IP2IR Global Cache Ir Commands

[chris.davis925]

Hello all,

I have to start by saying that I am new to the forums! I have been testing Vox Commando for a few days and reading up on resources via this forum and the website. The software is totally awesome and looks promising for allowing me to do what I am looking for. I have a few questions relating to IR commands and Vox Commando.

1) I see references to the USB version and WiFi version of Global Cache's IR devices, but can you confirm if the IP2IR device from Global Cache is also supported? It's my understanding that it is the same as the WiFi version, just LAN port instead of WiFi. Still want to confirm this, though.

2) I saw videos that allow you to interact with VOX Commando to learn new commands on the fly via the "learning" mode of the Global Cache device. Is it possible to enter the the IR code manually?

3) The second questions leads me to my final question, I have lost the remote for my Elite Screen Electric drop down screen, and the only reference to the IR code I have is from the manufacture. They list the IR code as follows:
 Up: 1111 0000 0001
Stop:1111 0000 0010
Down:1111 0000 0100
Reference: http://www.starin.info/Product%20Info/Elite%20Screens/Manuals/-%20Remote%20IR%20Code%20v4.2.pdf

Would it be as simple as me just copy and pasting the IR code above into VOX Commando? Simple by comparison, it seems that the VOX Commando codes listed as examples have a much different format, and appear to be much longer. This could just be my ignorance with the whole process, though.

Thanks in advanced for any answers or guidance!

[Kalle]

Hey chris.davis925 and welcome to VC forum,

for the first and second point, it is better you wait for an answer from James, because my native language is not english and I want to you explain nothing wrong  

Perhaps I can give you a answer or solution for your third point and maybe it will work for you:

I have download a CCF file for the Elite Screen Home Series from www.remotecentral.com and converted it in a GC-format - if it is possible please test this IR code with your GC device, but the carrier frequency of 20000 looks strange  

screen up:

Code: [Select]

sendir,<modaddr>:<connaddr>,3,20000,<repeatcount>,1,188,90,11,38,11,11,11,38,11,38,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,38,11,11,11,38,11,11,11,11,11,38,11,38,11,38,11,11,11,38,11,11,11,11,11,38,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,38,11,38,11,11,11,38,11,38,11,38,11,38,11,412
screen down:

Code: [Select]

sendir,<mod-addr>:<conn-addr>,4,20000,<repeatcount>,1,182,87,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,36,10,12,10,12,10,12,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,12,10,12,10,36,10,36,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,36,10,12,10,12,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,12,10,12,10,12,10,36,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,12,10,36,10,399
screen stop:

Code: [Select]

sendir,<mod-addr>:<conn-addr>,5,20000,<repeatcount>,1,185,89,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,37,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,11,11,37,11,37,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,11,11,37,11,37,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,11,11,37,11,407
Kalle

PS: I hope you know the parameter for <mod-addr>:<conn-addr> and <repeatcount>, otherwise take a look in the iLearn.exe from GC.

[jitterjames]

Hi Chris.

1) There is no USB version of the iTach.  What you saw was a video about the USBUIRT which is a different device that also does IR receiving and sending.  As far as I know the WIFI2IR and the IP2IR operate the same way but I have not tested it personally.  You could check with iTach about this but I think they most likely will work the same way from VC's perspective.

2) Yes you can enter the codes manually if you know the codes.

3+) Those are very odd codes.  I'm not sure what format they are supposed to be in.  Hopefully the ones Kalle posts will work.  Note that there is no such thing as "VoxCommando Codes".  What you need are iTach codes.  VC is just sending the iTach codes according to what it understands.  I advise you to familiarize yourself with the iTach devices and protocols a bit before trying to control the iTach with VC since you are probably facing a learning curve on both fronts and it is alwasy better to solve a problem a piece at a time.  If you play with the iTach software such as iLearn, and figure out how to control your device, then you can move on to doing it with VC.

[jitterjames]

PS: I hope you know the parameter for <mod-addr>:<conn-addr> and <repeatcount>, otherwise take a look in the iLearn.exe from GC.

In case it helps.

<module-address> is usually (always?) equal to: 1

<connection-address> is usually 1, 2, or 3 depending on which physical port on the back of the iTach you have plugged your IR emmitter into.

