Topic: Remote Zone Control - External Push Buttons (Read 4262 times)

Simon Daykin · « **on:** January 01, 2004, 05:26:25 pm »

Hi,

I am a very happy MC9 user, and now looking to extend it to manage all my in house music. I have put various sound cards in my Jukebox and setup zones for the 3 main rooms. All is great, sending different streams to the different rooms. What I would like to do now is mount some little push buttons on the wall in each room to do some basic functions: e.g.

Vol Up
Vol Down
Mute
Play
Pause
Stop
Skip Forward
Skip Back

Initially my plan was to hard wire these buttons into a controller that could then fire infra-red or serial events to in turn trigger something like Girder to control MC9. This however seems very long and convoluted. Can anyone offer any suggestions for implimenting external push buttons for controlling different zones?

Any help greatfully recieved.

Kind Regards

Simon

LisaRCT · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2004, 11:14:20 am »

There are a number of users on the forum here who use multi-zone setups and make use of various remote devices including:
IR remotes, RF Remotes, and various types of wireless PC/Palm/PPC, etc.

Perhaps doing a forum search will reveal some of their solutions . . . . or maybe this bump will get one of them to give you some suggestions.

If not., try renaming your post to draw more attention to the heart of the subject . . . . i.e.: "controlling zones remotely"

Mastiff · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2004, 06:02:27 am »

I have an idea that I'm in the process of taking up myself to put some hardbuttons on the home theater chair: Take a cheap USB joypad, open it up and solder cables to the button points (on the one I've bought I have to solder them to the controller chip, but that should be doable as well). Use one of those thin multi leader cables from the joypad(s) (don't bother with USB extensions) to the rooms where you want to control it all. Then use Girder and the joystick plugin. It should work.

Or for a totally different approach have a look at my webpage, where I show how to use IR remotes and extenders for even more detailed control.

PabloR · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2004, 10:00:08 am »

There is a number of X10 or IR remote control solutions. If you want them built into the wall, xantech has IR solutions that you could mount on the wall and route the IR signal to the PC for girder processing.

NickM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2004, 12:12:26 pm »

Smion, do you have any hard wired controllers in your set-up that you can link to? Something like Lutron or Dynalite lighting?

Alternatively do you have a CAT5 network already cabled? Or do you have a WiFi setup?

What is the distance between your MC machine and the listening room?

nick

Simon Daykin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2004, 08:57:30 am »

Hi,

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. In reply to Nick: Most rooms have no automation equipment in at all yet, and these are the key areas for this media system (e.g. Bathroom, Bedroom etc). I do have a Crestron IIMS in my main room which I plan to eventually integrate using RS-232. In terms of cabling etc, I do have CAT5 wiring throughout plus a full wireless network.

The distances, ranging from 5 to 25 meters.

Regards

Simon

NickM · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:07:16 am »

For greatest flexibility and control a WiFi PDA. You can use this in a number of ways - the simplest being just the web control page for MC. Alternatively there are a number of remote control programs for use with Pocket PC that can interface easily. (lots in in the forum already on this).

You could also use a USB extender over Cat5 from your central PC and plug a remote IR receiver in the remote end. USB extender 1-2-1 is a simpe product which costs from USD40 to USD100. There are more complex ones that allow you to use multiple USB devices over your IP LAN, but this may be overkill. The benefit of this IR approach is that it interfaces directly to MC with no need for 3rd party programs.

Alternatively you could use the same concept of USB extender but with a bluetooth receiver at the other end and use a Bluetooth mobile phone to control MC.

I have just seen the new remote multimedia keyboard from logiteck - there is a detachable bit on the side with controls and a what's playing display - I wonder if this would work over a USB extender link - that would be great!.

nick

KingDodo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2004, 12:33:46 pm »

Whitch joystick plugin you talk? Im searching for a plugin for MC that could let me use an usb joystick to control the volume, play/pause and stop functions of MC.

Mastiff · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2004, 01:04:48 pm »

It's not a plugin for MC, it's a plugin for Girder.

