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    Remote control

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by nikki, Jun 18, 2006.

  1. nikki

    nikki Newbie

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    Hello everybody

    I'm in the process of shopping for a new lappy, which is proving rather difficult due do my random requirements. In particular, i want a fully programmable remote control, and a small and sleek looking one at that. The laptops that come with remotes don't fulfil my other requirements, so i have to come up with an aftermarket solution.

    My main question here is: if a lappy i get has an IR port (as does the asus w3j that i'm leaning towards), can i get any remote and somehow program the computer to recognize the signals? Could someone point me in the direction of some good links, as i'm really having a problem googling this?

    I would rather not get a USB or cardbus TV tuner, i have no need for it and don't want to travel with extra items, and i HATE dongles, so using an existing piece of hardware such as an IR port would be ideal.

    Any help would be appreciated!
     
    nikki, Jun 18, 2006
    #1
  2. huskyfan23

    huskyfan23 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm sure if you could find a program that would allow it then it would work, but I'm not sure if there are any such programs available.
     
    huskyfan23, Jun 18, 2006
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  3. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    I wouldn't recommend using IR as your remote receiver, as you have to actually aim for the port (and the IR port of a laptop is usually at the side or back, making it a bit difficult to receive the signal at times).
    I know that if you have a bluetooth enable mobile phone, you can program it to become a remote control for your PC by using applications such as Bluetooth Remote Control 2.0 http://www.bluetoothshareware.com/bluetooth_remote_control.asp
     
    Budding, Jun 18, 2006
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  4. strikeback03

    strikeback03 Notebook Deity

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    years ago there was an HP remote control, which most people (including myself) never were able to get properly working.
     
    strikeback03, Jun 18, 2006
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  5. nikki

    nikki Newbie

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    strikeback03 - do you mean this and this? How close to working did they get?

    budding - the BT remote is a fantastic idea if it works - gonna check it out, but i suspect that my phone - moto v635 is not supported. perhaps time for a new phone to go with a new lappy?
     
    nikki, Jun 19, 2006
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  6. strikeback03

    strikeback03 Notebook Deity

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    no, much older, it occasionally recognized a button push but usually not - had to press just right.

    My phone uses Verizon's POS bluetooth, so I doubt it is useful as a remote.
     
    strikeback03, Jun 19, 2006
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  7. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    coriolis, Jun 19, 2006
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  8. Tokuman

    Tokuman Notebook Evangelist

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    My Dell remote works well but, I HATE that the receiver has to be connected to a usb port. I might as well get a wireless mouse..
     
    Tokuman, Jun 19, 2006
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  9. _radditz_

    _radditz_ Fallen to the Sith...

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    _radditz_, Jun 20, 2006
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  10. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    I use my cell phone to control my PC, all medias n' even desktop. This is done via bluetooth, the cell i'm using is Symbian based.
     
    sutheep, Jun 20, 2006
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  11. copa

    copa Notebook Enthusiast

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    check out girder
    its a program that will allow ir remotes to control virtually any computer program or process and makes any ir remote completely customizable

    it takes some time to learn it. there is almost too much you can do with respect to customization.

    i use a snapstream firefly. its big but really customizable and uses rf technology so you dont have to aim for the receiver.

    you could try the snapstream firefly mini, which is customizable and uses ir technology, so could work with the ir on a laptop
     
    copa, Jun 20, 2006
    #11