Using Eventghost with X10 remote

[Bitmonster]

Well, I live in Germany and no shop here has the MK19a.

It's interesting you have an ATi RW Plus. We hadn't a confirmation that this remote works with the X10 plugin. Are all events labeled right with this remote?

[jsmain]

Problem is, as I understand it, they're only good through about 35 feet.
My Mouseremote has been used to approx 100 feet.

I need the range! The MouseRemote has the longest range I've been able to determine.
If the Firefly works to this range, then so be it, but if not, I'm stuck with the Mouseremote.

I'm also not sure on the button configuration on the firefly, but does it also have multi function buttons? A shift key?

[jsmain]

Well, I live in Germany and no shop here has the MK19a.

It's interesting you have an ATi RW Plus. We hadn't a confirmation that this remote works with the X10 plugin. Are all events labeled right with this remote?

They are as they are also labeled with the software PCRemoteControl. I actually get all the buttons on EG, whereas, I can't get the mouse buttons and directional pad to assign in PCRC.

This remote actually claims a range of 60 feet, so it's a better candidate than the firefly from what I have read in range comparisons, but still falls short of my needs.
Perhaps it's due to the fact the Mouse remote has 4 batteries, instead of 2 that the ATI RW has, possibly extending it's transmitting capabilities. I've also read on the net that you can extend the range by placing the USB reciever on a powered hub... That one confuses me, as all ports have a limited power capabilit, so why a seperate powered hub, unless allowing you to direct all the current for that hub to just a single port...

I have done some programming in MS VC++6, but am very new to Python! So new I was experimenting with copying actions and pasting them in notepad to determine the action calls, and pasting them in a single script to shrink things up, for the first time last eve. I am willing to learn it however, and also tear into this plugin if I could have guidance along the way.... It may take a bit of patience however... I'd be happy to submit the plugin when complete as well.

[CollinR]

I dunno about the FireFly at 100' out, my living room is nowhere near that big!

The multifunction stuff takes place in EventGhost but the FireFly has every button I have wanted plus IIRC 5-6 unlabeled general buttons you can do with as you feel.


For instance it has an A,B,C,D buttons as well as a mouse button and it's Lclick and Rclick


When I press the A button:

Launch SageTV
Engauge SageTV exclusive
All buttons are for SageTV, the arrows emulate arrow keys

When I press the B button:

Launch DVD player
Engauge DVD exclusive
All buttons are for SageTV, the arrows emulate arrow keys

When I press the Mouse button the arrows emulate the mouse
Engauge K/M exclusive
FireFly button brings up on screen keyboard



I love the remote, much better range then my Nvidia x10 remote much longer cord on the reciever too! I just don't think it would be reliable anywhere near 100' out.

[Bitmonster]

The reason why it sometimes help to use an external powered hub is the sensitivity of the receiver. Or better say its limited abilities to filter them out. It easily picks up any high frequence interference on the power line and switching supplies can have much of these interferences. So if you want to try it, use a hub with a classic transformer wall power supply and not one with a modern switching power supply.

[jsmain]

That's my fear!
I did almost order one when I bought BeyondTV, but got the ATI with only shipping, with the purchase of my ATI TV Wonder 650.

Near as I can tell, they have very similar button capabilities, So I could do the same.

The ATI actually has A-F buttons, and FM, TV, Giude, TV2, DVD buttons that I could use "engaged" if need be. That's something I'll have to learn along the way.

I could use the Menu button in the numeric area as a shift key, but if only I could get another 40 foot of range with it.

[jsmain]

Thanks for clearing that up BitMonster!
I had tried it with an external hub, but unfortunately, It is driven by a PC switching supply as well. I've been using the remote through a single wall within 15 feet, and have intermittant results.

( I took a PC case and supply, and wired a USB CD/DVD burner, 3 HDDs, and a USB hub to run from this 400W supply. Got 1.5 TB of drive space in there. Saves on all the external devices and wall warts to run everything, and puts it all in a neat package.)

I'll have to give it another go with a Wall wart powered hub.

[CollinR]

How does EG react with multiple x10 remote recievers, Bitmonster?


I am thinking USB over Cat5 to the 100' mark or wherever provides the remaining required coverage.

Possible?

[Bitmonster]

I don't think the X10 driver will handle multiple receivers, but I haven't tried. And it wouldn't be convenient to place receivers all over the house.

If one can program in C++, he might consider to develop a DLL for the device. Using a DLL in EventGhost isn't a hard job. Doing it completely in Python wouldn't be hard as well, if one has some experience in doing serial transfer jobs in this language.

Btw. I have developed and built an X10 remote receiver myself long time ago. This one works even through two reinforced concrete floors with the ATI RW. So its not a matter of the remote. The USB receivers are poor.

[CollinR]

Ahhh good to know!

[jsmain]

I also use this in a mobile environment, so long cables are not desired.

FYI, I use this with a moble DJ system. I control my rig from anywhere in the room. I actually use it while setting up the wedding party for grand entrances, from the rooms main entrance, to start the festivities. That is why I need the maximum range.

Multiple remotes would not be an issue, as I'd only connect the one I'd be using.

As I said before, I know some C++, but I seem to be weak in the areas concerning DLL access, and comm ports. I see activity on the reciever when I activate the comm port with the serial plugin, I just don't see any events, so I need to determine how to look at the comm port, and relate this information to eventghost.

How do I determine what is recieved at the serial port? Once I can read it, I can make the button assignments.

I've been trying to decifer the Max10 code as well. Been stripping it back to the bare essentials to find the root code that will allow it to remain functional.

[Bitmonster]

From the Max10 code you mainly need to understand the files:

mxComm.cpp for setting up the port (1200 baud, 7 bit byte size).
mxRemoteMouseRmt.cpp for deciphering the messages.

The protocol is similar to old serial mouses.

[jsmain]

I actually tried setting to 7 bit byte size using the serial plugin, but I'm not sure it's using it.
When I reopen the plugin, it has returned to 8.

In fact I can't determine that any of my adjustments are setting. Is this normal? Shouldn't it reopen to the last know settings?

In Girder, it is set to non parity, word size 7, 1 stop bit, no handshaking, and baud rate 1200.

I also have an INI file for use with the girder serial plugin that I can use as necessary.

There is one downfall with this remote that seems to show in both girder and Max10... I get a random noise event of a right click generated from the reciever. I don't activate the mouse controls, so it pretty much ignores this.

Thanks BitMonster!

[Bitmonster]

There was a small bug with the bytesize. Get 0.3.6.1052.

But the plugin will not help you much like it is now, because the device has no terminator char.
As a first experiment you can add the line:
print ord(ch)
to its HandleChar method.

[jsmain]

Yeah, I guess I'd see here in the forums that there was newer beta releases availble, just haven't gotten time to go get it and give it a whirl as yet.

Perhaps this weekend!
I'm not sure if terminator was used in Max10 or PCRemoteControl to be honest. I'm not sure it'd be required, but most likely it would help in the controls reliability if it were...

I'll play around with it.
Thanks again!