PSP IR Commander (Pronto IR Code Compatible)

[AhMan]

Hi, this is the first time I posted in this forum. I'm the developer of the custom Linksys router firmware for playing PSP adhoc games via Xlink Kai. Some of you may recognize my handle in Xlink forum. Yesterday, I was searching the Internet for universal IR remote homebrew software for PSP, but couldn't find one. The only one that I found was for Sony or Philips TV, nothing universal.

Then, I decided to make one that is compatible to Pronto IR codes, so that I can use my PSP to control my Pentax camera wirelessly to take photos, because I don't want to spend money to buy the Pentax IR remote. The software IR Commander can interpret the standard Pronto IR codes that are available on the Internet, such as http://www.remotecentral.com. The Pronto code interpreter part is done and should work with any devices that have their Pronto IR code published. I've tested the Pronto code for Pentax camera and it's working fine. The only thing missing is the GUI interface. I don't think I will spend too much time on the GUI as there is no touch screen on PSP. I think it will be a waste of time as you can never point the key with your fingers. At most I will come up with is a simple text based screen that tells you what keys for what functions. I hope to have it available within the next few days.

[Takazeki]

yea the GUI is not important at all, although it gives the apps a "smooth" visual. Anyway, come on and release it This have always been my most expected stuff for PSP. The guys at http://pspir.co.nr/ are also working on it but it seems you are at the first line.

Good work, maybe some screenshots just to blur my eyes.
:icon_smil

[Kampfkartoffel]

which things can you remote with the Pronto IR Codes?

[Mysticales]

AHMAN!!!! YEAAAA =DDDD Welcome him everyone, if not for him, Linksys and PSP wouldnt know each other as well.

[Takazeki]

Originally Posted by Kampfkartoffel

which things can you remote with the Pronto IR Codes?

Almost every kind of IR stuff I guess. Check it out here

[Kampfkartoffel]

thanks! i hope he releases this app soon, i cant wait any longer for a good remote control

[Mysticales]

Originally Posted by AhMan

[Edit] After I had made this post, I noticed a thread below mentioning someone is working on a similar universal IR remote, but that one seems to base on RC5 code. Hmm, I don't know if I should continue this project. Does anyone know whether this RC5 remote has a nice GUI?

Always feel free to do your own work, long as yours is original and not a hacked, clone of anothers app in a sense. (Meaning using their code, unless it was open source) Then post it, never know if yours is better. =)

We welcome all devs and apps that come in, then public alone will say if its worth continuing.

I would say maybe try making something like my PDA has, a OmniRemote clone, one that can "read" IR signals, store that sequence into a button or selection, thus when you press that trigger, it would send out the same signal it recorded. Thus making programming easier. No codes, just point remote at PSP for it to learn.

[Kampfkartoffel]

Originally Posted by Mysticales

I would say maybe try making something like my PDA has, a OmniRemote clone, one that can "read" IR signals, store that sequence into a button or selection, thus when you press that trigger, it would send out the same signal it recorded. Thus making programming easier. No codes, just point remote at PSP for it to learn.

Doesnt work the other IR Team on that?

[Takazeki]

Originally Posted by Mysticales

No codes, just point remote at PSP for it to learn.

You mean pointing the psp into the IR device or the remote control itself? Guess you are talking about pointing into a Tv, for example, but the IR Ports emmit IR signals espontaneously? Don't you need a specific remote to grab the signal? Don't know if you understood my question... : :mrgreen:

[Kampfkartoffel]

Originally Posted by Takazeki

You mean pointing the psp into the IR device or the remote control itself? Guess you are talking about pointing into a Tv, for example, but the IR Ports emmit IR signals espontaneously? Don't you need a specific remote to grab the signal? Don't know if you understood my question... : :mrgreen:

i think i have seen an app on psp-updates which is grabbing the ir codes and saving them into a file on the psp.

