Double Headed LU IR Blasters Back In Stock

The double headed light up ir blasters with 1/8" plugs are back in stock, but on a very limited supply. They are currently available for $12 each. Single headed light up ir blasters are only available for large special order applications. (Note: We have plenty of the standard non light up variety on hand and ready to ship - just $6 for the 1/8" plug version)

Link to this post:Double Headed LU IR Blasters Back In Stock

Environmental control with DynaVox communication devices

IRBLaster.info carries two great products for interfacing lighting control to the environmental controls integrated into DynaVox communications devices.

The IR543 (pictures) is available for $30 + shipping and allows one way infrared to X10 and Insteon (in X10 compatibility mode) bridging.

For more advanced DynaVox integration we offer the Applied Digital Ocelot controller available on our special order page for $200. The Ocelot has the following features:
› 2-way X10 compatibility, IR capability, and control of almost anything
› Control 256 X10 devices and execute up to 1024 IR commands
› Expandable with up to 128 expansion modules
› Features built-in RS-232 port for programming by a PC

Feel free to contact us if you need help designing a complete DynaVox environmental control system.

Link to this post:Environmental control with DynaVox communication devices

Using WinLIRC with SnapStream Beyond TV

I found this interesting thread over on the SnapStream forums on using winlirc ir blasters with Snap Stream Beyond TV. Remember, I recommend the windows version of the ir blaster if you want the best compatibility with winlirc. Here is a direct shopping cart button for the windows version of the $12 RS232 IR blaster.

To summarize the procedure, Snap Steam Beyond TV can call an external channel change script by adding the a key to the registry. For example, this registry code causes SnapStream to call c:\winlirc\channel.cmd with an argument of the channel number on every channel change.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\snapstream media\EXETunerPlugin]
"Executable"="C:\\Winlirc\\channel.cmd"
"Arguments"="%CHANNEL%"

This same post on the SnapStream forum also has some info on using winlirc and IREX for an ir receiver. The IR Receivers from irblaster.info work well on both windows and linux so you can use them with this method.

Link to this post:Using WinLIRC with SnapStream Beyond TV

irblaster.info products for car based computing

There are several interesting posts over at mp3car.com on using irblaster.info products for car based computing. I recommend checking out this site if you are thinking of putting a pc in your vehicle.

Link to this post:irblaster.info products for car based computing

SlingBox IR Blaster

Do you need a replacement single or dual head ir blaster for your slingbox? Our tivo series of ir blasters with standard 1/8" mono plugs will do the trick! Consider the light up models for easier debug of your setup.

Link to this post:SlingBox IR Blaster

Why Insteon over X10?

X10, Insteon, UPP, and ZigBee can all perform similar lighting control tasks. Irblaster.info prefers insteon for several reasons outlined in the insteon product comparison application note. In summary, here is what the note has to say:

INSTEON: Moderately priced, highly reliable Dual-mesh RF & Powerline technology
UPB: Expensive single-band technology
X10: Inexpensive but lacks the robustness, flexibility and reliability required by home-control applications
ZigBee & Z-Wave: Single-band (RF-only) wireless networks that require a network controller

Here's a youtube video of some MythTV/Lighting control integration:

Link to this post:Why Insteon over X10?

Insteon IR Receiver

The new Insteon IR Receiver will be available starting mid February to link your insteon devices to a universal ir remote control. You could also use it to link your pc to your insteon devices using one of our ir blasters instead of using an insteon usb or serial bridge.

The MSRP of this device is $100. As always, I can give much better insteon pricing on bundles so feel free to e-mail me a list of insteon equipment to get a price quote.

Also of note, if you don't mind running your insteon devices in X10 compatibility mode the X10 IR-543 is available today for $30 and is in stock and ready to ship. I have used the IR-543 on several projects to allow control of insteon lighting from the logictech harmony series of remote controls. Just e-mail me to order an IR-543. US shipping is still just $3.95/order.

