Hi,

My parents have an old TV in their bedroom without a remote control.  I
would like to add the functionality of a VCR, but without the tape deck
part.  I would like to use a PIC to control a sort of TV tuner and
remote power switch.  There must be a lot of old TV's that could use a
device like this.

I have absolutely no idea about TV transmission.  I understand that it's
transmitted on a carrier frequency, but I will have to look up the
frequencies for my area (we use PAL standard, and I need to get VHF and
UHF channels).  Is there a world standard for the frequencies they
transmit on?

Assuming our antenna catches the signal and it comes magically down the
coax, here is what I have to do :

1) Filter the antenna signal for the carrier frequency of a particular
channel.

2) To get a 'composite' signal, which is the raw TV signal, I have to
filter out the carrier frequency.

3) Re-modulate this composite signal to a frequency the TV is always
tuned in to.

Am I on the right track?  It might be easier to make a VCR out of
coconut shells like on Gilligan's Island.  I'll bet there is a chip to
do this because this is how all VCR's work isn't it?   Can I buy a
pre-built module etc?

Then comes the remote control bit.  I can get an old remote control from
a broken VCR somewhere - which will have a nice case and buttons.  Then
I have to decode the signal.  Some people have posted Sony protocols etc
but I can't be sure what protocol it will use. Does anyone know how to
capture a code from ANY control (assuming 40kHz IR type) in response to
a button being pressed?

Once I have the tuner figured out, and can decode a remote, they can all
be tied together with the PIC.  For the power switch is it better to use
a relay or a triac to switch on the TV?


Thank you, any help appreciated,

David.