I have a need to control some smart devices (such as Z-wave smart switches, but also Wifi and other devices already linked in my HAOS) with an infrared remote, in 4 different rooms.
Unfortunately, an IR to Z-Wave or IR to Wifi bridge device does not exist.
What exists is an USB infrared receivers such as those from FLIRC (I own a couple of them). FLIRC integrates fine with HAOS as a keyboard remote, reportedly (though I haven’t tried it yet).
If I only needed to receive IR from a single room, I would simply use one FLIRC device, move the computer running HAOS to that one room, and essentially be done with it.
However, because of the need to receive IR in multiple rooms, I have hit a bit of a snag.
I could buy additional Raspberry Pi and FLIRC units, which would give me multiple instances of HAOS, each capable of receive IR in that one room.
However, I could not control my existing Z-Wave/Wifi devices from these additional HAOS instances - they would each only have access to USB IR receiver’s input commands, but nothing else. The commands would need to be somehow forwarded to the “main” HAOS instance that has all the devices (existing and future ones) linked. This would require some sort of proxy software. Each Pi/FLIRC combo would have to be running some daemon that simply waits for keys and relays them over TCP (or HTTP/S, or any other appropriate network protocol). And there would need to be an integration in HAOS to connect to those instances. It doesn’t seem like anything like this exists, though, it would have to be written. I can’t imagine I’m the only one with this problem, though.
Alternately, a heavier-set solution would be a generic Home assistant proxy that lets you combine devices from multiple HAOS instances. That wouldn’t be specific to FLIRC, and it would help more people running HA. It’s also a much bigger project, and I don’t believe that exists either.
Is there hope for what I’m trying to accomplish here ?
Broadlink RM3 and RM4 Mini’s can receive but I’m not sure about how that is done in HA other than via a service call to make them wait for a signal which is how you can get HA to ‘learn’ IR codes. That wouldn’t work for ‘anytime’ receiving. Surely there is a way though…
(other than for the initial IR code learning I only use the RM3’s for transmitting)
I definitely need “anytime” receiving, though. If that doesn’t work then it won’t help. I read the doc at Broadlink - Home Assistant and it appears it can’t support anytime receiving. Sigh. Cancelled the Amazon order.
Together with broadlinkmanager-docker it is very easy to learn IR codes (if device is not already supported by SmartIR (here a list of supported devices)
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will review them.
To be clear, I have zero need to send any IR codes from HA to any other device. I do not neer an IR blaster. I only want HA to receive IR codes and take custom actions, such as turn lights on/off. Ie. I need IR triggers. Is there an integration that allows for this ? Similar to what FLIRC allows, but networked.
Today I manage with 1970s tech - X10. I have XPS3 wall witches, a CM11A serial interface on the HA side, and an IR543 IR to X10 transceiver in one room. I am looking for a more modern replacement for the IR543 and to get rid of the X10 switches. Something not subject to PLC issues, and networked.
Broadlink doesn’t seem to be ideal because it only receives in learning mode
I have a bunch of tuya remotes flashed with tasmota & the one suggested by @francisp using ir receive to trigger automation in ha. There’s also a diy option with d1 mini + lolin ir shield.
Just needed to use the same tv remote for everything else in the room without having to reach the phone.
Yes, that’s exactly my use case, use the same TV remote (actually a universal programmable remote, ARRX18G) to control all my IR devices, and also control my lights.
Right now, for my home theater, it goes through:
ARRX18G → X10 IR543 → powerline carrier (same room) → X10 XPS3 light switches (no HAOS involved in this path)
And the response is instant.
It could also go through :
ARRX18G → X10 IR543 → powerline carrier (to a different room) → X10 CM11A → RS232 → HAOS → Z-Wave or Wifi switch
I haven’t tested this path, but suspect it will be a lot slower and less reliable.
In my home office, I also have one X10 light switch. No IR need for this one.
I tested this path
X10 RW724 (RF remote) → X10 RF/IR transceiver → PLC → X10 CM11A → RS232 → HAOS → Z-Wave or Wifi switch
It has a 2-3 second delay compared to
X10 RW724 (RF remote) → X10 RF/IR transceiver → PLC → X10 XPS3 switch
I’m looking to eliminate X10 completely to get rid of PLC reliability issues and delays.
@francisp,
I would much prefer to use something off-the-shelf, but that doesn’t seem to exist.
The learning curve for ESPHome/Tasmota/MQTT seems high.
I have so many questions about those devices, both hardware and software.
HW: is there a case I can buy for those IR receivers ?
HW: what PSU do you buy ?
SW : how do you enter the SSID password for Wifi connectivity ?
SW : which integration do I use with HAOS that provides IR triggers with these devices ?
SW: does the integration support multiple of these devices ? (I need one per room)
SW : how do you learn IR codes (for the sole purpose of recognizing external input commands, not to send them out afterwards)
SW: do I need custom firmware, or is there something usable out of the box ?
And that’s just off the top of my head.
@sparkydave,
This looks good, but not clear if it provides the ability to receive IR signals. I know the table says it does, but it also says that for the RM4 Mini, and we know that’s not true.
When I follow the link to the integration at GitHub - ale1800/ESP-360-REMOTE: An all-in-one remote based on the ESP32-WROOM-32E , under “Receiving signals”, it only mentions receiving RF signals, not receiving IR signals.
