DIY: build your own c200 'IR eye' for cheap

[john_nj]

(01-05-2010 01:06 AM)linuxworks Wrote:  but the best is actually a simple opto coupling, as in heatshrink tubing on a transmitter/receiver led-to-led (so to speak) config. it looks sloppy and kind of ugly but its electrically isolated and that's actually a good nice to have thing. there are many parts inside computers that do just this (opto to opto link) so its not at all a hack.

Thanks for the idea. This is what I just did with mine. I put the Radio Shack module in an old 35mm film canister with one of the Logitech IR transmitters.

Now maybe I can stop wondering why the designers of the C-200 went out of their way to give the thing a proprietary RF remote and not a built in IR receiver like every other A/V component I've ever seen....

John

[porkus73]

This is what I did after reading this excellent thread:

SLx - Magic Eye IR Extender - For Sky / Sky+ / Sat TV

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN...oh_product

Metal 3.5mm Stereo Plug (FJ99H)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=1187

Total cost, roughly £6

Cut the cable at the opposite end to the IR receiver

Then solder the individual cables to the 3.5mm plug

Blue = Ground
Red = V+
Green = Signal / Data Out


Add Harmony device as follows:

Device Type = Computer > Media Centre PC
Manufacturer = Popcorn Hour
Model Number = IRK-200

Works a treat

[Magik]

I did it! It was easy, and cost me 5 Eur

[starcat]

Great savings over the IRK-200 ;-)

---

(01-21-2010 10:35 PM)john_nj Wrote:  Thanks for the idea. This is what I just did with mine. I put the Radio Shack module in an old 35mm film canister with one of the Logitech IR transmitters.

Now maybe I can stop wondering why the designers of the C-200 went out of their way to give the thing a proprietary RF remote and not a built in IR receiver like every other A/V component I've ever seen....
John

Thanks to the RF remote you can completely hide away the NMT, and thanks to to 3.5mm jack you can connect it directly to any AMX/Crestron/Xantech/Niles processor without using a sticky IR flasher on the front :-) Having additionally an $2 IR-eye on the front to allow using Harmonys directly would be great but then *nobody* will buy the IRK-200 cutting in sales.

[indiejones]

Hi guys I've got one of these (Xantech 789-44 connecting block)controlling via ir emitters my AV gear what I would like to know is can I run a 3.5mm - 3.5mm stereo or mono jack from PCH straight to one of the Xantech ir 3.5mm emitter ports

Xantech 789-44 kit
http://www.xantech.com/Infrared/Infrared.../IRDY4KIT/

[GunterO]

Thanks, the TSOP1838 is working too
http://www.digchip.com/datasheets/downlo...r=TSOP1838

[starcat]

(02-12-2010 05:56 PM)indiejones Wrote:  Hi guys I've got one of these (Xantech 789-44 connecting block)controlling via ir emitters my AV gear what I would like to know is can I run a 3.5mm - 3.5mm stereo or mono jack from PCH straight to one of the Xantech ir 3.5mm emitter ports

Xantech 789-44 kit
http://www.xantech.com/Infrared/Infrared.../IRDY4KIT/

Not sure about Xantech as I am using AMX, but if they are also using mono cables, then you should connect only the GND and DATA leads and leave the +5V unconnected. The IR pulse train should be demodulated, i.e. carrier turned off.

[indiejones]

(02-14-2010 09:05 PM)starcat Wrote:  Not sure about Xantech as I am using AMX, but if they are also using mono cables, then you should connect only the GND and DATA leads and leave the +5V unconnected. The IR pulse train should be demodulated, i.e. carrier turned off.

Thanks for reply... I have now tried both... stereo & mono jacks and still no joy I just cant believe I'm having all this trouble I hope after all this it's not my IR input on the back of C-200 thats the problem... I'm gonna have try and get the original IR kit some how

[starcat]

(02-15-2010 07:44 PM)indiejones Wrote:  Thanks for reply... I have now tried both... stereo & mono jacks and still no joy I just cant believe I'm having all this trouble I hope after all this it's not my IR input on the back of C-200 thats the problem... I'm gonna have try and get the original IR kit some how

Sorry, to not be clear, you should use a 3.5mm stereo jack but only connect DATA and GND and not +5. By using a mono jack you are shortening two of the leads and when using a stereo jack it is important to grab only DATA and GND.