<repeat-count> will vary with the device you are trying to control.  Sometimes 1 will work, sometimes you need to send the codes 2 or more times for it to work.  In some cases you could also send the code many times (e.g. to adjust the volume in multiple steps) but again it depends on the device you are trying to control.

[nime5ter]

I notice that Chris is posting codes that are for Elite models: Spectrum, VMAX2 (Plus), Home2(3) and Tension2(3) Series .

Kalle found the CCF file for the Elite Home Series (listed separately in the documentation).

Chris -- can you confirm which exact model you have? The documentation you link to lists 5 different sets of codes, depending on the device.

thx.

[chris.davis925]

The spectrum series is the Elite Screens model I'm attempting.

[jitterjames]

Technically, the question, and what is really important, is: "which model to you own?"

Presumably you are attempting the "Spectrum Series" because that is what you own, but it would be nice to know for sure if that is the correct model, or if you are just guessing.

[nime5ter]

Is there a utility for converting pronto hex codes to whatever form GC uses? I found these pronto codes for the Spectrum series on the Vera forums (as chance would have it):

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=14614.0

Worth a try.

[jitterjames]

YES!  Good work supersleuth!

You can convert them with a utility from iTach called iConvert.  Very imaginative naming system they have over there, and Apple really likes it.

I will convert them and post here in a bit, and hopefully they will work.

[jitterjames]

If they work you can use eithr the GC or the GCCompressed codes, but I prefer the shorter ones...

I use port 3 on my iTach but if you use another change the 3 to 1, or 2   sendir,1:3,1...

Code: [Select]

[UP]
ccf: 0000 006E 0000 000C 0030 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 002F 0010 0010 09A7
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16,47,16,47,16,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,47,16,16,2471
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16BB16,48CCCCCB16,2471

[STOP]
ccf: 0000 006E 0000 000C 0030 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 002F 0987
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16,47,16,47,16,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,47,2439
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16BB16,48CCCCCC47,2439

[DOWN]
ccf: 0000 006E 0000 000C 0030 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 002F 0010 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 002F 0010 0010 0030 0010 09A6
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16,47,16,47,16,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,47,16,16,48,16,2470
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,47,16BB16,48CCCCBC16,2470

[Kalle]

and here the next one:

Code: [Select]

[screen up]
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 000C 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0030 0010 0010 0ED8
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,48,16,16,3800
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16AAA16,48BBBBBA16,3800

[screen down]
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 000C 0032 000E 0032 000E 0032 000E 0032 000E 0012 002E 0012 002E 0012 002E 0012 002E 0012 002E 0032 000E 0012 002E 0012 0ED8
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,50,14,50,14,50,14,50,14,18,46,18,46,18,46,18,46,18,46,50,14,18,46,18,3800
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,50,14AAA18,46BBBBAB18,3800

[screen stop]
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 000C 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0030 0030 0ED8
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,16,48,48,3800
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38000,1,1,48,16AAA16,48BBBBBB48,3800

[jitterjames]

Thanks Kalle.  Sorry if I am being a bit thick, but what do you mean by "next one"?

[Kalle]

My fault   I mean a other code which I found.

[jitterjames]

yes but a code for WHAT? 

[Kalle]

Upps, also for a Elite Screen - if the other codes doesn't work, maybe this code will work (up,down, stop)

[chris.davis925]

Thanks for all the responses.

I spent some time with Vox Commando and the Global Cache program to test various IR commands to see if I could get the screen IR commands to work but unfortunately it doesn't work.

I could get Vox Commando ir Global Cache iHelper to make it work so i suspect the problem is actually that it's the wrong IR code.

The screen I have is Elite Screens 125" Spectrum Electric Projection
the model is 125H .

I know this is a Vox Commando forums but does anyone have any ideas as to why the IR commands aren't working? Or, what other IR commands to try?

[jitterjames]

I could get Vox Commando ir Global Cache iHelper to make it work

I assume that you forgot the word "not" but I have no idea what the "Vox Commando ir Global Cache iHelper" is.

I don't know what codes you ended up trying or how you tried them so I don't think there is anything more I can do to try to help.  Perhaps it is not meant to be.

[jitterjames]

Hey I have a crazy idea.  Buy a replacement remote! 

[Kalle]

My idea kick your idea in the ass 
I have a logitech harmony remote and I will take a look in the database if the screen is available and then I can learn the code to my GC-iTach and post here the code. 

