Ive been trying to get this to work for over a week without sucess, even after reading forum post after forum post. Thanks to this video I now have my whole living room set up with this. THANK YOU!
Thank you for this! I had bought the same device and I had no idea how to 'learn' the IR codes and how to assign them to automations! I followed your guide and within minutes it's working like a charm! AC goes on from 10PM, if I'm home and the temperature is above 21 degrees. And it turns off when the temperature is below 19! Thank you, you're a lifesaver!
Thank you. This video really helped me with choosing IR Blaster. I had problems with sending via the form like you, I was getting the error "Invalid message 'null', skipping...". Switching to yml, I realized that the form was interpreting the double quotes incorrectly, correcting it to payload: >- {"ir_code_to_send": "My_code "} everything worked.
BTW the device works great with ZHA now. I have it setup to turn on the TV/sound bar and another IR-controlled device. Scripts work fine in conjunction with automations.
I;ve had two of these for around six months and they are great - have not had to replace batteries yet. Seems to have quite a powerful infra red transmission signal and it is multi directional ir leds.
Thanks for the vid! is the most strighforward guide on how to use the IR Blaster. May i ask if you would share your AC remote codes/automations. The proces is by any means cumbersome, and i have the same Mitsu blaster that you. Apart of this, there is any IR database to look for codes? I had an old hifi wich i dont have the remotes and are not avaible online TY.
@@BeardedTinker Thanks for confirming. I suppose if it were capable of receiving the device would need more power, in order to be continually 'listening' for an IR signal. So then it couldn't be battery powered. So it's reasonable. Mine is due to arrive next week, so I'll get to have fun then.
I've been trying to figure this out for a few hours now I'll double checked everything you said to check all of its right but I cannot get the call service to work I've also noticed that whenever use blueprints for zigbee to mqtt they don't work so I'm sure that's related somehow
Every web page that sells it, says it needs a wired hub. Why? It makes no sense. So, I tried with a wireless generic one and a zemismart M1 which is wired. I could pair in both but not control anything, not even learn remote codes
@@Capozzi3 no solution still. Probably not wired problem but firmware must be new and wired ones happens to have it. But my wired zemismart m1 didn't support
Watching this review is makes me feel like you're an 18year old student reviewing his first 500€ car and saying it's the best car ever. The functionality here is incredibly basic and clumsy, copy pasting ir codes and saving them in notepad so you have an index, sending the commands back via mqtt? It's not even close to the convenience or complexity of what harmony or the broadcom blasters offer. Just try the broadcom one man, you'll like it I promise. And also, who has their ir blasters in the middle of the room on coffee tables 😀 The ir transmitters in there are MUCH more powerful than what you're used to with battery remotes, I can control things in the hallway from the living room with no line of sight at all, so as you can imagine having it in the corner of my room and it handling the AC, TV and soundbar is completely a non-issue. All that, being said, I'm here because I like your videos so keep up the good work :)
Agreeing with you but also disagree partially. For example - Harmony - that device is dead - while part of the site and info is still available, the question is for how long. Second and most important for me, and especially WAF - no wires. If device has wires and I can't tuck it away somewhere, there is no way it will stay longer than testing period. But yes, it requires a lot of tinkering. BTW - while I didn't show, each code received is temporarily stored in HA as entity, so yes, you can use it as entity too, just limited to last learned code.
Would this work with a wireless zigbee hub? Do you know of any IR devices that work with wireless zigbee hub? On Ali express they keep on stating wired hubs only.
I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work with wireless Zigbee hub. Actually, most of the hubs (if you disregard USB sticks) are wireless hubs with Ethernet as option.
Hey there got one up and running. Noted all commands/codes. Can i use it as a trigger too? Or can it just send and not recognize the learned commands? And i cannot figure out the right template. Is there any further visible documentation? You are right in front of the full code 😅 and z2m sends errors triggering the noted codes.
