IR, X10, or just contolling things in general.

[mchiper]

I think the following info relates to hacking, DIY, and automation..
What do you think one can do coming from this point of vierw.

A byte consists of 8 hex digits.
That means that 8x16x2=256 unique codes that can be contained in a BYTE.
You will find the number 256 arising in most automation/control contexts.
Hmmm... I wonder what that means wrt automation, and computer control.
And X10, IR, Radio, ect. etc. controllers?
Thru the air, water, wire, or the ether?
Using light, sound, RF, microwave, or punched cars, wood chips, or ....

I replaced all of my IR controllers with an $10 RCA "System Link4" (It says)
I think it's really good for more.. but handles
- SAT+AUX - Means "Whatever else you got", I guess.
- Cable (Box)
- TV
- VCR
Those buttons are merely to help you keep track of what device they control.
They don't really mean a thing.. It handles 4 IR "widgets".
The Fn keys send codes the "widget" is "expected" to understand.
They may, or may not, and what they mean to the "widget' is another matter.

So, if you got more than 4, buy two, and tape on your own labels
Or take them apart, and build your own "master" controller.
From there it's a snap to create custom key pad fns, etc etc.

---------------------- The reference (Off Topic) thread from another NG -------------------------

Why can't one device control all my entertainment devices, open my garage door,
pay for my latté, transmit my medical history to a new doctor, etc.
Despite *every* one of my "entertainment" devices coming with their own
"Universal" remote controller, they *aren't*.

Sure they are.
They are universal in that they control something on everything.
Apparently you want the *comprehensive* universal remote control. ;-)

Every single one of them includes some thing(s) *it* needs
that the others don't have corresponding button(s) for.
Ergo, one end table is devoted to a collection of neatly labeled remote controls -
TV, Comcast cable, DVD/VCR, ... .

 

[Hackworth]

I think the following info relates to hacking, DIY, and automation..
What do you think one can do coming from this point of vierw.

A byte consists of 8 hex digits.

That would be eight *binary* digits. For example, 10110101 binary = 128 + 0
+ 32 + 16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 181 decimal.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

That would be eight *binary* digits. For example, 10110101 binary = 128 + 0
+ 32 + 16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 181 decimal.

I had so much trouble with digits or hexits
I could't see what I was saying.
No.. 2 hex digits, my math was correct.
FF == 255 decimal + 1 = 256 pieces of info can be encoded.

 

[Gary Tait]

I think the following info relates to hacking, DIY, and automation..
What do you think one can do coming from this point of vierw.

A byte consists of 8 hex digits.
That means that 8x16x2=256 unique codes that can be contained in a BYTE.
You will find the number 256 arising in most automation/control contexts.
Hmmm... I wonder what that means wrt automation, and computer control.
And X10, IR, Radio, ect. etc. controllers?
Thru the air, water, wire, or the ether?
Using light, sound, RF, microwave, or punched cars, wood chips, or ....

It means how many "channels" of something you can have, from
addresses, to commands.

I replaced all of my IR controllers with an $10 RCA "System Link4" (It says)
I think it's really good for more.. but handles
- SAT+AUX - Means "Whatever else you got", I guess.
- Cable (Box)
- TV
- VCR
Those buttons are merely to help you keep track of what device they control.
They don't really mean a thing.. It handles 4 IR "widgets".
The Fn keys send codes the "widget" is "expected" to understand.
They may, or may not, and what they mean to the "widget' is another matter.

So, if you got more than 4, buy two, and tape on your own labels
Or take them apart, and build your own "master" controller.
From there it's a snap to create custom key pad fns, etc etc.

If you really want to do remote hacking, get a JP1 compatible
One-For-All remote. You can neraly re-program them to no end using a
PC interface and software.

---------------------- The reference (Off Topic) thread from another NG -------------------------

To get a universal entertainment remote, you need to steer away from
those that meke the equipment. Stuff like the GDO has security
concerns, so you won't find their functionality in an entertainment
remote, and besides entertainment universals are essentaiily IR only,

Someday, you could see your personal communcator do all that you want.

As I said, get a JP1 remote. I have at least three, and the one I
predominantly use, has upgrades for 3 devices it didn't have stock
(that I somewhat created by hand, by scanning the original remotes).

