Infared Software

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:22 am

Ok, here's the deal. I need- no, want some software I can put on my Windows 95 laptop with built-in infared that can record an infared signal then send it back out. Example, record the signals from my TV remote then control my TV with my laptop. Does anybody know of any good software that can do what I just described? I have tried Girder, and it DOES NOT WORK with my operating system or my laptop. Please do not ask me to try Girder, because I already have.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:48 am

Have you tried WinLIRC? I use it on my HTPC and it works great.

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/

It's designed to use homemade serial port recievers/transmitters <s>, but I think it can read from a laptop's IR circuitry.</s>

EDIT: Oops, sorry. It says it won't work with laptop IR ports.

But you can build a serial transmitter/reciever with less than 10 dollars' worth of Radio Shack parts and it will work on any computer with a serial port!

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:17 pm

Have anything else? I don't want to take the chance that I might fry my motherboard.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:11 pm

Could you download the codes to control your TV?

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:31 pm

You know, that's a good idea! Where and how could I do that?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:39 pm

Mario wrote:You know, that's a good idea! Where and how could I do that?

Google "IR codes" or similar and find the ones for your tv and get a program that can use them.

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:52 pm

Laptop IR ports are a lot like PDA IR ports: they're meant for close-range transmission, e.g. with a cell phone or PDA that is sitting on the table, unmoving, around 3 inches away. You're not going to get much range. A much better idea is to either build an IR transmitter/receiver (check on engadget for a really easy guide), or buy one.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:09 pm

Yeah, but I dont want to do that.

Edutainment · Post by **Edutainment** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:23 pm

Just put a strong magnifying glass in front of the IR.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:53 am

Er, the only infared software I can find is for pda's...

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:56 am

Mario wrote:Er, the only infared software I can find is for pda's...

Did you search for your particular laptop model?