XP-ZAP IR (Infra Red) Programmable Remote Control for ATARI Portfolio
15 Year Anniversary Version (1991 - 2006)
This is a professional software package to use your ATARI Portfolio as a programmable remote control for IR devices (like, TV, DVD, VCR etc etc). The IR hardware will be connected to the Portfolio's Parallel Interface (so in order to use this package, you must already have the parallel interface)
The package consists of 4 main programs:
PF-ZAP.SYS : A device driver required to be loaded to use each next program
PC-SPEED.EXE : Program to analyse your Portfolio's speed in conjunction with a mains frequency IR clock. This program along with it's IR clock circuit is ONLY required if your Portfolio not standard.
ANALYSE.EXE : Program to analyse the IR codes from your remote controls. It has an Intelligent Code Analysing feature to determine start and repeat sessions, recognizes RC5 codes, it samples your remote's carrier frequency (between 21kHz and 53kHz) and has a Digital Low Pass Filter to de-modulate the control's serial data. Each newly programmed code will be verified for errors.
XP-ZAP.EXE : Program to accurately simulate your remote controls. Several remote controls can be loaded at one time. Commands can either be typed (like "PLAY"), can be popped-up and typed as a hotkey (like "P") or as a "Single Key Transfer". In this case, an IR command can be assigned to each of your keyboard's keys and a complete ASCII string can be transferred in IR codes (exceptionally powerful feature when you're simulating a remote control that has all characters from "A" to "Z" but are not arranged as like a qwerty keyboard).
The Remote control's codes will be written to a .RCD (Remote Control Data) file, each control will have it's own file. These files are exchangeable with other Portfolios (that's why your portfolio's speed MUST be accurately measured for compatibility reasons).
This package is not only handy at home (use only one control instead of having 10 laying around), but is also especially handy for TV & Radio repairmen who can always have a compatible remote at hand and can even program a programmable remote with this simulator (in case your customer's remote seized operating).
Schematic diagrams are included and can be reproduced by anyone with basic knowledge of electronics (parts include: resistors, transistor, LED, Photodiode, IR-Emitter)
Package options:
Item X10020 : The XP-ZAP software package with schematic diagrams AU$35.00
Item X10021 : Complete set of un-assembled parts (connector + diodes + etc) AU$35.00
Item X10022 : The set X10021 assembled and tested AU$60.00
Item X10023 : Battery powered 50Hz reference IR generator AU$25.00
NOTE: A 50Hz or 60Hz IR generator can be easily made by yourself with just a 12V AC transformer, a 100 ohm series resistor and an IR-LED. However, if you don't like to make it yourself, you can purchase item X10023
Screenshots
Screenshot of PC-SPEED; mains frequency can be set between 25Hz and 125Hz. Duty cycle should be within 10% to 90%.
Screenshot of ANALYSE; Remote control code is analysed, displayed and compared with previous settings to verify the code is correct.
Screenshot of XP-ZAP; This is the command prompt view, it has a doskey like build-in feature. Commands can be separated by a "," and auto-scan functions can be created.
Example: \TV>ch+,@100,!10
This line will scan the first 10 TV channels and view each for 100 seconds/10.
Screenshot of XP-ZAP; This is the Key PopUp view. Select a key (with the cursor keys) and press [ENTER] to transmit the code. The listed Hotkeys don't need the [ENTER] key to be pressed.
Screenshot of XP-ZAP; This is the Direct Keyboard Key Transmit view. Each key of the keyboard (if programmed) will immediately transmit the IR code.