The File Writer allows you to create encoded-format device files without needing to capture a signal from an IR remote control first. This can be useful in two cases:

• If you don't have access to the remote, but do have access to the signal characteristics and data of that remote. 
• If the SignalAnalyzer tool fails to properly analyze the signal, but you'd rather create an encoded device file instead of a raw file.

The File Writer has two tabs - "Store Signals", and "Play Signals".

Store Signals

The FileWriter tool allows you to edit existing files or create new ones. Entering a device name in the File Name field that does not exist in the devices directory will create a new file.

If you enter a name of a file already in the devices directory and enter initialization data, then you will overwrite the existing initialization data. If you skip this section and just store signals, the file's existing initialization data will remain. Similarly, you can overwrite signal values by just entering an existing signal name.

Pay attention to the helper text written in the editable fields, as it tells you how to format the data. The following is a filled-in example:

Play Signals

The play signals tab allows you to determine if the signals you stored were correctly constructed. To use it, you will need a Brainlink to test with, as well as the device you are attempting to control. Turn on Brainlink and point the IR LED at the device's IR receiver. Enter Brainlink's serial port identifier in the connection dialog, and once connected, enter the file name of the device file you just created. Hit Initialize - if initialization succeeded, the Play button will enable. Enter a signal name that you want to test and hit play. Verify that the device behaves as expected for that signal; if it does not, you may have incorrectly entered either the initialization data or signal values.