Remote Control For PC Jukebox

[_Iz-]

I found a site selling cheap PC remote controls. ($9.99 canadian, they also ship to the US)    

http://www.vfxweb.com/index.asp?action=itemv&ia=details&ItemId=1745

I bought one. Any idea if any of the Jukebox programs mentioned around here can/will support this? I'd really like to use this on my mame cabinet.  

[Mameham]

 Presumably that thing will come with the WIRC software I got with my pc remotes I bought on ebay ( $4.95 I think... )... it's Wireless Infrared Remote Control software... a tray app that'll let you program any button on any remote control to do anything on your computer.
 All you need is the infered reciever... I don't know if yours will be compatible with the software but if you don't have anything like it let me know and I'll put it up somewhere and you can try... really nice and really easy to make your remotes do anything, including, yes, run jukeboxes.

- Eric

[BobA]

Iz

Thanks for the link to the remote control.   I ordered 2 of them.   Looks like they come with some software but will have to wait to see what it is.  I am going to try to get it to operate the Virtual Jukebox software mentioned in this section of the board.

Got a better picture of the remote so you can see what functions are implemented.



Looks like it will be really handy if it works out.

It comes with an infared receiver that plugs into a serial port and a driver disk.

Bob

[eightbit]

Hmmm, where was that when I was looking for buttons for my jukebox? It worked out ok since I used a touch screen but that looks good even as a fixed keypad. Maybe velcro it down and then you would have both.

[JLR2000]

Here's another low cost remote: http://www.pricepc.com/cgi-bin/sku.php?item=9900

I picked one up from here a while ago, had some success getting it working with winamp using third party freeware: http://www.girder.nl/features.php

Maybe the Girder software above will work with your remote?  I can't remember, I played with this stuff so long ago, but I thought you could control anything, as long as you programmed it with the software...I think it could "learn" keypresses or something.  Anyway, it may be worth a look-see....

[_Iz-]

I did a bit more research myself. Apparently the driver/software that comes with the remote is total crap. There are some great 3rd party alternatives.

Girder ( http://www.girder.nl/ )  is freeware and highly customizable.

PC Remote Control ( http://www.pcremotecontrol.com/ ) is shareware and is also supposed to be very good.

Of course, native support in Cyberpunk's Virtual Jukebox would be my ideal preference...    

I got my info at http://www.redflagdeals.com  Search the "Hardware & Software" section of their forum for "creative remote" to find the same posts I did...

[BobA]

Got the 2 that I ordered today.  Software that comes with it is not worth the CD that it is recorded on.  Very limited version that Creative Labs probably got for free since and upgrade is need to add features and it is still poor.

Tried Girder and after the initial learning hump it looks like it will work fine with Virtual Jukebox.  Will have to think out how to assign the keys so that the keypad will make sense with the symbols that are on it.  Will make file available once I get it sorted out.

Keypad is really small. 2 x 3 1/4 inches and less than 1/4 inch thick.

That's all for now.

Bob

[_Iz-]

Whatyado? Live in Calgary!!??  

I haven't gotten my order yet...  

[BobA]

Not Calgary,  Edmonton.

The GML file for girder is available from my ftp at the link noted below:

Works really well with virtual jukebox.  Please note it is set up to work in all windows because that was easy and I am planning on using it only for virtual jukebox which will be the program running.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bakaye/creativegml.zip

Bob

[_Iz-]

Kewl, got file. Just need my order now! Apparently you can use remotes other than the one the receiver came with. Might be useful to know if there weren't enough buttons on the stock remote to suit you (or if it gets lost/broken).

BobA: I used to live in Edmonton about 14 years ago. Lived there for almost a year. Was too damn cold for me! I'm spoiled by the weather here in the Okanagan...  

[BobA]

Tried a TV and VCR remote and nada.  The indicator in girder did not indicate that it received any codes.  I think girder will accept many different remotes with the normal IR receiver on the serial port but the creative one may be specific for it's own transmitter. Not sure of this yet but haven't got it to work yet.

Bob

[_Iz-]

Got my order last night.  
Took me some fooling with girder to get it to work but I eventually figured everything out. I can also use the remote for my DVD player with the creative IR receiver. Haven't tried my TV remote yet...

[J_K_M_A_N]

I have been trying to build my own reciever for that past week with the help of this site:
http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/
I am going to try again tonight to solder together all the parts. The parts are only $5-8 at Radio Shack. I am hoping it works. You might be able to use any remote with the software on that site. There is a link for using Visual Basic to work with it also. Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N