[SirMaster]

Simple remote control of your home theater devices and HTPC from any web browser

I just put up the little control program I made for controlling my HTPC and some home theater devices.

The idea behind the program is you run it on your PC (RasPi support coming soon) and it lets you build simple web page remotes that let you control your setup via network commands. The web page remotes are formatted nicely to be used from a phone or tablet and work great when you add them to your home screen like a mobile web app.

It supports a few devices now, but I plan to add more based on what requests I get and if I can find the necessary documentation for that device in order to send network commands to it.

I hope some of you may find the program useful for your HTPC home theater setups.

This software now supports running on RaspberryPi / Linux to act as a hub and a host for your remote GUIs

See the 2nd post in the thread here for details:

HTWebRemote: Simple remote control of your home theater...

Simple remote control of your home theater devices and HTPC from any web browser I just put up the little control program I made for controlling my HTPC and some home theater devices. The idea behind the program is you run it on your PC (RasPi support coming soon) and it lets you build simple...

www.avsforum.com

Supported Devices

• Windows / Linux (open and close programs, run scripts, etc)
• Keyboard Hotkeys (control any program that supports keyboard control like Kodi, Plex, VLC and much more)
• MPC-HC and MPC-BE
• Kodi Media Player
• Zoom Player
• Nvidia Shield
• Roku
• Zappiti Media Player Box
• WinLIRC and LIRC
• Belkin Wemo Smart Plug
• TP-Link Kasa Smart Devices
• Denon / Marantz AVRs
• Yamaha AVRs
• Emotiva AVRs
• StormAudio ISP AVRs
• Monoprice HTP-1 AVR
• Anthem MRX AVRs
• Lyngdorf AVRs
• JVC Projectors
• Sony Projectors
• Epson Projectors
• BenQ Projectors
• Christie M-Series Projectors
• Panasonic Projectors
• Oppo Disc Players
• LG webOS TVs/Projectors
• Samsung TizenOS TVs/Projectors
• D-BOX HEMC
• HDfury Devices
• MiniDSP Devices (via minidsp-rs)
• RS232 Serial Devices
• TCP Generic Devices
• UDP Generic Devices
• HTTP POST Requests
• HTTP GET Requests
• MQTT Messaging Protocol
• Wake-on-LAN

Project link is here:
GitHub - nicko88/HTWebRemote: Simple remote control of your home theater devices and HTPC from any web browser


Latest Release: v1.7.5
Notes

• Renamed "win" device to "pc"
  • Can now be used to run linux commands via HTWebRemoteHost
  • Will still support "win" device identifier for old remote compatibility
• Added bearer token auth support to HTTP GET/POST device control
• Add ESC hotkey for exiting remote editor screens

Download Latest Release Here (v1.7.5)

Previous Releases
Changelog
v1.7.4

• Added individual button height
• Fixed FileBrowser row text overflow

v1.7.3

• Added new device support
  • Samsung TizenOS TVs/Projectors
• Added more commands to Kodi control
  FileBrowser custom item row height
  Misc bug fixes and tweaks

v1.7.2

• Added new device support
  • Sony Projectors
• Added more commands to minidsp-rs control
• Support more than 9 remotes
• FileBrowser UI improvements

v1.7.1

• Added new device support
  • LG webOS TVs/Projectors
  • Lyngdorf AVRs

v1.7

• New Remote UI look and customization options
  • Button group shading strength
  • Set navigation tab bar to top or bottom of screen
• Drag/Drop or use PgUp/PgDn to re-order remote items
  Command editor test CMDs button

v1.6.3

• Added new device support
  • HTTP POST
  • Generic TCP
  • Generic UDP
• Remote buttons now support custom colors
  • For now all button text is white but this will change in the next version
• Fixed Wake-on-LAN on RasPi/Linux Host
• File Browser changes
  • Added sort by Name/Date, ASC/DESC
  • Give aliases to File Browser folders

v1.6.2

• Added new device support
  • MiniDSP Devices (via minidsp-rs)
• Expanded HTP-1 command support
  • Added direct volume control
  • Added volume query
• Added new version notification to the main screen

v1.6.1

• Added new device support
  • Kodi Media Player
  • TP-Link Kasa smart devices
  • Panasonic Projectors
  • Wake-on-LAN

v1.6

• Added new device support
  • HDfury devices
• Added management screen for HTWebRemoteHost
  • This screen allows you to easily manage the headless HTWebRemoteHost service app running on your RasPi / Linux PC
• Added new "special" data parameter
  • This new special parameter is used by certain devices that need it
  • Usually for things like device authentication credentials
• If you previously use one of the following devices, please check the updated documentation about their new special parameter
  • JVC NZ projectors
  • httpget with user/pass authentication
• Improved JVC command reliability

