Launching a program with an i-pac

[JeffD]

Is it possible to launch a batch file or program with an i-pac?

[_Iz-]

Yes, but you need extra software to make it happen. Find a program that launches other programs by "hot key". Then program both that and the ipac to work together.

[JeffD]

Is the i-pac capable of emulating shift or alt key combinations? I thought it could only send a single character.

[_Iz-]

Single key only i believe. Is this for a standalone machine? If it is then that shouldn't be a problem.

[JeffD]

This is for a standalone PC.....I'm setting up switches to emulate up/down/left/right/enter keys and I would like to be able to launch a program or batch with the press of a button.

thanks

[_Iz-]

If it's for a standalone arcade machine, then mapout which keys you will use for each main function (directions, action buttons etc...) and use whatever is left over for "hotkeys". For example, if the letter "x" ends up not being used for anything then use that for a "hotkey" function, etc...

[JeffD]

It's for a home theater computer, so most of the keys have a good chance of being used. Maybe I could use one of the lesser used function keys, like F12 or something

[_Iz-]

exactly...

[_Iz-]

If it's for a home theatre computer, why the ipac? Is it multi-purpose, games and multimedia?

[hooded_paladin]

Is the i-pac capable of emulating shift or alt key combinations? I thought it could only send a single character.

the entire point of having an ipac is so you can send multiple characters without ghosting or blocking.

However, if you plan to require ALL of the keys keep in mind that an ipac4 only has 48 inputs ...
and if you aren't using it for a gaming situation (not requiring a lot of simultaneous keypresses) and you need to use all of the keys, you're better off with a keyboard hack.

[JeffD]

why the ipac?

It's going to be part of a navigation system I'm creating on the front of a PC. The arrow keys and enter drive most functions with my htpc and this will allow the use of many functions without the remote or keyboard.

[_Iz-]

Will you ever be up there at the pc to use it? Wouldn't you be on the couch with the remote?

[JeffD]

Will you ever be up there at the pc to use it? Wouldn't you be on the couch with the remote?

I'll use the remote 95% of the time, but this is just a supplement to the remote. I can see a few uses for it, like launching movies ripped on the hard drive, viewing images from my digital cameras smart card, etc. I could also add working "VCR" buttons since PowerDVD uses single character hotkeys

[hooded_paladin]

why the ipac?

It's going to be part of a navigation system I'm creating on the front of a PC. The arrow keys and enter drive most functions with my htpc and this will allow the use of many functions without the remote or keyboard.

what you're saying is, you want every key on the keyboard and it's for a home theater.  That doesn't explain why the ipac ... you could just solder whatever buttons you want to a keyboard circuit board ... I  can see how it would save hassle to use an ipac, but an ipac won't be able to give you all the keys on the keyboard

[JeffD]

Not every key, just a few: Up/down/left/right/enter for navigating. I may also add some "VCR" buttons I mentioned in the post above (They will map to "N", "P", space and one other I can't remember at the moment). Pretty simple.

The purpose of the original post was to inquire if it was possible for the i-pac to send something like an "alt-x" or something like that so I can make that a hotkey and launch my front end program. This part is purely a luxory and not required.