Build Your Own Universal Remote with Express Televisions
Pew Pew! Tired of juggling remotes? Turn your Circuit Playground Express into a universal TV zapper with this comprehensive guide. We’ll delve into capturing IR signals, decoding them with Jupyter notebooks, and using CircuitPython to create a custom remote control for your Express Televisions.
From Logic Analyzers to Express Televisions: Decoding the Infrared Signals
This project isn’t just about building a universal remote; it’s about understanding how infrared communication works. We’ll use a logic analyzer to capture the raw data sent by your existing TV remote, then decipher these signals using the power of Jupyter notebooks. This process allows us to extract the essential codes needed to control your express televisions.
Compressing the Data: Making it Fit on Your Circuit Playground Express
The Circuit Playground Express, while powerful, has limited memory. We’ll demonstrate how to efficiently compress the captured IR data, ensuring it fits comfortably within the constraints of your CircuitPython board. This optimization is crucial for a smooth and responsive universal remote experience with your express televisions.
Dynamic Data Loading with Python’s Eval Function
Leveraging the flexibility of Python, we’ll employ the eval function to dynamically load the compressed IR data into memory. This technique allows for efficient on-the-fly command execution, ensuring your Circuit Playground Express can seamlessly control your express televisions.
Building the Universal Remote: Bringing it All Together
With the data processed and ready, we’ll guide you through assembling your universal remote. Connect a battery pack to your Circuit Playground Express, upload the CircuitPython code, and prepare to command your express televisions with your own custom-built device. We will provide clear, step-by-step instructions, making this project accessible to makers of all levels.
Bonus: Miniaturize Your Zapper with Gemma M0
For those seeking an even more compact solution, we offer a bonus section dedicated to building a miniature TV zapper using the Gemma M0. This smaller form factor is perfect for a discreet and portable universal remote for your express televisions.
The Inspiration Behind the Express Televisions Zapper
The genesis of this project stems from a collaboration with Mitch Altman, creator of the TV-B-Gone. Inspired by his work, this guide builds upon the concept of controlling televisions with a small, self-contained device. We’ve taken that idea and expanded upon it, leveraging the power of the Circuit Playground Express and CircuitPython to create a truly versatile universal remote for express televisions.
Angled assembled TV-B-Gone kit in dramatic lighting.
Conclusion: Your Express Televisions Await
This guide equips you with the knowledge and tools to build your own universal remote for express televisions. From capturing and decoding infrared signals to compressing data and utilizing Python’s eval function, you’ll gain valuable skills in electronics and programming. Embrace the power of DIY and take control of your entertainment experience!