v1.5.2

• Added new device support
  • Epson Projector

v1.5.1

• Added new device support
  • Zoom Player
• Updated JVC control to support NZ and other 2021+ model projectors
• Tweaked Windows control
  • Allow absolute paths to batch scripts and executables instead of just relative paths
  • Allow passing parameters into scripts and executables with the param box
• UI tweaks
  • Made remote tabs slightly larger and easier to read
  • Centered group label text

v1.5

• Rebranded app as HTWebRemote
  • This is to better reflect that the software is not limited to HTPCs
• Added new device support
  • Nvidia Shield
  • Roku
• Added copy item button to remote editor
• Added comment/note option to button command editor

v1.4

• Improved command responsiveness of many devices.
• Fixed devices not working in v1.3 due to error in code
  • Oppo
  • Yamaha
• Added new device support
  • Anthem MRX AVRs
  • Monoprice HTP-1 (preliminary support of IR commands over IP)
  • Zappiti Media Player Box
  • Christie M-Series Projectors
  • RS232 Serial
  • MQTT Messaging Protocol
  • HTTP URL GET (some smarthome systems/devices)

v1.3

• Added support for StormAudio ISP AVRs
• Fixed small File Browser crash bugs

v1.2.1

• Command and remote editor usability improvements
• Documentation link now opens in web browser (easier to keep open for reference)

v1.2

• Added custom RemoteUI background and text color
• Added media player selection to file browser
• Added YouTube video launching support
• Added YouTube searching support

v1.1.1

• Fixed crash when editing button commands when HTPCRemoteDevices.txt settings file was not created yet.

v1.1

• Added Yamaha AVR support
• Added Oppo Disc Player Support

v1.0

• This is the v1.0 release of HTPCRemote.
• All current functionality is described in the documentation.

Main Screen:

Remote Editor:

Demo in action:

Devices on my list to add next:

• Onkyo AVRs
• Pioneer AVRs
• Sony Bravia TVs
• Vizio SmartCast TVs

 

[SirMaster]

RaspberryPi / Linux Support

HTWebRemote now supports running from a RaspberryPi / Linux PC. There is a companion app for this called HTWebRemoteHost.

GitHub - nicko88/HTWebRemoteHost: RasPi / Linux Host Companion App for HTWebRemote

RasPi / Linux Host Companion App for HTWebRemote. Contribute to nicko88/HTWebRemoteHost development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

A new dedicated management screen for this has been added to the HTWebRemote Windows app:

You will need to use the Windows app to define your devices and build your remotes. You can then "Sync" those remotes to a RasPi / Linux PC in order to allow your remotes to be hosted from the RasPi / Linux PC. This way you do not need to have a 24/7 Windows PC running in your home in order to access your HT remotes.

You can also use this screen to update the headless host app on your RasPi, and view its error log to troubleshoot issues you may be having.

Please keep in mind that the "win" and "keys" devices in your remotes will not function when running your remotes from RasPi / Linux PC. The reason for this is because those controls are built for controlling the local PC where the host app is running from, which does not make sense when the local PC is now a headless linux operating system. So if you are trying to control a Windows HTPC, I recommend you just keep using the normal Windows version of this app unless you don't use the "win" or "keys" device controls.

Raspberry Pi / Linux Installation

This install script is intended to install HTWebRemoteHost on RasPi or standard Linux running a Debian-based distribution using systemd. It may work on other distributions but it has not been tested. You can also download the Linux release and install it manually onto your particular Linux machine.

This script will ask to install HTWebRemoteHost and will also install ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which is needed to control an Nvidia Shield over the network.

Install

sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nicko88/HTWebRemoteHost/master/install/install.sh && sudo bash install.sh

Update
The primary method for updating the HTWebRemoteHost app is to use the update button located inside HTWebRemote's "Manage Remote Host" screen. Or if you like, you can run the update script manually here:

sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nicko88/HTWebRemoteHost/master/install/update.sh && sudo bash update.sh

Uninstall

sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nicko88/HTWebRemoteHost/master/install/uninstall.sh && sudo bash uninstall.sh

Note about controlling an Nvidia Shield

In order to control an Nvidia Shield from HTWebRemoteHost, you will likely need to first control it via remote buttons on Windows with HTWebRemote. Then use the "Transfer NVShield Authorization" option found in the "Tools" menu in the "Manage Remote Host" screen inside the HTWebRemote Windows app.

 

[arcspin]

Great idea!

I would love to have it support JRiver MC.


Stay safe,

//arcspin

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

 

[SirMaster]

Great idea!



I would love to have it support JRiver MC.





Stay safe,



//arcspin



Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

I am assuming it will already work with JRiver via hotkeys. There is no problem controlling Kodi, Plex, Media Player Classic, VLC, etc already.



If you can control JRiver with keyboard hotkeys then you can control it with HTPCRemote.

Try it and let us know if it’s working.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you are getting stuck. Nobody else has used this software before but me so I’m not sure how clear or easy I made it to understand and use.

 

[desertdome]

Great idea!

I would love to have it support JRiver MC.