Thanks,
mike /at/ irblaster /do/t info

Link to this post:Insteon IR Receiver

HD Mediabox IR Receiver

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Jeff in California about my Hauppage PVR-250 replacement IR Receiver cable. Apparently, some folks on the pixel magic forums for the HD Media box MB100 and MB200 figured out that the IR Receiver input on the back of their HD Media boxes was the same as that of the Hauppauge PVR-250 cable. Only problem is the PVR-250 cable is a 3/32" plug and the HD media cable is a 1/8" plug. Adapters to convert are generally available at Radio Shack for this type of thing, but I had my wire shop build up something for Jeff pretty quickly to try out the theory and save some adapters. Jeff informed me the solution worked great so I'll be offering these cables for sale to the general public for the same price as the PVR-250 version ($10 + shipping). I'll add a cart button soon. In the mean time, you can just e-mail me at mike at irblaster dot info to order.

Link to this post:HD Mediabox IR Receiver

Latest Home Theater Installation

This picture is from the first test of our latest home theater installation.

This job used the following equipment available from irblaster.info:

In wall IR Repeater Kit

6 Button Insteon Keypad

3 Insteon Dimmer modules

X-10 IR-543 IR Receiver

Plus the following equipment from other sources:

1 Pair JBL HTI-8 In Wall Speakers

3 Pair JBL HTI-6 In Wal Speakers

Onkyo TX-SR575 7.1 Channel Receiver

EliteScreens R100WH 100" 16:9 Screen

Benq W500 3LCD Projector

All audio, video, and lighting systems are controlled via a logitech 880 universal remote control

Link to this post:Latest Home Theater Installation

Dell XPS All In One

We have received reports that the standard tivo 1/8" plug IR Blasters work great with dell machines such as the XPS all in one that have standard ir blaster jacks.

Link to this post:Dell XPS All In One

SqueezeBox

Doug from the UK wrote in to tell me:

Thank you,
I ordered two ir blasters, one serial and one 3.2 mm mini plug and they arrived in the UK safely.
In your sales pitch you don't mention it, but the 1/8" plug "tivo" type
ir blasters work well when connected to the head phone jack of the Squeezebox and
configured with a plugin to the slimserver software on my headless linux
music server to control the volume/power of my amplifier.
The serial one will probably be used with a sat receiver when I get
around to it.
Regards,
Doug.

Link to this post:SqueezeBox

Multi-Room IR Distribution Setup

We have just added the ability to purchase extra in wall IR Receivers to go with the Quad IR Distribution kits. The extra receivers can be daisy chained to create advanced multi-room IR distribution setups. See these instructions for additional details.

Link to this post:Multi-Room IR Distribution Setup

New Cart, New Shipping Rates, & Google Checkout

irblaster.info now has a new cart system to allow combined orders at just $3.95/order shipping. International shipping is calculated at checkout and will average around $4.95/order. The new checkout system also allows you to complete your order with either paypal or google checkout. Please e-mail mike@irblaster.info if you have any problems with the new system.

Link to this post:New Cart, New Shipping Rates, & Google Checkout

IR Blaster, IR Receiver, and Lighting control in one device

Application note: Using the applied digital ocelot as an ir blaster, receiver, and lighting control instrument all in one simple unit.

The ocelot can be programmed to convert serial port commands to IR commands and X10 lighting control commands. Furthermore, the ocelot can be programmed to transfer received ir commands to serial commands.

Also, since the ocelot uses standard RS232 signalling it can be connected to the PC using a usb to serial adapter.

I will be adding sample code to help setup this system shortly.

The ocelot is available on the Special Order page for $199 and typically ships in less than 1 week. Custom programming is also available.

Link to this post:IR Blaster, IR Receiver, and Lighting control in one device

Help picking the right product

I'm working on a page to help visitors to this site pick the right product for their application. So far, I have info on the blasters, receivers, and some of the distribution kits on the ir help page. I'm planning on adding more info shortly. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Link to this post:Help picking the right product

Linux Home Automation

The author of Linux Smart Homes for Dummies has a great website that lists every linux home automation project imaginable. There are plenty of ir blaster and receiver related projects on there that look very interesting.

Link to this post:Linux Home Automation

By Remote HIP Program and Win LIRC

By Remote's HIP Program has a direct plugin for sending/receiving ir data through winlirc. The plugin can be found on their downloads page.
I have not tried this yet, but it definately looks interesting.

