Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!kitty!larry From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: PC Controlled VCR Message-ID: <1865@kitty.UUCP> Date: Tue, 21-Jul-87 23:16:38 EDT Article-I.D.: kitty.1865 Posted: Tue Jul 21 23:16:38 1987 Date-Received: Thu, 23-Jul-87 07:06:47 EDT References: <1880@isis.UUCP> Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY Lines: 32 Summary: Easy enough to build yourself In article <1880@isis.UUCP>, ross@isis.UUCP (Ross McConnell) writes: > Does anyone know of a VCR that can be controlled via a serial > or parallel port from a PC? I just want to give basic commands > such as RECORD, STOP, REWIND, etc, under program control. I know of VCR's controlled by PC's for interactive education, product ordering, etc. - such as the NCR INteracTV (tm) - but that is probably not what you want (these systems are generally play-only). However, it would be fairly easy to build what you want. Take a VCR with a _wired_ remote - such as the Panasonic NV-8420. The wired remote consists merely of a keypad connected to a cable. Use a reed relay matrix to replace the keypad and provide isolation. Connect an octal latch to a parallel printer port, using the printer strobe line to reload the latch. Using suitable relay driver IC's, drive the select relays from the octal latch. All you have to do is write bytes to the printer port to control the VCR. I have already done this to a Panasonic NV-8420, and have the following commands available: STOP, PLAY, RECORD, FORWARD, REVERSE, SEARCH FORWARD, SEARCH REVERSE, SLOW, PAUSE, and FRAME ADVANCE. I actually used optoisolators instead of reed relays - but the reed relays are a safer bet unless you feel totally comfortable working with the VCR logic. You can build this entire circuit for less than $ 20.00 in components. If you use the above suggestion, don't forget that you have to write a null (00H) to the printer port after each command (except for the SEARCH commands), since the remote keypad is momentary in nature. <> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York <> UUCP: {allegra|ames|boulder|decvax|rocksanne|watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry <> VOICE: 716/688-1231 {hplabs|ihnp4|mtune|seismo|utzoo}!/ <> FAX: 716/741-9635 {G1,G2,G3 modes} "Have you hugged your cat today?"