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For years people have been hacking gadgets and electronic devices, to find new and fun ways to use them. There are those who enjoy the challenge of being able to direct an existing device to function in another way. They push the limits and make the device go beyond its capabilities. In a way, they reinvent a device by exploring its functions and tweaking its components. The iPod hasn’t been spared from these hacks, and one of the functions that can be created with the iPod is a remote control. You can turn your iPod into a remote control that can switch your television set on and off or change the channels. It can also become a universal remote control for all the other electronic devices in your home like the DVD player or audio component. The infrared technology on a remote control can be used to make the iPod function the same way.

1          Prepare materials to be used. You’ll need a few materials before starting the project. First you’ll need an iPod, and you can use the one you already have or an old one you haven’t used in a while. Then you also need a pocket pc, a TV remote control, a 3.5mm stereo cable and some software like Sony’s Soundforge, Total Remote software from Griffin Technology, and the IR device.

2          Capture infrared signals. Install the Total Remote program on your pocket PC to capture the infrared signal from the remote control. Once the program is installed, start the program and click Edit on the bottom, then select Start One-Shot Sampling. Next, select the power button so we can control the on and off functions on the television set. The pocket pc has an infrared port, and you will need to align the infrared port on the remote control with the one on the pocket pc while holding down the power button. After the signal is captured you can then test it with the IR device by plugging it into the earphone input on the pocket pc.

remote

3          Use Soundforge to record the IR signal. Install the Sony Soundforge software on your computer, and plug the stereo cable from the earphone input on the pocket pc into the microphone input on your computer. In Soundforge, click the record button on the tool bar and make sure it is configured for 44,000HZ 16-bit PCM. Select the record button on the interface so it starts recording, then on your pocket pc click the assigned power button in the Total Remote software. Stop recording, then play back the signal, you’ll notice graphs on the interface and hear an electronic sound. The graph is divided in two, which signifies the left and right channels. Select the right graph or channel and highlight this with the cursor, then mute this channel. Proceed to save the file by naming it and save as .WAV.

4          Load the file onto your iPod. Connect your iPod to your computer and wait for iTunes to launch. When iTunes is up and running and you see your iPod on the interface, add the .WAV file to the library then drag it to your iPod. Now that the file is on your iPod, disconnect it from the computer and plug the IR device into the earphone jack above the iPod. Locate the file you uploaded onto your iPod, point your iPod to the television set and click the file. You are now controlling the power function of the television set from your iPod.

Turning your iPod into a remote control is a handy way of controlling different electronic devices in your home.

Remote Control 01

Have you ever owned a lawn mower on your garden. And which kind of engine does it have, how does it be controlled. I have found that the most lawn mowers used by us today are not easy to operate and do harm to the environment more or less. Haven’t you found it?

If you realize it, have you ever thought this situation may become better one day. The answer is yes. Because lawn mower manufactures now are committed on the new hybrid remote control lawn mowers and the new product would have perfect balance between eco-friendly and practicality.

Southern RobotX introduces hybrid remote control lawn mowers that reduce the amount of damage we do to the environment while mowing our lawns. According to the EPA, lawn mowers are responsible for nearly 5% of our nations air pollution. Electric mowers and push reel mowers are the most environmentally friendly choice for keeping the lawn trimmed, but are only practical on small lawns.

Remote Control Lawn Mower

Electric mowers have been around for a while, and are very environmentally friendly. There are some really impressive robotic units that are fully automatic with sensors for this, that, and the other. However, most consumers look for products that benefit them, and not just the environment. Electric mowers are only practical on small lawns without slopes. One generally has to bury wires in the yard similar to the invisible dog fence systems and fool with charging batteries or extension cords. Remote control lawn mowers from Southern RobotX utilize a patented hybrid power system that reduces fuel consumption by 40% (compared to other mowers), while remaining practical on any lawn. And, of course, the most environmentally friendly mower is still the push reel from the days of Beaver Cleaver. But then again, it boils down to the practicality of the mower. If not many people use it, it is not doing the environment any good.

Remote Control 02

Slope mowing capabilities up to 70 degrees is where these remote control lawn mowers really become practical, and not just fun. Lawn care professionals are benefiting from increased productivity, while the environment is benefiting from reduced air pollution. A lawn care professional generally resorts to 6 or 8 men, equipped with ozone-eating weed eaters, for slopes over 40 degrees. Now they use one man, equipped with a remote control lawn mower, to take on the slopes and ditches. The others are out focusing on productivity. It is a win-win situation for the environment as well as lawn care professionals.

Radio Remote Control Lawn Mower

Reducing the environmental issues with Mother Earth requires much more than just a group effort to get everyone on board with going green when the “group” is everyone in the world. Only a small percentage of the world’s population is concerned with the environment. Green technology (even if it is not 100% green) benefiting the consumer, and not just the environment, is a clever way to get those that are not concerned with the depleting ozone layer to do their part without even knowing it. So, until they come out with seawater powered engines, hybrid power is the way to go.