Got IR and RM working in linux

Discussion forum for JP1 software tools currently in use, or being developed, such as IR, KM, RemoteMaster, and other misc apps/tools.

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Xero
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Post by Xero »

I fixed the URL, it requires https now and it located at https://www.xeron.cc/ir_rm_linux/

I should note that I've not been able to actually get IR working with recent wine versions. It just won't work with my parallel port no matter what I try anymore and throws a funny exception error on start. I'm not able to use RMIR with my extender 15-2116/7s so I'm stuck using a windows box to manage those remotes at the moment...RMIR has come a long way though so I'll likely wait for that to support extender stuffs, it seems the wine solution is likely to be completely unnecessary in a matter of time.
gfb107
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Post by gfb107 »

Xero, please see http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10956

I can't fix RMIR if you don't help me by providing more details about your issues with RMIR and extenders.
paoleela
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Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:46 am
Location: Germany

Post by paoleela »

Hi, I'm new to RemoteManager. I loaded that zipfile and try to start by rmaster.sh.
But why does it like to have the root password? Using USB should be possible as user too?

EDIT: Ok, I removed that gksudo from the scripts. Since I do not have the JP1 adaptor yet, I can't test communication. But in general my user is able to use USB.

By the way, I'm using RemoteManager with icedtea-7 and it works so far.
Barf
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Post by Barf »

root is needed only if you use the parallel driver. This is a very primitive and silly driver anyhow (bitbanging) so you probably do not want to use it anyhow. Using the serial driver, you may have to assure that your user has read/write access to the serial port in question, typically /dev/ttyS0 or /dev/ttyUSB0. On my Suse Linux, and probably many others, that means entering your user in the dialout group in /etc/groups.

My experience from "free" Java JVMs (icedtea for exampe) is that they work fine, except for having ugly fonts (or possibly selects them differently). A bit like "designed by Alfred Hitchcock..." I recommend at least trying Sun/Oracles JVM in addition.

The standard wrapper rmaster.sh is ... not that good. Below is what I use. Drop in /usr/local/bin, adjust the RMHOME line to the diirectory containing the jar file, link to it with the names remotemaster, rmir, rm,.... You can then start both rm and rmir easily by just typing the names in a command shell, or clicking the links using your favorite file browser Konquerer/Nautilus for example.

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh

JAVA_HOME=/opt/jdk1.6.0_30
#JAVA=${JAVA_HOME}/bin/java
#JAVA=java

RMHOME=/local/jp1/remotemaster

if [ `basename $0` = "rmir" ] ; then
    RMIR=-ir
else
    RMIR=-rm
fi

if [ $# -eq 1 ] ; then
    if [ `dirname $1` = "." ] ; then
	file=`pwd`/$1
    else
	file=$1
    fi
fi

cd $RMHOME

exec ${JAVA} -Djava.library.path=${RMHOME} -jar ${RMHOME}/RemoteMaster.jar -h ${RMHOME} -properties ${HOME}/.remotemaster.properties ${RMIR} $file
jmcgee
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:02 pm

No Remote Found

Post by jmcgee »

I got RMIR up and running on Ubuntu 12.04. I cannot get it to see the remote. No matter what address, auto or fixed it says no remote found. Where to look for a solution to this?
mathdon
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Re: No Remote Found

Post by mathdon »

jmcgee wrote:I got RMIR up and running on Ubuntu 12.04. I cannot get it to see the remote. No matter what address, auto or fixed it says no remote found. Where to look for a solution to this?
Are you using the latest development version, RMIR v2.03 Alpha 28? If not, please try it and report again. If that doesn't fix it, what remote are you using, and what interface cable?
Graham
jmcgee
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:02 pm

Post by jmcgee »

I am using the latest, RemoteMaster v2.03 Alpha 28. Remote is 9910B01. Interface is one I bought from here, I believe a few years ago. DB25 4 conductor ribbon, and 6 pin. Never can remember which direction to put it onto remote, but have tried it both ways.

Maybe this is parallel port, add-in card. Virtual box XP client says it has LPT1: at 378, but neither can it (using latest version) see remote.
vickyg2003
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Post by vickyg2003 »

Never can remember which direction to put it onto remote, but have tried it both ways.
A long time ago John Fine gave me some advice that has saved me a lot of aggravation over the years. He advised me to mark pin one on all my cables. Back then you could try both ways and it didn't matter. Now some of the Flash remotes can brick if you plug the cable in backwards. If you get your other problems sorted out, be sure and mark pin one on your cable.
Remember to provide feedback to let us know how the problem was solved and share your upgrades.