[gatorinfla]

(02-15-2010 07:44 PM)indiejones Wrote:  Thanks for reply... I have now tried both... stereo & mono jacks and still no joy I just cant believe I'm having all this trouble I hope after all this it's not my IR input on the back of C-200 thats the problem... I'm gonna have try and get the original IR kit some how

I think the comment above about removing the carrier frequency is key. I have a Xantech system and was planning on getting something similar setup at some point as well (instead of just taping the emitter to the receiver). Of course, integration like this isn't cheap Xantech sells the following that I think is designed for this application:

http://www.xantech.com/files/manuals/539_28EXT.pdf

Of course, it doesn't list the PCH as being supported so there is risk of it not working, and worse, damaging some part of your system.

[bassfiend]

(02-15-2010 07:44 PM)indiejones Wrote:  Thanks for reply... I have now tried both... stereo & mono jacks and still no joy I just cant believe I'm having all this trouble I hope after all this it's not my IR input on the back of C-200 thats the problem... I'm gonna have try and get the original IR kit some how

Your problem here is - unfortunately - lack of understanding about how IR signals can be handled and this is very common, people think that because a 3.5mm plug is a 3.5mm plug then "it should just work".

The Xantech IR block outputs the data to control the device superimposed on a 38kHz carrier (known as modulated IR) - this is used to drive an IR emitter and so has to have the 38kHz carrier.

The rear panel socket on the C200 expects to see *DEMODULATED* IR (just the control command data with no 38kHz carrier) so piping modulated IR into it won't work. The IR receiver in the IRK-200 takes care of extracting the control command data from the 38kHz carrier.

Hope that clears up a bit of confusion.

Cheers

Phil

[tmarques]

Hum, then is there a way to get the control command out of the IR code we get when we learn the codes using a Pronto remote for instance?

[cyberkryten]

(01-30-2010 10:18 PM)porkus73 Wrote:  This is what I did after reading this excellent thread:

SLx - Magic Eye IR Extender - For Sky / Sky+ / Sat TV

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN...oh_product

Then solder the individual cables to the 3.5mm plug

Blue = Ground
Red = V+
Green = Signal / Data Out

Hmmm, ordered one of those and the cable colours have changed and I'm wondering if the module itself is now different. Opening the unit up I have Green to GND, Red is marked VCC on the circuit borad and White is makred DATA.

I've soldered this up to the 3.5mm plug (twice in case I got it wrong first time) and the LED on the IR receiver lights when I press a button on my Harmony 900 but the C200 doesn't do anything.

I've tried setting it up as both the IRK module and also the A110 with no luck.

Something is definitely happening as when I connect the module, the RF remote stops working and it starts again when I disconnet the 3.5mm jack.

Any suggestions? Don't think there is much I can do to test it, so I may just order another module - just wondered if the new C200s have any changes that would stop this working?

[mega_kas]

(04-19-2010 01:37 PM)cyberkryten Wrote:  Hmmm, ordered one of those and the cable colours have changed and I'm wondering if the module itself is now different. Opening the unit up I have Green to GND, Red is marked VCC on the circuit borad and White is makred DATA.

I've soldered this up to the 3.5mm plug (twice in case I got it wrong first time) and the LED on the IR receiver lights when I press a button on my Harmony 900 but the C200 doesn't do anything.

I've tried setting it up as both the IRK module and also the A110 with no luck.

Something is definitely happening as when I connect the module, the RF remote stops working and it starts again when I disconnet the 3.5mm jack.

Any suggestions? Don't think there is much I can do to test it, so I may just order another module - just wondered if the new C200s have any changes that would stop this working?

I've just used one of those slink eye's from amazon and soldered on a 3.5mm jack as per the instructions.

I can confirm that "Green to GND, Red is marked VCC on the circuit borad and White is makred DATA" is correct as my Harmony remote is controlling the device.

However, the Harmony itself is going to need a bit of work to get the buttons set up correctly.

[chumbucket]

So can we wire the plug for the PCH from the input side of an IR repeater instead of the emitter side? Just cut the +5 and wire the control signal in?