Remote control for my jukebox cabinet .... possible?

[unclet]

My jukebox cabinet is almost complete.  It is a touchscreen jukebox but will have wireless keyboard/mouse handy for configuration of the computer (if required) and will eventually have wireless ethernet connection as well for adding to the song files.   

I was thinking it would be nice to use all this wireless technology to be able to control the jukebox from across the room or from the outside patio (ie: change the volume, skip a song, etc....).  As a result, I was wondering whether anyone makes a remote control to help me accomplish this.......

Now, since all the jukebox functions have associated keyboard key mappings, I could control eveything I need to by using the wireless keyboard.  However,  telling the wife she has to carry around a keyboard to control the jukebox and must press "U" to turn the volume up and "D" to turn it down on a keyboard is not what I am looking for.   

It would be nice to have a PC remote control which allows the user to assign their own keyboard key mappings to each button on the remote so I can use the remote to control anything on the computer I want to

Anyone have any ideas or recommendations?

** Also, I do not want to spend tons of money making this work either ...

(EDIT)
I see they sell PC remote controls ........ do things like these allow you to assign keys to the buttons yourself?

Something like these ...... do they allow mapping of the buttons?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Labs-PC-Remote-Control-CD-Player-WinDVD-dxr3_W0QQitemZ220192985430QQihZ012QQcategoryZ51086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/VLSystem-M-Play-MINI-Remote-Controller-for-PC_W0QQitemZ200192448308QQihZ010QQcategoryZ51086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[gonzo90017]

I see they sell PC remote controls ........ do things like these allow you to assign keys to the buttons yourself?

No. But I did find a solution. There's a program that let's you assing keyboard keys to it. It's called Miri Server. I already had that control since I bought it to use with Geexbox. But I thought it would be cool if I could integrate Mplayer into Mamewah and see my movies from there. That way I wouldn't have 2 pc's hooked up  to the tv (arcade pc and geexbox). So I succeded in integrating Mplayer. But to my dissapointment Mamewah wouldn't respond to the button presses from the IR Remote.    (Anyone know why that is?)

Anyways since I tend to jump from one project to another I decided to make a small tutorial for when I got back to it.
Anyways here's the software with the tutorial. Miri Server + Tutorial

[unclet]

I am confused ..... are you indicating you have some type of remote control which did not allow key mapping but then you developed some software to allow key mapping to it, but it did not work?

I am confused as to what type of remote control you have.

[gonzo90017]

I have the same control in your link. The software it comes with is useless. You have to use 3rd party software to simulate keyboard presses (Miri Server).

[unclet]

There are two links .... which one do you have?

Also, did you ever get your remote control working?

[gonzo90017]

http://www.mediafire.com/?fhnhmhrpgcy this is the version i'm using. It also contains a small tutorial I made.

The control works fine with mplayer and any other windows application I tried it on. It just doesn't work with Mamewah. I was trying to go through my game lists, launch games etc.

[psychotech]

Remote controlled jukebox you say?

Can't be done, forget it!

OR ..just download a copy of PC Remote Control (http://www.pcremotecontrol.com/software/pcrcsoft.htm) and use almost any old remote controller & receiver! Works with all needed software and front-ends.. Everyone of them...

I'm using PC Remote Control with an old REALmagic DVD-card remote on my jukebox. MaLa with SK-Jukebox for songs & music videos, VLC Media Player for concert videos & movies, MAME, Visual Pinball, etc. etc. The only time I'll have to touch the juke is pushing one button to turn it on! Everything from there on can (and usually is) be done with the remote

See http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=67842.msg714587#msg714587

Hope this helps..

[unclet]

Thanks a lot ..... I will add this stuff to my "to do" list ..... need to wrap up the jukebox build first. 

[gonzo90017]

Just tried it and it doesn't work with Mamewah either. 

[unclet]

Actually, if I use any old remote control then how do I get a receiver attached for the computer?  I mean how does the computer know what key is being pressed to take action?

I guess I do not understand where this "receiver" comes from .....

[psychotech]

Well..

gonzo90017

The software I suggested (PC Remote Control) works with all the the - Windowed- software I've tried it with. Haven't tried with Mamewah, so I can't say for sure.. But how did you actually test it with mamewah? Did you assign the commands to a particular (ie. mamewah active window) layout with the remote controls also assigned to the right mamewah commands..