Ok got the commands working now. Somehow a "space" was hiding inside my code 😑. But havnt found out a listening function as a trigger yet. Thinking of a universal remote firing a code to it and its shooting out a different code like for the Receiver. But seems its only a receiver/code replicator
Could this device be used in an automation where if you press a button on a remote control, that the device will see it and then I would be able to turn on another device? For instance, I have my TVs connected to Zigbee smart plugs. If the TV has been in standby for 30 minutes (determined by power consumption) that the smart plug is then turned off. It would be great if I pressed the power button on the TV remote that this device could instruct HA via an automation to turn on the smart plug without me having to tell Alexa to do it 🤔
@@BeardedTinkerThat’s a pity, the better half is not too happy with having to ask Alexa each time she wants to watch TV, I thought this might be a solution… Thanks for the reply 👍🏻
Have you considered a separate zigbee battery powered button you keep very near by where you watch it from (triggers automation on click)? There are IR transceivers could do the thing you want but my current choice (IRdroid HAT for a separate Raspberry Pi) is taking lots of serious tech experience skills (ir-keytable command/ir-ctl to send, and if you set up and install/load IR command sets it will be treated as key press on the Pi and I can shut down the Pi with a power button press or whatever is IR learned as that key). So am sure that could be translated into HA somehow, but would need more work. Others here mention smartir integration, I need to look into that too I think.
I have been using this for about 8 months. It works perfectly. But I still can't simulate my samsung smart controller, only the on/off button :( Do you have one of those TVs?
Except for older models, I’m pretty sure Samsung smart tv controllers uses Bluetooth to communicate with the tv. IR is only used to turn it on. I don’t own a Samsung, but I have a Sony smart tv with android, and that’s how it works. This is needed because some advanced features like voice control couldn’t be implemented over IR.
Personnaly I use the broadlink RM4 Pro, it has an home assistant integration, and then you can learn each command directly with home assistant, that way you never have to use the app after the initial setup. The setup is even easier than here since you can use developer tool service to remote.learn a command, name it, and then you have them all in a file in the .storage folder of home assistant. It's not as good as a native zigbee integration, but can work fine depending on the use case.
Can this remote be used in REVERSE with ZHA Like using a IR-remote to trigger a automation, instead of the reverse. where a button on the dashboard triggers a IR-code to be send to a device. Example: IR-blaster= receives: BBAABBAAABBBAA automation: If receive: BBAABBAAABBBAA Action: turn on light=Y IR-blaster= receives: AABBAAABBBAABB automation: If receive: AABBAAABBBAABB Action: turn on light=Z
That would be cool, but I don't think you can use it like that. For this each time it has to be in learning mode. And it doesn't stay in it for a long time as it's using up the batteries. Second problem is that codes can change on button press - same button, different code - this of course depends on device/remote
@@BeardedTinker true, sadly changing the firmware is near impossible for consumers. Its a shame there exist no product like this. ------- Just like many other items that looks super helpful it doesn't exist. ------ [opentherm zigbee thermostat] [only 1 exist, and it is quite expensive] ---- USB-C female to usb 3.0 type B [it exist in type 2.0 form, but not 3.0 [looking for one for a year or 3 now] made a discounted version trough adapters. that is slightly cumbersome to use but it still works
Besides Logitech stopping support and sale of anything Harmony. I had Logitech and it was OK remote - but family didn't like it. But yes, this is not same category - more of "development" version of IR blaster.
may i use it to turn off an AC? i thought to use a shelly plus 1PM to check if the AC is on and a tuya human prsence to know if the guests left the apartment. in that case i need only to switch off the hisense DJ25VE00G . Thanks for your info.
That's not easy to answer. It has the capability and in video I've shown that it works with my AC, but it also depends on the remote from the AC you're using. So, yes it should work but if you have a strange AC with an even stranger remote, it may not work.
@@BeardedTinker It's not easy to answer. It has the capabilities and in the video I demonstrated that it works with my air conditioner, but it also depends on the remote control of the air conditioner you are using. So yes, it should work, but if you have a weird air conditioner with an even weirder remote, it might not work. Answers If I asked to have all the functions of the current remote control I could understand your answer, but since I am interested in only one sequence i.e. turning it on and off (because they are always the same!!!) I think whoever produces it or reviews it should put in a position to know the compatibility or alternatively indicate links for further information. I know that identifying appropriate products and integrations is not easy for those who have been using home assistants for a long time, but imagine what someone like me who only started 20 days ago can do.
