Harmony hubs should have some sort of IP control. I'm not sure how it works to be honest as I don't like Harmony systems and wrote my own IP control. But I know it's out there. Have you looked into it?
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Are there any commercial remotes available that do IP-based controlling?
Many modern A/V components have a network interface (wireless, Ethernet or both) built in, which can frequently be used to query and control said component via an app, or presumably some set of commands. Harmony remotes need to know the state of every component so they don't get confused; because of their use of IR, they sometimes get out of sync with the system they're controlling.
Has anyone developed (or is anyone working on) a combination of these two - a state-based remote that can use IP control if available? The use of Bluetooth in higher-end Harmony remotes is a step in the right direction, but I believe that's still only one way - you can send a command to a piece of equipment but you can't confirm its state - and most components don't speak Bluetooth for remote control.
BTW, I know there are high-end remote systems (such as Crestron) that can already do this, but I'm looking for something that doesn't require professional installation.
Has anyone developed (or is anyone working on) a combination of these two - a state-based remote that can use IP control if available? The use of Bluetooth in higher-end Harmony remotes is a step in the right direction, but I believe that's still only one way - you can send a command to a piece of equipment but you can't confirm its state - and most components don't speak Bluetooth for remote control.
BTW, I know there are high-end remote systems (such as Crestron) that can already do this, but I'm looking for something that doesn't require professional installation.
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I have looked at Harmony, and I didn't see any mention of it (I don't even think the Harmony hub has any network connectivity).Harmony hubs should have some sort of IP control. I'm not sure how it works to be honest as I don't like Harmony systems and wrote my own IP control. But I know it's out there. Have you looked into it?
Google for "harmony IP control" you get tons of hits. Here's a review: https://www.anandtech.com/show/11125/the-logitech-harmony-elite-experience-ultimate-control and if you search in page for "IP control" it talks about how harmony added IP control.I have looked at Harmony, and I didn't see any mention of it (I don't even think the Harmony hub has any network connectivity).
You are indeed correct, I'll look further. Thanks!Google for "harmony IP control" you get tons of hits. Here's a review: https://www.anandtech.com/show/11125/the-logitech-harmony-elite-experience-ultimate-control and if you search in page for "IP control" it talks about how harmony added IP control.
Looks like "Harmony Elite" and "Harmony companion" support IP control - whatever those are.You are indeed correct, I'll look further. Thanks!
Harmony hub based remotes support IP for a few devices, not all by any stretch of the imagination. If you want a 100% DIY IP solution, look at a phone/tablet based remote app. There are several. I personally use theHomeRemote, currently controlling a couple of TVs, home automation, Roku, AVR and BD player by IP. But the system is very DIY, in that I had to implement most of the protocols from scratch using each manufacturer's protocol documents. Not an easy task for a novice, as it requires a good understanding of HTTP and JSON.
Also keep in mind that just because you can control certain device via IP doesn't mean that's the best solution. For example, some TVs power off their network connections entirely when turned off. So it's impossible to turn on the TV by IP. You must use IR at least for the power on command in that case. Other devices only allow one IP client. So when controlling a Tivo for example, only one remote can control it via IP at a time. Lastly, for IP to work reliably, your network has to be up 24x7 and you must have good connectivity to all your devices (strong wifi or wired connections). I think it's best to keep an open mind and not restrict yourself to just IP because you have the idea that it's fundamentally better than IR or BT. That's not always the case.
Also keep in mind that just because you can control certain device via IP doesn't mean that's the best solution. For example, some TVs power off their network connections entirely when turned off. So it's impossible to turn on the TV by IP. You must use IR at least for the power on command in that case. Other devices only allow one IP client. So when controlling a Tivo for example, only one remote can control it via IP at a time. Lastly, for IP to work reliably, your network has to be up 24x7 and you must have good connectivity to all your devices (strong wifi or wired connections). I think it's best to keep an open mind and not restrict yourself to just IP because you have the idea that it's fundamentally better than IR or BT. That's not always the case.
I am actually quite familiar with JSON, FWIW (I use it enough at work) but have no real desire to spend a lot of time to build a remote, which is why I raised the question in the first place. The case of a component turning its network off when it goes off (although I have to assume that's the exception, since most connected appliances want to download updates while you're not using them) is actually a good example of how an intelligent system could work - attempt to poll the device, if no response, assume it's off and send the IR signal to turn it on.Harmony hub based remotes support IP for a few devices, not all by any stretch of the imagination. If you want a 100% DIY IP solution, look at a phone/tablet based remote app. There are several. I personally use theHomeRemote, currently controlling a couple of TVs, home automation, Roku, AVR and BD player by IP. But the system is very DIY, in that I had to implement most of the protocols from scratch using each manufacturer's protocol documents. Not an easy task for a novice, as it requires a good understanding of HTTP and JSON.
Also keep in mind that just because you can control certain device via IP doesn't mean that's the best solution. For example, some TVs power off their network connections entirely when turned off. So it's impossible to turn on the TV by IP. You must use IR at least for the power on command in that case. Other devices only allow one IP client. So when controlling a Tivo for example, only one remote can control it via IP at a time. Lastly, for IP to work reliably, your network has to be up 24x7 and you must have good connectivity to all your devices (strong wifi or wired connections). I think it's best to keep an open mind and not restrict yourself to just IP because you have the idea that it's fundamentally better than IR or BT. That's not always the case.
No need for that. If I know I can't wake the device via IP, I just code it to turn on with IR, then all other control is IP. Only one of my devices works this way, so it's no big deal to hard code the exception.... is actually a good example of how an intelligent system could work - attempt to poll the device, if no response, assume it's off and send the IR signal to turn it on.