Anyway, You'll just have to assign the commands in the software for  the active window ..it's quite self-explanatory, see the software documentation.. (Even software running  full screen has some kind of window name..) IE, for Mamewah I'd suggest running mamewah and then checking the PCRC "Actual layout:" list for a corresponding window name, adding it to the layouts and then assigning the remote control commands to the appropriate controls for that layout. Save the setup and Run! the PCRC software ...) All my software works flawlessly

unclet

You'll need some kind of receiver anyway.. As I said, with PCRC you could use almost any old remote controller & receiver combo. There are instructions to build your own and some generic receivers for purchase but your best bet is to find a matching pair.

"I guess I do not understand where this "receiver" comes from ....."

Well... In my case it came from an old PC DVD-card set ..you could of course build your own, but I'd search ebay for old PC remotes with receivers ..I've seen such sets going for as low as 2,5 Euros (+ postage).

So.. Good luck!

[psychotech]

Basic instructions to get started with PCRC:

1. Go to File -> Settings -> "Origin of control" and setup your remote type/connection.

2. Select "Commands -> Test origin" and test that the software actually receives data from your remote control.

3. Select "Actual layout:" to program commands for.. IE. Open the layout list and select from a list of running applications. With mamewah running you should see something like MAMEWAH; ThunderRT6Main .. Select that entry and press "Add to layouts", then accept the selection.

4. Select MAMEWAH as the "Actual layout" and start making the needed command-action combinations for that layout. Read the PCRC for instructions for more info on that

5. Remember that all the controls need to be assigned to a particular layout. (Every program/window needs its own set of controls assigned to a corresponding layout).

With all that done right I really can't see why PCRC shouldn't work with Mamewah also..? I've got everything running on MaLa, SK Jukebox & VLC Media Player,  both windowed & full screen, with no problems whatsoever! Just haven't yet figured out how to play Donkey Kong using the remote

So, PCRC needs some setting up at first, but works fine when all is said and done


psychotech

[BORIStheBLADE]

If you wanna be super slick you can probably use this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121004

What about this one? I can't seem to find any info if you can setup certain buttons. I've seen it for about $40.00 at the computer store.

http://www.streamzap.com/products/pcremote/

[psychotech]

..

And even with the streamzap bundle you'd have to use something similar to PCRC (or "request application support") because the software does not support SK Jukebox, Mamewah, Mala, UncleT's Jukebox etc. etc. etc.

Oh well, that a start... There's the remote & receiver, at least

 

[quarterback]

I keep hoping I'll find a (free) jukebox that includes something like what eJukebox does, which would be to give you control of the juke via the wireless network in my house.   Besides the fact you could use something like this as a remote control, you could also search for songs, cue up songs etc and there's no line of sight problems either:

http://www.audiosoft.net/ejukebox2webv2.htm

Anybody else's juke do something like this?   Any possibility that something like this would be added to any jukes here?

[Popcorrin]

I I see they sell PC remote controls ........ do things like these allow you to assign keys to the buttons yourself?

Something like these ...... do they allow mapping of the buttons?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Labs-PC-Remote-Control-CD-Player-WinDVD-dxr3_W0QQitemZ220192985430QQihZ012QQcategoryZ51086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/VLSystem-M-Play-MINI-Remote-Controller-for-PC_W0QQitemZ200192448308QQihZ010QQcategoryZ51086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

I have one of the creative lab remotes and it seems to work pretty well.  You can map the buttons but it only works from about 15 feet away, tops.

[unclet]

This is what I figured ..... if I found a remote control which currently exists then it probably would not have the range I would require.   My jukebox pipes all the music throughout the house (and on the back patio) over the intercom system so adjusting volume or skipping songs would come in handy when we are about 70 feet away.   Probably just need to figure out something else.   I am not sure if any remote control would be able to function from outside threw a cement wall......

Anyway, I will put this topic on the back burner for a while until I complete my jukebox build. 

[Neverending Project]

With something like this, you wouldn't need a remote control - only your phone. Then again, it may be better to have a remote control dedicated to the jukebox, so you don't have to break out the phone when you want to remote control it.

Just another option, FWIW.

[psychotech]

Through walls you say....

Cant really say if this would work but I have one of these ATI Remote Wonders (for yet another future project, of course ) that utilizes radio frequencies and, at least theoretically, should be able to work the way you want.. Well, I've tested it through two concrete walls at roughly 3 meters (9-10 feet?) away.. Worked nicely! Check out the website to see if they're actually saying anything about the actual maximum working distance.... But, yeah, works thru walls!

These ATI Remote Wonders are cheap nowadays, too. Just search ebay... And even if (ok, when) the included, but downloadable, software does not support your choice of software ...you guessed it: PC Remote Control works

Here's a link to the ATI remote: http://ati.amd.com/products/remotewonder/features.html

Another possibility ?

psychotech - with a remote controlled jukebox ...oh, they're coming to take me away, ha-ha. he-he. !

