IR / RF Remote Transmitter: WiFi or Zigbee?

Hardware
1

I’m looking for a remote transmitter to control my TV & Soundbar via IR and my Kodi 4k via RF. Looking to buy via Aliexpress as here in NZ there aren’t a lot of options.

As I’d like to avoid cloud based services I thought a Zigbee based would be best. However, WiFi/Tuya based ones seem way more popular.
I found this Zigbee based one which seems to do what I need: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003878194474.html

Any considerations?

2

I use a broadlink RF4 pro, you can then “teach it” using the learn function in HA

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3

Should be no issues with zigbee2mqtt

For wifi, I’d recommend getting the tuya ones you can flash with tasmota/esphome if you need irhvac and local control

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4

Broadlink is the way to go. Pair it with SmartIR.

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5

Hello.

Did this end up working for RF remotes? I am looking for the same product. A zigbee controlled RF blaster but a lot of people seem to confuse IR and RF.

This one says it’s RF on ali express but only shows an image of IR learning. Did you get it to work?

Cheers!

2 Likes
6

The Tuya Zigbee IR blaster is IR only, but it is supposed to work with ZHA and zigbee2mqtt.

The Broadlink RM4 Pro is excellent for RF (I have one controlling lights for the whole house) and for IR, but the connection to HA is wi-fi and it doesn’t always recover well from a loss of signal. Like all Broadlink remotes, it only works on 2.4GHz, which can make it fiddly to set up if you have a mixed 2.4 and 5GHz network.

I’m experimenting with Zigbee to replace my IR remotes because the connection with them is constantly timing out (doesn’t happen with the RM4 Pro, for some reason). Waiting for the package to arrive from China. :roll_eyes:

7

Hi. Did anyone end up finding an RF blaster? I would like to stay away from broadlink.

In terms of the Tuya ZS06 Smart IR Blaster, I bought it and it works with zigbee2mqtt but then realized I need RF not IR :slightly_frowning_face:

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8

How did you now it was RF en not IR?

9

I have an infrared (IR) blaster, and when I tried to set up my remotes, I found out that some of them needed radio frequency (RF).

So far, I’ve found this option – seems workable. I’ll probably give it a try.

KC868-AG ESP32 IR RF WiFi Gateway Made For ESPHome Home Assistant Automation DIY Tasmota Arduino IDE Graphical Program Home Host

10

Hi @balens.

I realize my post is a bit confusing. I meant to write that the remote I was trying to recognize uses RF and not IR. The Tuya device I mentioned is IR only.

How I figured it out my remote is RF:

  1. I tried my ceiling fan remote and the Tuya device was not picking up any codes.
  2. Then I tried my TV remote which I know is IR because it has that led bulb. The Tuya device worked at picking up the code so I knew it was working.
  3. Then I tried
    • the tv remote outside the room and it didn’t work to recognize codes
    • more researching and I had an “aha” moment that IR is line of sight.
    • Also I learned ceiling fans are 90% RF which makes sense in my case because I can control my ceiling fan from a different room because RF signal would pass thru walls and IR signal would not.

I’m short I misread the Tuya ad that it as RF when it reality it was IR. Then i forgot my ceiling fan is RF which it says on the remote. Doing this in the evening when I’m tired didn’t help :man_facepalming:

1 Like
11

Hi @im7860

Thanks for sharing the link to the device. It’s a bit pricey but if it works then it’s worth it.

I’d you end up purchasing it, could you share your experience?