DIY TV-B-Gone SHP (And Save $45)

A while ago I posted my $3.50 DIY TV-B-Gone Micro, which was great and all but didn't have near enough juice. The TV-B-Gone SHP is supposed to be able to turn of TVs from 100 meters away, but cost $50. So for about $5, I made a clone of one that seems to work pretty close to that limit. It's also very tiny compared to the commercial one.

Technically, because TV-B-Gone is a brand name, this is a "TV-B-Gone clone."

I used an ATtiny 85v as the "brains" of this, programmed with Adafruit's original code. It runs off of a 9v battery with a 5v regulator to power the microcontroller. The the LED array has 12 infrared LEDs in it, and the microcontroller is connected to a transistor that can power the whole array. The 12 LEDs blast out almost every TV on-off code, allowing you to turn pretty much any TV on or off. A 3mm green LED blinks between each code to show that it's working. When the battery is removed it is significantly smaller than the original TV-B-Gone, allowing for easy hiding.

Also, I'm entering in the microcontroller contest. If you think I'm worthy enough, give me a vote!

Step 1: Materials

Materials

Each name is a link to a Mouser part you can click (you don't have to use Mouser, I just like them because of great service and how close to my house they are).

9v battery clip
ATtiny 85v microcontroller - $1.82
5v voltage regulator - $0.37 (I used a small 78L05 100ma package, a larger 7805 one would work but take up more space)
NPN transistor - $0.10
2x 150 ohm resistor - $0.05 each (One of them is optional for the LED)
22uf capacitor - $0.06 (Pretty much any value close to or higher than this will work)
Small pushbutton - $0.29 (This is slightly different than the one I used)
8MHz resonator - $0.50
3mm LED - $0.06 (Optional)
6x Narrow-beam IR LEDs - $0.18 each
6x Wide-beam IR LEDs - $0.19 each

You could also use an IC socket if you want to be extra careful with your chip or think you might reprogram it in the future.

Tools:

AVR programmer (I used a USBtinyISP, a good, cheap programmer made from a kit)
Computer with internet access; I predict you are using one right now :-)
Soldering iron with solder
Helping hands tools, very, VERY helpful (probably required for this project)

Now let's start making!

Sry I dont no much about electronics, but how can i get the avr programmer to the chip? Do i have to buy an extra tool for the 4 pin connector?

will this work when programming the attiny?http://www.instructables.com/id/Program-an-ATtiny-with-Arduino/

Yes on my mega it worked

how can i programm the ATTiny85 with Arduino? Is this the same command?

Yes you can load the ArduinoISP schetch on your uno/arduino,use avr dude -c ? to see all supported programmers: use "arduino".I could load attiny using ide and this schetch.the source code is ncluded in the ide .

when you mean ide do you mean the aduino ide??

Use the ide as the environment and am arduino uno as a programmer see arduin as isp

Also with another attiny85 you can build an usbtinyisp.

can i skip the oscillatorif i program the chip to 8 mhz clockplease answer sorry bad english

can i use arduino to programm the ATTiny85?

Just a quick question: Do you have to hold down the push button or just click it once to make it go through all the codes? Thanks.

is it necessary to use 6x wide beam and 6x narrow beam IR leds as i cannot find it can i use 12x "http://hacktronics.co.in/home/121-ir-receiver-transmitter-pair.html" this IR led or what

Okay... Thanks for the advice man :)

Thanks, I did some modifications but it works great, I used 3xAA instead of a 9v battery so it lasts longer.

Hi, could i see the back of your board to see how u join it? Because, the schematics were a little confusing ..

I'm not at home atm so I can't take a picture. The only changes respect the circuit posted in this instructable are the way the LEDs are connected, in this case they're all in parallel, with a single resistor for all. I know each LED should have it's own resistor to spread the current evenly, but I was running out of space. Oh, yes, the transistor is a Darlington type, BD159.

Hey man, I'm fairly new to this website and also pretty new to embedded electronics or whatever you want to call it. Is there any way I can talk with you like in a PM or Skype or whatever? I kinda need some help starting up, like what I should buy and what not. Anyway, this message wasn't totally aimed on you, but rather to anyone on here that has some experience. But your comment is pretty recent compared to alot others and you seem to have a working on!So yeah, I kinda would understand if you didn't want to help me out in your time, but I won't ask too much and it would totally be so awesome!

Also this sticky of the /ohm/ electronics general on 4chan might help you and other begginers out. >I'm new to electronics, where do I get started? There are several good books that are commonly recommended for beginners and those wanting to learn more. There are also plenty of good Youtube channels that teach about the basics as well as advanced concepts. The best way to get involved in electronics is just to make stuff. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Take something apart or build something you find cool on one of the many electronics websites. >What books are there? Beginner: Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest Mims III Make: Electronics by Charles Platt How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic by Michael Jay Greier Intermediate: All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide by Harry Kybett, Earl Boysen Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk Advanced: The Art of Electronics by Paul Horowitz >What Youtube channels are there? https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChturLXwYxwTOf_5krs0qvA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosnWgi3eorc1klEQ8pIgJQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtY6O8Ahw2cz05PS2GhUbg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1rxMIOt82ieNE19w15U5YQ >What websites feature electronics projects? Where can I get ideas for projects? https://www.adafruit.com/ http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-technology/ http://makezine.com/category/electronics/ >Where do I get components and lab equipment from? http://www.jameco.com/ https://www.sparkfun.com/ http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/ http://www.allelectronics.com/ http://futurlec.com/ http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/hobbyist.html http://www.mouser.com http://www.alliedelec.com http://www.newark.com And sometimes even just ebay. >What circuit sim software do you use? This mostly comes down to personal preference. These are the most common ones though: NI Multisim LTSpice CircuitLab iCircuit for Macs >What software should I use to print circuits Circuit Wizard ExpressPCB EAGLE

Check your inbox.