[quarterback]

With something like this, you wouldn't need a remote control - only your phone. Then again, it may be better to have a remote control dedicated to the jukebox, so you don't have to break out the phone when you want to remote control it.

But HEY, that's ALSO works with PDAs!   That looks like it would do just the kind of thing I was asking about.   It could turn a PDA into a remote for software that wouldn't be bogged down by line-of-sight.  It seems to work over bluetooth or WiFi, so if you have a wireless connection in your house, you could control the software from anywhere.   

That looks awesome to me.  My big question is how does it work and can you write a script that would give you access to all the aspects of the jukebox software.  It's tough to tell.  Out of the box it seems to have support for iTunes and Windows media player, but as I glance through their forums, it looks like there is some kind of scripting that can be done to customize the controls.  I'll have to read more, but this could be really cool if it would let me use an old PDA as a wireless jukebox control from anywhere in the house.   

At the very least, it seems to support basic keystrokes so things like pausing, volume control and skipping to the next song should be basic as long as the juke software was keyboard controllable.

Thanks a buch for that link

[unclet]

psychotech
Thanks for the information ..... this ATI remote wonder seems like it would be perfect.

quarterback
Jukebox software developers like myself are currently developing a Jukebox Plugin Standard (JPS) which will allow plugins to be written to interact with the software.  The standard has recently been agreed upon and seems like three jukebox developers UncleT(me - UncleT's Jukebox), Space Fractal(MultiJuke) and Barcrest(Freebox) will be updating their software to support plugins now.

I am in the process of updating my code right now ........

Loadman is getting ready to write some plugins for testing soon.

Possibly this plugin functionality will allow you to interact with the jukebox software how you want  ..... well, at least these three jukebox softwares for now.  I am still updating my software to support the standard.   Please check it out in the Audio/MP3/Jukebox forum

[unclet]

I now have an ATI Remote Wonder Plus remote control.  I contacted ATI and found out you can not remap the standard keys (play, pause, stop, volume up/down, etc...) at all so using this remote to control my jukebox software is not going to work using their supplied software.   

As a result, I would like to get it working with the PC Remote Control application.   I downloaded the PC Remote Control software and instaleld it but I am not sure exactly how to go about setting it up.   I need to play around with it tonight and see what I can do with it.   

I have the following questions:

1) Do I need to install the "ATI Remote Wonder Plus" application software even though I am going to use the "PC Remote Control" application to use my remote control to interface with the PC?

2) The receiver which comes with the "ATI Remote Wonder Plus" remote control connects into the PC using a USB connection.   Will the "PC Remote Control" software function correctly with a USB connection?  I think I read the "PC Remote Control" software uses the serial cable connector or the PS2 connector ..... but I could be wrong on this.   Anyway, just want to make sure the ATI Remote Wonder Plus will work properly through the USB port.....  If not, then must I get a USB to serial port converter cable perhaps?

[TimmyB]

You could try a Firefly Remote: http://www.snapstream.com/products/firefly/

They offer an RF remote that works thorugh walls.  Alot of HTPC users like it.  Another candidate is a Windows Media Center remote, but I believe those are almost all IR and would not work thorugh walls.

[unclet]

I do not want to buy another remote control ...... I was searching for a PC remote control which could control my jukebox software I created.  This means a remote control would have to exist which would allow the user to remap it's keys to any standard keyboard key but I do not think such a remote exists.   I was told I could use the "PC Remote Control" application to help me to do this instead.

Basically, the FireFly remote control you recommended seems like it is programs for many 3rd party applications but still does not let the user remap it's keys to what they want them to be.  Also, many remote controls available come with their own multimedia center software which allows the remote control to interact with it to play movies, songs, etc...   but I do not want to use their software to control all of this .... I want to use my software.

Anyway, I was told that the "PC remote control" is an application which can take an existing remote control (and receiver) connected to the PC and get it act like I want it to.

[gonzo90017]

I'm not sure if it will work with usb but give it a try. Here's a tutorial that I made for PCRemote control.  I made it using Screen2Exe. Just ignore the first 13 seconds where it shows you how to make a new layout. For some reason it didn't want to work. It only seems to work with the default layout, just modify that one.

[severdhed]

for anyone looking for a remote/receiver combo...the DVD kit for the original xbox works great.  You can pick up the remote and receiver for $30.  the receiver has an xbox controller port connector, which is just a non standard usb connector.  you can purchase an xbox to usb adaptor, or make your own pretty easily.    once you have it connected, download the xbox controller drivers

http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html

and it works great.

