VoxCommando
General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: fonzie on June 18, 2011, 12:21:24 AM
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I want to purchase VoxCommando, but have a few questions before I do. I'm a big tinkerer when it comes to my PCs and that entails installing, formatting, and reinstalling Operating Systems often. Would I encounter issues once I register VoxCommando and decide to format my PC one month down the line and try to get the program up and running again? What if I buy a new HTPC, can I transfer my license over to it? What would the process entail?
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You can activate VoxCommando on two systems simultaneously. If you want to re-activate later on the same machine it is no problem. VC considers it the same machine if it has the same system drive. The two system limit is pretty much based on an honour system. I check activation records periodically to make sure that no one is abusing an account (which has only happened once so far). If you just tell me what you are doing when you go to a third system it won't be an issue. In the future I may make it possible to "un-register" a machine so that you can transfer a license to another machine, but for now it is just easier to trust people.
So long story short. Don't worry about it. :D
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ok, cool. That puts me at ease. I'll test this out a little more on both my HTPCs.
My current setup is using my iPhone as a wireless mic (PocketAudio app streams through wifi) but there is a little lag. This is still the cheapest (considering I already owned the phone) and most convenient wireless solution I have found though.
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ok, cool. That puts me at ease. I'll test this out a little more on both my HTPCs.
My current setup is using my iPhone as a wireless mic (PocketAudio app streams through wifi) but there is a little lag. This is still the cheapest (considering I already owned the phone) and most convenient wireless solution I have found though.
Hi fonzie, welcome in VoxCommando-Forum :)
the simplest solution is a wireless headset (eg. Plantronics A995 from 60$, Asus HS-1000W from $ 40). The best solution, but also one of the most expensive, is the Amuletremote (www.amuletdevices.com $150).
I think, the iPhone solution is not very useful, because as you've noticed a considerable time lag.
Greetings Kalle
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The amulet remote is very interesting, the only problem is that I am trying to get it down to only 1 remote (I own a Harmony) and I don't think the Amulet will be able to control all of my AV equipment.
To my understanding, I would only be able to use the Amulet remote to control XBMC but not my cable box and other devices. So I would have to switch between remotes and that would not be very streamlined.
I have a Denon AVR 590 and a Samsung LN40B540 LCD television.
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The amulet remote is very interesting, the only problem is that I am trying to get it down to only 1 remote (I own a Harmony) and I don't think the Amulet will be able to control all of my AV equipment.
To my understanding, I would only be able to use the Amulet remote to control XBMC but not my cable box and other devices. So I would have to switch between remotes and that would not be very streamlined.
I have a Denon AVR 590 and a Samsung LN40B540 LCD television.
Hi fonzie,
The Amuletremote is a learnable remote control, basically, just like your "Harmony", which you have to teach only the code with the original remote control and it can't create marcos. But I suggest you also use a USB-UIRT + EventGhost, then so you control everything by IR. (www.usbuirt.com)
Kalle
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Hi Kalle,
The USB-UIRT sounds interesting and the price is not outlandish. I was wondering what the learning curve would be to get this thing to control my computer and a couple of pieces of AV equipment utilizing the amulet. I have not had time to experiment with the amulet much, but it seems that controlling the cable box, tv, receiver, is well within its capabilities. I suppose that the advantage of the USB-UIRT is twofold, it acts as a central hub that distributes IR signals to the various components and through programs such as eventghost, it can control the computer as well. A few questions: Could I get the UBS-UIRT to power on the computer or just awaken from hibernation (a minor issue for me), can I control the computer system with macros such as changing audio formats (analog speakers to hdmi), launch programs and perform configurations, etc. ? I suppose I would have to be at a particular locatiion (e.g. desktop) to start a macro (agaiin a minor point). Are you familiar with the Girder program and would that be easier to use?
Sorry for all of the questions and I don't expect you to generate a tutorial here, just a little more direction on software selection and capabilities of the equipment.
