PDA/iPAQ for Remote Control

[Cameron_S]

I've been reading a bit about the Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDA's recently
with a view to using one as a Home Theatre remote. Some reviews are
positive of the Nevo software included with the 2210 and range of the
IR seems adeqaute according to reviews..

Has anyone else looked into their usefulness as primarily a
touchscreen remote, and if so, has anyone tried using Colour CCF files
created for the prontopro on their PDA with much success?

Also, As I would want to place it on my cofee table, is the charger
cord detachable from the charger station? I'd only want to use the
base station for holding the PDA while watching a movie etc and
wouldnt want the cable lying around to be tripped over.

Also, what should I look for in terms of wireless capability?

Lastly, does anyone know the best place (online, or locally in Perth)
to get a good price on these.. I like the idea of having the extra
uses over a normal remote and the price is less than half of a
prontopro....

[Cameron]

"Cameron_S" <mr_mytzlplik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:71fe4155.0404110442.4f92fbe3@posting.google.c om...
> I've been reading a bit about the Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDA's recently
> with a view to using one as a Home Theatre remote. Some reviews are
> positive of the Nevo software included with the 2210 and range of the
> IR seems adeqaute according to reviews..
>
> Has anyone else looked into their usefulness as primarily a
> touchscreen remote, and if so, has anyone tried using Colour CCF files
> created for the prontopro on their PDA with much success?
>
> Also, As I would want to place it on my cofee table, is the charger
> cord detachable from the charger station? I'd only want to use the
> base station for holding the PDA while watching a movie etc and
> wouldnt want the cable lying around to be tripped over.
>
> Also, what should I look for in terms of wireless capability?
>
> Lastly, does anyone know the best place (online, or locally in Perth)
> to get a good price on these.. I like the idea of having the extra
> uses over a normal remote and the price is less than half of a
> prontopro....

Does anyone know where you can download at least a demo of Nevo for the
iPaq??

Cameron

[Matt]

I recently purchased the 5550 which doesnt have CIR :-( Just for a bit of
fun i have ordered the griffin technology total remote ad-on. I dont plan
on using it as a remote for home but rather for stuffing around while out at
bars restaurants etc. (changing to channel to check out footy scores etc)
The charger cord is detachable from the base station and can be plugged
directly into the pocket pc. The data cable however cant be detached. I
wanted to buy my PPC from a shop front because have heard of many stories
where people have had to return theirs on more than one occasion. The best
place i found was www.organiserworld.com . I then just got Myers to beat it
by $5. They were much closer to me. I asked 2 harvey normans and they
refused to price match saying it was below their cost. The 2210 is $599 on
the organiser world web site.

Good luck.

"Cameron" <ialreadyget@300spamaday.com> wrote in message
news:4079cf1c$0$16579$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net. au...
> "Cameron_S" <mr_mytzlplik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:71fe4155.0404110442.4f92fbe3@posting.google.c om...
> > I've been reading a bit about the Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDA's recently
> > with a view to using one as a Home Theatre remote. Some reviews are
> > positive of the Nevo software included with the 2210 and range of the
> > IR seems adeqaute according to reviews..
> >
> > Has anyone else looked into their usefulness as primarily a
> > touchscreen remote, and if so, has anyone tried using Colour CCF files
> > created for the prontopro on their PDA with much success?
> >
> > Also, As I would want to place it on my cofee table, is the charger
> > cord detachable from the charger station? I'd only want to use the
> > base station for holding the PDA while watching a movie etc and
> > wouldnt want the cable lying around to be tripped over.
> >
> > Also, what should I look for in terms of wireless capability?
> >
> > Lastly, does anyone know the best place (online, or locally in Perth)
> > to get a good price on these.. I like the idea of having the extra
> > uses over a normal remote and the price is less than half of a
> > prontopro....
>
> Does anyone know where you can download at least a demo of Nevo for the
> iPaq??
>
> Cameron
>
>

[Cameron_S]

Yer.. I've been looking at getting Total Remote also.. Good for using
ProntoPro CCF files.. Have you tried it yet, and how well does the
transmitter work for a ipaq without the CIR?

I've seen the 2210 at ow.com.au as you say, and also at gadgets.com.au
for the same price..

What's the advantage of the 5550 over the 2210 other than integrated
Wi-Fi?
I'd also be wanting to get a 512mb CF card with mine i think to store
MP3's and programs etc..