I hope you're joking. In video I specifically say that ACs always send full string and it's not just on off, but itcontains all of the settings - temperature, mode, are flaps moving, is it also dehumidifying etc when it gets powered on.
I am not interested in other functions such as changing cool/heat mode or anything else, I am only interested in knowing if it is on (and I detect it with a 1PM shelly) to be able to turn it off with a remote control clone (Smart IR) if a human presence sensor detects absence of guests in the room. I am NOT interested in anything else
Probably language barrier - but let me put it this way. What you are NOT interested in, remote and AC doesn't care. Again, with every power ON via IR, it will send that state - temperature, mode, fin control etc. Everything.
Ive been trying to get this to work for over a week without sucess, even after reading forum post after forum post. Thanks to this video I now have my whole living room set up with this. THANK YOU!
Glad to hear it!!! Have fun with it!
What did you do? Mine doesnt work either.
It doesnt scan any button
Thank you for this! I had bought the same device and I had no idea how to 'learn' the IR codes and how to assign them to automations!
I followed your guide and within minutes it's working like a charm! AC goes on from 10PM, if I'm home and the temperature is above 21 degrees. And it turns off when the temperature is below 19!
Thank you, you're a lifesaver!
One of those things I’m tempted to buy but don’t really have a use for! Nice video
While it does work, I'm not sure for what I would use it. But good to know it exists.
Please please Mr Bearded!, We need a tutorial on how to use this blaster with "smartir" Hacs integration! :S
Thank you. This video really helped me with choosing IR Blaster.
I had problems with sending via the form like you, I was getting the error "Invalid message 'null', skipping...".
Switching to yml, I realized that the form was interpreting the double quotes incorrectly, correcting it to
payload: >-
{"ir_code_to_send": "My_code "}
everything worked.
I've had one of these for a while and it is so great. Has made my 'dumb' soundbar smart, as well as other older devices around the room.
That's excellent use case and it also reminds me - need to configure it for my old DVD player, you to be sure I can control it when remote dies :)
Hi, I also have a few of these IR blasters, Do you have it working with smart IR by chance? Attempting to get an air conditioner working
BTW the device works great with ZHA now. I have it setup to turn on the TV/sound bar and another IR-controlled device. Scripts work fine in conjunction with automations.
Awesome! Glad to hear it and thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing! Your comment made me decide to get one for the christmas lights season :-)
I;ve had two of these for around six months and they are great - have not had to replace batteries yet. Seems to have quite a powerful infra red transmission signal and it is multi directional ir leds.
Thanks for the vid! is the most strighforward guide on how to use the IR Blaster. May i ask if you would share your AC remote codes/automations. The proces is by any means cumbersome, and i have the same Mitsu blaster that you. Apart of this, there is any IR database to look for codes? I had an old hifi wich i dont have the remotes and are not avaible online TY.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen a database, but I can presume that there is somewhere online. But yeah, finding codes is really not easy.
Smartir intergation would be cool
Thanks for the video. That is a good one, maybe in the future will get one.
Nice Video! always love the "hibbert jabs"... good fun!
Thank you :) And just to be also, this was done with his approval too ;)
I'm using the Athom IR Controller, only cost 14€ 😄
Mine was 14.95€ (with shipping). Looks like inflation struck Aliexpress - everything has gone up in last 30 days.
Thanks for making me aware of this product. Is there any way to also use it to allow an IR remote to control Home Assistant?
Unfortunately, no - it does have IR receiver, but it needs to be triggered by hand to work. So, not that much useful.
@@BeardedTinker Thanks for confirming. I suppose if it were capable of receiving the device would need more power, in order to be continually 'listening' for an IR signal. So then it couldn't be battery powered. So it's reasonable. Mine is due to arrive next week, so I'll get to have fun then.
I've been trying to figure this out for a few hours now I'll double checked everything you said to check all of its right but I cannot get the call service to work I've also noticed that whenever use blueprints for zigbee to mqtt they don't work so I'm sure that's related somehow
Can I have not changed my mqtt topic name
Thanks for your video and you explanations.
Glad you liked it - thank you for watching!
