Control your PS3 with an IR remote!

[Rhino Chaser]

This is intriguing!

The Sony PS3 is the jack-of-all-trades of the console world. Not only does it represent some of the most advanced hardware ever to be dedicated to the business of gaming, but it also has a surprising number of secondary skills including web browser and media player. But one of the most important supplementary functions of the PS3 is the unit’s built-in Blu-ray Disc (BD) movie playback. In fact, for some folks this is the primary reason for purchasing the system – the PS3 is not only one of the best BD players currently available on the market, but it costs barely half as much as the next cheapest standalone model.
With Sony’s heavy hyping of the PS3’s extensive media capabilities, it’s disappointing to discover that they didn’t seem to learn from past history when it comes to integrating the PS3 with audio/video components.

Back when the original PS2 was released, one of its primary secondary features was that it could play DVD movies. However, beyond using the wired controller, it lacked any real remote control capabilities – which made it far from most people’s first choice when it came to DVD playback. Wireless remote or bust! Sony (et al) listened, and official add-on wireless remote controls began popping up on the market, each of which included a separate consumer infrared (CIR) receiver that plugged into one of the PS2’s controller ports. Eventually when the company redesigned the PS2 into the newer “slim” version in 2004, they built that CIR receiver right into the unit to make the unit more attractive for movie playback out-of-the-box.

Things looked bright for the PS3’s future when the PlayStation Portable (PSP) was released, as it came with a built-in CIR receiver/transmitter (even though there is still no “official” use for this). But then, just before the PS3 was released, disaster struck for universal remote controls everywhere. Sony revealed that the PS3 would not have an infrared receiver after all, and the optional BD movie remote control would be based on Bluetooth technology. Nooooo!

Now, there’s nothing particularly wrong with Bluetooth. It’s a great wireless solution that doesn’t require line of sight to operate, and since the PS3 is already using Bluetooth for its controllers this would seem like a natural and cost effective extension. However, the one thing Bluetooth is not is friendly with home theater systems. No commonplace equipment available in the audio/video world uses Bluetooth for control. There are no remote automation systems designed to handle Bluetooth – everything is either more traditional RF, or standard infrared.

So not only does this Bluetooth-only solution make it absolutely impossible to integrate that optional BD remote – and thus control over the PS3 – into any universal remote control, but it also makes it impossible for that Bluetooth remote to perform any regular home theater functions such as turning on the television or adjusting the volume. Bluetooth just isn’t a good match for the audio/video world, and with Sony pushing use of the PS3 with high-end home theater systems it’s unthinkable that such a basic necessity would be overlooked.


The parts you’ll need.
Well, necessity is the mother of invention, and using only off-the-shelf hardware it’s possible to add a basic level of infrared remote control capabilities to today’s PS3. Here’s what you need:
A Sony PS3 system (20gb or 60gb)
A PSX/PS2 Controller to USB adapter
An original DVD remote control for the PS2 with external IR receiver
Some further explanation may be required for two of these items.
The “PSX/PS2 Controller to USB adapter” is a conversion cable designed to make PlayStation controllers compatible with traditional home computers. It does not appear to matter exactly which adapter you purchase; I used a Sector 7 model 5810257 sold by The Source (formerly known as Radio Shack) in Canada, however you should be able to use almost anything created for this purpose. Radio Shack in the US sells a particularly compact looking model.

The trickiest item to obtain will be the original DVD remote control for the PS2 – at least one that comes with an external IR receiver. All currently marketed DVD add-on remotes do not include that external IR receiver, since one is already built into the slim PS2. So, you’ll need to find an add-on remote designed for the original PS2. For this test I used the official Sony PlayStation 2 DVD Remote Control model SCPH-10172, which specifically mentions “with IR receiver unit” on the package front. The part number of the IR receiver is SCPH-10160. To find one check out the usual suspects for non-current hardware – eBay, bulk liquidators, and so forth.

To assemble this contraption, plug the IR receiver into the PS2 controller end of the adapter cable, and then plug the USB end of the adapter into one of the PS3’s front mounted USB ports. The end result may look a little bit ungainly, but it’s better than nothing!

