infrared

[nyrol]

I was wondering if i could use my laptop's already built in infrared port to control tvs and dvd players and such.

[Andrew Pratt]

Very unlikely since the IR strenght on those ports is VERY weak. People have tried using PDA's as remotes with various degrees of luck but again the IR output is typically too weak for most applications.

[Gordon Moore]

I've done it with a little remote control freeware program I found a while back.

The laptop was at approx. 8 ft ...receiver, TV and DVD player were picking things up splendidly.

Laptop is an old circa mid - late 90's Compaq.