Cameron_S

"Matt" <kaboomxyu@hotremovemail.com> wrote in message news:<4079ed19$0$16965$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>...
> I recently purchased the 5550 which doesnt have CIR :-( Just for a bit of
> fun i have ordered the griffin technology total remote ad-on. I dont plan
> on using it as a remote for home but rather for stuffing around while out at
> bars restaurants etc. (changing to channel to check out footy scores etc)
> The charger cord is detachable from the base station and can be plugged
> directly into the pocket pc. The data cable however cant be detached. I
> wanted to buy my PPC from a shop front because have heard of many stories
> where people have had to return theirs on more than one occasion. The best
> place i found was www.organiserworld.com . I then just got Myers to beat it
> by $5. They were much closer to me. I asked 2 harvey normans and they
> refused to price match saying it was below their cost. The 2210 is $599 on
> the organiser world web site.
>
> Good luck.
>
> "Cameron" <ialreadyget@300spamaday.com> wrote in message
> news:4079cf1c$0$16579$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net. au...
> > "Cameron_S" <mr_mytzlplik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:71fe4155.0404110442.4f92fbe3@posting.google.c om...
> > > I've been reading a bit about the Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDA's recently
> > > with a view to using one as a Home Theatre remote. Some reviews are
> > > positive of the Nevo software included with the 2210 and range of the
> > > IR seems adeqaute according to reviews..
> > >
> > > Has anyone else looked into their usefulness as primarily a
> > > touchscreen remote, and if so, has anyone tried using Colour CCF files
> > > created for the prontopro on their PDA with much success?
> > >
> > > Also, As I would want to place it on my cofee table, is the charger
> > > cord detachable from the charger station? I'd only want to use the
> > > base station for holding the PDA while watching a movie etc and
> > > wouldnt want the cable lying around to be tripped over.
> > >
> > > Also, what should I look for in terms of wireless capability?
> > >
> > > Lastly, does anyone know the best place (online, or locally in Perth)
> > > to get a good price on these.. I like the idea of having the extra
> > > uses over a normal remote and the price is less than half of a
> > > prontopro....
> >
> > Does anyone know where you can download at least a demo of Nevo for the
> > iPaq??
> >
> > Cameron
> >
> >

[Cameron_S]

You can't download Nevo.. It's only available pre-installed by HP.
You can try somethign like Total Remote by Griffin technology.. They
have a demo (but the demo is limited and uses the IR port on your
PDA.. the full version comes with a dongle that plugs into your audio
out port on the ipaq for better range.)

www.griffintechnology.com

Cameron_S

"Cameron" <ialreadyget@300spamaday.com> wrote in message news:<4079cf1c$0$16579$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au>...
> "Cameron_S" <mr_mytzlplik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:71fe4155.0404110442.4f92fbe3@posting.google.c om...
> > I've been reading a bit about the Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDA's recently
> > with a view to using one as a Home Theatre remote. Some reviews are
> > positive of the Nevo software included with the 2210 and range of the
> > IR seems adeqaute according to reviews..
> >
> > Has anyone else looked into their usefulness as primarily a
> > touchscreen remote, and if so, has anyone tried using Colour CCF files
> > created for the prontopro on their PDA with much success?
> >
> > Also, As I would want to place it on my cofee table, is the charger
> > cord detachable from the charger station? I'd only want to use the
> > base station for holding the PDA while watching a movie etc and
> > wouldnt want the cable lying around to be tripped over.
> >
> > Also, what should I look for in terms of wireless capability?
> >
> > Lastly, does anyone know the best place (online, or locally in Perth)
> > to get a good price on these.. I like the idea of having the extra
> > uses over a normal remote and the price is less than half of a
> > prontopro....
>
> Does anyone know where you can download at least a demo of Nevo for the
> iPaq??
>
> Cameron

[SXR]

at Centre Com (melbourne) are selling the Ipaq 2210 for around $450.00
and the Ipaq 4150 for $649.00 which is the one i'll be getting soon, so far that is the cheapest I found besides Ebay.

[Shishkabob]

Unless you can pick up the unit in person I would steer well clear of CentreCom. A friend of mine placed an order with them and after 2 months of non delivery it took him a further 2-3 weeks to finally get them to cancel his order and refund his money....

[SXR]

Unless you can pick up the unit in person I would steer well clear of CentreCom. A friend of mine placed an order with them and after 2 months of non delivery it took him a further 2-3 weeks to finally get them to cancel his order and refund his money....

I was at there Springvale store yesterday, they had dozen or so 2210 in stock. All I know is they have 4 or 5 shops around Melbourne suburbs and I don't think they even have a website, so could you could be thinking of another place. Anyway I buy all my pc gears from them cheap, so far so good.

[Shishkabob]

I'm sure its the same place.
Their website is http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/default.php

They may be ok to deal with in person where you can walk in and pick up the goods but based on my experience I wouldn't order anything online from them as their service (if you could call it that) was extremely lacking...

[SXR]

I'm sure its the same place.
Their website is http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/default.php

They may be ok to deal with in person where you can walk in and pick up the goods but based on my experience I wouldn't order anything online from them as their service (if you could call it that) was extremely lacking...

yeah your right.....my bad

I was at myers today, they had 10% off on the Ipaqs

[mclaren]

How are you Cameron_s .

Thanx heaps buddy . Just bought an Ipaq 4150 last week and have gone to your link and let me tell you , from there , ive downloaded many templates etc and its grouse , programed the projector and DVD player allready and it works great ( well within about 2 meters ) . Anyone have any ideas on better distance or even if there is an adaptor in Australia to run it off the audio output off the PDA

Best template is :

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=pronto&db=devices&br=topfield&dv=dssreceiverdvr&md=tf4000pvr&fc=&kw=&st=&dt=&so=&pg=1&file=ccf_templates/complete_system/michael-bramhoff_ccf2.zip


Anyway , open to suggestions and willing to buy an adaptor off any members if available .