Hi! What's the firmware version you use?thank U!

Only $5!!!and $25 for the usbtinyisp

The schematic is it is exact, functional? mine don t work :( thanks you guys

You guys are among the highest ranks of genius that you can find on the internet to me, I know a bit of what you're talking about, but other than that, it's all just numbers and 1100010110 Illuminati type stuff!

I just made one! the hard part is finding/looking for those parts.

Wow this is awesome, What will I need to make one?

Connect the Arduino to the ATtiny as follows: Arduino +5V ---> ATtiny Pin 8 Arduino Ground ---> ATtiny Pin 4 Arduino Pin 10 ---> ATtiny Pin 1 Arduino Pin 11 ---> ATtiny Pin 5 Arduino Pin 12 ---> ATtiny Pin 6 Arduino Pin 13 ---> ATtiny Pin 7

Just wondering why there are so many LEDs. More LEDs = More power? More reliability?

If i were to change the ir LED assembly to say 5w 940nm High Power Infrared IR LED or 2, how might i need to change the circuit? if you do not have the spare time or if this is a complete rebuild i totally understand if you cannot do this. Thanks!

Still waiting for someone to make a version that uses a 10*10 array of IR LEDs. Or better yet, a TV-B-gone-clone IR LED cube. It could be done.

Hi is there a way to strip-board this because I don't like how fragile and ugly dead bug circuits are.

Personally, I think dead bug circuits are a beautiful form of art when done correctly. But if you insist, just look at the schematic I posted and you should be able to figure out a decent board layout. If you have any questions about specifics, feel free to ask.

Was wondering if I could buy a working one from someone, I don't have the hands to make this anymore.

I was wondering the same thing too :/

Is there any way I could buy a pre-made one of this DIY TV-B-Gone SHP, I'm really keen on this but I can't get my hands on a programmer so I can't make one myself. And how much would it cost to ship to New Zealand if possible?

I do not promote smoking cigarettes...however, this is my inconspicuous (on the cheap) enclosure for my SHP clone. I used a snap action momentary switch, replaced the visual LED with an old cell phone vibrating motor. I haven't field tested it yet but I turned off my living room TV from about 35 feet away WITHOUT direct line of sight. I was pretty impressed. Big thanks to DARK SPONGE for the instructable, very easy to follow, well written and great pictures...not to mention the eagle files!

Dang, that looks pretty awesome. The limit switch blends perfectly and the vibrating motor was a brilliant idea. Do you use a transistor to power the motor or is it being driven directly from the microcontroller pin? I don't know how much current they draw my initial thought is it could cause the micro to reset or shut down if driven without a transistor. You're welcome, and thanks for the pics!

I connected the motor directly to physical 7, doesn't seem to be an issue...yet. I used it today to turn off every TV I could find on a college campus, one of which was being watched by the person I was talking to, we were the only people in the room and within 3 feet of each other...he was none the wiser, a bit confused/annoyed but had no idea I was turning off his TV.

Sounds like it works, then! I guess it's a very low current motor.

I just bought my arduino Uno Rev 3 and I have it connected to my computer. The blink test works. But I am having issues figuring out how to build the programing board. How do you know where to plug in the leads coming from the board onto the Arduino? I spent a good time searching and reading different forums and came up empty handed. Your assistance in any way possible would be greatly appreciated as I am a novice taking my first stab at micro-controllers. Thanks

Hmm... Is this what you are looking for? Use Arduino as ISP: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Code/MegaISP Wiring diagram: http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP

If I remember correctly Adafruit sells just the pre-programed chip if one doesn't have the means to program the chip or is too lazy to bother... (Checks).... Yes I was correct, though it costs $5 USD, though there doesn't seem to be any shipping cost (just using their shipping calculator)... I know one can use an Arduino in ISP mode, though I am note sure if it has the capabilities to change the ATtiny's "fuses" ... If it is possible I would love to see someone write the code for it... (I'm not quite proficient in coding to do it myself)

The preprogrammed chip sold by Adafruit has slightly different firmware that uses an PNP transistor so this circuit would not work. Because I'm using an obsolete version, I had to flash the code myself, but I posted a revised schematic in <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/350-DIY-TV-B-Gone-Mico/step20/Update-Using-a-v12-Preprogrammed-Chip/" rel="nofollow">step 20 of my other instructable</a> for using the new chip. I'm pretty sure that any ISP programmer (including Arduino) can do fuses though avrdude without modification, but don't take my word for it.

How would I do this If Im using ArduinoasISP, Do I have to install anything else. I have avrdude, a got the code for arduino as isp.

Randofo posted good 'ible on how to use an Arduino to program an ATtiny in ISP mode. http://www.instructables.com/id/Program-an-ATtiny-with-Arduino/

You should not have to install anything else. In AVRdude, use a command such as avrdude -c avrisp -p insert_part_name -P insert_com_port -b 19200 -U flash:w:filename.hex I just was browsing the Arduino forums, for more information try http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1277933355

Does it work in EU, and would you post a link to the codes.

Anybody in australia, How well should this work? Thanks :) (I want to attach this to my sonic screwdriver :D) ~Shadow

I always love looking at these "dead bug" style electronics projects. Great instructable with lots of detailed photos. Thank you! I keep thinking of making a TVBGone ballcap, with the LEDs in the brim and a switch on the back. Would there need to be any modifications made if the LEDs were at a distance from the rest of the circuit, say 12" of wire or so?

Thanks a lot! If the LEDs were at any reasonable distance from the circuit, it should not make any difference at all. At larger (tens of feet or more) distances you might notice some brightness decreases, but that's not much to worry about. Good luck!