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That's exactly the same methodology I'm using, but I don't have two way feedback. I agree that although it's a little more up front time it's worth it in the long run.
I'll have to check out the Harmony Hub. How does the hardwired connection from the Hub to the USB-UIRT work? I didn't think the UIRT had any form of hardwired IR input?
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(11-07-2019, 09:09 AM)zpollock Wrote: That's exactly the same methodology I'm using, but I don't have two way feedback. I agree that although it's a little more up front time it's worth it in the long run.
I'll have to check out the Harmony Hub. How does the hardwired connection from the Hub to the USB-UIRT work? I didn't think the UIRT had any form of hardwired IR input?
I have hardwired the IR output from the Harmony Hub (using several wires of a Cat5 run) to my central wiring closet. This output is actually hardwired into my old IR repeating system (
because the system is a little more complicated than I explained here) using a 1/8th" jack. I then take an IR emitter from the repeating system and have it permanently attached to the IR receiver of the USB-UIRT.
So you are correct there is an IR to IR connection and it isn't actually hardwired 100% of the way, but the IR emitter literally sits on the IR receiver and I've never had any reliability issues with it.
I'm sure you could do the same thing and simply mount the IR emitter from the Harmony Hub to the IR receiver of the USB-UIRT.
Brian - a long time user that rarely messes with the system now
Other systems used:
SageTV w/ cablecard tuner & multiple extenders for viewing
BlueIris and IP cameras for CCTV
Incredible PBX for home phone
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11-07-2019, 09:51 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-07-2019, 09:52 AM by zpollock.)
Gotcha, that makes sense. I just though maybe I was missing out on some super secret option for a direct connection with the USB-UIRT. Nothing wrong with the optocoupler method if it's working though. Just tell people it's surge protection for your IR runs. :-D
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(11-04-2019, 05:13 AM)zpollock Wrote: I'm a little late to reply, but for anyone else interested I use the same basic methodology with URC equipment. I have MX-880 remotes (getting a little dated, but have been running strong for seven or eight years), one dedicated per room or area. The remote sends RF back to an MSC-400 (way underutilized, but converts from RF to serial string of my choosing), and the serial command is received by the CQC serial trigger to take some action. Most of my devices are serial, a few are IP, and IR only stuff uses a Global Cache box. The MSC-400 also has sensor inputs, so things like my cable box that are toggle only can be tracked for state and kept in sync.
The nice thing about this solution is that all logic is in CQC. The remote just says "I want to watch the Roku in the bedroom", and CQC does everything necessary to make it happen. That way, asking for an event to happen allows any device (handheld remote, tablet, wall switch, etc.) to request the same actions without recreating them in different environments. It also allows me to add things lighting, shades, and ceiling fan control (UPB and Somfy in my case) to the handheld A/V room remotes since CQC is issuing commands and can call anything under its control. I even have a lanai remote that in addition to A/V on the patio can control the spa, retractable awning, and sprinklers. The remotes get recharged about once a month depending on usage.
Funny, I have the exact same setup. I programmed devices within the MSC-400 to spit out serial commands based on CQC moniker.command. Then serial triggers are parsed out for the command since the trigger only picks up the moniker. A single rs-232 is used for cqc input. The nice thing is this equipment can be had for pennies on the dollar. Cheap and stable given that a single RF command coming in can trigger any number of actions within cqc, in contrast to needing multiple RF signals coming in and the high chance of garbled IR or serial translation.
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11-12-2019, 11:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-12-2019, 11:06 AM by zpollock.)
(11-12-2019, 04:07 AM)Bugman Wrote: Funny, I have the exact same setup. I programmed devices within the MSC-400 to spit out serial commands based on CQC moniker.command. Then serial triggers are parsed out for the command since the trigger only picks up the moniker. A single rs-232 is used for cqc input. The nice thing is this equipment can be had for pennies on the dollar. Cheap and stable given that a single RF command coming in can trigger any number of actions within cqc, in contrast to needing multiple RF signals coming in and the high chance of garbled IR or serial translation.
Yeah, I’ve been very happy with it as a solution. I have five remotes in use now and the base sstation is central enough that they all work anywhere around the house. I’m quite happy with the versatility, and as long as CQC is up and running it’s pretty bulletproof.
Happy to see another user doing the same thing!
