IR based remote (Girder) to emulate Firefly

[Harold]

I'm sorry if the answer to this is obvious, but just to be sure. If I purchase Girder and use the FireFly plug-in, will I have complete FireFly functionality with Beyond TV, BeyondMedia, etc. ?

I am in the process of researching and purchasing components for an HTPC project and am already a Beyond TV user. I am hoping that the pending BeyondMedia interface will be a winner and meet my needs. With that I mind, I do not want to give up my IR based remote capability.

I have been using Pronto for years and want to teach it Girder IR commands for Macros that allow a combined commands for PC based items as well TV and/or receiver inputs.

Thanks

[Eric3a]

Yes you will have complete functionality with BTV, Beyond Media/Girder/Firefly.

Of course, you'll have to program your own gml file for Girder, though if you want I can send you mine. That should get you started.
Eric

[Harold]

I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole remote commanding thing right now. I have used Pronto for years and would very much like to stay with IR based commanding for my pending HTPC since I have receiver, TV and X-10 functionality that I like. I am also hoping that the pending release of BeyondMedia will be a satisfactory front end since I'm a Beyond TV user currently.

The issue (I think) is how to get IR triggering of the BeyondMedia Command set. I have downloaded the trial Girder and am starting to try and figure it out, I have ordered the IRA-3 serial port IR receiver for the PC. Is the Firefly plugin just for RF triggers? Do I need this plugin at all or can any IR remote command set be used to map the BeyondMedia commands? Is there a BeyondMedia plugin that I need? With Pronto and some utilities, I can generate the HEX code form of almost any IR based remote command set. For example, my TV and receiver are JVC. If I loaded up the Sony IR command set in the Pronto, could I map them in Girder to be recognized triggers for Beyond Media commanding? Am I making this too hard?

If the plugin that you have would get me started, then that would be great.

Thanks for your help.

[Leaf]

Harold,

If I understand you correctly... You are confusing Beyond Media with Beyond Media Basic. Basic is pretty much dependant on Firefly. The Girder plugin for Firefly always firefly users an easy to use interface in Girder. So to answer your question yes the Firefly plugin is for RF and will do you no good in girder unless you get a Firefly. Beyond media will not be as restricted as BMB and I'd imagine there will be a plugin for it at some point if it's even needed.

If you are thinking of using your Pronto with girder to control BTV and BM all you'll need is a gml that with the right girder commands in it. A group(GML) like Eric has offered is all you'll need with some adjustments. The good news is Eric's gml will have all the hard part done for you. AS long as there is a plug in for your ir reciever for girder you can map whatever recieved code to do whatever function. I see a tira-home Electronics plug-in which should be the plug in to use.

In short girder will allow you to control just about any program. The problem with girder is the learning curve. But once you understand how it works it's pretty easy to control just about everything in your pc. So get Erics gml, sub tera plug in for ff plug in learn the ir commands and your set.

Hope that helps some.
Leaf

Read over this it should clear up some things for you.
http://www.snapstream.com/community/Articles/girder/

Also look through this site if you haven't already
http://www.remotecentral.com/

[Harold]

I think this starts to clear things up. The pending Beyond Media interface as well as Beyond TV should support commanding based on Girder. I'll get the Beyond TV plug in and try it in the trial Girder version I have. The Firefly RF system should not be needed at all.

I definitely want to keep using my Pronto as the remote and have ordered IRA-3 as the receiver. I'm still not sure what IR code set that I will actually use between the Pronto and IRA-3, but I don't guess it matter as long as Girder supports it (with I presume a remote plugin) and the hex codes or the physical remote (for Pronto to learn the codes). I'll do some more research here.

I'll see what RemoteCentral has on Girder, although I didn't find much the other day. They are definitely the world experts on Pronto and without them, I would not have purchased that remote as Philips doesn't really support the product.

I guess I should have read the Girder article on this site before posting.

Thanks

[bpm6]

Of course, you'll have to program your own gml file for Girder, though if you want I can send you mine. That should get you started.
Eric
do you know where i can find a gml file for the just released beyond media 1.0? I have been using my receiver remote through girder with BTV 3.5. Will the same GML work for BM 1.0?