Infra red port on Laptop (2 Viewers)

[itye]

Hi

Is there any way you can use any of the following as a remote control using the infra red port on a laptop


PDA
PSP
DS
ordinary TV remote ?

Any help appreciated

 

[Gixxer]

yes, you need a infrared receiver to plug into the laptop. then u can use ir server to configure a remote.

 

[itye]

Thanks for the reply, does the builit in infra red port on a laptop also act as a receiver or would I need to purchase this seperately ?

 

[and-81]

You can use IR with your laptop, just not with the built in IR port.

The IR system that laptops, PDAs and mobile phones use is called IrDA and it's not the same as the Consumer IR methods that tv remotes use.

IrDA has a maximum range of about 1 metre, but usually it only works for about 30 centimetres.

I haven't seen any Windows software that can use IrDA for remote controls, but I know there has been a very small amount of success in doing it on Linux.

You're better off trying to use something like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or just buying a USB IR Receiver.

Does the laptop have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? Because there are remote programs you could run on your PDA that would work over one of those.

Hope that helps,

 

[itye]

thanks for the replies

i suppose the irda is not of much use then but the laptop does have a wi-fi usb key fitted whats the best way to use this as a remote to control media portal ?

 

[and-81]

Does your PDA have wi-fi?

If so then you should be able to use one of the pda remote programs that are available.

Do a search of the forums and you should find some.

I've got a basic pda/smarthphone remote program in IR Server Suite (see my signature), it's called Virtual Remote. But I think the other ones available on the forum might be a bit more advanced than mine.

Good luck,

 

[itye]

thanks for all the help will check it out

 

[eXDee]

You can use IR with your laptop, just not with the built in IR port.

The IR system that laptops, PDAs and mobile phones use is called IrDA and it's not the same as the Consumer IR methods that tv remotes use.

IrDA has a maximum range of about 1 metre, but usually it only works for about 30 centimetres.

I haven't seen any Windows software that can use IrDA for remote controls, but I know there has been a very small amount of success in doing it on Linux.

You're better off trying to use something like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or just buying a USB IR Receiver.

Does the laptop have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? Because there are remote programs you could run on your PDA that would work over one of those.

Hope that helps,

Actually a Compaq laptop we have doesnt have IrDA, it has standard IR for a remote control - i checked this with HP, as it cant do data. What is your laptop model, yours might be a similar case.

 

[and-81]

That is unusual eXDee,

Is there anything special about the laptop, is it mean to be some sort of "Multimedia" model or something?

Cheers,

 

[eXDee]

Actually it was $1200 NZ, standard Compaq laptop as far as i know, no special multimedia stuff i dont think, you tend to pay a premium for that. Its labelled as "Consumer IR Input".
Compaq 3209AU

I'll get around to trying Mediaportal on it one day when i finally get some TV cards for a tv server.