KingDodo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2004, 01:06:42 pm »

Haaaaaa ok sorry. But the idea could be great for MC

Zarius · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2004, 04:04:08 pm »

Though you can use Girder to control MC (in more ways than with MC itself, I believe... eg Zone Control) and therefore use the joystick to control MC via Girder. Unless you specifically wanted a joystick plugin for MC, this would work great (in my opinion - much better, giving more control and extra things such as OnScreenDisplay, etc... albeit a little bit of a learning curve for Girder).

KingDodo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2004, 05:57:42 pm »

I dont know Girder, what is it? i will check out on the web site to know about it and try what you said. If something can do what i want without a plugin i can try it. But i want too that someone try to do a plugin for this...

KingDodo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2004, 06:10:25 pm »

Ok now i know

this is great software that have many possibilities. Now im searching how to use it... And you talk about a joystick plugin. I found a plugin by Sundance... How can i use Girder to control MC??

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2004, 06:37:04 pm »

Media Center has its own girder file, this can be found in
Media Center\Data\Extras\Girder
just click learn event on the appropriate command, great stuff
Rich

KingDodo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2004, 06:52:50 pm »

Hehe ok cool, but now nothing happen ! When i press a button of my joystick of move the axe, the icon of Girder flash, but nothing happen in MC. Must i set something after have loaded the MC girder file?

Sorry for my ignorance

Zarius · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2004, 06:59:23 pm »

Have you learnt any events for the MC commands in Girder? You need to select the command you want and press the learn key... top righthand side of the window, then move or press the joystick however you want, then try that.
Other than that, it'd be pretty tricky working it out over the forum, so if you have ICQ or something like that send me a PM and I'll happy to help.

KingDodo · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2004, 07:10:44 pm »

Hi,

Thanks for your help. I have read some things on the Girder website and i found what you say, clic on event button to choose the command to load. But there is a problem, the plugin dont want to load now. So when i press a button Girder show the command that correspond with the button that i set, but nothing happend on MC.

Im asking too, if the authors have taken the time to make a Girder file to control MC, why they dont have take this time to make a plugin that could make all this more easy... With a simple plugin, no need another apps, no need to set many things like this...Just set few things and MC could be ready to control with the joystick

I dont have ICQ, but if you want to use msn messenger we can.

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2004, 07:52:33 pm »

Have you enabled the sendmessage plugin?
Rich

KingDodo · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:00:30 pm »

Dooooh ! Work now

This plugin was not loaded.

Many thanks... Very good cause now i can tune my tv channels from my bed

But I will always wait for an internal joystick control plugin...

Girder is as shareware...You dont know another free app?

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:05:12 pm »

Quote

But I will always wait for an internal joystick control plugin...

hehe, X10/Remote wonder are the way to go i reckon

Got my ATI RW for about £17
you can use girder to control more apps than just MC, like Zoom Player for example.
Media Center + Zoom Player is an unbeatable combo for me

Rich

Zarius · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:08:03 pm »

Ah yes, forgot about that :)

I finally got MSN working... and I don't need it now :) [ I wanted it up and running for later anyway :) ]

Simon Daykin · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2004, 11:07:12 am »

Hiya Chaps,

Well many thanks for all your replies. I have spent the last few days working on it.

I had used NetRemote to control MC before with great success, but in this instance I was looking for a more "hard" type solution, e.g. Wall Buttons in rooms, perhaps some IR remotes.

The answer clearly lied in Girder, and I after spending a few days on it I think this is definietly the way to go. Any how, the IR stuff was pretty easy, the really important bit for me was having buttons. So, I bought a USB gamepad from PC World for 4.99UKP and tried out this with Girder. Again, a success!

Anyway, with all of this under my belt, it was time to do the job properly. Room number one that needed doing was the Bathroom. Lots of time soaking in the tub, so getting control over the music was important. I thought about and even tried various differnt controls....

1) IR Remote -> couldn't find any water proof ones.
2) Net Remote -> no way I was going to put my Axim anywhere near the bath.
3) Voice Commands (using VoiceFlux), didn't cope when music was playing
4) Hardware switches - clearly the best way forward.

So... and this is the main reason for posting cos I thought you might like this :-).

I dismanteled a game pad at got it working with Girder & MC, all A-OK. I then wired some CAT5 cable onto the game pad controller, 1 pair for each button. (am using four buttons).

