Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 148

I heard that the IR port can be a remote control for TV/VCR's. Is this true? What program would I use and can I use it for different TV's in different rooms etc?

Mike

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Posts: 126

Technically, Yes, but realistically No.

At least in my admittedly limited experience.

I installed "OmniRemote" v 1.15 Beta - for Visor - By Pacific Neo-Tek http://www.pacificneotek.com

The software works, but the range (Visor to TV) is limited to about 6 inches. They sell some kind of an IR booster (external device) that would be required to make this a viable remote.

Others may have had a different experience, but IMHO 6 inches is just not enough.

Dave.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 148

Wow 6 whole inches! Might as well sit up in front of the tv and manually push buttons!

What garbage. Oh well

Mike

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Posts: 70

I'm sorry, I just have to jump in here. I saw the software on PalmCentral, and had to laugh... I mean really... why on earth would you use a $250 productivity tool as a TV remote? That's even too geeky for me, and that's saying something!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 4

Why use the Palm/Visor as a remote?

Easy. It's always on my person, and it replaces a pile of 6 other remotes. Don't *replace* your existing remotes, but use the Palm/Visor as a copy of all your remotes that you always have with you.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Why would you want to use it as a remote control? When I am watching TV and not using it for other applications, why not? Besides I am into home theater and have a lot of devices to control. Including X-10 stuff. I have about 9+ remotes sitting on the table. If I could use this for most things, it would be GREAT!
When I want to watch DVD I have to turn the TV to component video (requires pressing the video button 4 times to get to that selection), the DVD player on and the receiver to the DVD setting. Would it not be nice to hit one button for DVD and have it do these things for me?

I suggested to the makers of the Six-Pack for them to make an infrared booster springboard. It not only will relocate the infrared to the top where it would work best, but also boost the signal. If they include Omni remote type software, it would be a GREAT product. Just slap in the springboard, it loads the software and displays the layout of your custom buttons/settings from a small settings file stored on the Visor. It would be fast and easy to use

I also would love to use it to title the tracks of my Minidisks. it would be so useful to be able to type all the tracks up on the computer, then sync it with the Visor and then tell the visor to title it. Would save time in the end.

Hey I am weird enough to ask them for a second model that just has cool flashing lights on the top added to the infrared because it would REALLY be geeky <grin>

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 148

babylon, did you get a reply from the makers of the 6-pack??

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Well I originally received this when I asked if it could be part of the Six-Pack. I received this from them and I quote:

" Jace:

We are considering this for a future product, but not SixPak (no more
room!).

It is a good idea, and we have even thought about doing a standalone module
just for this reason (low cost).
What would you be willing to pay for a module that just redirected the IRDA?
Twenty bucks?

Bob Fullerton
CEO/President
Innogear
[email protected]
"

Then I said something like:

�To answer your question I think I would. If it is reasonable and had good
strong IR support and include some good software. If the software would
allow one to set up custom buttons/layout, and can be programmed to control
most anything, I would love to use the visor for this type of application.�

Nothing back since

So if you really want one, maybe E-mail Bob and let him know!!

[VisorCentral: We replaced Bob's personal e-mail address with the corporate one]

[This message has been edited by Babylon5 (edited 11-24-1999).]

[This message has been edited by marcus (edited 11-30-1999).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 16

To the people who are wondering why you'd spend $250 to use the Visor as a universal remote (admittedly it's pretty geeky): keep in mind that there are already on the market several dedicated home theatre remotes that cost up to $399 (Philips Pronto), and a lot of people buy them. So it isn't as crazy as it sounds, especially since you don't really need a Visor Deluxe for this application. These are basically Palm-like devices with LCD touch screens, and more sophistication and polish than a Visor+OmniRemote, except that you can't use them for anything else.

Imagine keeping a Palm PC in your living room, serving not only as a remote, but also as a phone book/notepad for your telephone, and any other domestic uses you might think of. Or, how about an app that would allow you to sync your Visor with TV schedules from, say, tvguide.com or some other source and allow you to program your VCR just by tapping the show you want to tape? Now that would be a cool toy.

