Keyspan remote + EyeTV + iTunes
All you need is a mac, some powered speakers, and a screen. Now this is nothing new - people have been doing it with Mac Minis ever since they were released. I prefer a laptop since some things are just easier to do with a keyboard and mouse - and I can do them without stopping playback on the main display.
One thing that was missing was unifying control - by that I mean sitting on my couch, using one remote to do everything without getting up. What point is home entertainment if you can't drive it from your couch?!
There's a bunch of projects that aim to do this, but I wanted something simple. No on-screen menu, just the standard features from a remote.
So I bought the excellent Keyspan Express remote. I would have preferred an RF remote (rather than infra-red), but the affordable RF models have less buttons.
Then the challenge was to use the limited number of buttons to achieve an understandable (to non-technical people) set of functions that would let you do most things.
Over some coming posts I'll explain what actions I chose for what reasons, but the curious can take a look at some applescripts in the mean time.
09:09 AM, 05 Aug 2007 by Mark Aufflick Permalink | Short Link
Yes, and fixed
The rego process was looping because of a missing stored proc - and that would have been due to an upgrade I did in 2003 or perhaps 2004!! The main point of registering was to get the email alerts, but of course everyone uses RSS now. I do encourage commenters to register though, so thanks for pointing that out!! No you can't train the keyspan remote, which would be nice. The only external devices I have are the TV (which only needs to be turned on or off) and an amp - which I just leave on all the time. You can though (through some unsupported trickery) train the keyspan software to respond to other remotes. So if you had, say, one of those Sony TV remotes that can also control Sony VCRs, you could use the VCR buttons to work the keyspan. I haven't tried that though.
by Test Aufflick on 08/06/07
Does this control the LOT?
Do you still need remotes for the attached devices (TV, stereo), or can you "train" the Keyspan with the IR codes? R Walker PS. I'd register on your site, if it would let me. The rego process just loops - contact me if you want to narrow it down.
by Unregistered Visitor on 08/06/07