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>
Purely accidental, but isn't funny that you can make two mistakes,
and get the right answer?
I think what it means is
16 hex chars x 8 bits/char = 1 nibble x 2 nibbles/byte =bits/byte.
- Being lucky is better than knowing what you are doing, isn't it..

(The way I got the ans was with a hex to decimal calculator)
Then I tried to explain the answer. of 255 +1 = 256.

If you really want to do remote hacking, get a JP1 compatible
One-For-All remote. You can neraly re-program them to no end using a
PC interface and software.

Thanks for the info, but
That's not hacking.
I'm looking to go far beyond what a programmable remote can do.

To get a universal entertainment remote, you need to steer away from
those that make the equipment. Stuff like the GDO has security
concerns, so you won't find their functionality in an entertainment
remote, and besides entertainment universals are essentaiily IR only,

And that's what the JP1 is too, isn't it?
What I was looking for is "You're wrong" and here's why.

 

[Gary Tait]

Whereas On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 22:16:56 -0400, mchiper

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Purely accidental, but isn't funny that you can make two mistakes,
and get the right answer?
I think what it means is
16 hex chars x 8 bits/char = 1 nibble x 2 nibbles/byte =bits/byte.
- Being lucky is better than knowing what you are doing, isn't it..

(The way I got the ans was with a hex to decimal calculator)
Then I tried to explain the answer. of 255 +1 = 256.



Thanks for the info, but
That's not hacking.
I'm looking to go far beyond what a programmable remote can do.

It is far more hackin that you claim to do to a less programmable
remote. FWIW, the programming methods availsble to the public have
been develpend by a hobbyist community, and are in little way the way
the marketers of the remote intended.

And that's what the JP1 is too, isn't it?

Yes, the JP1 is an entertainment remote.

What I was looking for is "You're wrong" and here's why.

Really, if you want one device to control your TV, your GDO, and other
non-entertainment home electronics, you need to invent something.

Thinking, you could use an X-10 dry contact module to run the GDO from
an X-10 RF remote, which you can get an entertainment universal for (
which just happenst to be a JP1 type) .

This is too OT for a PC group, you should discuss this with a home
automation group and get a more definative response,

 

[Robert B. Clark]

I think the following info relates to hacking, DIY, and automation..
What do you think one can do coming from this point of vierw.

A byte consists of 8 hex digits.

No, a byte consists of 8 BInary digiTs (bits).

e.g., FF hexadecimal == 1111 1111 binary == 255 decimal.

That means that 8x16x2=256 unique codes that can be contained in a BYTE.

True, but your logic is flawed: 8 bits/byte x 1 byte = 8 bits; two states
per bit == 2 ^ 8 = 256 possible values.

You will find the number 256 arising in most automation/control contexts.
Hmmm... I wonder what that means wrt automation, and computer control.

It can mean pretty much anything. In the case of a device that can
control/track up to 256 different devices, that could mean that the control
device maintains one bit per channel/address.

 

[Robert B. Clark]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

No, a byte is 8 bits. See comments up-thread.

Purely accidental, but isn't funny that you can make two mistakes,
and get the right answer?
I think what it means is
16 hex chars x 8 bits/char = 1 nibble x 2 nibbles/byte =bits/byte.

This would get you bits = nibbles^2/byte

- Being lucky is better than knowing what you are doing, isn't it..

Not if my old algebra teacher was anywhere within earshot.

16 hex digits ("chars") is a quad-word; for example

0123 4567 89ab cdef == some huge honking number

16 hex chars x 8 bits/char = 128 bits, not 1 nybble.

FYI:

Binary is a base-two numbering scheme in which each digit has one of two
values: 0 and 1.

Decimal is a base-ten numbering scheme that uses the digits 0..9.

Hexadecimal is a base-sixteen numbering scheme that uses the digits 0..9
and A..F. 'A' is decimal 10; 'F' is decimal 15.

A bit is a BInary digiT.

A byte is eight bits. (1111 1111 == 256 decimal).

A nybble is four bits (1111 == 15 decimal).

A hexadecimal digit may be represented by a nybble (1111 ==F).

As you may see, being able to visually map hex directly into binary makes
hexadecimal a very useful "shorthand" for binary.

For example, 1010 1010 == 0xAA == 170 decimal.

(The way I got the ans was with a hex to decimal calculator)
Then I tried to explain the answer. of 255 +1 = 256.