And fonzie, if you are reading this, I love the amulet primarlly because of Vox Commando, two things do bug me though. first the direction keys that surround the ok button can be easily miss-hit, particularly by people not familiar with the remote and second the little plug at the bottom of the remote that must be removed to recharge it is a bit difficult to remove and replace. These are minor complaints and are overshadowed by the power unleased by the amulet/vox commando combination.
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Hi Kalle,
The USB-UIRT sounds interesting and the price is not outlandish. I was wondering what the learning curve would be to get this thing to control my computer and a couple of pieces of AV equipment utilizing the amulet. I have not had time to experiment with the amulet much, but it seems that controlling the cable box, tv, receiver, is well within its capabilities. I suppose that the advantage of the USB-UIRT is twofold, it acts as a central hub that distributes IR signals to the various components and through programs such as eventghost, it can control the computer as well. A few questions: Could I get the UBS-UIRT to power on the computer or just awaken from hibernation (a minor issue for me), can I control the computer system with macros such as changing audio formats (analog speakers to hdmi), launch programs and perform configurations, etc. ? I suppose I would have to be at a particular locatiion (e.g. desktop) to start a macro (agaiin a minor point). Are you familiar with the Girder program and would that be easier to use?
Sorry for all of the questions and I don't expect you to generate a tutorial here, just a little more direction on software selection and capabilities of the equipment.
And fonzie, if you are reading this, I love the amulet primarlly because of Vox Commando, two things do bug me though. first the direction keys that surround the ok button can be easily miss-hit, particularly by people not familiar with the remote and second the little plug at the bottom of the remote that must be removed to recharge it is a bit difficult to remove and replace. These are minor complaints and are overshadowed by the power unleased by the amulet/vox commando combination.
Hi mclough6,
USB-UIRT is an infrared transceiver, as you have already said can route IR signals. You need only EventGhost to control everything. The good thing is, the commandos also spoke via VoxCommando be issued as IR signals.
On the amulet, there are four colored buttons that you can prove with one device configuration. Example: press the red button on the amulet to contol your AV receiver (how you teach-the keys and assigns the color you can see the instruction manual, is not difficult, but watch it broadcast the signal no other IR sources nearby, - a plasma TV and sun is an IR source ;) )
To work with eventghost + VC is relatively easy! take a look on it, it is freeware.
Yes, you can power on your pc with amulet+USB-UIRT from hibernation.
Yes you can control your computer with macros in eventghost and many other things.
When you have any question, ask ;)
Greetings Kalle
PS: when you're as little talented to home improvement, you can build by yourself a own charge cradle for the amulet. ;D
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Hey, I like the idea of a charge cradle for the amulet! :bignod Have you done that? If so, please send us pictures. I think you can safely remove the rubber plug on the bottom of the remote if it is bothering you. I find it a bit awkward too, but not enough to be considered a true "con".
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Hey, I like the idea of a charge cradle for the amulet! :bignod Have you done that? If so, please send us pictures. I think you can safely remove the rubber plug on the bottom of the remote if it is bothering you. I find it a bit awkward too, but not enough to be considered a true "con".
Haha, I think it's not hard to build a charging cradle. There is also something that's already done, but the amulet would stand upright and the microphone is always on. I still need a USB adapter angle, then is my charger ready ;)
It work also with my iPhone, iTouch and it have a nice design.
http://www.amazon.de/Universal-Ladestation-Mobiltelefone-andere-Ger%C3%A4te/dp/B0047LYC7K/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1308612992&sr=8-16
Kalle
with this my cradle is finish - http://www.amazon.de/mumbi-Winkeladapter-Mini-USB-Navigationsger%C3%A4te/dp/B003O35BLI/ref=acc_glance_ce_ai_ps_t_4
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The cradle is a bit rich for my cheapskate mentality. I'll settle for laying it down. Kalle, you are far more motivated than I am. As for the bottom plug, yes it is a minor complaint, but anything that takes me upwards to a minute to accomplish, when it should take 5 seconds rates as a very minor issue (I won't call it a con). I would think that anybody reading my post would realize the the points I made are certainly not deal breakers.