[psychotech]

unclet:
I'm all apologies ..

I actually thought that the Remote Wonder would (fully) work with the PC Remote Control software. Read that somewhere.. After trying the remote & the software; Oh P.Huck., seems not to be the case after all. Numerics and all the Ati programmable function buttons work along with the mouse controls ..otherwise., nothing much

Anyway, go to Settings and from Origin of Control select Keyboard press trapping (AVerMedia TV Series Remote also works ..kinda).. Not the control I was (and you were) hoping for, but something..

Would have tried the IR Assistant before this post but the site seems to be down at the moment..?

I know you're not happy with this option, but Girder @ http://www.promixis.com/products.php?section=girder at least promises to fully work with the ATI's we have.. Not "too cheap" an option. Still, seems I'll have to try it. Oh, here's another torrent...

IR-Assistant ..where are you...? (IR Assistant is free for personal and educational use, but costs €24 for a commercial licence. ->http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/downloads/2128244/ir-assistant) - Oh, it's still IR... We'll see

severdhed:
You sure? Could I map the remote's Fast Forward to, say X ..or Page Up ..or R, on SK-Jukebox and have it FF the song/video/whatever on that program? Or could the remote's right button work as Next Emulator/Screen on MaLa (as a right arrow..)?

So, who want's to buy an ATI Remote Wonder? Mint condition..

[unclet]

I downloaded the PC Remote Control software and inside the Examples directory there is a "Ati Remote Wonder.pcr" file so I thought this remote control would be supported somehow.   Do you have the latest software? 

Also, I wonder why their site lists the "ATI Remote Wonder" under there "Remote Control Solution" section:

http://www.pcremotecontrol.com/solutions/solutions.htm

Anyway, before I spend more money, I might wait until someone actually gets a remote control working which can be fully (re)mappable.   I was really looking forward to using this remote control on my jukebox as well since it had a range of 60 feet and worked through walls .....  oh well.

(EDIT)
Since you indicates the A,B,C,D,E,F keys on the remote control "work" then does this mean I can assign any key character to these buttons?  I might just live with the idea that A=Play, B=Skip, C=Pause, D=VolumeUp, E=VolumeDown F=?

[psychotech]

Oh, now were talking.. maybe. I never noticed it to be honest.. I have the latest version, just didn't look at the folder....

I've yet to test that PCRC ATI layout but it still seems quite restricted? I'll try it - and then some - tomorrow and ..I'll be back :?

Also, I wonder why their site lists the "ATI Remote Wonder" under there "Remote Control Solution" section:

- Maybe as just another possible solution ..?

I might wait until someone actually gets a remote control working which can be fully (re)mappable

- Well yeah, the old RC I'm using on my juke now is fully re-mappable and works like a charm! Then again, it's the old serial port stuff...

..does this mean I can assign any key character to these buttons?

- Haven't really tried it all out yet (the RC was just waiting for another project, not used) but it seems there are quite a few options available. Have you installed the Remote Wonder software and have the RC working? If so, just press any of the programmable buttons and ..a wealth of options should be available as soon as you click on "OK"........ And, yes; You can have both the PCRC supported functions and the ATI's own stuff available to you at any given moment; IE. All the ATI programmable buttons & mouse control along with PCRC's numeric controls, etc.

Later

[unclet]

Yes, I have the PC Remote Control software installed as well as the ATI Remote Wonder software installed.    If I press the "A" button then a window pops up telling me that nothing is assigned to that button.  I can click OK and get redirected to the "ATI Remote Wonder"configuration screen which looks like it only allows me to assign a keyboard key to the A,B,C,D,E,F buttons only.  I successfully mapped the "A" button to be the keyboard "Q" key.  I can then go into any editor and see that the "Q" character is displayed when I press the "A" key.  Now, all of this mapping occurred within the "ATI Remote Wonder" software only without the need to interact or confiure the PC Remote Control software at all.  I can not figure out how to do anything within the "PC Remote Control" application which might be useful for the ATI remote control.

Let me know if you have any luck when you get around to trying it out.   One would assume a PCR file associated specifically with the ATI Remote Wonder would not exist unless it somehow worked ...... but this is just an assumption ..... perhaps the software development for this type of remote is not yet finished.  Perhaps the "PC Remote Control" software only works on serial port interfaces only?

[psychotech]

100% SUCCESS

unclet

Just do this:

1.
From the PCRC folder, copy the file ATIRWPlugin.dll to the ATI remote's plug-ins folder

2.
Open the ATI remote properties -> Plug-ins and select Import

3.
Import the ATIRWPlugin.dll you just copied...

4.
Press Configure on the ATI Plug-ins screen for additional info ..

5.
Set the recognition parameters in PCRC as instructed (PCRC Settings -> Recognition tab)

6.
ENJOY!


Works like a charm!!!!