I then ran this cable through the loft from media centre PC to the bathroom. In the bathroom then mounted reed switches on the side of the bath. See picy:

I then marked the inside of the bath with a marker where the switches where and what they did. (Play/Pause, Next Track, Vol + and Vol - ). Finished product before button the side of the bath back on:

Note, cable routing yet to go through the wall.

So, all you need to do to control MC in the bath is to wave a magenet over the right symbol on the inside of the bath! Simple, watherproof control! Pretty cool I thought...

I am now having great fun ramming magnets up orrifices of rubber ducks trying to make a decent "remote control" to use in the bath

Hope this is as interesting for you as it was for me! And thanks for all the help!

Kind Regards

Simon

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2004, 12:04:38 pm »

AAAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Nice one mate.
Thats just pure laziness, I like it

give you an excuse to play around with toys in the bath too.
Rich

barcelona35 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2004, 01:27:17 pm »

Hi Simon
Real cool solution. What product are you using to extend the USB over CAT5. I've been looking around and all the extenders I've seen are quit expensive.
Thanx

Simon Daykin · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2004, 01:34:01 pm »

Hiya,

Thanks for your nice comments!

I have not extended the USB over CAT5, the gamepad (or remnants of) is connected to the USB port, and then I have wired the CAT5 onto the buttons of the gamepad. So the only signal going down the CAT5 is circuits being closed by the switches. It works surprisingly well, currently for me over about 20M of cable.

Hope this helps,

Regards

Simon

Mastiff · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2004, 01:41:50 pm »

You know the sick part? I can vividly see the picture of you obusing and abusing rubber ducks!

And if you look at the picture, he has not extended the USB, he simply used network cable from the buttons to the chopped up joypad that's close to his computer!

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #26 on:** January 11, 2004, 05:34:11 pm »

Simon, could you not just have used the reed switch connected to the game port, emulating a gamepad?
I have done this before for a work related project, haven't tried any joysticks with girder though.
Rich

Monkeyboy · « **Reply #27 on:** January 11, 2004, 06:07:39 pm »

Quote from: Monkeyboy on January 11, 2004, 05:34:11 pm

Simon, could you not just have used the reed switch connected to the game port, emulating a gamepad?
I have done this before for a work related project, haven't tried any joysticks with girder though.
Rich

Just had a quick look on the Girder website, you can download a plugin that lets you use any switched on the serial port, up to 4.
Might have a go at something

Rich

KingSparta · « **Reply #28 on:** January 11, 2004, 06:18:50 pm »

I prefer to just get out of the tub

But one of my TV's is next to the tub so i should not talk too much.

I even put a GFCI plug where i plug it into the wall just in case i piss off my wife, and she figures the short way around all her problems In Life would be just to toss the TV in the tub with me.

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #29 on:** January 12, 2004, 02:16:05 am »

Although its not bathproof

IMHO the most 'pro' setup for this would be multiple wall mounted PDA's with MusicLobby running (plus they can be good for X10 lighting etc etc etc..

Netremote is also worth a solid mention for the same task...

For a good howto on hacking a joypad into a button panel check out htpcnews.com

Mastiff · « **Reply #30 on:** January 12, 2004, 11:23:15 am »

I would agree, although I'd put NetRemote first and any lobby program a very weak second... But that's just me. I prefer what gives the most bang for the buck.

And could you please say where in that site the joypad hacking is? In the forum somewhere?

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #31 on:** January 13, 2004, 06:44:19 pm »

http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php?id=controllermod1

Mastiff · « **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2004, 06:08:29 pm »

Thanks, O Phat one!

PhatPhreddy · « **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2004, 07:22:22 pm »

Since new year your I am supposed to be becoming Thin Phreddy,,, We will see $:-\$

Mastiff · « **Reply #34 on:** January 16, 2004, 02:50:44 am »

We might be in danger for getting shouted at for going OT, but I have myself gone from Mastiff to more like a newfoundland's dog, a bit slimmer. From 98 kilos to around 90 in two months. Not bad, huh? But I haven't been eating much...

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Author Topic: Remote Zone Control - External Push Buttons (Read 4262 times)

LisaRCT