The USB-UIRT is a unique IR (infra red) receiver and transmitter.
It
connects to your computer through a USB port. It allows you to receive
IR signals from regular IR remotes, like your TV remote. Together with
a software package like Girder, the USB-UIRT allows your computer to be
controlled by a remote in the house. On top of that since the
USB-UIRT can send Infra Red signals as well it can control your normal
Audio/Video equipment. This could be for example your DVD player, TV,
Amplifier or Projector.
Please note that this product is not compatible with all remotes and equipment. To determine whether it is compatible with your remote or equipment, please consult the Mp3Car Forums.
WHAT IS THE USB-UIRT?
The USB-UIRT is a USB version of the now-notorious UIRT (stands for Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter).
The USB version offers a simple plug-and-play solution without having
to deal with some of the hassles of the classic serial-port (RS-232)
version.
WHAT DOES THE USB-UIRT DO?
The USB-UIRT, along with Automation Software such as Girder
or StreetDeck, allows your PC to both Receive and Transmit infrared
signals -- exactly like those used by the collection of remote controls
you've acquired for your TV, VCR, Audio System, etc. The USB-UIRT can:
-
Receive signals from the remote controls you already have (allowing
your PC to perform actions when the 'Play' button is pressed on your
VCR remote, for example)
- 'Learn' from remotes you already have and Transmit a duplicate of these signals from your PC (for example, your PC could automatically turn ON your VCR and tune it to channel 3)
-
Use codes available from the Web for other remotes (such as the Philips
Pronto) to control all of your equipment with Remote (IR) receivers
(including special 'discrete' remote codes your brand-name remote
doesn't include!). For example, the USB-UIRT could transmit the
discrete 'Input 3' code to your TV to directly switch it to input 3,
rather than cycling through all of the inputs.
HOW DOES THE USB-UIRT WORK?
The
USB-UIRT contains a small micro-controller which is capable of
'listening' for Infrared codes which are transmitted from most remote
controls. When IR signals are detected, the USB-UIRT interprets these
signals, decodes them, and sends them to your PC via a USB connection.
Automation Software such as Girder can be programmed to respond to
these codes. In addition, software on the PC can send IR codes to the
USB-UIRT to be transmitted.
The USB-UIRT's microcontroller will translate these codes to an
Infrared stream and transmit them using built-in IR emitters or a
connected IR extension.
Please note that this product is not
compatible with all remotes and equipment. To determine whether it is
compatible with your remote or equipment, please consult the Mp3Car Forums.The USB-UIRT is small and of very high quality, each USB-UIRT is
tested by hand! So DOA are very uncommon, it is manufactured in the USA
to the highest quality standards. This product is covered by the
Mp3Car Limited Warranty.
Usage with Girger
To use the USB-UIRT with Girder go throught the following steps, if anything
is unclear please do read the Girder manual.
Receiving IR events
- Install the drivers
- Plug the USB-UIRT into the computer
- Enable the USB-UIRT plugin in Girder
Your USB-UIRT should be receiving IR Signals. Point a remote at the USB-UIRT and see
if the Girder activity light (lower left hand corner) flashes yellow.
Note: To assign an event to an action the easiest is to simply drag an
event from the log window to the action you intend to trigger with that
action.
Sending IR signals
To send out an IR signal we'll need to take several steps.
- Create or Open a GML (make sure you have a GML open and a folder created.).
- In the action list on the left handside find USB-UIRT and drag the "USB-UIRT action"
to the newly created folder/group.
- In the dialog that comes up hit 'Learn IR code'.
- Now press the button on the remote while holding it close to the front of the USB-UIRT.
- The newly learned code should appear in the action dialog.
- Hit F5 to test it!
Passthrough functionality for NetRemote
You can also configure Girder to use the USB-UIRT as the IR passthrough device. This means that when you hit a
button inside NetRemote this event travels over the Wireless or Wired network into Girder and Girder passes the
IR code onto the USB-UIRT which turns it into IR and can then control a TV or other IR controlled device.