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Hey, I like the idea of a charge cradle for the amulet! :bignod Have you done that? If so, please send us pictures. I think you can safely remove the rubber plug on the bottom of the remote if it is bothering you. I find it a bit awkward too, but not enough to be considered a true "con".
Hi James, here is my second prototype for the Cradle Amulet. I'm still looking for a solution to the USB connector, but I think I have an idea.
The prototype is still in plaster, but it will look so similar. I need a few more attempts with liquid plastic polyurethane.
Greetings Kalle
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It's good to have hobbies! I think the usb part is the most important part, yes? What are you planning for that?
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It's good to have hobbies! I think the usb part is the most important part, yes? What are you planning for that?
:D First Plan: I would like to modify a mini-USB connector, I need only the pin 1 and 5 (Pin1 = 5V+ and Pin5= Ground -) so that you only hang up the remote on the Cradle. This take a little time ;)
second plan: A mini USB connector angle, which is firmly attached to the end, so you can slide your remote in the cradle.
Kalle
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Hi Kalle,
The Amulet folks should put you on the payroll.
Best Regards,
Mike
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yeah, the VoxCommando folks too. Lucky for me Kalle does it for the warm fuzzy feeling :)
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yeah, the VoxCommando folks too. Lucky for me Kalle does it for the warm fuzzy feeling :)
Thanks for the compliments, I will do my best :hugs
Kalle
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Hi Kalle,
The Amulet folks should put you on the payroll.
Best Regards,
Mike
I will give this a chance too, it's cheap for testing with the amulet. ;)
http://www.amazon.de/Duracell-myGrid-Zubeh%C3%B6r-Adapter-Mini/dp/B003X0AJ4G/ref=pd_sim_ce_3
http://www.amazon.de/Hama-Universal-Ladepad-WildCharge-89440/dp/B001FXALX2/ref=pd_sim_ce_5
I have test it, and it do not realy work - forget it!
Kalle
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Cradle pics updated ;)
http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=514.msg3841#msg3841
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Ok, for all amulet remote users!
I found a good cradle design for the amulet-remote with included USB-conector solution.
The material is crystal polystyrene (similar to acrylic).
This material is very easy to shape with a heat gun. I need a few days to make a few exemplary. Will then upload the images and take orders :D. The material cost is about 5 EUR or $ 7 + shipping. I will not calculate working time, I finished the cradle only in small series, but until then it takes a little longer.
Greetings Kalle
PS: forget all my other posts with pics in this thread, I have the cradle complete re-design ;)
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Hehe Kalle, good job... ;D
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Hehe Kalle, good job... ;D
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Thanks Wanilton, wait for the new pics in next few day, but I can say now "it looks like professional". The heavy part is the USB-Conector, so that you can slide in the remote without picup your remote, but it wil grow ;)
Kalle
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I look forward to seeing the new pics. :)
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I look forward to seeing the new pics. :)
Ok, here's my first attempt, and I have work something out. The design is simple, but it works for my purposes (a charging cradle with slide-in "mini-USB").
The USB port is clamped only in a groove, here's needed little work ;)
The basic idea is ready!
Kalle
PS: The USB is connected to a USB power supply 110/220V
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interesting. does it work? Is it easy to get the amulet to connect?
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interesting. does it work? Is it easy to get the amulet to connect?
Yes, the dock works without problems, because the USB is properly positioned.
The prototype is not perfect yet. I still have a few things to try, when it comes to editing the polystyrene. What I absolutely need is more patience, so the material gets no scratches ;). For the blank that you can see in the pictures, it took me about 1 hour. For working with the hot air gun, I have to take more time and optimize the process.
The wildest is, clean up my basement :D
Kalle
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interesting. does it work? Is it easy to get the amulet to connect?
Haha, I find the solution for the USB-Connector -> a02.jpg
that is perfect, so I can now simplify the work for the design!
"I can't understand why not amuletdevices provides her own cradle, at the price would have been possible :( "
Kalle
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ah. now I get it . COOL. 8)
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ah. now I get it . COOL. 8)
Yes, that's what I was looking all the time.
