Setting up itach

[apostolakisl]

Just spent some time with some trial and error.  Anyone setting it up might find my experience helpful.

The basic theme is that each device/ virtual remote occupies a single custom parameter.  So if your TV has 20 buttons to control, it is just a single line with the "key" being the name of the remote (ie TV) and the "value" part being a very long single line of 20 commands one after the next.  The format allows for 2 codes per button.  If you put nothing for the second code, it just does the same as the first code.  You can not eliminate code 2 from the drop down menu by not including "code2, hexcode2" in the preamble part of the "value" section.  Here is an example of 2 buttons I installed for a single remote.  Note the double space between the two buttons.  The precursor part of <function, code1, hexcode1, code2, hexcode2> is just entered once at the very start of the "value" section of the custom parameter, from there on, a double space between each button setup.

 

function, code1, hexcode1, code2, hexcode2  "whole house on","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,3858"  "whole house off","sendir,1:1,1,38343,1,1,15,180,14,181,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,272,19,272,19,176,19,176,19,177,19,272,19,4907"

 

[Javi]

Hi @apostolakisl,

Thanks for the feedback.  I noticed that the Configuration Parameters and sample data is not imported on install. I'll try to get this fixed soon which should help new users during setup.

[apostolakisl]

1 hour ago, Javi said:

Hi @apostolakisl,

Thanks for the feedback.  I noticed that the Configuration Parameters and sample data is not imported on install. I'll try to get this fixed soon which should help new users during setup.

The screen shot was the most helpful, but you can't put that into the Node server display, I'm sure.  Where things get unclear is whether things like "" symbols, or , symbols, or spaces are part of the language of explanation or part of the actual parameters.  Often times people use the <> symbols to make that clear or if you could change text color or similar to make it clear what actually goes there.

Finally, just a general polyglot comment.  For this thing to really go mainstream, need to get rid of all this manual configuration of "key' and "value".  Needs to have custom menus for each node server with pre-labeled slots, drop down's when appropriate, and then once configured, have it displayed in a more user friendly format.  Basically, something like the polyglot ISY config page where it has pre-labeled slots for all the parameters like user, password, ip, port, etc.

[Javi]

28 minutes ago, apostolakisl said:

The screen shot was the most helpful, but you can't put that into the Node server display, I'm sure.  Where things get unclear is whether things like "" symbols, or , symbols, or spaces are part of the language of explanation or part of the actual parameters.  Often times people use the <> symbols to make that clear or if you could change text color or similar to make it clear what actually goes there.

Finally, just a general polyglot comment.  For this thing to really go mainstream, need to get rid of all this manual configuration of "key' and "value".  Needs to have custom menus for each node server with pre-labeled slots, drop down's when appropriate, and then once configured, have it displayed in a more user friendly format.  Basically, something like the polyglot ISY config page where it has pre-labeled slots for all the parameters like user, password, ip, port, etc.

Some of this could be improved in the future. I think the iTach could be found automatically, it is likely a few days of work to build the necessary files, so not really worth the effort unless there are hundreds of users.  I've contacted GC in the past about commercial access to the Control Tower API, but never received a response.  I can try to see if they will respond if I can show remote creation with UD Mobile, this would allow automatic import.

I believe the Custom params are for data which would be impractical to add a drop down, such as IP Addresses. If a drop down can be created I think it should be done in the AC/UD-Mobile frontends. Maybe @bpwwer has some ideas to make the key static and not show as editable for the required parameters.

[apostolakisl]

43 minutes ago, Javi said:

Some of this could be improved in the future. I think the iTach could be found automatically, it is likely a few days of work to build the necessary files, so not really worth the effort unless there are hundreds of users.  I've contacted GC in the past about commercial access to the Control Tower API, but never received a response.  I can try to see if they will respond if I can show remote creation with UD Mobile, this would allow automatic import.

I believe the Custom params are for data which would be impractical to add a drop down, such as IP Addresses. If a drop down can be created I think it should be done in the AC/UD-Mobile frontends. Maybe @bpwwer has some ideas to make the key static and not show as editable for the required parameters.

First off, very happy to have the node server.  Not complaining, trying to be constructive.

So many different situations with node servers because of the vast differences in node specific needs, so my comments are more to the general construct of PG, not to this node.  I get it, PG is this generic template.  The whole concept of the manually entered key is just not a user friendly situation.  It isn't the end of the world, but it isn't really a GUI and everyone wants GUI's. Lots of directions to read and then you must manually type in "keys" precisely as expected and wondering "was the colon part of the key?" type stuff.  The general format for these sorts of things are that all the "keys" are already there.  Makes it obvious what info needs to be entered for values.  With this particular node server, the value has the potential to get out of hand.  For example, lets say you have 25 ir codes for a device, trying to input that into the format of "key" / "value", well that "value" line will be insane.  You'd have to do it in a text editor and copy/paste it over.  Lots of opportunity for screw ups, getting all your commas, quotes, and spaces right.  Which is where I am now as I am adding my 5th "button" to the same device and plan to add about 15 to that device, with others to follow.  Within PG, a system where you have radio buttons to push "add device", then "add code" would be more typical GUI stuff.  

