So I read somewhere that the Beo4 could be used to control a pc. To what extent does this capability go to? What is the necessary equipment to make this happen? What program(s) does this apply itself to? Any information is always appreciated, thank you.

You have at least two options:

1. shell out some dough to the nice people / companies who want to offer you this kind of solutions (Irtrans, Lintronic, ridax, ...)
   
2. build it yourself.

With the latter solution, pretty much anything is possible, but implementing the ideas will be more or less difficult depending on how much of a propellerhead you are. You can use WinLIRC and build yourself a serial port receiver - the instructions at www.lirc.org will do, but the IR receiver module will have to be replaced with one that is designed for the 455 kHz IR carrier frequency of B&O remotes (e.g Vishay TSOP7000).

After that, you can receive the remote commands over IR, but still have no means to use that for controlling something. I believe there's a LIRC plugin for Winamp, which would at least provide you with a Beo controllable mp3 player. Otherwise it's programming time... unfortunately the Windows version of LIRC seems like a stagnated project; I have never used it myself, so I don't know if it will run on the latest OS versions.

I have now a B&O version of a LIRC receiver on my Linux box that runs VDR (STB / digital HDR software). I'm working on adding remote controllable "N.RADIO" of sorts to the same PC, and have some other remote control projects underway as well...

The third option would be Beoport I believe (I don't know much of it), but it is probably limited to controlling Beoplayer only, unless you can hack it to do something else as well.

Well I am no computer programming expert so my responses in regard to this forum may be limited and rather broad. I think my aspirations toward utilizing this capability of the Beo4 is the ability to control iTunes and the like.

You typically do not control the entire PC but just single Applications. This could be itunes for examples, or a media center application.

 I used IRED/IRTRANS (google IRTRANS for a PC solution) for a while on my Mac, I have to say that even for setting up one of these solutions one should be a bit of a "propellor head".

Beoport on a PC can control Beoplayer, that is correct. Relativly easy to install, but little functionality.

So it depends a bit what your skills are and what yoou are planning to to exact. If you just need basic control of beoplayer, beoport might e sufficient. Same is true if you have linkrooms. 

Cheers

JK 

 

P.s. We have an entire section for this, but most it seems use Beoplayer or Beomedia. 

 http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/28/ShowForum.aspx?PageIndex=1&sb=0&d=1&df=11&uf=0&hrp=0&lf=0

You can get Itunes control with Beoport but just on a MAC. For PC, only Beooplayer is supported. So Beoport would be out.

 

There were some "complete" solutions posted here, one was an entire media PC that would be controllable  outside the box with beo 4. There were also some software solutions posted, not sure though if that covered Itunes/PC but I am pretty sure if you search here you can find something.

 If you are not an expert I would stay away from just buying the IR module and setup the software yourself. I was comfortable with it and managed but it took me some ours and frustration.

If you describe you setup, there may be other options. You could think about controlling an Ipod through Beo4 (B&O enabled docks exist, Ridax has one). If you have a TV and can get an updated STB version installed you could think about Apple TV (even though i personally am not too fond of it). 

 

Cheers

JK 

jk1002:

I used IRED/IRTRANS (google IRTRANS for a PC solution) for a while on my Mac, I have to say that even for setting up one of these solutions one should be a bit of a "propellor head".

I will admit I am new to B&O but have good mechanical inclination as I restore and repair classic automobiles. As far as programming is concerned, I am willing to learn. I have an emerging interest in computers and want to establish a good foundation for myself in this field.

Now then, only having maintained an interest in B&O products for about a year, I am not familiar with Beoplayer/Beoport and its fuctions.

My setup consists of a PC that is running iTunes which is outputted from the computer via 1/8" jack to my Beomaster.

For now I mainly want to exploit the capabilities of the Beo4 to the extent of remotely operating iTunes on my PC.

jk1002:

You can get Itunes control with Beoport but just on a MAC. For PC, only Beooplayer is supported. So Beoport would be out.

 

There were some "complete" solutions posted here, one was an entire media PC that would be controllable  outside the box with beo 4. There were also some software solutions posted, not sure though if that covered Itunes/PC but I am pretty sure if you search here you can find something.

 If you are not an expert I would stay away from just buying the IR module and setup the software yourself. I was comfortable with it and managed but it took me some ours and frustration.

If you describe you setup, there may be other options. You could think about controlling an Ipod through Beo4 (B&O enabled docks exist, Ridax has one). If you have a TV and can get an updated STB version installed you could think about Apple TV (even though i personally am not too fond of it). 

 

Cheers

JK 

When you ask of my setup, to what components or aspects are you referring to?

What is STB? I do not see Apple TV in my future so that approach can be eliminated. I would much rather be able to control iTunes through the computer as compared to just the iPod for purposes of sound processing and other applications other than just iTunes on my computer that will be played through the same line.

Most if not all B&O TVs have a set top box controller integrated. You wire a cable with a tiny stick on IR transmitter to whatever box you want to control. I control my Apple TV like that, works with other devices too.

I searched a bit, I am pretty sure that there is something that will get you going besides lintronik and irtrans

http://www.lintronic.dk/ and http://www.irtrans.de/en/index.php

What I don't see with both products is the software that lets you map the IR signal to certain key strokes or program functions without programing. That is what IRED did for me relatively simple on my Mac. It might be that you have to program that yourself which would go beyond something you can just figure out yourself in a reasonable amount of time without prior experience.

Maybe somebody else can chime in. It seems, on the Mac many are doing what you want, I just dont see it for the PC.

 

Cheers

JK 

 

 

Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Let me know if you come across anything that would be beneficial to me.