[Kalle]

Ok, I have learned the original codes for the Elite Screens Model 125H to the iTach, here the results:

Code: [Select]

[screen up]
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,16,49,48,16,16,1314,49,16,48,16,48,16,49,16,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,49,16,16,3809
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16A49,16A16,49,16,48CDDCA16,1314BAABDCDCDDB16,3809
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 0018 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0030 0010 0010 0522 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0031 0010 0010 0EE1

[screen down]
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,16,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,49,16,16,48,16,1314,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,48,16,16,49,16,3352,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,16,49,48,16,16,49,16,3809
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16,49,16AA16,49,16,48CDDBD16,1314BABADCDCDAC16,3352ABABDCDDCAC16,3809
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 0024 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0031 0010 0010 0030 0010 0522 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0030 0010 0010 0031 0010 0D18 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0030 0010 0010 0031 0010 0EE1

[screen stop]
GC: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,48,1282,48,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,48,16,49,16,48,49,3319,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,16,49,16,48,48,3809
GCCompressed: sendir,1:3,1,38095,1,1,48,16,49,16AB16,48,16,49CCDCD48,1282AABADCDCCDC49,3319BABACDCDCDC48,3809
CCF: 0000 006D 0000 0024 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0030 0502 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0031 0CF7 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0010 0031 0010 0030 0030 0EE1

Let us know if it works 

[nime5ter]

A question for Kalle and James:

If Chris is trying the GC codes you've provided, and they're not working with his Elite Screen, is it worth trying to change the repeat value to send them more than once, the way that James suggested here for another user's Sony problem? http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=1403.msg12130#msg12130

Assuming the iTach is properly sending IR signals to other devices, what's the best way to eliminate whether the issue with his screen is the code itself, or a hardware problem such as a bad receiver or receiver out of range?

(I figure this could be a helpful discussion for lots of us, so I thought I'd ask.)

[jitterjames]

Yes, I think it is worth trying different repeat values.

If the iTach is working with other devices then I think it is safe to eliminate the possibility that the emitter is damaged.

Obviously it makes sense to test the iTach with as many devices as possible and to familiarize oneself with the iTach software before trying to use it with VoxCommando.  Solving one problem at a time is always the best approach, IMO.

Once you've established that the iTach is able to send codes correctly, you need to make sure your emitter is positioned correctly (at the correct angle and not too far away - some devices have a better range than others), and then try whatever codes you can find that might work with your device, and experiment with repeats.  Usually a repeat of more than 2 is not necessary AFAIK but you could always try 1, 2, and then 3 repeats, and then move on to the next possible code-set.

[nime5ter]

Makes sense, thanks.

I would imagine it might be difficult to position the emitter "at the correct angle and not too far away" if, for example, the motorized projector screen and its receiver 'eye' are mounted on the ceiling or something like that.

[Kalle]

Hi nime5ter, here are two good websites. The first website explain how the sony code works and the second explain all the other codes, both are very interesting.

http://www.righto.com/2010/03/understanding-sony-ir-remote-codes-lirc.html

http://www.sbprojects.com/knowledge/ir/index.php

[nime5ter]

Thanks Kalle. You're right, quite interesting.  But then, I'm the kind of gal who doesn't panic when she sees a page full of wordddzzz. "Oh, no! I have to READ to understand this??"  

I particularly liked the sbprojects link. So, 38khz is generally the IR signal frequency used by commercial remotes to avoid IR interference from things like sunlight or heat. I'm curious, though, what kinds of things still might interfere with IR code transmission.

This site talks about fluorescent lights, for example: http://learn.parallax.com/node/300

I wonder what kinds of fluorescent lights they're referring to. It's pretty common in Canada and the U.S., at least, for guys to have their "man caves" in basements lit with fluorescent lights. You would think that could pose some problems?

[jitterjames]

The fluorescent backlight on some large TVs (like ours) can be terrible for IR interference.  That's why our MCE IR receiver is covered with paper and hidden down under a shelf, and why I need to turn off the TV (and turn out the lights, and stay away from windows, and basically hide under a blanket) when I want to try to learn codes on the Amulet.  Actually it recently occurred to me that I should probably tape some paper over the learning window on the Amulet because I think it is too sensitive, but I have not tried it yet.

