DIY Editing Remote control for Panasonic DVD Video Recorders

(A guerrilla remote control to make editing on DMR-E80/E85/E100 just a bit more enjoyable)
The idea works for any other DVD recorders.

Pages: Intro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Initial process

I started thinking what I want from a good remote for editing with the E85.

• large buttons that are far away so I don't have to look down.
• jog shuttle or other control that allows forwarding, playing and pausing in one place
• buttons for direction controller so I don't have to switch between remote

The second question is, can it be done in a reasonable time, without a custom processor and without spending much money, preferably using a "garage sale" components?

Of course, generally what I need is to replace the mini buttons on remote with a large ones. Better yet without destroying the original remote, I can get some universal one in a department store, some buttons, wires and a bit of time.

I soon realized that creating a home-brew jog-shuttle with switches is simply unrealistic. Jog-shuttle has to do much more than just switch on or off. But a joystick-like controller will do the editing task as well and it can be done all with switches.

My design was getting its shape. Where to get switches? A healthy number of switches with buttons cost considerably when buying new in a component store. Not even mentioned that you can't really get any good looking buttons. It is one way to go, but I still like the idea of recycling.

Fortunately a small visit to local EB (electronic boutique) reveal the secret source of used switches, joysticks, direction pads and buttons, all in a large groups and sold for just few $. Yes, old gaming console controllers. Presumably various third party Playstation 1 are the best bet. These old third party PS1 controllers often use joysticks, but unlike the new analogue joysticks, these are done by 4-way switch. It just sits in these used controller bins and whisper "Pick me, pick me". As a bonus each controllers has also a large number of buttons, switches etc. The price often starts at $2 per controller and for a $5 you can get a luxury one. Of course the idea is to get the "clickable" controllers that have real switches, instead of the rubber pad.

Here is my pick. I got two PS1 controllers. The first is one will be used for the joystick and all the push buttons. When you are choosing the joystick, listen if it clicks when tilted to side. If it doesn't then this is analog joystick and that isn't what we want. The second controller I choose for the directional pad. This one uses rubber pad switches so we will have to use also part of its circuit board where are the contacts.

Let's collect all other components. I need some universal remote control that I will disassemble. I had this one Phillips that I got a time ago from Wal-Mart, but never really used it. Then I need some universal circuit board where I will solder all the switches (RadioShack), wires (The PS1 controllers have enough high quality wires in its cable) and a box. Lot of component stores including RadioShack sell plastic project boxes.

First, I tried the Phillips remote with the E85 and noted what buttons I want to "EXTRACT" from it. These were the:

• <<, >>, Play, Pause, Stop, (obvious reason), these will be wired mostly to the joystick.
• Chapter up/down because the Navi screen uses these to go to prev/next navi screen
• Directional buttons with OK and Return because everything else is done with these.
• The button that controls the Navi screen and Submenu and eventually Record button (because I still got one switch left from the large PS1 controller, so why not?)

With these buttons I can do all work using the new controller and I don't need to touch the original remote