Page 1 of Philips RC6 code with PC and IR tx

If you can`t find a One4All remote or a Palm, or wish to save some money, you can build a cheap and simple IR interface, which connects to the parallel port of your pc. This interface can record an IR code, or trasmit any recorded IR command.

Here are some step-by-step instructions:

1) Go to http://www.ziplabel.com/cir/index.html , download the powerir.zip software (it’s freeware) and print the schematics

2) If you aren’t interested in recording IR codes, you can build only the transmitter. Parts aren’t critical, you may substitute one of the IR led with a visible led, so you can check when the circuit is actually transmitting. I used an old printer cable, cutting out the Centronics connector, to connect to the parallel port of the pc, and a small pre-etched board to solder the components

3) Download the file with the RC6 code at http://web.matavnet.hu/andrass/dvd/rc6samples.zip and unzip it in the directory where is the powerir.exe program. The file contains some recordings of the play command, which you can use to test the interface, and the RC6 command.

4) Connect the interface to the parallel port and the 9V battery. Transmitting range should be a few meters, depending on the type of the IR leds

5) Boot in dos mode (I am running Win ME, so I used a dos boot floppy), choose option 1 to determine CPU speed to adjust the program to your pc, then option 6 to output the RC6 code

6) You should now see the eleven dashes on your player… grab the Philips remote and input the 12 digits of choice (you can find them in other threads)

Happy hacking