[Mysticales]

Originally Posted by Takazeki

You mean pointing the psp into the IR device or the remote control itself? Guess you are talking about pointing into a Tv, for example, but the IR Ports emmit IR signals espontaneously? Don't you need a specific remote to grab the signal? Don't know if you understood my question... : :mrgreen:

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/omniremote_review

That. It READS the IR signal, stores it to a "Button" or "Trigger" in the PSP, and when the PSP would CALL that Trigger event, it would do the IR command it recorded from the orig remote.

To program, you point your orig remote at the PSP sensor, PSP records the sequece of the key you pressed on the remote, then the PSP can later call up that info to output it and do the desired effect. Works great on my PDA.

[AhMan]

I've only glance the last 2 pages of the other Universal remote thread. Looks like it isn't out yet. I think the major difference between mine & theirs is Pronto code vs RC5 code. Pronto code seems to be the most popular IR code published on Internet, that means, it will support most name brand applicances in the world. You can check the below link for the supported appliances.
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin...gi?area=pronto

However, I believe you can't use the PSP to actually learn another remote unit by pointing at it. This is because the PSP Hardware IR module will filter out other non-Sony devices. Correct me if I'm wrong. That means, only devices with publish Pronto codes will work. If you can't find your device Pronto code, you can still get it to work if you've an acutal Pronto unit or a PocketPC. You can use the actual Pronto unit or PocketPC to learn your remote's code and pass the learned Pronto code to PSP.

My IR Remote Commander is going quite well and I should have a beta release in the next few days. Stay tuned!

[Mysticales]

Originally Posted by AhMan

However, I believe you can't use the PSP to actually learn another remote unit by pointing at it.

Thats what they said about a PDA being able to read IR inputs. As someone said, I think someone already made a IR Catcher, where it reads the signal and stores as a data file.

[AhMan]

[QUOTE=Mysticales]

Originally Posted by AhMan

However, I believe you can't use the PSP to actually learn another remote unit by pointing at it.
QUOTE]


Thats what they said about a PDA being able to read IR inputs. As someone said, I think someone already made a IR Catcher, where it reads the signal and stores as a data file.

I haven't tested whether the PSP will actually filter out other non-Sony IR signal. Maybe I will test it after the 1st release. The IR Catcher that you mentioned, does it correctly play back the learned code. If not, the code may be ruined by the Sony IR filter.

[Mysticales]

[QUOTE=AhMan]

Originally Posted by Mysticales

I haven't tested whether the PSP will actually filter out other non-Sony IR signal. Maybe I will test it after the 1st release. The IR Catcher that you mentioned, does it correctly play back the learned code. If not, the code may be ruined by the Sony IR filter.

I dont know.. dont even rem the program name offhand. But its worth trying none the less!

[Kampfkartoffel]

does this help:

http://dl.qj.net/Infra-Red-Capture-w.../416/catid/189

[Mysticales]

Originally Posted by Kampfkartoffel

does this help:

http://dl.qj.net/Infra-Red-Capture-w.../416/catid/189

Yep thats it, thanks. I searched 2 times wrong hehe.

Since its raw data ahman, it MAY work nicely.

[Takazeki]

Yes it may work but there was also a program some time ago that allows to reemit de raw data captured. However it didn't work. I'm not very well informed about some little aspects of this so correct me if I say something wrong, but I think it was something related with the time between each emission, not sure...

[AhMan]

Originally Posted by Kampfkartoffel

does this help:

http://dl.qj.net/Infra-Red-Capture-w.../416/catid/189

If the description is correct, that software is for IRDA only. IRDA is different from CIR (Consumer IR). IRDA is designed for inter-device communications, such as Palm/PPC. CIR is for consumer appliance control. If a software is designed for IRDA, it will not work with CIR.

[Mysticales]

Originally Posted by AhMan

If the description is correct, that software is for IRDA only. IRDA is different from CIR (Consumer IR). IRDA is designed for inter-device communications, such as Palm/PPC. CIR is for consumer appliance control. If a software is designed for IRDA, it will not work with CIR.

