RF Remote Control with RS232 Trasceiver

[etc6849]

I'm looking to replace my X10 RF Remote control; I currently use it with the X10 rs232 receiver MR26A in Morotola Premsie. The remote works well and I've written scripts that will change what things like the play button controls based on what the A/V receiver is set too so you never have to switch TV, DVD, CBL, AUX etc on the remote! The set up works well, but I'm interested in a nicer remote from a cosmetic perspective.

I'd like to get a new RF remote that has an LCD backlit display, backlit buttons etc...

I'm wondering if anyone makes such a remote that I can send RS232 commands to using an open protocol ascii (preferred) or binary (ie display what's song I'm playing on the LCD) and also receive immediate RS232 commands from (ie when someone hits play).

The LCD is not necessarily a must, but the backlit buttons are. I don't want a touch screen (I use a Samsung Q1EX for that), just real buttons and a nice form factor. I've looked at Universal remotes at local place, but the dealer basically said I'd need special dealer only software to program the remote to do what I want and wasn't very forthcoming with information. I don't really need a software programmable remote, just one that maps the buttons to set RS232 strings.

It would also be a huge plus if the remote kept sending RF data to the transceiver while the buttons are pressed. In this manner, I could create a hold property, and use buttons for more than one purpose. I do this now with the X10 RF remote control. Holding play down for three seconds dims the lights until the play button is released again; holding pause down brightens the lights etc...

 

[etc6849]

Forgot to mention I use the GC-100 for IR outputs

 

[apostolakisl]

In my setup up I would (and someday when I get the time) plan on setting that situation like such.

I have a harmony 890 remote which is RF to a base station then IR again. Harmony has other similar models as do other makers. I have my media server in the room with the base station. The media server has an IR receiver. Then I would write the scripts on the media server to output the commands via the rs232 ports on it customized to the IR input it receives from the Harmony base station. As you may have guessed, I have my entire AV setup in that same closet.

I also have an ISY99ir. You can write scripts on this that are triggered by IR input and output commands via IP. From there you can have IP devices anywhere on your home network output the RS232 commands to a device plugged into it. There are dedicated devices for that purpose which are very small. I think the GC-100 will do that? The ISY is a bit pricey if this is the only thing you are looking to do with it but it is very capable with an ability to handle megabytes of program that can control all sorts of things via IP (using the network module), or via Insteon and/or x10 devices.

 

[etc6849]

Luo, it sounds like your setup is similar to what I'm looking for except: in the end you are relying on IR from the harmony base station. I found that RS232 be used to detect states beyond what could be done reliably with an IR remote: release, hold and press. This allows each button to have an extra state to trigger action. If only harmony had a base station that would output rs232.

FYI: the GC-100 is a very affordable networked based IR output/rs232 portserver. It doesn't hold any user configurable code. All of my code lives on my home automation server and it talks to the GC100 over the network. For IR input to the GC-100 you plug the rs232 GC-IRE into one of the rs232 ports.

 

[KentDub]

I never realized that IR could be turned into a simple RS232 link.... Looks like I'll have some uses for the leftover 18 ports of my 24-port console server I bet there is a RF RS232 device out there that can be plugged into any console server or computer. IMO it's better to seperate everything into components. I got my 24-port console server for cheaper than the GC100, and it appears that it can do much more.

Kent

 

[apostolakisl]

Luo, it sounds like your setup is similar to what I'm looking for except: in the end you are relying on IR from the harmony base station. I found that RS232 be used to detect states beyond what could be done reliably with an IR remote: release, hold and press. This allows each button to have an extra state to trigger action. If only harmony had a base station that would output rs232.

FYI: the GC-100 is a very affordable networked based IR output/rs232 portserver. It doesn't hold any user configurable code. All of my code lives on my home automation server and it talks to the GC100 over the network. For IR input to the GC-100 you plug the rs232 GC-IRE into one of the rs232 ports.

The ISY does allow program controls for tap, hold, release, etc. It is not two way however, as you mention. The remote does not get any feedback as to the success of an action or if someone manually changed a componant. The Harmony does keep track of the status of everything, assuming you don't have any failed transmissions and no one changes things directly at the componant.

I was thinking that the iPad may be a really great remote. It is not that much more expensive than a good universal remote and you might just be able to access the GC-100 ports directly from it. Someone just needs to write some nice software it.