Light sensor for IR receiver

[eelviny]

I heard somewhere on the forums that the light sensor is also very sensitive to IR signals. The HT sensor costs loads and I don't have a power functions remote to test with, only a TV remote... I was wondering could the light sensor be used to read IR signals from a power functions remote so I can save some cash?

[mattallen37]

I heard somewhere on the forums that the light sensor is also very sensitive to IR signals. The HT sensor costs loads and I don't have a power functions remote to test with, only a TV remote... I was wondering could the light sensor be used to read IR signals from a power functions remote so I can save some cash?

It is indeed sensitive to IR light, but it measures an analog value based on brightness. It would be somewhat comparable to the HT IR Seeker.

It sounds like you want to use it like the HT IR Receiver, right? That definitely will not work. The IR Receiver reads the digital pulses, and converts them back into usable values. It stores those values in the I2C registers so that the NXT can read them when it wants to. Furthermore, PF IR is a unique protocol, and a TV remote will not work with the HT IR Receiver.

If you need a sensor to read TV remote signals to control the NXT, you would probably need to make your own sensor. You could probably make one with a PIC or AVR and an IR module (plus a good, custom program).

[eelviny]

Thanks, didn't expect a yes but it's worth a try