IRTrans infrared transmitter/receiver

Posted on
Sun Aug 14, 2005 7:45 pm
mbclark offline
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IRTrans infrared transmitter/receiver

Just curious if anyone is using one of the infrared transmitter/receiver devices like the IRTrans http://www.irtrans.de/en?

Seems like a device like this along with the accompanying iRed software could be used for a very powerful home automation system when used in conjunction with Indigo.

I can imagine setting up action groups in Indigo to control fairly complex scenes, with some devices controlled directly by Indigo/X10 (lamps, appliances), while other actions would actually execute AppleScripts to send messages to the iRed software (TV, DVD player, Stereo).

Has anyone given this a try?

Posted on
Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:54 pm
matt (support) offline
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Re: IRTrans infrared transmitter/receiver

Very interesting. I had seen IRTrans page quite a while ago, but didn't realize there is Mac software now that works with it. Would definitely be interesting to play around with...

Matt

Posted on
Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:53 am
aehusted offline
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Re: IRTrans infrared transmitter/receiver

Perhaps this could be the perfect answer to my recent post:
http://www.perceptiveautomation.com/php ... .php?t=857

has anyone tried out this IRTrans device? How well does it work with Indigo and applescript? Do I have to be the guinnea pig?

Posted on
Thu Sep 08, 2005 4:47 pm
matt (support) offline
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Re: IRTrans infrared transmitter/receiver

I'm going to get one and try it out. It might be a few weeks probably before I get to it, but I definitely one to give it a whirl.

Matt

Posted on
Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:19 am
jeremyh offline
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I've used the IRTrans with iRed to control a EyeTV receiver on another computer but haven't attempted to do anything via Indigo yet. It does, in fact, send and receive quite well (awkward angles, etc). Works great for the EyeTV since the blasted thing can't control a cable box to change the channel when you need it to record. This little gadget solves the problem. Although, you either need to write an applescript for each channel number or write a script that takes in a sequence of numbers and then pushes them sequentially through the script to make the IRTrans fire off those numbers to the cable box.

-------------------------------------------------
Jeremy Hubbell - Hubbell Automation
http://www.hubbell.biz
-------------------------------------------------

Posted on
Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:29 am
macpro offline
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Are there allready any Indigo experiences with the IRtrans and iRed software?

Posted on
Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:37 am
wallachee offline
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I've had one on order for about 2 weeks now. The company is located in Europe, and you pay $20 shipping for the cheapo method. I'll post my results once I get mine in.

It is also compatible with salling clicker, so it seems like this could be a pretty powerful little device.

If anyone has any specific functions they'd like tested, let me know. I should have this by next week hopefully.

-Bradley

Posted on
Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:51 am
macpro offline
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The IRTrans hardware and iRed software look good, so I placed an order today.
Hopefully it will arrive by the end of the week, so I can give it to my wife.
She will give it back to me on my birthday.
Now I have two weeks to practice looking surprised. :wink:

Posted on
Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:12 am
wallachee offline
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Mine came in yesterday...one word...INCREDIBLE.

Initial setup was a pain becuase the USB cable they sent with the item was defective, and the ir module doesn't seem to like my USB hub. Plugged directly into a USB port with a new USB cable fixed the problem, and now that this thing is working, all I can say is that everyone who has a home automation system needs this product.

When you pair this product up with an ATI Remote wonder (RF remote for mac/pc) then you can not only consolidate all of your remotes, but you can make them all RF, and you can coontrol your home automation as well. (All via Applescript) Response time is very good.

The module does work with the ROOMBA as well, so no need to buy a scheduler from iRobot. Just set a date/time trigger to turn your Roomba on at a certain time in Indigo!

If anyone has something specific they'd like me to try let me know, but initial impression is WOW.

-Bradley

Posted on
Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:25 pm
macpro offline
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I received my IRTrans today. And I didn't have to hand it over, so I already have a little hands on experience.
It works great and reception is very good.
I've got one "VRC" (Virtual Remote Control) defined for the TV and it's amazing to operate the TV from my iBook.
Still need to set it up completely and integrate it with Indigo.

One very good thing about the iRed software: you can install it on multiple Macs and then connect to the Mac that has the IRTrans connected.
My IRTrans will be connected to my Mac mini, but I can put VRCs on the PowerBooks and iBook to control the Home Theater.
:D

Posted on
Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:28 am
tinbert offline
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Hi there,

may I introduce myself? My name is Robert Fischer and I am the developer of iRed, which is the software part of the IRTrans bundle.

It's great to see that some people here already are using the IRTrans/iRed combo. Unfortunately I found this forum not until today.

I am not yet familiar with the Indigo software, so please apologize if I come up with stupid questions ;-)

Is it possible to integrate iRed with Indigo "just out of the box", or is there some work to be done from my side?
iRed itself can be controlled from commandline, by TCP sockets and by AppleScript. When iRed itself receives an IR code it can issue an AppleScript itself. So integration with Indigo should be no problem!?

With the new IRTrans Ethernet module, even more possibilities for home automation arise, e.g. in conjunction with Airport Express. iRed does support this Ethernet module in beta by now.

CU, Robert

tin:b Software - maker of iRed*

Posted on
Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:24 am
macpro offline
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Hi Robert,

Indigo can be controlled via AppleScript. And the iRed can attach AppleScript actions to VRC buttons and triggers.
So it is possible to control Indigo using iRed.

I made a small prototype last night where I used iRed to change an Indigo variable via AppleScript.

Then I was able to use my remote control to change the value of this variable.

There are a lot more possibilities, but I just received my IRTrans yesterday, so I still need do some research.

Posted on
Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:10 am
macpro offline
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I really like this!!

To control my SLIMP3 via a X10 remote control, I made some triggers in Indigo to switch the SLIMP3 on and off. Thanks to a script I found on this forum.

I've added the following AppleScript line of code to these triggers:

Code: Select all
tell application "iRed" to send ir Code "Power" of RC "Sony"

(with codes for my stereo offcourse)

Now the stereo switches on and off also together with the SLIMP3.

:D :D

Posted on
Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:38 am
tinbert offline
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macpro wrote:
...I've added the following AppleScript line of code to these triggers:...


Thank you, macpro,
I see it is easy to integrate both products.

Robert

tin:b Software - maker of iRed*

Posted on
Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:38 am
macpro offline
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I just received this e-mail to anounce a new iRed version:

Dear iRed user,

iRed version 1.7 is available for download right now. You may fetch
it from the download page:
"http://www.filewell.com/iRed/download.html"
or directly:
"http://download.filewell.com/iRed.dmg.zip" (about 2.8 MB)

The manual has not been updated (yet).

What's new
----------
- New basic driver structure
- Universal binary
- Universal binary driver, new driver for OS X 10.3.9, too
- Wake-up your Mac by infrared (see Extras folder inside package)
- Support for IRTrans Ethernet module (www.irtrans.de/en/shop/lan.php)
- better learning and transmitting performance

- new preferences panel
- trigger caching may be switched off
- online checking for iRed update may be switched off

- new AppleScript functions, see provided example "Apple Script paths"
- new socket function "CALL_ONCE" for calling AppleScripts

- bug with wrong frequency on learning panel fixed
- some small bugs fixed

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