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ah. now I get it . COOL. 8)
So, the next one ;) (without any cosmetic's)
Kalle
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Nice work Kalle. ;D So there is a little plug in device that goes into the amulet and it then lays on the cradle and makes contact. Is that right? In that case there is the small insert that would have to be stowed between uses or it would be permanently attached to the remote?
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Nice work Kalle. ;D So there is a little plug in device that goes into the amulet and it then lays on the cradle and makes contact. Is that right? In that case there is the small insert that would have to be stowed between uses or it would be permanently attached to the remote?
Hi mclough6,
yes that is correct, the small USB dongle can be plugged in all the time, it is virtually invisible. There is nothing of note. just hang up and they loads. 8)
I bought me a scroll saw, so I can edit the plastic better. I'll still try a few different design. If you have any suggestions for the design, post a sketch.
The whole can be set up well with wood, but plastic is the cheapest.
Kalle
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So, the next one ;) (without any cosmetic's)
Kalle
Ok, here is my next design (that is my favorit), please comment :) (the usb cable is only connected temporarily for testing, the end product looks cleaner)
Kalle
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beautiful. do you have to worry about it falling out the side?
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beautiful. do you have to worry about it falling out the side?
No, the remote is in the lower part relatively fixed.
I need something to balance out the stand, since this is very light, but that's no problem. I will send one copy in the near future, then you can test it. Do you have any kind of wish for the foot? (different color, different material) at the time he's made of wood.
Kalle
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black metal is probably good and would have the required weight, but how to manage that is a different story. Wood is always nice, and can be painted black.
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a V shaped foot made from the same material as the rest of the stand would be nice too, if it is possible.
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a V shaped foot made from the same material as the rest of the stand would be nice too, if it is possible.
I think I can try out all three materials ;)
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black metal is probably good and would have the required weight, but how to manage that is a different story. Wood is always nice, and can be painted black.
Hello friends,
today I've completed the first cradle for amulet remote, and I hope you like it too.
Material: The base is made of aluminum, so the amulet-remote can not fall over.
The stand itself is made of Makrolon (Bayer Material Science) is also called polycarbonate, and is not destroyed under normal circumstances.
In the upper part of the stand I have made a point of black rubber, this fit exactly into a recess under the amulets remote.
On the back of the amulet, I have plugged in a modified mini-USB connector, this is practically not visible. To recharge the amulet placed simple in the cradle, thereby affecting the contacts from the mini-USB to the contacts from the cradle and the amulet recharge. Thats all ;)
Greetings Kalle
PS: He eddy, I hope you read this post and I give you a example, for what is important (for the next remote control from amulet) ;)
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Wow Kalle, that actually looks like a work of art. Good job! :D
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Beautifull, Kalle is genious in design...excelent job...
;D
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Wow, Kalle - that's really nice work! I am very impressed. (And particularly good of you to post it on my birthday :-)
If you are planning on offering this as a product, I'd definitely like to order one for my own Amulet at home.
Out of curiosity, is the small insert for the USB socket on the remote easy to remove if needed (just in case you want to plug in a standard USB charge cable if travelling, for example)?
Eddy
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Wow, Kalle - that's really nice work! I am very impressed. (And particularly good of you to post it on my birthday :-)
If you are planning on offering this as a product, I'd definitely like to order one for my own Amulet at home.
Out of curiosity, is the small insert for the USB socket on the remote easy to remove if needed (just in case you want to plug in a standard USB charge cable if travelling, for example)?
Eddy
haha, thank's Eddy,
it is no problem to remove the mini-plug.
I have signed no patent on the cradle ;), and wanted only to show amulet-devices it is not a great effort to create a charging cradle. From the idea through development and production (I tried several designs), it took me three weeks. I did not have all the tools in the house, so it needs this time. Since everything is handmade, and I need about 3-4 hours per cradle. The hardest part was the solution with the mini-plug (I have destroyed many USB cable until I knew how it works :bonk)
Kalle
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Hi Kalle,
I just got back from vacation about 1/2 an hour ago. I have been without internet for almost 5 days!!! :o
Of course I checked the forum as soon as I unpacked and one of the first things I saw was your new cradle design. Splendid! Very beautiful. I am sure you are proud of your work. So cool.
