salvaging VCR IR

from an old Video Cassette Recorder and use it as a remote power switch for turning fans or lights on/off?

want them anymore.

throw at it.

25 yards across

probably do it from a

I think it's going to be hard to extract.

Usually the actual IR receptor is a module, ie the photodiode and amplifier (and maybe sometimes a detector). I've pulled them out of VCRs, and indeed have one wired up for testing remotes.

But the output feeds the bowels of the VCR and that's not so traceable. Too many wires. Besides, it's likely to end in a CPU that does multiple things, and will be on a larger board where it's not easy to separate out the IR decoding.

For simple on/off, your better off just extracting the IR module, and then adding some simple circuitry. Even for more complicated functions, it's likely easier to build up the rest of the circuit than try to extract it all from a vcr.

Michael

Speaking of which, anyone know of any PC controlled IR kits/packages/circuits that can learn?

I have a Philips DVD recorder with hard drive that records shows to hard drive or DVD. I also have a satellite decoder box. I can set up the DVD recorder to record a show every week for 30 minutes at a set time, but the problem is - how to change the satellite decoder box to the correct channel.

I'm looking for some way of having my notebook learn the remote control codes for the decoder box, then transmit IR just before the show & change channels to the correct show. If there was a product or kit or schematic/software to do this I'd be interested. I presume it would be a pretty simple IR tx/rx module with an RS-232 interface to plug into my notebook, and some software for learning, and some way to control the transmitting from a 3rd party program (which I would write myself as part of a larger program to skim the show info from a website).

Dave

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Hi,

Actually I've done this and it is easier to just to salvage the module itself as long as you have a remote on the same carrier frequency. Also Mouser for one sells just the module. I used an IR LED and a couple of 555s to control a motor. Although if you have the service manusl you might be able to find the pinouts for the microprocessor and be be able to do it. My local distributor has all the Service manuals for Sony. I've got one for a Sony CCD and it does have the schematic.

Dave et al, This website:

and especially: talks about a RS-232 controller also protocols and codes for different remotes.

Also Elm,

sells a chip which you can use with Sony codes (they say universals use Sony as default) to control 3 devices. and a Control L to RS232 Interpreter So if your VCR uses Control L you might use this. I've never dealt with them but would be interested.

Richard

Well, I'm actually trying to create the codes on my PC rather than decoding them - I want to replace the remote control with a PC. You did remind me that I have had some ELM621, ELM622 & ELM624 chips sitting in my to-do box for about 3 years now! :-)

My complication is that my PVR is one brand & my satellite decoder is another brand, so I need a really generic device. I also see that a lot of the generic devices use parallel ports & pretty old software, so there probably isn't much chance that the software will still work under XP.

However, there are a lot of good links there, and I am wading through them now - hopeful that something good will pop up. :-)

Thanks for all the info.

Dave

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.

I talked to a guy who does a lot of home theatre systems and he recommended this:

but it doesn't look like it runs under XP. How about dedicating an old computer as a controller? Also I saw a lot of universal remotes out there that will learn and are controlled by PCs.

Richard

I talked to a guy who does home theatres and he suggested this site:

Which does seem like it will do what you need but doesn't seem like it will run in XP. How about an old computer as a dedicated controller? There are a lot of universal type remotes that will learn and seem to be PC controlable. Richard

Well, I already have a spare Dell Inspiron 8000 built into my TV cabinet. If I drop back to DOS or Win98 or whatever in order to get better control of parallel ports I will have to sacrifice being able to run Windows Media Player directly into my 23" LCD monitor/TV. I may have to as a last resort as I have some very small form factor computers which I could use.

Dave

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