[unclet]

Excellent!!!

I did what you recommended and was able to see how the PC Remote Wonder software recognizes the buttons from the remote control when I press them since it lights up the corresponding button within it's software when I press it.

Now, the question is .... what do I need to do in order to map keypresses to each button.    I am off to work, so I can not play with this yet, but I assume I need to create a new layout, select the active window the layout will be associated with and then somehow be able to map keyboard characters to each remote control button.   Does this seem correct?

To save me time (if you have done it), perhaps you can give me a quick step by step on how to assign the letter "Q" to the "Play" button?

Actually might help everyone else out who is reading this thread and who have just bought an ATI remote control now   

Good work ..... I never would have thought about moving the plugin file over to the ATI Remote Control's plugin directory.

[psychotech]

Great

Here's a basic step-by-step to get you started..

(Also, check out the "Layouts_demo.pcr" etc. in the Examples folder)

Now that you have the remote working and the "ATI Remote Wonder.pcr" open on PCRC it goes like this:

(Using VLC media player in this example..)

1. Open the software you're going to create a new layout for (VLC media player)

2. in PCRC open the "Actual layout" dialog

3. In the Running applications list you should see VLC media player; wxWindowClassNR, highlight that and click the "Add to layouts" button ..and Accept the addition

4. Back in the PCRC main screen select VLC media player (or whatever you possibly named the layout entry) from the list of Actual layouts

5. On the Execute action area select New (action) and name the new action (ie. Play/Pause)

6. Activate the Play button on the Remote commands list by clicking the command or by pushing the play button on the ATI remote

7. Drag the Play command from the remote commands list to the Trigger commands box (or CTRL+A  -  or left click and select "Copy to action trigger list)

8. Select the Actions list dialog and click on New...

9. From details select "Particular key(s):" and type in the needed key, in this case Space (er.., you wanted Q ..so just type in Q)

10. Accept, save and Run! to test the setup!

11. Repeat steps 5-9 as needed.........

If you have problems even though the right program is active, try different Destination window options. Also, the  Running applications list is a good place to experiment in case of trouble ..the program relies on the Window titles and/or program class names and while this makes the software really versatile and powerful it's also a weakness as with some programs determining the right destination window(s) etc. could be a real PITA. (Essentially programs that are internally divided to many "windows/classes/whatever".

Anyway, this should get you started..

[severdhed]

severdhed:
You sure? Could I map the remote's Fast Forward to, say X ..or Page Up ..or R, on SK-Jukebox and have it FF the song/video/whatever on that program? Or could the remote's right button work as Next Emulator/Screen on MaLa (as a right arrow..)?

So, who want's to buy an ATI Remote Wonder? Mint condition..
[/quote]

i havent tested it on my cabinet yet.  i did connect it to my other PC a while back and used it to control media player and things like that.  I cannot remember if it lets you define the buttons as Keys, or if it shows up as a gamepad/joystick.  i'll mess with it tonight if I can and let you know.

[unclet]

Thanks for the details .... I will try this tonight when I get home ....   

[unclet]

Your steps worked perfectly .... thanks ..... although I just discovered I can only enter a maximum of 4 "actions" right now since I must pay to register this software.

Also, is there a way which it can be set up so if I hold down a button on the remote control then it will "repeat" the key press over and over instead of me having to continuely having to press the same remote key over and over (ie: volume up and volume down)?

[protokatie]

although I just discovered I can only enter a maximum of 4 "actions"

Do you need more than 4? Just wondering, as a Juke may be my next project.. (Either that or making an old typerwriter work as a keyboard as someone meantioned here... Since that would also be very cool)

[unclet]

Here are the main ones I would like to use via the remote:

Play
Pause
Volume Up
Volume Down
Skip
Fast Forward
Fast Reverse
Mute <-- possibly but not that important

[Kangum]

this product is 40 dollars and claims to do it all. includes remote and wireless.

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10372

[unclet]

That remote does not mention whether it lets you remap the buttons of the remote to standard keyboard keys.  Also that remote is an infrared remote which means you have to have a "line of sight" to the receiver connected to your PC in order for the signals to be processed.  This is not that nice when the PC is inside a cabinet.  The ATI Remote Wonder Plus remote control uses radio frequency to send signals to the receiver so that means it works through walls (or MDF board) 

Anyway, I registered my ATI Remote Wonder Plus remote control and I can now map it with anything and it works great.