[Kalle]

Yes, fluorescent lights can make problems when you learn a code to a remote like the amulet. A good example is a plasma TV, which generated a lot of infrared disorders. You can do a simple test with your USB-uirt, which will blink red when a IR signal is detected. Hold a switched "energy saving bulp" in front of the uirt and the uirt led will blink like a strobe light  


I'm write to slow  

[nime5ter]

Poor Kalle.  

Aber warum nicht auf Deutsch schreiben? Du weisst, ich kann dich verstehen.

It would be good practice for me. And other VC folks can use Google Translate every once in a while.


... oder "zu schreiben"? Which is right?

[nime5ter]

Also, thanks to both of you for your various examples. I now have a better understanding of why so many of our electronics have to have ugly bits of paper and tape plastered all over them.

[Kalle]

 

when I write in English, I can learn it a bit better (for june    )

"schreiben?" is right - "schreiben?" ist richtig 

[nime5ter]

OK.

I can understand why it takes you so long to write in English. I had to go back and correct my German 10 times for that short post!

(Now I will stop hijacking this thread.)

[Hiryu]

Was wondering if anyone can help me out here.  I am running Vox Commando SP trial edition 2.0 beta.  Have everything set up.  Got it to be able to send IR commands through a Global Cache iTach through the IR Blaster (port 3) to control my HDMI switcher.  Also built voice commands in the editor and everything works correctly.  So clearly, VC is working as is the iTach. 

However, I am having problems with sending IR commands to my old CRT television (which has an IR remote).  VC learns the button command just fine.  But when I ask it to "test that button", it doesn't do anything.  On the history list, I get  an entry for iTach (it's a calendar-like calendar with the number 9, labeled iTach) and the mouse-over description: "{1}ERR_1:3,008\x0DERR_0:),001\x0D" "Commands triggered:" "learn complete set map".

Would really like to figure this out, maybe it's not possible with this TV?  Any advice or help would be appreciated.  Completely new to itach and vox commando, so really hope someone can help me.  Thanks!

[jitterjames]

Hi Hiryu,

Please post the XML for the commands you are using (copy groups and paste them into a #code box in your post, or expor the groups and attach the xml files).

Click "Additional Options" when posting to the forum in order to attach files.

Please also send us your *complete* log as an attachment.  Make sure to issue the commands you are trying to use to learn and test the button so that we can see them in the log.

See: http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Getting_support for more info.

Note that with the iTach you sometimes need to make some adjustments to the learning and trimming actions depending on your device.  Some devices require the same code to be repeated 2 or 3 times in order for it to work and some don't.  Some devices work immediately without any effort and for others it can be a bit of a "dark art".

[Hiryu]

Hi jitterjames,

Thanks -- I figured it out.  For some reason, even iLearn from Global Cache wasn't capturing the correct IR codes, even though as I was pressing the buttons on the remote, the program was capturing something.  Your statement about it being a "dark art" keyed me in, and I was comparing what VC was capturing and iLearn, I saw that some commands were truncated or completely different.  I called Global Cache and they were able to send me all the correct sendir codes for my TV, so everything is working great now!  Thanks.

Now I have a different question.  Some actions on my TV require two commands entered in succession.  For example. I have a HDMI switcher attached to a specific output.  I have a command for switching the input source on the TV.  And then a separate command to switch the output on the switcher.  I would like to simplify this by combining the two (the HDMI switcher is attached to one video source only and thus if I tell the HDMI switcher to switch, it should always go to that video source first).  Separately, the commands "Switch to TV" (tv source) and the "Switch to Chromecast" (which is on the HDMI Switcher) works.  However, when I try to combine them, [Action 1] TCPClientWriteLn iTach  {M:gc_TV.Input.TV) followed immediately by [Action 2]TCPClientWriteLn iTach {M:gc_Switcher.3}, it only executes the first action.  Am I missing something here or not understanding the logic of two successive commands? 

Thanks.

[Kalle]

Hi Hiryu and welcome to VC forum. Please post the XML for the command or VC log file how James it describes.
I'm not sure it will help you, but you can put a longer delay in your TCP.ClientWriteLn action (default is 10), so you can type at the third place in this action 50 or more.

[Hiryu]

Ok thanks -- I'll try that first and report back.

[Kalle]

If this will not work, you can also try a VC.Pause action between the TCP.ClientWriteLn actions.