Tip: When creating an upgrade, always include ALL functions from the oem remote, even if you never plan on assigning them to a button. Complete function lists makes an upgrade more helpful to others.
mathdon
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Post by mathdon »

I'm sorry but I can't help further. You need an expert with experience of using Linux with a parallel port, and I have neither. I can tell you that RMIR is supposed to support a parallel port on Linux but I don't know if that has been put to a practical test before.
Graham
Barf
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Post by Barf »

The parallel driver on Linux sucks big times. If there is a possibility, get a sane JP1 interface instead. If you still want to try the parallel interface, you should be advised that it needs to be run as root -- due to the programming methodology (bitbanging), not for accessing any particular devices.
jmcgee
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:02 pm

Post by jmcgee »

I got it working. At least I can now download from remote. I was using add-in parallel port card, realized motherboard had connectors on it. Removed card, brought connectors out to back panel and it works!
DaveM59
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:33 am

I got a parallel card to work in Ubuntu (no Wine)

Post by DaveM59 »

My motherboard does not have connector pins for a parallel socket, so I had to use an expansion card. After a lot of frustration I finally got it to work with RMIR 2.02. Here's how I did it:

First, enter BIOS setup and disable the onboard parallel port. Even though there is no way to use it, the southbridge for my mobo (Gigabyte GA_MA74GM-S2) has the circuitry and by default it is enabled in BIOS, and recognized/supported by Ubuntu 14.04.

Then, go to http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1233589 and scroll down to post #4 by joecrow. Follow his instructions. Apparently in my case the problem was that the module parport_pc was not loaded into the kernel. (The lp module was already loaded.)

Two notes: first, there is no need to restart cups, since you will not be using the port for printing. Second, the instructions call for editing /etc/modprobe.d with nano, a command line editor. If you have never used one of these you may be more comfortable using gedit or another GUI text editor. Just be sure to run it as root, in other words launch it from the terminal and use sudo.

The card I installed is the Rosewill RC-302.

One big advantage I had was that I knew my RMIR installation was okay. I was able to test it with Tommy Tyler's JP1.2-1.3 USB interface and one of my JP1.2 remotes.
mdavej
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Post by mdavej »

A JP1 EEPROM adapter is a much better solution if you already have a JP1.2 or JP1.3 cable. Then you can forget about parallel ports and add-in cards. At only $10, it's also cheaper than any parallel card.

http://www.diygadget.com/jp1-2-1-3-to-jp1-adapter.html
rem
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Location: UK

Post by rem »

A method to test a USB FTDI JP1.x cable using Live Linux Mint
As you will be running from RAM, you will probably need a pc with > 2GB RAM.
Download Linux Mint and make a bootable usb/dvd

Boot the usb/dvd - you will be presented with the Live Linux Mint desktop
Adjust mouse/touchpad to your reqirements
Adjust keyboard layout/locale if needed
Connect to the internet via ethernet or Wifi
Download RMIR
Extract RMIR

Open a Terminal window, navigate to the extracted directory and execute install script

Code: Select all

cd Downloads/RemoteMaster.v2.08build1/
 ./Setup.sh
The setup script will create shortcuts and update permissions, so it requires you to confirm

Code: Select all

Desktop files created and executable permissions set.

To use a USB serial interface with RMIR, you need to be a member of the
dialout group.  Currently you are not a member.  This script can add you 
to that group but you will need to give your sudo password.  Do you want
it to add you to that group?

Please answer Y or N. >
Answer Y

Code: Select all

Done.  You will need to log out and log back in again for this change
to take effect.

Setup complete.
This is optional (only needed for Xsight remotes

Code: Select all

 cp -a linux_xsight.rules  /etc/udev/rules.d/
Now Log out of the current session (not quit/shutdown! - use the icon above it - logout leave the session)
Log back in user- 'mint' , passsword- <none>

Connect JP1 cable to remote, then to the pc

Launch RMIR, bottom left LinuxMint 'LM' icon, navigate to Other/RMIR or type 'rmir' in search box
Leave Remote/Interface as autodetect or use JP1.x serial/ then /dev/ttyUSB0
Try download from remote

When the cable works, marvel at the accomplished task and pat yourself in the back
This method of testing bypasses your normal operating system / environment eg installed drivers.
The live session are not automatically stored, so any changes you wish to keep must be copied/stored manually - eg on a usb drive
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