Stay safe,

//arcspin

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

You can use the JRiver commands here: https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/DevZone
There are also both free and paid remotes for JRiver already setup which access Zones and Views.

 

[SirMaster]

I am in the process of adding support for the following devices:

• Yamaha AVR
• Onkyo AVR
• Integra AVR
• Anthem AVR
• Epson PJ
• Sony PJ

 

[Daniel Chaves]

Would this be able to control a Logitech Harmony Hub?

Other hardware considerations if at all possible, Marantz, Oppo 203, nVidia Shield TV, miniDSP 2x4HD,


This looks awesome, I will mess with it as soon as I can and if I end up using this, you will definitely get a donation from me. Would be nice to have an all in one solution for a change and not need to be flipping back and forth between programs.

 

[SirMaster]

Would this be able to control a Logitech Harmony Hub?

Other hardware considerations if at all possible, Marantz, Oppo 203, nVidia Shield TV, miniDSP 2x4HD,


This looks awesome, I will mess with it as soon as I can and if I end up using this, you will definitely get a donation from me. Would be nice to have an all in one solution for a change and not need to be flipping back and forth between programs.

It already supports Marantz.

I have looked into nVidia shield but unfortunately that one is not going to be doable. nVidia's official remote app is proprietary and the only way for me to do it is a complicated way through the Android TV remote debugging mode.

I can look at Oppo and miniDSP. If I can find specs on their IP control I will send you a test program so you can be my tester to make sure they work before I add them to the main program.

I can look into harmony hub, but something tells me it might be complicated heh.

 

[Daniel Chaves]

oh by the way, I saw your signature line and I too am living the Home Theater in an Apartment life, and the work around that involves lol. ^^;;

 

[SirMaster]

oh by the way, I saw your signature line and I too am living the Home Theater in an Apartment life, and the work around that involves lol. ^^;;

Can you try the Oppo device dropdown in my test program?

https://nicko88.com/misc/HTDeviceTester.zip

Just select oppo and put in the network IP and try the power on and off buttons.

The command list is here so you can try some other commands if you want.

http://download.oppodigital.com/UDP203/OPPO_UDP-20X_RS-232_and_IP_Control_Protocol.pdf

The commands on page 11 will start to use both the command and parameter text boxes.

 

[Daniel Chaves]

Awesome, I will test it when I get off work.

 

[Danonano]

Coming over from reddit, I was testing the Yamaha input. I have an Oppo as well so will test when I get a chance.

Apartment/condo dwellers unite!

 

[SirMaster]

Coming over from reddit, I was testing the Yamaha input. I have an Oppo as well so will test when I get a chance.

Apartment/condo dwellers unite!

Re-download from here and also try the Yamaha again please.

https://nicko88.com/misc/HTDeviceTester.zip

 

[Danonano]

Re-download from here and also try the Yamaha again please.

https://nicko88.com/misc/HTDeviceTester.zip

Hi I retested your original build and it works fine. Previously I had put the IP in with an http, so once I removed that it worked fine. I also tried a custom command and that worked as well.

 

[Danonano]

Hi I retested your original build and it works fine. Previously I had put the IP in with an http, so once I removed that it worked fine. I also tried a custom command and that worked as well.

Re-download from here and also try the Yamaha again please.

https://nicko88.com/misc/HTDeviceTester.zip

The new build gives an error message:
Cannot setup connection for (IP):50000 Tcp
Value was either too large or too small for an Int16.

 

[SirMaster]

The new build gives an error message:
Cannot setup connection for (IP):50000 Tcp
Value was either too large or too small for an Int16.

Oh, doy.

That's great it works.

I uploaded a new build again to fix the int16 error so the Yamaha should work again.

Anybody try the Oppo yet?

 

[Danonano]

Oh, doy.

That's great it works.

I uploaded a new build again to fix the int16 error so the Yamaha should work again.

Anybody try the Oppo yet?

Using the original build I can control the Oppo once it's on using power off or custom commands, but once it's off I can't turn it back on. Maybe this is a setting in the Oppo itself? I looked quickly but didn't see anything.

 

[SirMaster]

Using the original build I can control the Oppo once it's on using power off or custom commands, but once it's off I can't turn it back on. Maybe this is a setting in the Oppo itself? I looked quickly but didn't see anything.

Looks like this?

"the player must have “Quick Start” mode selected under Setup Menu / Device Setup / Standby Mode."

Just making sure, does the latest build if you re-download work with both the oppo and yamaha?

 

[Danonano]

Looks like this?

"the player must have “Quick Start” mode selected under Setup Menu / Device Setup / Standby Mode."

Just making sure, does the latest build if you re-download work with both the oppo and yamaha?

Found it. 'Network Standby mode.'
So yes, both the Yamaha and Oppo are working with your app.

 

[SirMaster]

Found it. 'Network Standby mode.'
So yes, both the Yamaha and Oppo are working with your app.

OK cool thanks.

I already added Yamaha to the main code base.

I will probably add Oppo tonight and then publish a new release build.