Thanx .

[SXR]

mclaren, how is the 4150 overall? im thinking of getting it within a week or two.

[mclaren]

How are you SXR .

I love it above others for a few reasons , first and main reason is obviously the size , it seems slimmer and sleaker than most of the other PDA's on the market ( well apart from the Blue NEC that absolutely looks cream but the only drawback is no wireless lan ) and as i just mentioned , the wireless lan is the main bonus that stretched me to this one .

What do you need wireless lan for you may ask , well ...

Bluetooth is great , its really great but even with the best 100 meter USB bluetooth adaptors on your PC , you are very limited ( about 4 - 5 meters ) when you use it indoors . With the wireless lan , i can do the house and even get to my neighbours neighbours house and she still works so for my purposes , i need total reliability off it connecting to my PC and even though blue tooth is great and simple and not as much of a bitch to configure , i cant afford to have it cutting out on me .

In all honesty , i bought it as im trying to run a home automation system off a PDA device and using this Ipaq as a controller , if succesfull , i will have 4 or 5 around the house mounted on walls so that the main rooms will have touch screen controls all networked with each other . Probably stupid idea many will be saying but hey , WHY NOT .

Anyway , going back to the main thing with the 4150 , its good looking , has wireless lan and because of the operating system ( as aposed to palm ) is easy to write software for .

I owned and still have a 1910 but its just not powerfull enough and has no features at all to talk to the PC wirelessly so it will actually be going on ebay soon .

[SXR]

mclaren, hey thanks for the info. most of my reason getting this was to try the home automation and navigation for my car.
I was looking at Sony Clie TH55, but no bluetooth so I think I have decided on the 4150.

Would you know much about the bluetooth GPS receiver (antenna), such as which brand to go for?

[Cameron_S]

The 4150 hey?!

I havent looked into those ones yet.. do they have the CIR or just the
standard IR on them?..
I take it the 4150 doesnt come with Nevo software installed?
Also, what program are you using to use the colour CCF files from
remotecentral.com?

The best program I've heard of is called Total Remote 2, and they have
the audio adapter for better range and can post to australia (but it
costs about the same as the software and dongle just in postage).

Is there much advatage over the 2210 for use as a remote control with
limited other usage..?

I wouldnt mind built in wi-fi for home networking, but thats about it.
(I also see you can pick up 512mb compact flash cards on ebay for
under $200..)

Cameron_S


mclaren <mclaren.14wusc@no-mx.forums.eyo.com.au> wrote in message news:<mclaren.14wusc@no-mx.forums.eyo.com.au>...
> How are you Cameron_s .
>
> Thanx heaps buddy . Just bought an Ipaq 4150 last week and have gone to
> your link and let me tell you , from there , ive downloaded many
> templates etc and its grouse , programed the projector and DVD player
> allready and it works great ( well within about 2 meters ) . Anyone
> have any ideas on better distance or even if there is an adaptor in
> Australia to run it off the audio output off the PDA
>
> Best template is :
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yrslc
>
>
> Anyway , open to suggestions and willing to buy an adaptor off any
> members if available .
>
> Thanx .

[mclaren]

Howz it going Cameron_S .

The 4150 doesnt come with that software but im just using the software off the www.pdawin.com website . Its only an unregistered version but P to P technology can fix that problem right away only if youd be silly enough to do it that way as it is illegal and id never think about using a crack ........

Anyway, i think my butts covered but in this software , you go to " options " and in that list there will be " CCF mode " . Just click that and then it will take you to another screen with more options at the bottom , one being " Load CCF " , just unzip the one you have found and paste it into and folder on the PDA and the software in the PDA will find it . Click on it and thats as simple as that .

Sorry Cameron but ive got a habbit of jumping ahead of myself but now reading your question again , i probably tried 50 different templates and only about 5 were colour so its a hit and miss guess on which template to use . The one i posted previously was just one of the best colour ones i found .

Also , the 4150 only has a standard IR .

With regards to the 2210 , im only going by the research ive done over the last few days since you motivated me to turn this thing into a remote control ... lol , but it would be the same with no advantages . Its only advantage in my opinion against its lower models is the fact that it has Bluetooth ( well so does the one just below it the 1940 ) but its processor is double the speed at 400mhz . The 19XX series dont have enough power to run this program whereas the 2210 does it easily and i must admit that there have been a few programs ive tried on the 19XX and they just shit themselves and go back to the start screen so 2210 will definately run more things .

The only difference i can pick between the 2210 and the 4150 apart from appearance is the Wireless Lan which wont be of much worry now but i do believe if you spend a few extra dollars , it will be very well worth it as there is allot of stuff coming out on wireless lan .

As i said before , ive only been searching this info since last yesterday ( but have spent many hours allready ) so i may be wrong on a few things and if i am , please tell me .

I hope ive answered your question buddy .

SXR ... Sorry mate , dont know enough or anything yet about GPS for PDA .