Any way to use Streamzap IR receiver with other remotes?

[SteveP]

Is there a way to use the Streamzap receiver with other remotes similar to what can be done with extending the Hauppauge receiver?

Thanks,
Steve

[Opus4]

I don't remember whether this was discussed here. You would have to know whether the remote uses some standard or proprietary IR remote protocol. Then, if it uses a standard protocol, you have to know whether the receiver can only receive that protocol or any others. Anyone know?

In either case, from what others have said I think you would have to use something like Girder for full customization.

On the other hand, you could probably just teach the codes to a learning remote, but that doesn't give you any extra buttons if that is what you are looking for.

- Andy

[stanger89]

AFIAK, no it will only work with the remote it comes with (or a universal you progam the buttons into).

[Opus4]

I was just doing some searching on the JP1 forum... I only glanced at some messages, but it looks like you might be able to use the StreamZap receiver with a JP1 capable remote & then program it all you want. As I said... I only glanced at the posts about this, so I won't promise that they have it working. Check it out & let everyone know.

Edit: I just ran my copy of RemoteMaster (old v0.99, so there is probably a new one by now). Streamzap is one of the protocols you can choose, so it _looks_ like it should work just fine.

- Andy

[SteveP]

Andy, thanks for the info. I have been researching material on the JP1 Forum and downloaded RemoteMaster 1.04 along with the latest RFD. The RFD does not list the the Streamzap, but it does list Zap Station. Maybe that's what you saw.

I found a reference on the JP1 forum to the Streamzap supporting 6 bits of the RC-5 codes. RemoteMaster does list RC-5 as a supported protocol. Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to use RemoteMaster to recognize codes from the Streamzap to get started on seeing which of my other remotes are recognized by the IR receiver. Any thoughts?

Steve

[Opus4]

In RM v0.99, I simply ran the program, which started on the Setup page. In the drop down box for "Protocol", there is an entry for "Streamzap".

You said RFD, but I believe you meant RDF. Those are the files defining the JP1 remotes, so the RDF dir shouldn't have a file named Streamzap. The file with Zap Station is thus referring to a JP1-capable remote, not a protocol.

If the Streamzap receiver & Girder plugin handle any code in that protocol, then this opens up the possibility for Streamzap owners to use a JP1 universal remote for more functionality.

Edit: and, you have to have a JP1 capable remote w/a JP1 cable so you can program the remote. RM does not receive codes from a remote via the IRreceiver -- it is an application to program a remote. You can get more JP1 info here. Also, my sig line link #2: "How to replace it", for some beginning info on using JP1. Just realize that my JP1 instructions are based on using the Hauppauge remote, so you can't do exactly as those instructions say.

Finally, none of the JP1 files/programs will do a thing for you if you don't own a JP1-capapble remote & a cable to connect it to your PC.

- Andy

[SteveP]

Wow! What a quick response.

Ok, I did mix up remote vs. protocol (and RDF). I changed the protocol to Streamzap.

Maybe I'm approaching this the wrong way. What I'm trying to do at the moment is find a program that can interact with the Streamzap receiver that can log codes from a variety of remotes. Then I would like to feed the codes to another program either directly or through Girder or Total Home Remote's software. I have accumulated a variety of remotes over the years and I'm trying to see what can and can't be done with them. Any idea how the receiver can work with another program besides Streamzap?

Thank you for your help. This is definitely a new and interesting area for me. I'm almost starting from scratch.

Steve

[Opus4]

Originally posted by SteveP
Wow! What a quick response.

I happen to be working on my computer, so it is easy to respond to emailed reply notices.

What I'm trying to do at the moment is find a program that can interact with the Streamzap receiver that can log codes from a variety of remotes.

I have no experiecne with the Streamzap, so I'm only going on what I've read... The problem with that idea is that the Streamzap IR receiver _might_ be built like the Hauppauge receiver (might not, too), in the sense that it is hardwired to decode only a specific protocol. If that is the case, and I think it is, then those other remotes you have won't do a bit of good unless one of them just happens to use the same protocol. My guess is also that the only thing you will find right away to be able to receive those codes is Girder + the Streamzap plugin.

That might be all I'll be able to say about it, since I don't have that remote.

- Andy

[stanger89]

Originally posted by Opus4
The problem with that idea is that the Streamzap IR receiver _might_ be built like the Hauppauge receiver (might not, too), in the sense that it is hardwired to decode only a specific protocol.

