What is an APEX Remote Translator?
What is an IRT?
Is this device really necessary?
Will the IRT work with an APEX DVD player other than the AD600A?
Are they available & how do I get one?

What code do I use with my universal remote to make it work with the AD600A?
What remotes will work with APEX AD600A DVD players?
What remotes will work with other APEX DVD players?
What remotes will work with APEX TV's?
How did you obtain the specifics of the APEX remote's codes?
How do I contact you?

An APEX Remote Translator is a device that I've made to translate the InfraRed (IR) remote control signal of an RCA universal remote to the protocol understood by the APEX AD600A DVD player.  Below is a picture of the original Remote Translator that I made and a picture of the RCA remote control that I use in place of the APEX remote.  There is a page devoted to this original external remote translator here.  This project had some drawbacks that were addressed with the Internal Remote Translator (IRT).

  

     

     

No, this device isn't necessary...there are other ways to accomplish the same goal!  There are a number of remotes on the market that will control the AD600A.  (See related question here.)  

The reason I designed the remote translator is because I didn't want to use any of those other remotes.  I like electronics, and it was fun to come up with the design and I also liked the RCA remote.  It has Guide-Plus controls for my television, it's a nice-simple design, it operates seamlessly with my VCR, and I didn't want to forfeit those features to find a different programmable remote to use with the APEX.  The purpose of this design was not to say this is the only way to accomplish the goal of using a universal remote with the APEX...the purpose for ME was to use MY remote with the APEX.  I've shared the information because it's apparent that others have an interest in doing the same thing.

To my knowledge, no.  You're certainly welcome to study the design and the remote control sequences of your specific player to determine the viability of it, but I'm almost certain that it would not work with any other player without some hardware or software modifications.  

The internal version (IRT) is sometimes available, depending on whether I have parts and/or time to build one.  Originally, I made the PCB's myself because of cost and this was very time consuming, but I was recently able to get some profesionally made PCB's.  I'm willing to sell the PCB's as long as I have a stock of them.  I'm also willing to sell pre-programmed PIC's.  The cost is usually around $25.00 for a built-and-tested IRT.  Raw printed circuit boards will be under $10.00 and pre-programmed PIC's will be under $10.00.  Feel free to contact me by email (casoncorey@netscape.net) to ask about purchasing products.  I usually accept money orders and PayPal payments.  

The external version has never been made available by me but can be constructed pretty easily with most parts available from Radio Shack.  

Many people are confused about the use of the word "codes" when it comes to universal remote controls.  The codes for one brand of universal remote can be completely different than the codes for another brand.  These codes are normally just indexes from 1 to 999 or so that tell the remote which type/brand/make/model of component to control.   Aside from your manufacturer's specifications, I have no idea what codes you can use with your universal remote to control APEX equipment.  Unfortunately, what most have discovered is that there is no code for most (especially older) universal remotes that makes them work with APEX equipment.  There are some exceptions, I hear (see next question).  Good luck!

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with using different remotes with the APEX DVD players.  I've read a few places where others have done so, and I'm sure that there are many learning remotes especially that would work, but I'm just not an authority on those.  If anyone has a comprehensive list, I'd be glad to put it here or link to it.  

 It seems as though the most popular remotes that work are the One-For-All remotes linked to below.

http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/apex_help.shtml

There was also a discussion of note in the APEX forums concerning other remotes:

 http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22656

Unfortunately, I don't know.  I don't have any experience with other DVD players.  If anyone else provides this information, I'd be happy to share it or link to it.

Unfortunately, I don't know.  I don't have any experience with APEX Televisions.  If anyone else provides this information, I'd be happy to share it or link to it.

Update 5-4-2004: An email I received from "an80sguitarist" states:

"I have found that the Toshiba code ( 71 ) works for APEX TV on RCA UNIVERSAL REMOTE......Please pass this to your site viewers!"

I used an IR receiver from Radio Shack.  After applying 5V, ground, and a pull-up resistor on the modulated IR output, I studied the resulting waveforms with an oscilloscope.  I determined the protocols used simply by observation of the signals on the oscilloscope.  None of the information I gained about the protocol for the APEX remote is pertinent in determining what "code" your universal remote needs in order to work with the APEX.  The protocols that I observed were used at a much lower level to completely recreate a valid "IR stream".  The protocols (and key-codes) that I observed are detailed here.

Homepage:  http://www.geocities.com/casoncorey  (Check out my PicUtil project if you're interested in PIC's or other uC's.)
Email:  casoncorey@netscape.net

Please feel free to email with questions, but please don't ask me how to program your remote control.  I really don't know!

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