Potentially offtopic - TCP controllable remote

sweh · Post by **sweh** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:24 pm

In my dream world I'd like a remote that can be instructed over TCP. I already can control my receiver (via its serial port) and, of course, I can control my Mac iTunes instance. I can control the TiVo. But the TV, VluRay, DVD player... these can only be controlled by IR.

So what I'd like is some form of controller which can be controlled by computer (pref wireless) so I can say the equivalent of 'dvd fast-forward'. Of course such a device must also be accessable from a real remote as well (so a typical IR blaster may not be adequate).

Plus points if the state can be reported on ("dvd is playing", "tv is on")

If this sounds a little like home automation, I guess it is

Any ideas how my dream world can come closer to reality?

Barf · Post by **Barf** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:59 pm

There are quite some stuff going on. You may like to check out the open-source projects Openremote, Eventghost, or even my endevour. But also, most manufactures of customer electronics, in particular TVs, BluRay players, and AV Receivers, now tend to distribute Apps to control them from Smartphones or tablets, see for example the apps from Oppo, Denon, Philips,....

sweh · Post by **sweh** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:29 pm

Thanks, I'll take a look at them.

Hmm, do any of them have "IR repeater" type adapters? Many of my devices aren't IP accessible and can only be controlled by IR. Having a controlling device would be fine, but obviously it'd need to be able to send IR signals

Barf · Post by **Barf** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 12:25 pm

The short answer is "yes".

Openremote "supports" GlobalCache, IrTrans, and a local LIRC server. Personally, I think it is somewhat questionable to claim to "support" an IR gateway like the GlobalCache when the user is supposed to master its API himself, and enter commands like

Code: Select all

sendir,2:1,123,38400,1,69,347,173,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65, 22,65,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,65,22,1527,347,87,22,3692

(for NEC1 D=0, F=0). (Sort-of like claiming that a pencil "supports" the Chinese language.) Eventghost has "plugins" for GlobalCache and in particular for locally attached IR senders. My project has some nice classes for GlobalCache, IrTrans Ethernet and LIRC, while locally attached senders are in progress. Unfortunately not really end-user ready.

sweh · Post by **sweh** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:55 pm

Barf wrote:I think it is somewhat questionable to claim to "support" an IR gateway like the GlobalCache when the user is supposed to master its API himself, and enter commands like

Heh. Sounds like someone needs to write a software equivalent of a JP1 remote and allow it to be build using upgrades and codes the same as a real one, and the output of a button press is that horrible "send" string

Barf · Post by **Barf** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:35 am

I would not describe it exactly like that, but "someone" is working on it... (although progress is slow)