VBrick Systems ETV v4.2.1 manual Adding User-Defined VBIRs Connecting Control Devices

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 list. 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.

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 Note Learning IR Commands on the VBIR on the VBrick Product Documentation website.

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

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