0xFF == 1111 1111.

Eight bits, each of which may be either 1 or 0, gives 2^8 possible values,
or 256.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Whereas On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 22:16:56 -0400, mchiper
<[email protected]> scribbled:


It is far more hackin that you claim to do to a less programmable
remote. FWIW, the programming methods availsble to the public have
been develpend by a hobbyist community, and are in little way the way
the marketers of the remote intended.

I'm not sure this is a bad thing, but then I don't know, what I don't know.

I'm learning as I go..
And saying what I think.
Led me to "FME GDO Server for GeoMedia® "
What good it'll do me, I still don't know.

Yes, the JP1 is an entertainment remote.

Well, entertainment is what I'm into.. But not games.
Unless that's what I have to learn to get where I want to go.

Really, if you want one device to control your TV, your GDO, and other
non-entertainment home electronics, you need to invent something.

What I'm looking to do is control my TV in ways the networks control their affiliates.
So, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to invent something.
I thinking when I look at it like a Dummie, everything will fall in place.

Thinking, you could use an X-10 dry contact module to run the GDO from
an X-10 RF remote, which you can get an entertainment universal for
(which just happenst to be a JP1 type) .

Don't really know what the first two widgets are..
But I'm trying to steer clear of X10.
My intuit says it's the wrong way to go, if I want to play in the majors..

This is too OT for a PC group, you should discuss this with a home
automation group and get a more definative response,

How can it possibly be OT for alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
It's hardware, personal, computing and home built..??

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

0xFF == 1111 1111.

Eight bits, each of which may be either 1 or 0, gives 2^8 possible values, or 256.

Thanks for the math review.
But having studied higher math, a resorted to counting.
Are you saying I counted wrong with 255 + 1 possible values?

 

[Robert B. Clark]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>


Thanks for the math review.
But having studied higher math, a resorted to counting.
Are you saying I counted wrong with 255 + 1 possible values?

Just in case I misinterpreted your smiley....

Your statement that you arrived at 256 by adding 255+1 doesn't adequately
explain why a byte has 256 different values (0..255).

You may as well have said 128 + 128 = 256, or 257 - 1 = 256.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

True, but your logic is flawed: 8 bits/byte x 1 byte = 8 bits; two states
per bit == 2 ^ 8 = 256 possible values.



It can mean pretty much anything. In the case of a device that can
control/track up to 256 different devices, that could mean that the control
device maintains one bit per channel/address.

Of course, but I wonder how many unique Manufacturer codes there really are.
I see 001 as high as 801
For starters....

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Just in case I misinterpreted your smiley....

Your statement that you arrived at 256 by adding 255+1 doesn't adequately
explain why a byte has 256 different values (0..255).

You may as well have said 128 + 128 = 256, or 257 - 1 = 256.

OK..

Hex F == 15 dec and has 15 + 1 = 16 possible values
The + 1 takes care of the 0.

 

[Gary Tait]

Whereas On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:14:06 -0400, mchiper

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>


I'm not sure this is a bad thing, but then I don't know, what I don't know.

Look at the site linked below for more JP1 info.

http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/index.shtml

I'm learning as I go..
And saying what I think.
Led me to "FME GDO Server for GeoMedia® "
What good it'll do me, I still don't know.

GDO is short for Garage Door Opener.

Well, entertainment is what I'm into.. But not games.
Unless that's what I have to learn to get where I want to go.


What I'm looking to do is control my TV in ways the networks control their affiliates.
So, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to invent something.
I thinking when I look at it like a Dummie, everything will fall in place.

Exactly what do you want to control?

Don't really know what the first two widgets are..

A dry contact module is like an appliance module, except the relay
contacts lead to a pair of teminals on the bottom of the module,
instead of controlling power to an appliance,

An RF remote transmits X10 commands to a receiver unit, which relays
them to the power line.

But I'm trying to steer clear of X10.

There are surely other automation systems out there.

My intuit says it's the wrong way to go, if I want to play in the majors..


How can it possibly be OT for alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
It's hardware, personal, computing and home built..??

But it doesn't apply to personal computers, namely "Wintel " PCs one
build with their own hands.

The group you are looking for is comp.home.automation .