Every web page that sells it, says it needs a wired hub. Why? It makes no sense. So, I tried with a wireless generic one and a zemismart M1 which is wired. I could pair in both but not control anything, not even learn remote codes
What app are you using? It can use any hub as long as software supports it. I've tested it with Home Assistant and with it, it works.
@@BeardedTinker I'm using tuya
Could you solve this?
Mine isnt working either
@@Capozzi3 no solution still. Probably not wired problem but firmware must be new and wired ones happens to have it. But my wired zemismart m1 didn't support
Watching this review is makes me feel like you're an 18year old student reviewing his first 500€ car and saying it's the best car ever.
The functionality here is incredibly basic and clumsy, copy pasting ir codes and saving them in notepad so you have an index, sending the commands back via mqtt?
It's not even close to the convenience or complexity of what harmony or the broadcom blasters offer.
Just try the broadcom one man, you'll like it I promise.
And also, who has their ir blasters in the middle of the room on coffee tables 😀
The ir transmitters in there are MUCH more powerful than what you're used to with battery remotes, I can control things in the hallway from the living room with no line of sight at all, so as you can imagine having it in the corner of my room and it handling the AC, TV and soundbar is completely a non-issue.
All that, being said, I'm here because I like your videos so keep up the good work :)
Agreeing with you but also disagree partially. For example - Harmony - that device is dead - while part of the site and info is still available, the question is for how long.
Second and most important for me, and especially WAF - no wires. If device has wires and I can't tuck it away somewhere, there is no way it will stay longer than testing period.
But yes, it requires a lot of tinkering. BTW - while I didn't show, each code received is temporarily stored in HA as entity, so yes, you can use it as entity too, just limited to last learned code.
is this something that can make use of your regular remotes? like can you use a button on an old remote to trigger an automation inside HA?
I haven't so far seen anything like that. Most are just blasters, use to send, but not receive the signel.
@@BeardedTinker yeah I looked around in the meantime and it seems it is indeed possible, just gotta do it yourself. esp8266
Would this work with a wireless zigbee hub? Do you know of any IR devices that work with wireless zigbee hub? On Ali express they keep on stating wired hubs only.
I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work with wireless Zigbee hub. Actually, most of the hubs (if you disregard USB sticks) are wireless hubs with Ethernet as option.
Hey there got one up and running. Noted all commands/codes. Can i use it as a trigger too? Or can it just send and not recognize the learned commands? And i cannot figure out the right template. Is there any further visible documentation? You are right in front of the full code 😅 and z2m sends errors triggering the noted codes.
Ok got the commands working now. Somehow a "space" was hiding inside my code 😑. But havnt found out a listening function as a trigger yet. Thinking of a universal remote firing a code to it and its shooting out a different code like for the Receiver. But seems its only a receiver/code replicator
I got one, but currently have my network in ZHA. Do you know if its possible to run Z2M and ZHA side by side?
If you have 2 coordinators, yes, of course, no issue with that. I do it.
Super! Thanks for the video! :-)
Hey Frenk, you didn't take the plastic protective film off! 😉
edit: Ah! The final scene... that made the difference!
Reward for those that are patient :)
Could this device be used in an automation where if you press a button on a remote control, that the device will see it and then I would be able to turn on another device?
For instance, I have my TVs connected to Zigbee smart plugs. If the TV has been in standby for 30 minutes (determined by power consumption) that the smart plug is then turned off.
It would be great if I pressed the power button on the TV remote that this device could instruct HA via an automation to turn on the smart plug without me having to tell Alexa to do it 🤔
Unfortunately no - it can be used for sending commands, not receiving them (except when learning).
@@BeardedTinkerThat’s a pity, the better half is not too happy with having to ask Alexa each time she wants to watch TV, I thought this might be a solution… Thanks for the reply 👍🏻
Have you considered a separate zigbee battery powered button you keep very near by where you watch it from (triggers automation on click)? There are IR transceivers could do the thing you want but my current choice (IRdroid HAT for a separate Raspberry Pi) is taking lots of serious tech experience skills (ir-keytable command/ir-ctl to send, and if you set up and install/load IR command sets it will be treated as key press on the Pi and I can shut down the Pi with a power button press or whatever is IR learned as that key). So am sure that could be translated into HA somehow, but would need more work. Others here mention smartir integration, I need to look into that too I think.