Obviously, with iTach, you have these crazy *** codes that are generated for each and every ir message in the world.  And unlike every other universal remote, which keeps all that code internal, itach keeps none of it onboard, instead requiring that you send the crazy code with each request.  So, yeah, tough.  Now I don't know anything about "control tower", I have actually been using my itach for a good 7 or 8 years as is without need to change anything, so maybe this is something new they added to simplify the ir code retrieval.  All my codes I had to generate myself, which was a PITA since often times they didn't work.  A lot of trial and error.  What I have done here is just copy/paste the codes over from where I saved them on ISY network resources.  I totally didn't need to install this node server, but I prefer using nodes to network resources, and I am also a glutton for punishment . . . screwing with things that work perfectly fine and breaking the golden rule of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".  Oh well.

 

[Javi]

I understand the intent of the comments, not trying to invalidate just adding some additional information for other users and acknowledgment of a bug.  Example device and url key values are not populated as they should be.

It may be a good idea to add separate parameter for learned codes as single entries. The custom typed params will allow for this with all three params (device, button, code) in a single entry. I'll add it to my todo list.

The Node Server was designed to copy and paste the entire codeset for a device from the control tower database.  There are instructions for the Control Tower database in this subform, which could save  lot of time if your codes are available.

 

[garybixler]

I installed using the device codes that can be  downloaded from Global Cache. Just copied and pasted into the node server. Commands that I wouldn't use I just didn't copy paste. Was very easy and has been performing great.

Thanks Gary

[apostolakisl]

Not that I need any right now since I already manually learned them all on my own, but how does the website work?  I already had a user/pass with them.  I click to get it, it says "sent" . . . sent where?  I didn't get anything in my email, no download, where?  And as it turns out, the primary device I use GC for is not in the database.  So I'm copying them from where I figured them out into the format GC wants.  I am seeing that you did it this way because I assume it is how they come formatted from GC.

[garybixler]

That's odd. When I did this before it was just sent to my email. But I do see now that they are requesting an email  

for verification.

[Javi]

26 minutes ago, garybixler said:

That's odd. When I did this before it was just sent to my email. But I do see now that they are requesting an email  

for verification.

Just tested.  Looks like the message is not removed after login but codeset is still sent.  If I remember correctly there is a limit of 3 codesets per day.

The email is coming from  ircodes@globalcache.com and sent to the email used for account creation.

 

[apostolakisl]

1 hour ago, Javi said:

Just tested.  Looks like the message is not removed after login but codeset is still sent.  If I remember correctly there is a limit of 3 codesets per day.

The email is coming from  ircodes@globalcache.com and sent to the email used for account creation.

 

I don't know.  Not getting any email.  Checked spam and all.  my login name is my email address.

Searched my email for that ircodes@. .. email and I see they sent me one 5 years ago.  So I must have been playing with it back then.  but not working now.

[garybixler]

Just checked my email and they did show up. Just took a long time.

[apostolakisl]

5 minutes ago, garybixler said:

Just checked my email and they did show up. Just took a long time.

"long time".  Not sure what that means.  But I am now at 3 hours.

[garybixler]

 

2 hours ago, garybixler said:

That's odd. When I did this before it was just sent to my email. But I do see now that they are requesting an email  

for verification.

From this post time where I did the send to when the email arrived was about 30 minutes.

[apostolakisl]

OK, getting them now.  Sent a note to support.

[apostolakisl]

Anyone who wants the IR config files for Channel Plus MDS-6A whole house music system, here they are.  Took a lot of screwing around to get them all put together.  I don't think they make these anymore, but mine works pretty well.  GC doesn't have this on their repository.  

"whole house on","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,3858"  "whole house off","sendir,1:1,1,38343,1,1,15,180,14,181,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,272,19,272,19,176,19,176,19,177,19,272,19,4907"  "system off","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,274,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,3858"  "Zone on/off","sendir,1:1,1,38226,1,1,10,185,10,184,14,181,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,3822"  "Volume Up","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,3858"  "Volume Down","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,3858"  "Mute","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,3858"  "Do Not Disturb","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,274,19,3858"  "Source 6","sendir,1:1,1,38343,1,1,16,179,12,183,12,183,13,182,14,181,16,275,19,176,19,272,19,176,19,176,19,176,19,3834"  "Source 5","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,3858"  "Source 4","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,274,19,274,19,3858"  "Source 3","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,3858"  "Source 2","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,3858"  "Source 1","sendir,1:1,1,38580,1,1,19,177,19,177,19,177,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,274,19,178,19,178,19,178,19,3858"