Also, I've heard others report that their Visors were effective at up to 30 feet. It surely also depends upon the sensitivity of the IR reciever on the component you're trying to control.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

I wrote innogear and said I'd pay 20-35 US bux for an IR redirection thingy, if I could use the Visor as a remote.

Six-pack! I want it!!! (and I don't even have the Visor yet).

Eug

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

I demoed the OmniRemote, and I gotta say that if I had a TV I'd buy it. It is very convient because I *always* have my Visor with me, and when I did have a TV was always losing the remote.

Unlike other experiences here, my Visor controlled the several TV's and VCR's I tried it on from 8'-20' depending on the receiving device.

tyler

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Posts: 34

Has anyone actually used the Omniremote on their Visor? I just spent about 1/2 an hour trying to get the ir ports aligned, tried changing the frequency, messed around with it as much as I could to no avail. My remote isn't compatible with my Visor or could it be that the Visor ir port isn't working?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: omaha,ne,usa
Posts: 1

Hey Walt, try dl the new beta version v1.5
this should take care of the problem. all older versions will not work on visor

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 82

I just downloaded the 1.15 beta Omniremote and it works perfectly with my Visor on my Pioneer TV, VCR, and DVD...from about 15' or more....

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Posts: 34

Thanks for the hint on v1.15, now I know I'm being productive with my pda! Works perfectly.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 12

I've been using the Omni Remote beta for a couple weeks and haven't had any problems at all. It works with my equiptment to about 20' away and I've added/modified the "TV" buttons to run what I need. I'm seriously considering buying it so I can set up the other menus.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 97

Still waiting for a Visor...but I have been using a Palm with 2MB upgrade with IR and I find that Omniremote works really well.

Using macro commands in the timer function, I leave the Palm on the night-table facing the bedroom stereo and at the programmed times, it automatically turns off the receiver and cd player after I fall asleep to soft relaxing music at night. Then in the morning, it turns on the system to gently wake me up to pre-selected louder tracks on the cd. No more being jarred awake by loud obnoxious radio DJ's or the standard blaring/beeping of alarm clocks!

However, I was curious to know how difficult it is to use the Visor as a remote control, especially since the IR window is now located on the left, facing sideways, instead of straight ahead. (What were they thinking?! Couldn't the Handspring engineers accomodate both a small IR port AND the Springboard port on the top of the unit?!) I would think it would be an ergonomical nightmare because the "buttons" and menu in the Omniremote display would be rotated 90 degrees clockwise when the remote is being aimed, making it a strain on the neck and eyes. Hopefully, there will be an updated Omniremote version for the Visor that takes this into account, and rotates the names or buttons to compensate. Otherwise both the Visor and I will have to rotate 90 degrees to the right of whatever I'm trying to aim at! :P


[This message has been edited by visordoc (edited 11-30-1999).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Omniremote has a function to rotate the display so you can still use it with the buttons normal and the infrared pointing in the right place. Did you try this? Just do a menu/modes/flip screen or command "f". You can even set it to use this as default.

I would like to see an option to turn the backlight on when you touch the screen or maybe just one of the buttons like the up arrow etc.... It is usually too dark when watching TV to see the Visor without the backlight.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 97

Babylon5:

I know the screen can be flipped 180 degrees, but can it flip 90 degrees? I don't know 'cause I'm still using a PalmIII while waiting for the Visor to arrive. Should be in the next 2-3 weeks or so!

Regarding the backlight option, I guess you can always just hold the power button for 2 secs or longer to turn on the backlight since you'll be turning on the unit using the power button anyways...

[This message has been edited by visordoc (edited 12-01-1999).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

visordoc: Yes Omniremote can be flipped 90 degrees, as a metter of fact I can't seem to get it to flip 180 at all. It is just regular or flipped so that the infrared is pointing to the front and the Visor buttons are to the left.