Cheap IR Blaster that will still do the job?

[sirs2k]

Hey guys, I can't explain how much fun I'm having with VC, it's a great tool!

Now I want to be able to control my TV and AV receiver on certain commands like "Showtime" which wil:

1- Turn on Plasma
2- Turn on AV Receiver (switch inputs etc)
3- Change PC video output to Plasma
4- Change Output audio device to HDMI
5- Launch XBMC
6- Say "Enjoy the Show"  

And vice verse
What I need is an IR receiver or transmitter (don't really know if I need a transmitter only or a transceiver)
Important: I need the device to be able to LEARN new codes as my AV receiver is a very unknown brand and I couldn't find its codes anywhere

I know there are devices like USB-UIRT etc but that's around $70 shipped to down under. Or the Itach which is at least double that price

Paul Hibbert on youtube has said that devices like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-HP-USB-Microsoft-MCE-Media-center-IR-Remote-Control-RC6-Kit-Certified-/261046824695?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3cc79a6ef7&_uhb=1 is able to LEARN (and transmit obviously)

Just wanted to hopefully get a confirmation from you guys that this will work for me. It is $20 as opposed to $70

There's also another side question, if my computer/server is in another room (which isn't at the moment) how would I be able to send IR from one room to another?
Edit: Nevermind about my second question, just remembered that my http://www.cnet.com/au/products/belkin-screencast-av4/ Belkin AV4 screencast (Wireless HDMI device) came with IR cables that I can attach to extend the IR signal as well as the HDMI signal

Thanks in advance

[jitterjames]

I don't have any personal experience with this transceiver but I want to point out that you will need EventGhost to use this with VoxCommando.  There is no real disadvantage to it, but if you aren't already using EventGhost you'll need to get familiar with it.  I personally still use EventGhost to handle remote input.

Another option for you might be to use an Arduino, but it is not for everyone, and I would not recommend this route unless you are already interested in the Arduino system.

[mdsh]

hi and welcome to the madness we like to call home automation  I had exactly this same question in mind a few months ago considering the same items as you.

In the end I went with spending a bit more money and getting the USB UIRT. I agree it is a bit of money but the video on youtube of James learning codes using this device just via VC in such a fun way made the decision for me in the end. I just decided for my use and my lack of real coding knowledge this was after all the best spend of money if you compare it to a device like Global Cache itach devices and 4 times the price all be it more flexable. (being from Aus you might have heard of the Uremote guys. They use these devices along with their own app that mimics irule for this device) .

This being said Paul has used his MCE USB device to great effect and I was tempted but at least with the USB UIRT you know the plugin is there for you in VC and it will be one less thing you will have to "figure out" in your journey.

In short I guess it comes down to your skill and if you would like to "code" both VC and eventghost or if you would just like to plug in, install drivers, install\configure plugin in VC and be off to new posibilities. The latter was me and the USB UIRT really surprised me. To me it really feels like a quality product although it might be assambled in someones garage for all I know and I am looking at buying a second at some stage

Sorry for the long post but hopefully you will gain something from it at least.

Good luck ahead and keep us all posted on your progress especially as between AUS and NZ we seem to be low on numbers Will be great to see more projects from this side of the world as well

[Mirac78]

My first post in this great community..

I just wonder how is the range with the USB UIRT? So far I'm using the MCE remote with ir blaster for my TV and Air conditioner (eventghost method). Works great but only disadvantage is cause i need to get the blaster really close to the device to successful send the code. I wonder if USB UIRT work something like classic remote? My TV remote can be pointed in any direction and works like a charm.
Hope you understand me, sry on lousy english..

M.

[Kalle]

The USB-UIRT works up to 8 meters so far I know and you can also plug a IR emitter to the jack on the back at the UIRT

[jitterjames]

Hi Mirac78.  Welcome to the forum.