 

[Gary Tait]

Whereas On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 12:07:39 -0400, mchiper

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>


Of course, but I wonder how many unique Manufacturer codes there really are.
I see 001 as high as 801
For starters....

Depends on what the addressing system is. Ethernet MAC addresses have
6 bytes, X10 uses 1 nibble for house code, another for unit code. The
NEC IR remote protocol supports 65535 device addresses, with 256
keycodes each (although current chips support 64 keys, with some
rollover keys, and a bit line). Playing around, you could get more
addresses with less keys.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Whereas On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:14:06 -0400, mchiper


Exactly what do you want to control?

What gets put on my TV screen ???
To watch what I tuned in to watch, and NOTHING else..
What's listed in my TV guide would be nice.

A dry contact module is like an appliance module, except the relay
contacts lead to a pair of teminals on the bottom of the module,
instead of controlling power to an appliance,

If it's X10 controlled on off switch.
Then what the hell is "an appliance" module if not ditto.

An RF remote transmits X10 commands to a receiver unit, which relays
them to the power line.

Which relays the commands to the drycontact module,
which tells the GDO go.. OK, so it has to be connected to the GDO
switch terminals, not it's power plug.. Got it..
Thanks..
That's a lot of hardware to get a switch to close for 5 seconds.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Depends on what the addressing system is.
Ethernet MAC addresses have 6 bytes,

If you say so..

X10 uses 1 nibble for house code, another for unit code.

Sounds good to me..
And How many command codes?

The NEC IR remote protocol supports 65535 device addresses,
with 256 keycodes each (although current chips support 64 keys, with some
rollover keys, and a bit line). Playing around, you could get more
addresses with less keys.

If you say so..
I have several RCA universal controllers.
By simple testing I can determine that the controllers can
co exist. Either one can control any of my devices
without interferring with each other.
It makes me think that
256 device codes, and 256 command codes is the norm.

 

[Gary Tait]

Whereas On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 15:50:14 -0400, mchiper

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

What gets put on my TV screen ???
To watch what I tuned in to watch, and NOTHING else..
What's listed in my TV guide would be nice.

All TVs can do that, change the channel, adjust the sound and picture
properties (some TVs have an electronic guide, which can supply some
programming info). Outside of that would not be a function of a remote
control, but of a set top box.

I still don't exactly get what you want to do.

If it's X10 controlled on off switch.
Then what the hell is "an appliance" module if not ditto.

An appliance module controld power to an outlet on the side/bottom/end
of the module. The DC module has a pair of terminals.

 

[mchiper]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>

Whereas On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 15:50:14 -0400, mchiper
<[email protected]> scribbled:

All TVs can do that, change the channel, adjust the sound and picture
properties (some TVs have an electronic guide, which can supply some
programming info). Outside of that would not be a function of a remote
control, but of a set top box.

I still don't exactly get what you want to do.

Gary I can't believe you are really this dense.
I want to watch the News, and programs of my choosing
with out commercial interruptions.
If I try to record a movie AS IS it takes a 2 hour tape
for a 1 hour program.. Editing it out sucks..
TIVO sucks.. It all sucks with out THAT.

And I want to save the progrmas on CDs NOT DVDs..
Blank DVD disks are too damned expensive.

I believe I can do that - 1 hour of AV on a CD,
play it back on my CD player or my DVD player.
I also want to set up a Jukebox which will
handle the logistics of cataloging and playing
what ever I recorded, or bought, or stole..

I don't think I can BUY what I want.
And I don't you can help me design what I want.
You are full of what you think you want..

 

[Gary Tait]

Whereas On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 17:52:57 -0400, mchiper

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, Msg ID: <[email protected]>


Gary I can't believe you are really this dense.
I want to watch the News, and programs of my choosing
with out commercial interruptions.
If I try to record a movie AS IS it takes a 2 hour tape
for a 1 hour program.. Editing it out sucks..
TIVO sucks.. It all sucks with out THAT.

Get a ReplayTV then.

If you want to go for it, you can get some programs and news commecial
free with a C-band satellite system.

And I want to save the progrmas on CDs NOT DVDs..
Blank DVD disks are too damned expensive.

I believe I can do that - 1 hour of AV on a CD,
play it back on my CD player or my DVD player.
I also want to set up a Jukebox which will
handle the logistics of cataloging and playing
what ever I recorded, or bought, or stole..

You cand do that on a PC too.