Link to this post:By Remote HIP Program and Win LIRC

MythTV Issues/Features I'm following

These are the MythTV issues/Features I'm most interested in right now:

MythTV Guide Data - Watching Schedules Direct for more info on their solution to this issue. Hopefully they will find a way to drop their pricing. Right now they are set at $15 / 3 months non-recurring. According to the FAQ they have a goal of $20/year.

MythTV Cable Card - Windows Media is going to support this - when will Myth?

Using MythTV with a firewire output from a cable box

Using a UPnP (universal Plug and Play) media box as a front end to play high definition content.

Link to this post:MythTV Issues/Features I'm following

Beta Testers Wanted

If you want to beta test a cabled IR Receiver + IR Blaster connected to a single DB9 please e-mail me at mike at irblaster dot info. So far I have had a few peple try them out with good success, but I want some more trials before I make this a generally available product. The cost of the unit is $30 + shipping. As always, if you are not satisfied you can return the device no questions asked (see the FAQ for more details on this policy).

Link to this post:Beta Testers Wanted

Other Projects I'm Interested In

Here's a list of some other things I find interesting. Some of these projects even go very well with IR Blasters and IR Receivers:

Free NAS - The Free NAS Server software project just release 0.684b which adds disk encryption with geli.

Mr. House - an open source home automation software.

Gallery - the open source web based photo album organizer

Mozy Online Backup - This is great software to back up your data on the web. You get 2GB storage free or unlimited storage for $5/month. Too bad it only works with Windows and MAC (no linux). On the free plan you also get an extra 250MB storage for every person you refer to the site which is why the URL here has a little tracking code on it. Many thanks to you if you use that code when signing up.

Link to this post:Other Projects I'm Interested In

Shipping to US and Canada now the same price

IR Blaster and IR Receiver shipments to the US and Canada are now the same price and customers from both countries may now use the buy it now buttons on.
Air mail to most other countries remains just $6/order for most items.
Contact me for additional details

Link to this post:Shipping to US and Canada now the same price

LIRC on a Router

Yesterday I purchased a Buffalo WHR-G54S for a new little project. I wanted to run LIRC on it and add an IR Blaster and receiver. I started with the blaster part and it was suprisingly easy to get it up and running thanks to the help of some posts on the openwrt forums.

Here is a rundown of the basic procedure and I'll fill in some more details in the near future.

Step 1: Get openwrt to run on the router. The openwrt wiki has the information you need on how to do this. The steps I followed where under the "TFTP Method." Specifically, I used the tftp command on my windows laptop as it happened to be nearby the router.

Step 2: Open up the router and install an IR Blaster. You can see mine temporarily soldered onto the debug led in the picture. More details on this will be coming soon as this was the most tricky part of this operation. Of course, once I perfect all of this I will be happy to sell already modified routers.

Step 3: Install LIRC on the router. Some other openwrt users have posted lost of information in the forum on how to do this and have even packaged up the files you need. I used the package by esteevens. It only configures a transmitter, but it was a good start. Installing it on the router is easy. Just telnet into the router and enter:

# ipkg install http://users.pandora.be/esteevens/Linksys/lirc_0.8.0-1_mipsel.ipk

libgcc also needs to be updated:

# ipkg update
# ipkg install libgcc

Copy your LIRC config file to /etc/lircd.conf and then Start LIRC:

insmod lirc_dev.o
insmod lirc_serial.o
lircd --device=/dev/lirc/0

Now you are ready to start transmitting. Next I need to work on getting a receiver to work and rsh so that the router can communicate ir commands with another machine on your netowrk.

Link to this post:LIRC on a Router

Need an IR Product marketed?

Do you have an infrared related product that you would like to sell on this site? Contact me with any and all proposals at mike at irblaster dot info.

Link to this post:Need an IR Product marketed?

Ocelot Now In Stock

Ocelot home automation controllers are now in stock and ready to be shipped. The cost is $199 each. These units feature the following features:

> 2-way X10 compatibility, IR capability, and control of almost anything
> Control 256 X10 devices and execute up to 1024 IR commands
> Expandable with up to 128 expansion modules
> Features built-in RS-232 port for programming by a PC

There are also several expension modules available including a 16 Zone IR Module.

Check back here soon for example applications.

Link to this post:Ocelot Now In Stock

IR Blaster . Info