Zephir Views
The ZephIR! ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) device can interact with most audio and video components that use infrared remote controls. You use the ZephIR! software to create virtual remote controls on your Macintosh. These virtual remotes can be programmed with AppleScript to perform simple or complex tasks. For example, one button click can turn on your audio receiver, turn on your CD jukebox player, load a playlist of songs and CDs, and start playing your music. Or you can use ZephIR! to turn on your cable TV box at a pre-set time, tune to a selected channel, turn on your VCR, set a recording time, and start recording.
The ZephIR! device (Figure 1) plugs into an ADB port. It has a piggyback plug so you can reconnect your keyboard, monitor, or pointing device. The ZephIR! CD contains 68K and PowerPC versions of the ZephIR! application. You can run the ZephIR Installer, or you can copy the files to your hard drive. I recommend using the Easy Install option. If you want to use the included HyperCard stacks, you must manually copy them from the CD.
When you launch ZephIR!, a splash screen appears and then the ZephIR Browser window opens (Figure 2). The browser window contains a list of components that can be controlled by ZephIR!. Only a few components are installed from the CD, so the odds are low that your equipment will be among those listed.
What can you do if your Macintosh is not in the same room as your audio and video equipment? StudioZee recommends using the POWERMID wireless infrared remote control extender (Model PM5900 from X-10 Inc.). You plug in the POWERMID transmitter and place it in front of the ZephIR! device. You place the POWERMID receiver (Figure 3) where its infrared beam can control your equipment. I had no difficulty using the ZephIR!/POWERMID combination except for finding a convenient place for the receiver.
Zephir Images
