[OT] infrared remote for digital SLR camera
Hi, my Canon 350D camera can be controlled with an infrared remote. I want
to make my own max controlled remote instead. I don't know much about
infrared or the hardware to build this, so I have no idea how hard this is
or where to start. Any advise on how to go about this? Do I need the
original remote to figure out the frequency/ interface? Thanks.
-Thijs
Easiest solution would probably be to hack the remote.
Put relays or something like that where the push bottons are.
Then program a microcontroller to throw the relays.
Then get a bluetooth module to control the mc via serial
Then get max to send serial data via serial object & bluetooth.
...
If this is a firewire cam you might be able to control it via jitter...
You'll need a microcontroler (such as Arduino or Basic Stamp) and a IR
emiter.
And you'll need to know obviously what your remote sends for each function
you need.
In most case, IR remotes send serial binaries in the form of fast pulses.
PEr example, for "change channel", the remote would send 00110101
(dark-dark-light-light-dark-light-dark-light) very fast (could be more or
less than 8bits). So you'll need to find the protocol sheet or analyse
yourself the remote communication with a IR receiver plug into your
microcontroler.
Another approch would be just directly hack the remote: remove the push
buttons of the remote and solder switches controled via MIDI or via your
microcontroler.
some googling under IR remote hacks and MIDI switchs should help.
Good luck!
PC
If you don't care about the remote too much, I would go for hacking it
as well. Take it apart and see how the button causes a signal to be
emmitted. It probably causes 2 wires to connect, so if you can throw
in a relay in place of the button as was suggested earlier, I think
you would be in good shape. Otherwise, you will need to get an
oscilloscope to look at the signal being sent over IR (unless you can
find docs on the protocol) and program an micocontroller to emulate
the remote.
best,
wes
thanks for the responses. I think I have to go with hacking the original
remote. It's about 25 euro's so the price is not really an issue. I hoped
for some kind of universal infrared emitting thingy with a usb interface
:-). I know too little about this stuff to build one on my own / analyze the
signal. I'll google around some more on the remote hacking. Thanks.
best, - thijs