Adding user-defined vbirs, Connecting control devices – VBrick Systems Portal Server ETV v4.2.1 User Manual
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© 2008 VBrick Systems, Inc.
Adding User-Defined VBIRs
The VBrick VBIR is an external hardware device that uses the passthough port on a VBrick
to send control commands via an infrared link to third-party devices like VCRs, DVDs, etc.
(see Figure 9 for a visual schematic). You must use a VBIR if the target third-party device
does not have a serial port that can directly connect to a VBrick encoder. The VBIR can be
programmed with codes representing IR command sets that are compatible with devices
from many manufacturers. Use the following window to create a custom
User Defined VBIR
.
Enter a device description (20 characters or less), a three-digit code, and select the SpitFire
model. When done, the new device is added to the
User Defined VBIRs
list as well as to the
Source Device
dropdown lis
t
. For a current list of VCR/ DVD device codes for SpitFire II
models, go to
http://innotech.com/spitfire-ii-device-codes.pdf
For SpitFire III models, go to
http://innotechsystems.com/Spitfire/SpitFire III.pdf
Be aware that the device codes at this
link are not tested or supported by VBrick. If you can't find the code you need, or have
trouble controlling a non-supported device, check the product documentation or contact the
manufacturer.
Connecting Control Devices
To set up a device that can be remotely controlled from the Portal Server, you connect the
serial interface on the source device (the DVD or VCR) to the passthrough port (COM1 or
COM2 for Slots 1 and 2 respectively) on the VBrick encoder using an appropriate cable (see
Table 10) from those shipped with the encoder. For more about Serial Port Passthrough, see
Note The VBIR (SpitFire III model only) can also "learn" (i.e. be programmed to use) IR
commands much like a universal remote controller. Learned commands are stored in
VBIR memory areas called slots and are accessed by reserved three-digit codes. The
six slots are available are: AUX (994), TV (995), VCR (996), DVD (997), AUD (998),
and CBL/SAT (999). For a detailed explanation of how a VBIR "learns" commands,
see the Application Nothe VBrickbsite.