Getting Started

[hart2hart]

@firstone Again, thanks for creating this node server.  I've been a long-time user of sophisticated IR (with RF) remotes.  I use them less with Alexa in place but sometimes IR is still better.  I moved to the eISY and PG3x last week, so I want to get this node serve in place to replace the IR i'd been using on ISY.
 
1) First when I installed this node server last week, I didn't see/notice the following about different install methods based on device and PG3 version:

Connect Flirc to eISY/Polisy
eISY / PG3x
Once node server is installed, nothing else needs to be done. Just plug-in Flirc. Or if already plugged in, unplug and plug back in.

Polisy / PG3
At this point Flirc cannot be connected automatically and requires the following procedure:

SSH into your eISY/Polisy

Execute

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/firstone/eisy-ir-poly/main/flirc.conf -o flirc.conf

Execute
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/devd

Execute
sudo cp ./flirc.conf /usr/local/etc/devd

Execute
sudo service devd restart

 

I did the longer instructions for Polisy / PG3.  Is this a problem?

 
2) Second.  I see the files for the 40 ir codes already learned.  Can you provide a bit more of the steps to levearge the files and get the process started?  Also, can you comment a bit about if you already have the ISY994 IR programming in place the method on replacing it with this node server.  Maybe an example using Pressed, Held, Released and Idle states would get me going?
 
Again Thanks!

[gzahar]

6 hours ago, hart2hart said:

2) Second.  I see the files for the 40 ir codes already learned.  Can you provide a bit more of the steps to levearge the files and get the process started? 

Download the FLIRC application software (depending on the OS you will use) from FLIRC (under downloads at end of page):

https://flirc.tv/products/flirc-usb-receiver?variant=43513067569384

Plug FLIRC into computer (PC/Mac/Linux) and RESTORE the device using the downloaded application s/w above and the 'ISY my_flirc_config.fcfg' file from the forum.

Then move FLIRC device to eISYIR node server platform (eisy/Polisy).

[hart2hart]

12 hours ago, gzahar said:

Download the FLIRC application software (depending on the OS you will use) from FLIRC (under downloads at end of page):

https://flirc.tv/products/flirc-usb-receiver?variant=43513067569384

Plug FLIRC into computer (PC/Mac/Linux) and RESTORE the device using the downloaded application s/w above and the 'ISY my_flirc_config.fcfg' file from the forum.

Then move FLIRC device to eISYIR node server platform (eisy/Polisy).

Thank you gzahar!  I've downloaded and installed the Flirc application on Windows.  That was followed by a firmware update to the dongle.  Next, I loaded the config file that you created (Thanks).  The dongle has now been moved back to the eISY.

Is the next step to start pressing those buttons on the remote that is routed to the eISY location (IR emitter is stuck to the dongle) and those button presses will cause eISY device nodes to be created?  For example. do I have a simple press for each button or do I need to press one time and then another time press and hold?

 

Thanks again.  I don't like to experiment any more than possible because the recovery from bad steps can be much more labor intensive than taking time to understand before starting.

[gzahar]

7 hours ago, hart2hart said:

Is the next step to start pressing those buttons on the remote that is routed to the eISY location (IR emitter is stuck to the dongle) and those button presses will cause eISY device nodes to be created?

Correct. Only one press needed (if it is sensed correctly).  Also assuming you have installed the node server.

[hart2hart]

Correct. Only one press needed (if it is sensed correctly).  Also assuming you have installed the node server.

The node server is running and I can see the flash on the IR emitter when I press buttons on RC but no nodes are being added.

When I loaded your file in Flirc application, I expected to have to push a button to restore/write it to the Flirc dongle however it appeared that it was auto restored to dongle during load. Is that correct?

In one of the other posts , there is a mention from January of needing to run a Sufi command so node server will see the dongle when you plug it into the eISY. Do I need to do that or is that from early days and has been fixed? If yes, which command?

My next thought is it could be different timing on IR codes. I had this issue moving from mx-980 to mx-990 in the same URC same line. I’m using URC MX-990 remotes. Maybe I need to teach Flirc IR codes from my remote control.

[gzahar]

49 minutes ago, hart2hart said:

The node server is running and I can see the flash on the IR emitter when I press buttons on RC but no nodes are being added.

When I loaded your file in Flirc application, I expected to have to push a button to restore/write it to the Flirc dongle however it appeared that it was auto restored to dongle during load. Is that correct?

In one of the other posts , there is a mention from January of needing to run a Sufi command so node server will see the dongle when you plug it into the eISY. Do I need to do that or is that from early days and has been fixed? If yes, which command?

My next thought is it could be different timing on IR codes. I had this issue moving from mx-980 to mx-990 in the same URC same line. I’m using URC MX-990 remotes. Maybe I need to teach Flirc IR codes from my remote control.

I believe you only need to load the configuration file, no additional write to device command is needed/available.

Not sure about installation requirements on eisy, I'm still on Polisy.

I know IR can be fickle sometimes.  I have also had to learn commands from a specific remotes in the past to get them to work. (although not the case here).  You could try that with one IR code to see if that is the issue.  You might also try rebooting the eisy and/or restarting the node server and admin console.

[hart2hart]

Felt like this was going to be a gimme - NOT.  I've abandoned my efforts after a few hours of getting nowhere.  It clearly is one of those if it works it works but if not you have to shake the black box from every angle to attempt to locate the issue.  The Dongle would learn on a PC so its seeing IR and the NS could detect when it was and was not connected. Creating a new Flirc file did not help.
No combination of any of this came close to working so I simply give up.  My goal was to move existing programs quickly but, in the end, I used another method to resume IR.

I’m not being critical. It just didn’t work for me. By all means, if interested give it a trial mode try.

Thanks for the help!  Know anyone that wants to buy a slightly used Flirc dongle?  

Edited May 26, 2023 by hart2hart

[gzahar]

4 hours ago, hart2hart said:

Felt like this was going to be a gimme - NOT.  I've abandoned my efforts after a few hours of getting nowhere.  It clearly is one of those if it works it works but if not you have to shake the black box from every angle to attempt to locate the issue.  The Dongle would learn on a PC so its seeing IR and the NS could detect when it was and was not connected. Creating a new Flirc file did not help.
No combination of any of this came close to working so I simply give up.  My goal was to move existing programs quickly but, in the end, I used another method to resume IR.

I’m not being critical. It just didn’t work for me. By all means, if interested give it a trial mode try.

Thanks for the help!  Know anyone that wants to buy a slightly used Flirc dongle?  

Are you using an RF base station with your URC remote?  If so, you might try adjusting the IR output level of the emitters.

[hart2hart]

Started it at same setting with same emitter that had been in the ISY994. I turned it up and down a bit with no luck. Even pulled it off and held it near.

The eISY is next to my media PC so I was able to test the learn feature with the IR emitter attached and it didn’t seem to have an issue learning.

Thanks again. I’ve got another great solution in place.