Here’s what works:

Remote Button PS3/BD Command
Up Up
Down Down
Left Left
Right Right
Triangle* Options Menu
Circle* Quit Player
Square* BD Menu
Cross* Enter
L1 Previous Chapter
L2 Scan +
R1 Next Chapter
R2 Scan - Select Display
Start Pause
* Works on all PS3 screens; other commands only function while in the BD player.

So, that’s 14 functional buttons. Using a universal remote control this way works fairly well, although the PS3 is a little less quick to respond to repeated commands from the adapter, so you can’t press “up-up-up” as rapidly as with the Bluetooth controller. The 35 other commands on the Sony PS2 DVD remote control? They don’t do anything. There’s also no way to power on the unit using infrared nor navigate the Cross Media Bar, although this isn’t as inconvenient as it sounds since the PS3 will turn on and automatically play a movie when one is inserted.

Note that if you purchase a different brand of PS2 remote you may need to map its commands to their PS3 equivalents yourself, using the original remote control. I also do not recommend using the Mad Catz add-on PS2 DVD remote with IR receiver for the original PlayStation 2, as its non-standard commands are notoriously difficult for universal remote controls to learn.

If there’s enough demand for infrared remote control of the PS3 I’m sure that an accessory company will step up to the plate and offer an official – and more elegant – IR remote control solution, hopefully with a level of control that at least matches the official PS3 Bluetooth remote (which has 51 commands). But for now, this collection of non-intended hardware and adapters makes a practical and inexpensive way to integrate your PS3 with your universal remote control.

- Daniel Tonks (Remote Central)

Source: RemoteCentral.com
Link: http://www.remotecentral.com/article...ir-remote2.htm

THANKS!

Edit: I looked on Ebay. There are a few of them available in the yellow boxes, but they are mostly from the UK....
I called my local EB and they had one for $9 used. If this catches on they may be harder to find....
I also found several cheap adapters ($.01 and $8.98 shipping...won it for $8.99, including shipping). Search for this on Ebay: PS2 controller to PC or MAC - USB adapter 2-PORTS NEW. There are several listed for a penny.

[Peench]

Awesome work tracking this down Rhino. Sounds like a nice (and cheap) solution for the time being. When you assemble all the parts, let us know how it works out!

[BrewCityUpstart]

So, about $20 to make your own with a used ps2 remote and more clutter. Plus, you have to get it shipped (possibly).


I'll just spend the extra $4 and get a new one for the PS3. Not worth the time and hassel.

But, interesting none the less.

[Rhino Chaser]

I think that this can be tightened up---it is a real bummer that the PS3 doesn't even have 1 usb input in the back.

To me clutter is when I have a ton of extra remotes laying around....I will be happy when I get my backlit harmony programmed with this setup and I can use 1 remote for watching movies again.

[BrewCityUpstart]

x2 fo' realz yo

[Rhino Chaser]

Originally Posted by BrewCityUpstart

x2 fo' realz yo

Fo Shizzle!

[Rhino Chaser]

The manager at my local EB hooked my up with the IR module and I got my usb adapter. It responds to the cirlce, x, triangle, and square commands but some of the commands are mixed up, I think that I need to mess with my settings in the Harmony (PS TWO is the model number to use). I need to get a BD from Netflix to try out all of the commands...not sure if this is something that I can recommend just yet.

[CamDawg]

This was a major disappointment for me that I can't use my Harmony with the PS3.

[Rhino Chaser]

I just got a blu-ray disk tonight. So I will finally try out this work around for dvd playback. I have a feeling that it will be the same for blu-ray and an SD DVD.

[BrewCityUpstart]

If Sony was smart, they will make and IR one-peice adapter for USB.

[Rhino Chaser]

I really need an O.G. remote. Setting up the Harmony with the right commands is turing into a pain. The PS3 is responding to limited commands, but I need to get them straighted out.

I am really starting to like the PS3 remote by comparison...not backlit keys es no bueno for watching movies though.