strong of a signal, so you'd have to be close. Anyway, you can just plug the base of the Keyspan into the laptop and use the remote that way. I intend to bring this in to work and use it like this when I'm making presentations.
 
Thanks, lookin4dlz. You are right, I have to be pretty close. no more than 15-20cm from the port.

What I'm searching is trying to minimize the traveling weight. Seems impossible with this gadget. There must be other solutions for mobile use. Thanks anyway, good deal.
 
If travel weight is a concern then maybe the Keyspan is for you! The remote is just a bit smaller than a credit card and 3/8" thick. The receiver that you plug into the USB port is smaller in length (about 2.5" vs 3") than a credit card, the same width and is about 1.5" high. It's also kinda igloo shaped with a slot in the middle to hold the remote. The entire setup can't weigh 3-4 ounces.

You wouldn't need the IR extender for your presentations because you're in the same room as the receiver. I've tested it to about 25' in my apartment with no problems making it work. I need the IR extender only so that I can control my computer from in front of my home theater!
 
Wait a minute, still hopefull...

In my case, I'm trying to find a software to enable the irDA to mimic tvIR receiver, not vice versa. I still use the tvIR as my remote controller, which determines the frequency travelling in the air. So actually, the information traveling around is still trough tvIR.

What the "OmniRemote for Palm" do is to enable the Palm irDA to mimic a tvIR remote controller. So I think it's pretty much the same to convert the receiver. Can you PM me about what you found, lookin4dlz? Thanks

BTW, probably everybody here are perfectionist in regard to hardwares, which is also true for me. I'd like to minimize my traveling weight as far as possible just as we're trying to reduce the cost for the deal as much as we can. Just want this to be even sweeter to me😀
 
I found the address for the Keyspan rebate on CompUsa website under rebates. The address is Keyspan Offe #7711, P.O. Box 821, New Rochelle, NY 10802-0821
 
2. What's the max distance you can run usb? I've heard, but forgot. I know there's a max per segment but you can use powered hubs to go farther but still a max there. Anyone know?
Click to expand...
16 feet per cord. You can chain up to six hubs to (I think) 87 feet. I know it's in the 80's somewhere.
 
Customizing it is relatively easy... For those of you who use WinDVD, copy the settings from one of the other DVD players, and reset whatever needs to be to:
Stop - CTRL-S
Play - CTRL-P
Prev_Trk - PAGE UP w/(slow) repeat
Rewind - R
Fast Fwd - F
Next_Trk - PAGE DOWN w/(slow) repeat
Pause - CTRL-P
Vol_up & _dn, mute, and cycle - global
Arrows - Arrows
Select - Enter
Menu - CTRL-M

Thanks, Somekid! I really needed one!
 
In the manual:
Question:

Can I use the Keyspan Digital Media Remote to control the mouse cursor?

Answer:

The current Digital Media Remote software does not allow you to control the mouse cursor. However, you can program the DMR to open specific files or scripts that may be able to control mouse clicks and cursor movement as an alternative.
Click to expand...
Suggestions on how to do this?
 
anyone gotten this remote to work on winxp? i have it plugged in and drivers installed, but no responding to the remote
 
Heh...Does a red LED blink on the reciever when you hit a button? If not try removing the plastic strip covering one half of the batteries. Got me too!!
 
I'm running Win XP & it works great! Still waiting for the infrared remote extenders I ordered from buy.com to arrive...
 
Damn I just got back from my weeklong Arizona vacation and this is now OOS at my local CompUSA B&M 🙁
 
Has anyone gotten the info from Keyspan on how to use other remotes? (ie something other than the included 17 button or a JVC VCR remote)? Their faq gives an email address to contact for info, which I've done 2x with no response. I have a nice multifunction remote with a crapload of buttons I want to use...
 
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