I have been using this for about 8 months. It works perfectly. But I still can't simulate my samsung smart controller, only the on/off button :( Do you have one of those TVs?
Sorry, no. I have LG with webOS.
Except for older models, I’m pretty sure Samsung smart tv controllers uses Bluetooth to communicate with the tv. IR is only used to turn it on.
I don’t own a Samsung, but I have a Sony smart tv with android, and that’s how it works. This is needed because some advanced features like voice control couldn’t be implemented over IR.
Would it be possible to create a media player in yaml then include all the commands in a list?
While I didn't try this - you could give it a go - Universal Media Player: www.home-assistant.io/integrations/universal/
@@BeardedTinker thanks, I’ve used the universal media player before so I’ve ordered one these to try it out
I wish there was something like this for 433 MHz.. (I know about the Sonoff RF Bridge but that's not zigbee/zwave.)
Haven't seen anything so far, but will be on lookout for one.
Personnaly I use the broadlink RM4 Pro, it has an home assistant integration, and then you can learn each command directly with home assistant, that way you never have to use the app after the initial setup. The setup is even easier than here since you can use developer tool service to remote.learn a command, name it, and then you have them all in a file in the .storage folder of home assistant.
It's not as good as a native zigbee integration, but can work fine depending on the use case.
Thank you,
You are welcome! Thanks for the comment!!!
Do you know how to have it working with smart IR (custom)by chance? Attempting to get an air conditioner working. PS very new to HA
No detection of IR codes. Any ideas?
Not sure, do you see it in Zigbee2MQTT?
Did you solve it? None of my IR remotes catch any codes in learn mode. All it does is stay at either N/A or Null.
Mine doesnt learn any code :/
Did you connect it to HA? And do you see any codes in Zigbee2MQTT dashboard when you start learning process?
@@BeardedTinker i use the smart life app to control all my devices, i have a zigbee hub
@@BeardedTinker its connected to a zigbee hub and i use the smart life app
Can this remote be used in REVERSE with ZHA
Like using a IR-remote to trigger a automation, instead of the reverse. where a button on the dashboard triggers a IR-code to be send to a device.
Example:
IR-blaster= receives: BBAABBAAABBBAA
automation:
If receive: BBAABBAAABBBAA
Action: turn on light=Y
IR-blaster= receives: AABBAAABBBAABB
automation:
If receive: AABBAAABBBAABB
Action: turn on light=Z
That would be cool, but I don't think you can use it like that. For this each time it has to be in learning mode. And it doesn't stay in it for a long time as it's using up the batteries.
Second problem is that codes can change on button press - same button, different code - this of course depends on device/remote
@@BeardedTinker Shame had hoped it was possible.
Maybe with a model that can be USB-powered, it can stay in learning modus forever.
@@darknessblades it would probably require also firmware change too
@@BeardedTinker true, sadly changing the firmware is near impossible for consumers.
Its a shame there exist no product like this.
-------
Just like many other items that looks super helpful it doesn't exist.
------
[opentherm zigbee thermostat] [only 1 exist, and it is quite expensive]
----
USB-C female to usb 3.0 type B [it exist in type 2.0 form, but not 3.0 [looking for one for a year or 3 now] made a discounted version trough adapters. that is slightly cumbersome to use but it still works
Is there a database somewhere where the infrared codes are collected?
No. And it only "saves" shows last one. You would need to create your file with all codes you need.
BroadLink killer? 🤔
It could be - main feature for me is "portability"
The only positive is: Its cheap. Not nearly an replacement of my Logtech Harmony.
Besides Logitech stopping support and sale of anything Harmony. I had Logitech and it was OK remote - but family didn't like it. But yes, this is not same category - more of "development" version of IR blaster.
may i use it to turn off an AC? i thought to use a shelly plus 1PM to check if the AC is on and a tuya human prsence to know if the guests left the apartment. in that case i need only to switch off the hisense DJ25VE00G . Thanks for your info.
