Ethernet or contact closure input converted into infra-red remote simulation output

[Andy Frodsham]

Does anyone make a device which permits either closed contact or ethernet input and then simulates an infra red signal suitable for controlling equipment like CD or DVD players?

For example: closing (0r sending an IP message) 1+2 sends a PLAY remote signal to the CD player, closing 1+3 send a pause signal to the DVD player etc.

I assume the device would include a remote infra-red head which could be placed in close proximity to the device being controlled?

[Carsten Kurz]

We recently had a thread here about an addon for INTEG JNIORs to allow that. Some people resorted to mild DIY approaches. For instance, it is pretty easy to buy a cheap learning IR-Remote and wire a button to e.g. a JNIOR relay. If your server has a few free GPO ports (in most installations, the server GPO ports remain unused), you would not even need the Ethernet part, but wire the remote button to the server GPO directly.

Most people interested in remote controlling a player probably simply buy a player with RS232 or Ethernet control, which usually is a bit more versatile than a simple pause/play remote.


A straight solution is the iTach IP2IR from Global Caché.

The IP protocol is documented and compatible with common DCI server's communication capabilities.

[Steve Guttag]

Q-SYS can aid in such things as well. Extron also has devices that can turn contact closure into IR commands. And advantage of the iTach solution that Carsten has mentioned above (and what Q-SYS uses as a plugin) is their "Tower" that is, essentially, a library of manufacturer's IR commands that can be loaded into the the IP2IR device so you don't need to bother with the monstrosity that are IR commands. Other devices, like Extron, often have some form of IR "learning" to to take a remote's output and learn it to be repeated upon command.

[Bruce Cloutier]

The difficulty with developing an expansion module that might transmit IR strings in response to some stimulus isn't in the electronics. It is hard to envision the physical arrangement. You need to locate the transmitting LED out front of the equipment someplace in sight of the IR receiver. That should be some little inconspicuous thing affixed by double-sided tape, screw mounted, or on some little extension arm or mount? That could then be wired back to the actual expansion module that then might be connected to the JNIOR. Light weight wires? Routed how?

Then if you have one device to control this way, perhaps you have another and should the expansion module support more than one transmission channel? Then there is the possible use of the JNIOR receiving IR commands from a remote of its own or another?

Here I bet Andy is looking for a low-cost solution. Buying another player that has command inputs or investing in Q-SYS are options but require much more time and money. Any JNIOR expansion module will still be $125 or something assuming that you already have a JNIOR handy.

Hacking a compatible remote is an option but you risk destroying the remote that you are relying on already. Internally most of these remotes these days are not as simply hacked either.

If you can find an RS-232 to IR adapter, you can program your automation possibly to output the needed serial data. Knowing what that needs to be is a bear as Steve points out. You can probably power an IR transmitter right from an RS-232 Tx line with a simple series resistor.

Right now I am seriously struggling to secure a supply of processors to keep us going. That takes a little higher priority.

[Andy Frodsham]

As ever, thank you guys. Fabulous feedback, gratefully received.

[Ian Freer]

Q-SYS can aid in such things as well. Extron also has devices that can turn contact closure into IR commands. And advantage of the iTach solution that Carsten has mentioned above (and what Q-SYS uses as a plugin) is their "Tower" that is, essentially, a library of manufacturer's IR commands that can be loaded into the the IP2IR device so you don't need to bother with the monstrosity that are IR commands. Other devices, like Extron, often have some form of IR "learning" to to take a remote's output and learn it to be repeated upon command.

Q-SYS will soon have a native IR device for this sort of application as well: the QIO IR1x4

https://www.qsys.com/products-soluti...ies/qio-ir1x4/

[Steve Guttag]

Sure, it will (and sort of does...it is already orderable...I'm not sure on the stock levels). You'd still need to have the IR commands and, as Bruce points out, if you don't have Q-SYS already, then it won't be a low-cost solution. However, it is yet one more thing that makes Q-SYS a very flexible ecosystem and not just a sound processor.

[Marcel Birgelen]

I've done something similar YEARS ago with LIRC and a whole bunch of scripts... LIRC supports quite a bunch of IR transmitters and receivers and once you have it running, sending and receiving commands is pretty easy. It isn't really an out-of-the-box solution though.

[Carsten Kurz]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310950294...4AAOSw~1Rf13Bz

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254455289...YAAOSwgVZfYFXG

Search for 'senior remote learning'

Depending on your DIY capabilities, you just need a piece of thin wire and some minor soldering (or find someone with these skills). Your original remote can stay intact.

For most cinema applications, a single or two remote keys are needed.