I know it doesn't respond to anything (ala USB-UIRT). What I don't know (no good way to test) is if you could create new codes that it would respond to, ala the extension of the Hauppauge reciever.

My understanding of the Streamzap protocol, is that it's the RC5 protocol but with a device ID. The question becomes, will the reciever respond to any RC5 code if it has the correct device ID? That's something I have no way to test, but it sounds like you do Steve. And it's something I'd be very interested to know.

[Opus4]

Originally posted by stanger89
My understanding of the Streamzap protocol, is that it's the RC5 protocol but with a device ID. The question becomes, will the reciever respond to any RC5 code if it has the correct device ID?

According to the info on the JP1 forum, it is "similar to RC5 but has an extra device bit", meaning it has an _extra_ bit, not an existing bit set to a particular value. Streamzap would be a 15 bits, while RC5 is 14 bits. Therefore, no remote sending RC5 codes would be able to be recognized by that receiver. That is why I was saying that the pile of old remotes probably won't do any good and you'll most likely have to get a JP1 remote to program this protocol into it. Those remotes are fairly inexpensive & the software is free. Also: from info on Remote Central, it looks like there are ways to get it to work with Pronto remotes too.

And, yes, using the extra codes you can generate via JP1 does depend on the Girder plugin having been written generally enough to pass along any code it receives rather than just those programmed into the remote.

- Andy

[stanger89]

I think we're saying the same thing in different languages Andy

[Opus4]

OK... I wasn't certain because of the comment: "will the reciever respond to any RC5 code if it has the correct device ID?" I probably wrote too long a reply to say why I think normal RC5 can't have the correct device ID.

- Andy

[SteveP]

Thanks to both of you for responding.

Stanger89, you asked and stated "will the reciever respond to any RC5 code if it has the correct device ID? That's something I have no way to test, but it sounds like you do Steve. And it's something I'd be very interested to know." To get started on this quest, I need to know how to test the unit. How do I get something to interwork with the Streamzap receiver so I can do testing?

Again, thanks,
Steve

[stanger89]

Originally posted by SteveP
To get started on this quest, I need to know how to test the unit. How do I get something to interwork with the Streamzap receiver so I can do testing?

What I would do:
1) Program your remote and make sure it works
2) Get it working with girder
3) Add 1 new code, and see if girder responds.

I know Girder works with the streamzap, there's a plugin (you can check out my guide on the sage-community website for more info). The question becomes, if the plugin/streamzap/whatever will pass extra codes to girder. I have my suspicions, I'm guessing not, but I hope to be surprised

[Opus4]

You could also ask the people on the JP1 forum what software they are using to handle receiving the Streamzap codes. I'm not certain if they would have bothered with the protocol if they couldn't make use of more codes than just what the Streamzap remote emits. Who knows, though... maybe they really are just using it with the original software.

I looked on the Girder site for the source to the Streamzap plugin, but didn't see it, so we can't tell from that info.

I get the feeling that the best person to test this would be someone with a JP1 remote & the Streamzap receiver...

- Andy

[stanger89]

Originally posted by Opus4
I looked on the Girder site for the source to the Streamzap plugin, but didn't see it, so we can't tell from that info.

That's because the plugin isn't a user one, it's an official Streamzap plugin.

http://www.streamzap.com/downloads/girder/

I get the feeling that the best person to test this would be someone with a JP1 remote & the Streamzap receiver...

- Andy

My thoughts exactly, and to me it sounded like Steve was that person, could be wrong though.

[Opus4]

Originally posted by stanger89
That's because the plugin isn't a user one, it's an official Streamzap plugin.

I see -- that would explain the lack of source code. That makes me lean more towards the plugin not recognizong additional codes. Maybe they were nice, though.

My thoughts exactly, and to me it sounded like Steve was that person, could be wrong though.

I thought he didn't have a JP1 remote -- that's one reason I was suggesting asking how people are using this protocol on the JP1 forum... might save some testing time if no one around here has a JP1 remote + Streamzap receiver, or if no one offers to test.

- Andy

[SteveP]

Yep Andy, you're right. I don't have a JP1 remote. Great idea to check the JP1 forum. I'll try that in a day or two.

Stanger89 thanks for the reference to Streamzap's plug-in. I looked at the site and Girder's new site and since the plugin routes everything to Girder it could work out well.

Thanks,
Steve

[stanger89]

Like Andy said, there's no telling what the plugin routes, I agree that it probably doesn't support anything but the defaults, but you never know.

FWIW, I'd get a JP-1 remote and try, but if I were to buy anything at this point it would be a USB-UIRT