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Hi Kalle,
I just got back from vacation about 1/2 an hour ago. I have been without internet for almost 5 days!!! :o
Of course I checked the forum as soon as I unpacked and one of the first things I saw was your new cradle design. Splendid! Very beautiful. I am sure you are proud of your work. So cool.
Hi Wanilton and James,
proudly present ------- your "Air-Slide-Chargingcradle" for the Amulet-remote ;D
It is ready to ship. I've tested the funktion and it works perfect. I recommend a USB travel adapter, so you can stand up to the cradle everywhere.
Kalle
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Heh heh, WICKED! It's not Christmas already is it? Thanks Kalle, you are the MAN. Nice presentation (photo) by the way.
:yay :hugs :yay
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How the hell did this end up in the thread "Regisstering VoxCommando"? :bonk
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How the hell did this end up in the thread "Regisstering VoxCommando"? :bonk
Thanks James,
I'm curious how long will it take to Canada and Brazil
Kalle
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Kalle, thank´s again, wonderfull work, very happy with your gift.. ;D ;D ;D
Wanilton
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Kalle, thank´s again, wonderfull work, very happy with your gift.. ;D ;D ;D
Wanilton
Thanks, it has given me a lot of fun ;D
Kalle
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Thanks James,
I'm curious how long will it take to Canada and Brazil
Kalle
I will let you know when it arrives, but I do not check my mail every day.
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I don't know whether I'm a little late, but kalle how do I go about ordering one of these cradles from you with delivery to the UK. It looks great. Do you custom make them to each order?
Has anyone else received one of these from kalle yet
Thanks
kickers56
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I don't know whether I'm a little late, but kalle how do I go about ordering one of these cradles from you with delivery to the UK. It looks great. Do you custom make them to each order?
Has anyone else received one of these from kalle yet
Thanks
kickers56
Sorry Kickers56, this one is sold out. I plan to make a new series of this cradle next time, then I write you a PM. This take a little bit time.
This cradle was only a prototype for testing, I need to change a few things.
I have another prototype for free, if you're interested http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=514.msg3885#msg3885 (http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=514.msg3885#msg3885)
Kalle
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Thanks Kalle,
Nevermind, just too late I guess. I will wait for when you do another design. If you can PM me when you do, I would be very interested in what you come up with.
Thanks
kicker56
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Thanks Kalle,
Nevermind, just too late I guess. I will wait for when you do another design. If you can PM me when you do, I would be very interested in what you come up with.
Thanks
kicker56
Ok
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Sorry Kickers56, this one is sold out. I plan to make a new series of this cradle next time, then I write you a PM. This take a little bit time.
This cradle was only a prototype for testing, I need to change a few things.
I have another prototype for free, if you're interested http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=514.msg3885#msg3885 (http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=514.msg3885#msg3885)
Kalle
That version looks pretty good to me. Is there a problem with it?
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Kalle, maybe you should post a guide to creating your own cradle. You know, when you have nothing better to do... ;)
Let people figure out the actual cradle, but share what you have learned about the usb plug, wiring, where to buy parts etc.
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That version looks pretty good to me. Is there a problem with it?
Hi James, I will change the side of cable out (to the front).
Good idea to figured out, when I show the people how to build the usbplug, so they can build their own cradle.
Kalle
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You know, about changing the cable out to the front, I was going to suggest that idea. Glad you thought of it.
Dont know how good it will be if you share instructions to make my own, though I will give it a try, plenty of spare usb leads to mutilate
kickers56
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It would be cool to have a cradle that could hold the Amulet in either of two positions. Almost horizontal like you have it now so that the microphone is off, or almost vertical so that you can use it as an always-on microphone. I'm not sure though how far you can be from the Amulet and get decent results. Probably not more than a couple of feet. Maybe it's a dumb idea...