[comp.sys.handhelds] 48SX Power

byu@csri.toronto.edu (Benjamin Yu) (10/24/90)

I am constantly amazed at what the 48SX can do, especially how one wants
to use it to dial telephone ...  but has anyone thought about using the
infra red to control your VCR, TC, stereo ..... 

Ben

seeya@tellabs.com (Mike Ciha) (10/25/90)

Organization: Tellabs, Inc. Lisle IL
Keywords: 

In article <1990Oct24.124135.5312@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> byu@csri.toronto.edu (Benjamin Yu) writes:
>I am constantly amazed at what the 48SX can do, especially how one wants
>to use it to dial telephone ...  but has anyone thought about using the
>infra red to control your VCR, TC, stereo ..... 
>
>Ben

I, too am amazed by this hunk of hardware and software..I've had my 48 for 
just over two weeks.....My roommate and I (he got his first) were discussing
this very topic.  I wonder, though, since the calculators have to be 2 inches
or less apart (according to the manual, p 620) to do the infrared transfers,
would the transmitter be strong enough to talk to the TV, say 15 feet away??  
Even if you could get it to generate the correct type of signals for the TV, 
VCR, etc, you might have to hold it within 2 inches of the receiver 
of the device. :-(  

It's a great idea, though--maybe it really could work--Any comments from the
HP side of the fence??

Mike
--
==========================================================================
Can't catch a turtle 			|  	 Michael T. Ciha
in this rat race			| Tellabs, Inc.  Lisle, IL 60532
Feel like I'm losing time		|
at a breakneck pace			|	seeya@tellabs.com
					|	...!uunet!tellab5!seeya
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khbsnsr@nmt.edu (Kenneth Brunell) (10/25/90)

In article <4320@tellab5.tellabs.com> seeya@tellabs.com (Mike Ciha) writes:
>
>I, too am amazed by this hunk of hardware and software..I've had my 48 for 
>just over two weeks.....My roommate and I (he got his first) were discussing
>this very topic.  I wonder, though, since the calculators have to be 2 inches
>or less apart (according to the manual, p 620) to do the infrared transfers,
>would the transmitter be strong enough to talk to the TV, say 15 feet away??  
>Even if you could get it to generate the correct type of signals for the TV, 
>VCR, etc, you might have to hold it within 2 inches of the receiver 
>of the device. :-(  
>
>Mike

Actually, as I remember from the chatter on this newsgroup over the past
several months, the distance over which the 48 will transfer is determined
bye the sensitivity of the RECIEVER.  The printer doesn't have to be two
inches away.  The TV etc. may not pick it up over 15 ft., but certainly
more than two inches.  I am VERY interested in the possibility of recording
and transmitting IR remote signals.  It just HAS to be possible!!!!!!

-Ken
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edp@jareth.enet.dec.com (Eric Postpischil (Always mount a scratch monkey.)) (10/25/90)

(Maybe this should be added to the list of answers of frequently asked
questions?)

Somebody did write an HP-28 program for controlling common household equipment
via infrared signals.  No, it does not require that the calculator be two inches
from the device.  Apparently the receivers on most VCRs, televisions, et cetera
are significantly more sensitive than the calculator receiver; mine worked from
10 feet away.


				-- edp

rrd@hpfcso.HP.COM (Ray Depew) (10/25/90)

You may hear something else from the Corvallis guys, but in case you don't:

The IR transmitter has an actual range of several feet.  Varies from machine
to machine, but in an earlier discussion on c.s.h some users reported printing
stuff at 8 and 10 feet.  The transmitter's not the problem.

HP intentionally hobbled the receiver, allegedly at the request of a university
prof who allegedly beta-tested the machine and discovered the potential for
classroom cheating during tests (e.g. "Hey Joe, what's the answer to 3(b)?"
XMIT BUFLEN SRECV).  Allegedly.


Regards
Ray Depew
IC's by Bill and Dave   
rrd@hpfitst1.hp.com
I just use 'em, same as you guys.
Allegedly.

akcs.michaelv@hpcvbbs.UUCP (Michael VanLoon) (10/26/90)

And the 48 should have a distinct advantage in the fact that it has an IR
receiver.  This should make it capable of "learning" your remotes on the
fly like a "universal remote" does.  Somebody who's good at this sort of
stuff, GET TO WORK!  We're all waiting!
 
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