gistfile1.txt

<?php

var_dump(hex2bin("1af8b47f6d8"));
var_dump(hex2bin("01af8b47f6d8")); // left pad
var_dump(hex2bin("1af8b47f6d80")); // right pad

/* OUTPUT
string(5) "→°┤⌂m"
string(6) "☺»ïG÷Ï"
string(6) "→°┤⌂mÇ"
*/