I think the blaster on the front of the USBUIRT is pretty strong.  It is probably comparable to a good quality hand held remote, if not better.  The actual range that you get will probably vary somewhat based on the device you are controlling and possibly on the quality of the captured code you are using to emulate the original signal.  In most cases, if you need a range of about 20 feet or less and you have a clear line of site with the blaster aimed in more or less the correct direction, I think you can expect it to be reliable.  I could do some specific range tests for you if you like but only with the devices I have here (Samsung TV, Onkyo Receiver, etc.)

[jitterjames]

I think most people know this already but the plug in emitter that Kalle is showing is intended to be attached directly to the device and has a short range, it is probably similar to what you have on your current MCE device.  The idea would probably be to attach these for controlling devices that are in the same cabinet as your computer, while aiming the front blaster of the USBUIRT at whatever you have at the other end of the room.  Also, the more emitters you have on a single cable, the weaker the signal will be from each one (AFAIK).

[Mirac78]

@Kalle
Tnx for answer, something similar i use now..mean to extender, actually MCE can only receive without the extender..

@jitterjames
No there is no need to do any special test (tnx anyway).. I live in small apartment so i suppose i will not have problems to capture signal from USB UIRT. This information was helpful enough. So far i will use MCE method cause controlling just two devices, but is good to know when i go further. After finding voxcommando that's will be do for sure 

[xtermin8r]

My first post in this great community..

I just wonder how is the range with the USB UIRT? So far I'm using the MCE remote with ir blaster for my TV and Air conditioner (eventghost method). Works great but only disadvantage is cause i need to get the blaster really close to the device to successful send the code. I wonder if USB UIRT work something like classic remote? My TV remote can be pointed in any direction and works like a charm.
Hope you understand me, sry on lousy english..

M.

Hi
I would like to point out that, some IR Emitters use  red Led's to emit the IR Codes, such as the picture posted by Kalle, the range of these led's is small, to get a better range one must use proper infra red leds.
you can tell the difference easily, the red leds will produce visible light, and the IR leds will be invisible and can only be seen easily if you view the led using a camera.

[jitterjames]

I think you can also remove the casing on those to improve the range slightly.

I have tried adapting a clear IR emitter from a standard remote to my MCE transceiver in the past and the range was still pretty poor, although I might have done something wrong.

I think it is fair to say that both the emitter and the blaster/port/configuration will affect your range.  The port on the front of the uuirt is designed to send a strong signal. On the global cache iTach the ports can be configured for regular or "blasting", and there is a special blaster emitter as well.

[Mirac78]

Yes i have that small emitter who blink red light on trigger. So far work ok, but in future i will buy the USB UIRT after this.

[cntrlaltdel]

Hello all,
I'm new to Vox commando and would like to mimic Paul's use of his MCE IR receiver/transceiver. I'm currently set up with a Lutron Light dimmer for my lights and using a harmony 900 remote to control it (the Lutron light switch accepts IR signals). When using Vox commando, do you need a separate device like the Tellstick for the pc to communicate to the light device? I'm curious for those using the MCE with the IR blaster connected, if after setting up Vox commando and Eventghost, the MCE transceiver with the IR blaster can send the signal to your light/dim switch from the pc or if I need any additional devices like the USB-UIRT? Essentially I'd like to use Vox commando to control my xbmc and lights via pc while still having the Harmony remote to do the same as a secondary option.

[jitterjames]

You should be able to accomplish what you want using your existing equipment. If your MCE transceiver can learn and send IR and your light switch can be controlled by IR then you are all set as long as the switch is within range.

The first step is getting EventGhost set up with the correct plugin for your transceiver.  Then you can learn the IR codes and test sending them to the light.  Then create macros in EventGhost for the various signals you want to send to the light switch.  Finally, the easy part is triggering events in EventGhost from VoxCommando to run the macros.

I don't know what familiarity you already have with EventGhost but that's where you should start. Unfortunately there is no way to control the MCE transceiver directly with VoxCommando.