That's not easy to answer. It has the capability and in video I've shown that it works with my AC, but it also depends on the remote from the AC you're using.
So, yes it should work but if you have a strange AC with an even stranger remote, it may not work.
@@BeardedTinker It's not easy to answer. It has the capabilities and in the video I demonstrated that it works with my air conditioner, but it also depends on the remote control of the air conditioner you are using. So yes, it should work, but if you have a weird air conditioner with an even weirder remote, it might not work.
Answers
If I asked to have all the functions of the current remote control I could understand your answer, but since I am interested in only one sequence i.e. turning it on and off (because they are always the same!!!) I think whoever produces it or reviews it should put in a position to know the compatibility or alternatively indicate links for further information. I know that identifying appropriate products and integrations is not easy for those who have been using home assistants for a long time, but imagine what someone like me who only started 20 days ago can do.
I hope you're joking. In video I specifically say that ACs always send full string and it's not just on off, but itcontains all of the settings - temperature, mode, are flaps moving, is it also dehumidifying etc when it gets powered on.
I am not interested in other functions such as changing cool/heat mode or anything else, I am only interested in knowing if it is on (and I detect it with a 1PM shelly) to be able to turn it off with a remote control clone (Smart IR) if a human presence sensor detects absence of guests in the room. I am NOT interested in anything else
Probably language barrier - but let me put it this way. What you are NOT interested in, remote and AC doesn't care. Again, with every power ON via IR, it will send that state - temperature, mode, fin control etc. Everything.
"use to buy some additional junk" I might be able to help you with that, and my wife would be happy.
Somehow - this one is still working silently... Jumped scared me 2 times this week when it started AC.
Thanks for the video. It helped me out on how to send code to the IR blaster. Here are how to do it in node-red. Change your MQTT server and IR code.
[
{
"id": "02fb695a8a0bcda0",
"type": "change",
"z": "c7219aadb5819763",
"g": "14bcfa09eff6262b",
"name": "AR codes",
"rules": [
{
"t": "change",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg",
"from": "power24Heat",
"fromt": "str",
"to": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "set",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "\"{\\\"ir_code_to_send\\\":\\\"\" & payload & \"\\\"}\"",
"tot": "jsonata"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 360,
"y": 3300,
"wires": [
[
"7c5a606373aa0880"
]
]
},
{
"id": "60df028fc2e759cc",
"type": "inject",
"z": "c7219aadb5819763",
"g": "14bcfa09eff6262b",
"name": "",
"props": [
{
"p": "payload"
}
],
"repeat": "",
"crontab": "",
"once": false,
"onceDelay": 0.1,
"topic": "",
"payload": "power24Heat",
"payloadType": "str",
"x": 150,
"y": 3300,
"wires": [
[
"02fb695a8a0bcda0"
]
]
},
{
"id": "7c5a606373aa0880",
"type": "mqtt out",
"z": "c7219aadb5819763",
"g": "14bcfa09eff6262b",
"name": "",
"topic": "zigbee2mqtt/IR Blaster/set",
"qos": "",
"retain": "",
"respTopic": "",
"contentType": "",
"userProps": "",
"correl": "",
"expiry": "",
"broker": "141cf4717c1330ad",
"x": 630,
"y": 3300,
"wires": [],
"info": "ua-cam.com/video/3Qy0jrL14vY/v-deo.html"
},
{
"id": "141cf4717c1330ad",
"type": "mqtt-broker",
"name": "MQTT Broker in HA",
"broker": "localhost",
"port": "1883",
"clientid": "",
"autoConnect": true,
"usetls": false,
"protocolVersion": "4",
"keepalive": "60",
"cleansession": true,
"autoUnsubscribe": true,
"birthTopic": "",
"birthQos": "0",
"birthRetain": "false",
"birthPayload": "",
"birthMsg": {},
"closeTopic": "",
"closeQos": "0",
"closeRetain": "false",
"closePayload": "",
"closeMsg": {},
"willTopic": "",
"willQos": "0",
"willRetain": "false",
"willPayload": "",
"willMsg": {},
"userProps": "",
"sessionExpiry": ""
}
]
Thanks for posting this!!!