I've never needed any state feedback or tracking code whatsoever. Discrete power and input commands obviate the need for that. With discrete commands, if you send a discrete ON command, for example, the device turns on. If it's already on, the command is ignored. Same story for off and discrete inputs. This makes my macros very fast and very simple. I avoid toggle commands like power toggle like the plague. Those make things much more complicated. Harmony could do this in most cases rather than attempting to keep track of the commanded states or relying on feedback, but they don't.
TheHomeRemote can use feedback or state tracking if you want to do it that way, but it's unnecessary in my experience. Demopad, another popular DIY remote solution, is probably the same.
Back to your original question, you've added the requirement that you want the system to be DIY but does not need a lot of time or effort to configure. With the exception of Harmony, these are mutually exclusive. What you gain in saving configuration time with Harmony, you lose in terms of fine, customizable control. In other words, you're stuck with whatever the automatic programming wizard thinks is best. Even though that works ok most of the time, you really have to jump through a lot of hoops to customize or program the exceptions.
Sounds like you really need a pro system installed and maintained by an integrator, like URC. Harmony isn't going to control everything by IP, only a few things. And a DIY system that can do it will be a lot of work on your part. Demopad is probably less work than THR, but still significant. But the reward for the time you spend configuring is that you end up with a system that looks, feels and works exactly the way you want. And you'll know it well enough to easily make changes when you add or remove components and functionality.
I am actually quite familiar with JSON, FWIW (I use it enough at work) but have no real desire to spend a lot of time to build a remote, which is why I raised the question in the first place. The case of a component turning its network off when it goes off (although I have to assume that's the exception, since most connected appliances want to download updates while you're not using them) is actually a good example of how an intelligent system could work - attempt to poll the device, if no response, assume it's off and send the IR signal to turn it on.
I've thought about making an IR to IP remote converter out of a Raspberry Pi or maybe a Arduino. Never got past the thinking stage, not much of a need for it now, but it would be pretty simple I think. Just needs to read an input code and send the corresponding IP via curl command. Surprised I could not find someone that's already done it to copy.
I have an HTPC so pretty much did all this with my HTPC. It probably wouldn't be too hard to move this to a raspberryPI. But my implementation is only for the commands I use/need for the devices I own. So making something generic would be quite a monumental task. Well unless you expected the user to add their own IP control commands.I've thought about making an IR to IP remote converter out of a Raspberry Pi or maybe a Arduino. Never got past the thinking stage, not much of a need for it now, but it would be pretty simple I think. Just needs to read an input code and send the corresponding IP via curl command. Surprised I could not find someone that's already done it to copy.
Well, what do you know?
I actually had one of the Harmony hub-based remote systems sitting around that I never got around to setting up. After this thread I decided to do so. My bedroom system consists of five components: Yamaha receiver, Yamaha Blu-ray, Roku Ultra, Tivo and Toshiba TV (which is actually a Toshiba in name only - it's made by Compal). All are internet connected. Even with them all turned on, the Harmony found only the receiver and the Roku (which is somewhat disappointing since the TV's controls are somewhat iffy; it doesn't even have direct access for inputs). But it's a start...
I actually had one of the Harmony hub-based remote systems sitting around that I never got around to setting up. After this thread I decided to do so. My bedroom system consists of five components: Yamaha receiver, Yamaha Blu-ray, Roku Ultra, Tivo and Toshiba TV (which is actually a Toshiba in name only - it's made by Compal). All are internet connected. Even with them all turned on, the Harmony found only the receiver and the Roku (which is somewhat disappointing since the TV's controls are somewhat iffy; it doesn't even have direct access for inputs). But it's a start...
I control multiple devices with a remote that supports IP control. The URC MX5000. Getting the programming software can be tricky and that software has a funky interface.
I can give you the pronto hex for Toshiba discrete inputs which you can email to Logitech to add to your account if you want.I actually had one of the Harmony hub-based remote systems sitting around that I never got around to setting up. After this thread I decided to do so. My bedroom system consists of five components: Yamaha receiver, Yamaha Blu-ray, Roku Ultra, Tivo and Toshiba TV (which is actually a Toshiba in name only - it's made by Compal). All are internet connected. Even with them all turned on, the Harmony found only the receiver and the Roku (which is somewhat disappointing since the TV's controls are somewhat iffy; it doesn't even have direct access for inputs). But it's a start...
PM SentI can give you the pronto hex for Toshiba discrete inputs which you can email to Logitech to add to your account if you want.
Toshiba codes are here:
https://www.avsforum.com/forum/166-...ead-32e200u-37e200u-40e200u.html#post19652898
If you pick the model in that thread, the codes are already in the database.
If your Toshiba is a Fire TV Edition, then the codes will be different.
https://www.avsforum.com/forum/166-...ead-32e200u-37e200u-40e200u.html#post19652898
If you pick the model in that thread, the codes are already in the database.
If your Toshiba is a Fire TV Edition, then the codes will be different.
Those are for pre-Compal Toshibas. Mine isn't a Fire TV, it's a previous generation, but it still wasn't made by Toshiba.Toshiba codes are here:
https://www.avsforum.com/forum/166-...ead-32e200u-37e200u-40e200u.html#post19652898
If you pick the model in that thread, the codes are already in the database.
If your Toshiba is a Fire TV Edition, then the codes will be different.
How do you know the codes are different? What other "brands" are made by Compal?Those are for pre-Compal Toshibas. Mine isn't a Fire TV, it's a previous generation, but it still wasn't made by Toshiba.
I don't know for certain, but it would be consistent with changes that other brands have gone through when they were purchased or manufactured by a new company.How do you know the codes are different? What other "brands" are made by Compal?
However, I do have one of the older Toshiba sets as well, and if I can find the remote for it, I'll try it with the newer set to see if they're compatible.
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