|
|
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings...
I've recently stumbled upon a program called "Girder", at http://www.girder.nl/index.php that is used to control events on your computer based on various inputs... including X10 remote controls! What does this mean? If you have a laptop computer, and an X10 computer interface (like ActiveHome or IBM's HomeDirector or whatever it's called), you can setup WIRELESS RF REMOTES so that when you press buttons on the remote, the Girder program will see the key press and do something else, like playing tracks in Winamp... You may have seen the topic on here about Remote Show Control (also at http://members.tripod.com/remotelaptop/ ), which uses a 4 button wireless remote... with the Girder program (which is a free download!), and an X10 system, you can use one of the X10 wireless remotes which have 16 or more buttons to control your show, from sound cues to lighting (via X10 modules- on, off, dim, etc!)... imagine the possibilities... I am just experimenting with this, so I'll post more info later. You can get a cheap old laptop for under $200, an X10 home system for like $50, and a wireless remote for probably about $30, download Girder and Winamp and the X10 plugin for Girder, and you should be in business... The X10 remotes are RADIO FREQUENCY, NOT infrared, so they can work through walls (or backdrop to system setup backstage...). Stay tuned... Joe |
Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
Joe,
Hmmm...looks interesting, but there might be a few potential problems with this. 1. Configuring Girder is real programming. It can be done, but it's out of the reach of the average person. After reading the forums on the Girder website, there are a lot of people having programming problems. 2. The X-10 PC-compatible remotes are the size of a large TV remote. "Is that a remote in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?" There's a small X-10 keychain-sized one, but I can't tell if it works with Girder. 3. X-10 just filed Chapter 11. http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5095260......newsfeed If you want to trigger multiple cues (lighting, fog machines, confetti cannons, etc), you should have show control software running on the laptop. Then one button and one command sets off the next set of cues; you don't have to search the remote for the right button. Still, good luck with the project, and let us know how it works out. Jeff |
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
I figure Girder is an option for those with some PC skill, who already own a laptop and an X10 system (like me!)...
Yeah, X10 filed Chapter 11; talk is they did it to lose debt, but are continuing operations... of course one could still stock up on some X10 stuff... I've got the keychain remotes too, and they work with Girder too, cause they are the same system as the larger remotes... I would rig the larger remote to a table, and the remotes have labels on them... of course, you could rig one button to do several things, but then of course your system with the small keychain remote is fine for that, and saves the dough of X10 system... I've also been using X10 stuff at home for years, so I'm thinking about controlling various devices with X10 modules that I already own (I can control lights, as well as any on/off device or relay control for switches). Only problem is my laptop screen just decided to **** out... oh well, it's vintage 1996! Better it go now, then during a show! Joe Got my laptop working and was able to do the following with Girder and X10 remotes: 1)Downloaded and installed Girder program 3) DL'd and installed "X10/CM11A" plug-in for girder 4) DL'd and imported "Winamp v.2 FULL group export" 5) configured X10 plug-in for the COM port my X10 interface was on 6) clicked on various Winamp events shown in Girder "tree" screen (as imported from the above mentioned group export) and selected "learn X10 event" for the items, pressing buttons on my X10 remote to "teach" Girder what remote button presses correspond to which Winamp events 7) tested it out... IT WORKS! It's actually simple to do all the above, since someone else has taken all the effort to create the Winamp command group structure. It took me a few minutes to set it all up, configure it, and test it. It works with all the X10 remotes I have, since they all function the same way... the large TV type remote, the 18 button "palm pad" remote (HR12A), and the small key chain remotes (2 and 4 buttons). I will configure the buttons on the 4 button keychain as per the instructions for setting up the remote on Jeff Haas' web site... I may also configure some other functions on the Palm Pad remote and have that under my table. Of course I can also send normal X10 commands to X10 modules as well... as Jeff mentioned above, 3 caveats are 1) the size of the remotes- whether you want a remote in your pocket (with a lot of similar feeling buttons, you probably can't operate a large remote in your pocket by touch only without chaos ensuing), or stashed on a table or something, and 2) X10 filed bankruptcy. They are still doing business tho... as of the time of me writing this, they offer their ActiveHome kit + 6 add-ons for $50, which includes FedEx shipping... so: if you own a laptop already, you can order the X10 kit for $50 and download Girder apps for free, and start experimenting with remote show control... OH-- the 3rd caveat is that Girder is not a simple point and click program unless someone else has done what you want to do and has uploaded the group files so you can DL them... if you want to experiment on your own, Girder uses something like a programming/scripting language, which you have to read up on to figure out... Have fun... Joe |
DrDale New user 60 Posts |
I have been using this technology for years and even have it in my house for automation and security. It is easy to use and learn and really helps
|
glodmagic Special user USA 501 Posts |
Watch Out on the X10 for stage use. I have used it many times and had failures due to interference.
Some things of note: Make sure the transmitter is on the exact same outlet as your receiving modules. This is because it places a carrier frequency over the AC line. I have set up a ballroom with lights and effects and found it to fail because the units were on 2 different "Legs" of the incoming power line. I also have found that on occasion an electric motor such as a large fan can create less than stable results. What happens is that you have to send the signal several times before it works (press remote several times). This can be a problem when the computer is switching the unit with a single cue. I still use it but be warned to test it extensively at the location before the show!
Remember ANY of your posts here can be Googled by your customers and Clients. Just entering your name in Google can bring up your negative comments that stay for years!
|
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings...
I have the receiver module plugged into the X10 computer interface module, on the same power strip that the computer is plugged into. Haven't had any problems, but I'm only doing shows with this system at schools right now... Joe |
MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Thank you Yosef for the information. I bought several laptops off of ebay with the intention of turning them into Jeff's system. I think I'm going to try the X10 system since it is much cheaper.
Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
I just did 11 more shows using my system and it worked swell. I'm using the 8 button X10 remote, and I printed up labels for each of the buttons. I just hold the thing in my hand or leave it on my table during the show; no one usually seems to notice or care. I did have one kid come up and ask me what the laptop computer was for, and I told him about how the system worked...
It may seem a little tricky at first getting the GIRDER program to recognize the key presses from the X10 remote... if you have any trouble, PM me and I'll email copies of my config files... Joe |
paulnathan New user San Francisco 21 Posts |
This system sounds great. do you know if you can use a midi trigger in stead of the x10 to trigger events on the computer?
Just curious. P
Love thy neighbor.
Oops. Sorry. That should have been... Make love to thy neighbor. http://www.badmagician.com http://www.firemagic.com http://www.devilinthedeck.com http://www.ihatechildren.com http://www.darkkabaret.com |
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
The Girder software has had "plug-ins" made by various people, to be triggered by various devices... try looking at the info on the Girder web site:
http://www.girder.nl/index.php Joe |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Could not find the X10/CM11A plug-in Site not available.
Dennis Michael
|
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
I just tried to D/L the X10/CM11A plug in and it worked fine... maybe at the moment you tried Dennis some sort of site maintenance was going on?
I will email you the file, as long as you can receive a .ZIP file in email... Joe |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » F/X » » Joe Tech- Laptop control system for free! (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |