Re: IR sending from Zaurus

On Friday 12 January 2007 08:58, Paul wrote:
> I could very well be wrong, but I recall reading that the IR output was
> too weak to go beyond about 5 feet.
>
> If this is the case, it would pretty much rule out it's usefulness
> regarding LIRC.

Quite right. About two years ago I got lirc working on the Sharp ROM, and it 
worked ok on some early OZ versions too for a while, I don't know if it still 
works (I would guess it'd be unlikely).

The range is extremely limited. It takes careful aiming to get 3 feet range, 
anything more than that is as good as impossible. Comfortable working 
distance is about 1 foot (you still need to hold the Z sideways though, or 
install a mirror).

I mucked around with building an IR repeater that would fit to the side of the 
Z and amplify the IR signal which had some success (I got it working over 
maybe 12 feet) but it was seriously impractical (only got it to the 
breadboard stage, drew too much current, unwieldy etc etc).

I have dropped the idea of my Z sending IR as being a practical goal. I don't 
have the sources I used to build the module any more either, I lost all that 
on an IBM Deathstar HDD over a year ago.

I do still have the ipkg available if you wanted to see if it still works - 
http://www.purple.dropbear.id.au/zaurus

I now use something more practical - I decided instead to install a lirc 
transmitter on my server, at the end of a long cat5 cable that runs to the 
coffee table in the loungeroom. This gives my server the ability to control 
the home theatre stuff. Then I knocked up some php that calls irsend so I can 
send ir commands using a webpage, then I can use that webpage on my desktop 
(I have an AV feed from the lounge to my computer room, so can watch tv from 
the HDR or cable tv box on desktop using tvtime), or from a laptop or my 
Zaurus (even my phone had a go at it with some success) - and you don't need 
to worry about IR range or anything. Much better solution :-)

Hmm... hadn't thought of it before.. maybe I should document the project so 
others can have a go at it. Not a great deal to it though.

-- 
Regards,
	Ashley J Gittins
	web: 	http://www.purple.dropbear.id.au
	jabber: [email protected]

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