Hard to say.. reason is, my Nokia 3650 is IRDA ONLY and I can use it as a remote, the diff id, CIR im guessing doesnt need direct line of sight, where IRDA did. Need to be right on it.

[AhMan]

Originally Posted by Mysticales

Hard to say.. reason is, my Nokia 3650 is IRDA ONLY and I can use it as a remote, the diff id, CIR im guessing doesnt need direct line of sight, where IRDA did. Need to be right on it.

IrDA and CIR are 2 completely different standards from different associations. They requires different programming. As on PSP, IrDA access is handled by irda0: device handle, while CIR access is completely different. All I was saying is if the program is written for IrDA access, it will not work with CIR. Unless the specific program is written to also support CIR mode via another programming logic.

However, a device can be used for both IrDA & CIR, such as PSP, PPCs, etc. Just needs 2 different software to support it.

[Mysticales]

So the PSP app needs to be able to read CIR signals using the IRDA hardware is what your saying?

[AhMan]

Originally Posted by Mysticales

So the PSP app needs to be able to read CIR signals using the IRDA hardware is what your saying?

Well, I won't call the IR port on the PSP as IrDA hardware. The PSP IR port is obviously more than IrDA as it can handle CIR as well. Typical IrDA port can only commicate within a few inches.

[eggzrule]

Problem with pointing a remote at your PSP IR port and then recording it is you have to get the time delay in there with the signal. As far as I know, a remote sends out a "header" or type of "start" signal, then a specific time delay based on the type of CIR protocol its using, then the actual data teling it what to do, then a "stop" signal a specific amount of time after the command data. Or something like that. Feel free to correct me someone.

[soccerPMN]

Yes, please release whatever you have, along with the source. The 'universal psp remote' team has set like 3 dates of when they would release an alpha, beta, etc. They haven't released one thing, and if you look at their site, they're begging for someone to help them. This project that you have looks very promising, as it is basically already universal, because you just can get whatever codes you please from that IR site you linked to.

[AhMan]

Just want to let all of you know the project is on track and a beta release will definitely be out this week.

Here is a list of features in the first release:
1. Support a maximum of 100 devices. Each device is handled by a Remote Description File (rdf) which describes the Keys, their functions and the Pronto codes.
2. Users will be able to create the rdf files for their devices and share them.
3. Initial version will support 24 keys per device. If you need more than 24 keys, you can simply create multiple rdf files.
4. Macros will be supported. I'm thinking of having maximum of 20 keys per macro. Is this enough?
4. Optional user supplied bitmap graphics (in Jpeg format) can be used to describe the remote layout and their functions. If you don't provide the bitmap, the system will generate a default text based layout description.

I'm still thinking of whether to go through a beta testing phase with a few users or just go public. That will most likely depend on how stable the first version that I have.

[Vilinh]

Maybe beta with a few random people. Releasing an application to the whole world without it working for the majority would certain result in alot of threads asking for help and complaining. It could also hurt your rep.

[Samstag]

Have you looked into porting the lirc (linuc infra red controller) source instead of rolling your own? It already supports a huge list of remotes using plain text control files, it already has code to handle learning new remotes, and there's a large base of existing users adding new remotes.

I just don't see the point in starting from scratch when 98% of the work is already open source.

[Jake]

I just wanted to say "Welcome!" to AhMan - it's a pleasure and an honor to have you participating on our forums - I make use of your Linksys firmware package frequently with my PSP. Thanks! And good luck with your remote control project, I look forward to your release!

And we've added your Custom Firmware to our QJ.net Download Site - feel free to use it as your primary mirror if it will help alleviate your bandwidth costs!

http://dl.qj.net/DDWRT-PSP-Custom-Ro.../837/catid/193

[digihoe]

Yes! "Welcome!" to AhMan...

I think you should just go public with your first beta. I'm quite sure you will recive loads of good feedback on this forum. If you go public with it as Open Source then I'm sure alot of people will help out if any problems are discoverd.

Welcome!