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Front Row Solutions
- Thread starter dpaanlka
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Do you have an iPod with the dock that has the built in infrared eye that came with the Apple remote?
I have one, but what to do with it?
I don't think that the IR is physically connected to the USB port.
Third party rf remote could be an option.
http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Front-Row-Mac-Only/dp/B000FBK3RE
http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Front-Row-Mac-Only/dp/B000FBK3RE
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He is talking about the iPod universal dock, but I don't believe that you can use that as an infrared device.
I'm desperately googling for what I found once... damn, still havent found it, wish I had bookmarked it at the time. Anyway, some guy had written a piece of software to allow communications from the IR to FrontRow (apparantly) but I never got around to downloading it and trying it.
If I do find it, I'll post back here again.
If I do find it, I'll post back here again.
I'm looking for a satisfactory solution to this, too.
The question of using an Apple universal dock as an IR receiver came up on the Apple support boards, too: here.
It seems, though, that the responses given on those boards were before the release of Leopard, when Front Row wasn't available (with or without a remote) to Mac Pro owners. I'm not sure if the answers still apply.
The question of using an Apple universal dock as an IR receiver came up on the Apple support boards, too: here.
It seems, though, that the responses given on those boards were before the release of Leopard, when Front Row wasn't available (with or without a remote) to Mac Pro owners. I'm not sure if the answers still apply.
One would imagine that a third party IR receiver would work. But I'm about 90% certain the universal dock won't work as an IR device.
I believe it sends data collected from the IR receiver on the dock sends information to the iPod plugged into it, but that information isn't sent through the dock's USB cord.
I believe it sends data collected from the IR receiver on the dock sends information to the iPod plugged into it, but that information isn't sent through the dock's USB cord.
I have the Mantra TR1 Infra-red receiver connected to my Mac Pro and the Mira software.
It worked well for controlling Front Row and other applications with an Apple Remote in 10.4, but the software seems a bit buggy with 10.5 at the moment.
Twisted Melon is the site where I got the hardware and software from.
I also have a copy of Sailing Clicker which I used via Bluetooth on my phone and PDA to control my Mac, though I haven't tried using it with 10.5 yet.
It worked well for controlling Front Row and other applications with an Apple Remote in 10.4, but the software seems a bit buggy with 10.5 at the moment.
Twisted Melon is the site where I got the hardware and software from.
I also have a copy of Sailing Clicker which I used via Bluetooth on my phone and PDA to control my Mac, though I haven't tried using it with 10.5 yet.
You don't even need IR remote. I would get a radio remote, so you don't even have to aim it.
Since frontrow reacts to Command-Esc and Arrow keys
You can just map the keys to the remote via USB overdrive or another program (forgot the name).
Since frontrow reacts to Command-Esc and Arrow keys
You can just map the keys to the remote via USB overdrive or another program (forgot the name).
I've run into that before in my hunt 0 the Manta TR-1. And so far, it does look like the thing most likely to be what I want (just an IR sensor that'll let me use an apple remote), but I keep looking... mostly because i think the manta is ugly, and i refuse to believe that apple users haven't demanded a better looking solution
Yeah it looks pretty ugly, though I'm lucky as I have a frosted glass desk.I've run into that before in my hunt 0 the Manta TR-1. And so far, it does look like the thing most likely to be what I want (just an IR sensor that'll let me use an apple remote), but I keep looking... mostly because i think the manta is ugly, and i refuse to believe that apple users haven't demanded a better looking solution
I can't see through the desk but the IR can, so I attached it to the underside of the desk.
It doesn't look like anyone has mentioned it yet, but I'm a big fan of Remote Buddy. Some of the more unusual options it allows for remotes are using your iPhone/iPod Touch or a Wii controller. I've used both on my pre-IR Mac Mini hooked up to my TV.
I have the manta TR-1 with an apple remote it works great. And it doesn't need direct line of site i can point it the opposite direction and it works. I also have the IR receiver behind my monitor
Yeah it looks pretty ugly, though I'm lucky as I have a frosted glass desk.
I can't see through the desk but the IR can, so I attached it to the underside of the desk.
Frosted glass desk AND the taste to hide ugly peripherals? You're a wise man and a true mac user.
Ha. There are times I'm damn proud to be here.
For what it's worth, I was thinking of building a hackintosh, and I thought maybe I'd just get a big case with a holey (word choice?) front grille (this, for example), so I could stick the IR sensor surreptitiously behind the front of the case. Excessive? Yes.
When i had an old PPC mac mini, i could use my Sony Ericsson 750i, which had a built in bluetooth remote software. I dont THINK it needed any extra software to use it, I just added the phone as a bluetooth mobile device. I could use it for all the regularly used keys plus the joystick controlled the mouse.
I may get another Sony Ericsson in the future for use on my Mac Pro.
I may get another Sony Ericsson in the future for use on my Mac Pro.
The answer is surprisingly yes,
I'm currently controlling my Mac Pro (Frontrow and other applications) using an Apple remote via my EyeTV Hybrid, though instead of the Mira software (which I uninstalled, and disconnected my Manta TR-1 infra-red receiver) I'm using a demo of Remote Buddy.
Both software packages (Remote Buddy and the Mira) let you use an Apple remote via USB receiver. The MCE 2005 (Philips OVU4003) receiver seems like the best bet.
The Mantra TR1 receiver only works with Mira software, and I read somewhere that Mira is buggy under Leopard. The Mira site only says support for 10.4.x.
Get the Philips OVU4003 receiver and you could potentially use the Mira software OR Remote Buddy.
The Mantra TR1 receiver only works with Mira software, and I read somewhere that Mira is buggy under Leopard. The Mira site only says support for 10.4.x.
Get the Philips OVU4003 receiver and you could potentially use the Mira software OR Remote Buddy.
When I bought a TV tuner for my old PC, it came with a Remote Wonder Plus. ATI offered Mac drivers and I have since been using it with Front Row. I will admit that some work will be needed to assign commands to the remote buttons, which so far is a b*%!@. I can even turn off the machine/wake with the remote.
Saw some people having problems with it on the MacNN forum... then there's this review as the latest on VersionTracker:
I'd hold off on purchasing the Mira/Mantra until the developer can at least acknowledge/update their own site to state compatibility with 10.5 Leopard.
I highly recommend the AirClickUSB by Griffin (take note of the USB part). I use that with my MacMiniG4 media center (that did not come with Front Row or remote) and it the AirClick software works great with Front Row 2.x.
It is a discontinued device directly from Griffin but AppleStores and eBay has plenty of them still.
Again you want the USB version, the non-USB version is for iPods.