[maemo-developers] [maemo-developers] Re: Using the N770/N800 as a remote control.

[From: Ted Zlatanov]

On 16 Jan 2007, jonsmirl at gmail.com wrote:

On 1/16/07, Ted Zlatanov <tzz at lifelogs.com> wrote:
> > Would it be possible to write a generic remote control for the
> > 770/N800, which talked (over TCP/IP or Bluetooth) to a master
> > controller?  The master controller would know that "turn TV on" really
> > means "send IR code xyz" but the generic remote control doesn't have
> > to.  Are there any protocols to do this already?  Also, UPnP seems to
> > be possible with the 770/N800 Media Streamer as a controller, IIRC.

> There are several 11b/g to IR converter devices on the market but they
> cost $600. You might as well install something like a Media Center PC.
> But doing that makes the installation much more complicated than using
> a simple IR transmitter. Designing IR into the N800 would add about $3
> to its production cost.

I doubt you and I know production costs in such detail, but I would
agree the added cost to Nokia is not large.  I guess their vision for
the N800 and its successors is not as a remote control in the
traditional sense (again, the Media Streamer UPnP is nice, and I would
use it if I liked any of the UPnP players on the market).  My personal
opinion is that IR is a pain (line of sight, 8-bit vs. 16-bit codes,
presets are usually only for the big brands, codes are not universal)
and I hope something replaces it as a remote contol standard soon.

Ted