View Full Version : IR (infrared) remote control support under Mac OS X?
obiwan05
2008-02-02, 06:00
I've just started reading up on xbmc, originally looking at the linux port, but then I saw the mac port info and that it will run on a mini.....
The mini is mall, and pretty and the WAF might be survivable :) Though to make it so, I'd have to have a 'remote' support.
So my question is, what kind of ir remote suport does XBMC have? and what do I need to get it to work?
from what I can tell, I could use a Microsoft XBOX remote, but I would also need something like this (Cable_W0QQitemZ130194077591QQihZ003QQcategoryZ122 517QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem) correct?
Are there any other remotes/ir receivers that you recommend? The TV or TVs I'd be hooking these up to are both SD for now..... HD set is already being fed by an htpc running MCE and Media Portal (just working on getting that all going too)...
Thanks for any pointers/suggestions.
Obi
obiwan05
2008-02-02, 06:01
Apparently, I can't add a link properly :)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Xbox-Console-to-PC-USB-Converter-Cable_W0QQitemZ130194077591QQihZ003QQcategoryZ1225 17QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Apple remote is perfect to me :laugh: guess it will work "soon"
The MCE2005 Remote works nicely and it comes with a standard usb connector on it's reciver
obiwan05
2008-02-02, 18:32
Does an ATI 'BOB' remote work? forgot I have one of those lieing around somewhere...
The MCE2005 Remote works nicely and it comes with a standard usb connector on it's reciver
You are saying this is working natively in XBMC right now?
Remote Buddy can be used to map Apple remote (and others) button presses to keystrokes.
It's not free but there is a 30 day free trial.
Affini: Yes on Linux and Win32. I don't have a mac so I cant test there unfortunally
I'd love to know if it works on OSX.
And anyone have a USB UIRT (http://www.usbuirt.com) -- It would be great if there were drivers for this under OSX.
renegade
2008-02-11, 22:21
Well anyone who has a Keyspan Express, I just ported it for XBMC.
Works awesome.
Well anyone who has a Keyspan Express, I just ported it for XBMC.
Works awesome.
Wicked thanks!
Gamester17
2008-02-12, 00:50
I guess and hope that Elan will implement the LIRC (Linux Infrared Remote Control) library (http://www.lirc.org) from MacPorts/DarwinPorts sysutils (http://lirc.darwinports.com) and if possible to hook into XBMC's existing API for it as it is under Linux for a native XBMC integration.
As for now I understand there is no IR (infrared) support in the Mac OS X port of XBMC yet, so just be patient.
For sending IR signals on Mac, IRTrans (http://www.irtrans.de/en/index.php) bundled with iRed (http://filewell.com/iRed/) may be the best solution.
For simply receiving commands through the built-in IR receiver iRed Lite (http://www.filewell.com/iRedLite/) works really well. It supports Apple Remote ID's, so you can have 1280 discrete codes! 2304 codes are possible if you utilize long button presses!!! Remote Buddy (http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy) has the same abilities, but iRed Lite (http://www.filewell.com/iRedLite/) is free and works well for me.
-Aman
Gamester17
2008-02-12, 01:15
We of course want a free AND open source (programmed in C or C++) library that can be nativly integrated into XBMC, not force users to have to use a closed source third-party application.
Jon Rhees - the developer of USB-UIRT has given me the driver code for Linux and OSX.
I have posted it here (http://members.cox.net/livin/trydrv.7z)
I'm hoping someone can make an OSX driver for it? :cool:
Gamester17
2008-02-12, 11:14
Jon Rhees - the developer of USB-UIRT has given me the driver code for Linux and OSX.
I have posted it here (http://members.cox.net/livin/trydrv.7z)
I'm hoping someone can make an OSX driver for it? :cool:Would it not be better to integrate that into LIRC (http://www.lirc.org) and then use LIRC in XBMC so that we do not have to use two IR libraries?
???
Would it not be better to integrate that into LIRC (http://www.lirc.org) and then use LIRC in XBMC so that we do not have to use two IR libraries?
???
Maybe, I'm no expert here. In the 7z file is Jon Rhees' comments but here's an excerpt...
There are two ways to work with the USB-UIRT on Linux. First, a user wrote support for the USB-UIRT into Linux's LIRC program. However, I do *not* recommend using this route since it is difficult to set up and does not use Pronto-style codes, etc.
The second method is to use the Linux shared library (attached) which implements the same API as the Windows. You should be able to use the sample Linux app (attached) as a point of reference.
Would it not be better to integrate that into LIRC (http://www.lirc.org) and then use LIRC in XBMC so that we do not have to use two IR libraries?
???
I have looked at LIRC. There is LIRC support for OS X but as best as I can tell only as a client pointing to another lircd, ie there is no driver support. If you google around, you can see people talking about getting LIRC working on the Mac Mini but in 100% of the cases I could find they are talking about Linux on a Mac Mini.
I'm sure it's probably possible to get LIRC working properly on OS X, I just don't know if it's going to be worth the trouble. I also worry that even if we did get it working it would maybe require patching the OS X kernel or something crazy like that....
Jon Rhees' does not recommend using LIRC. I'm hoping someone takes on integrating the library provided.
cjc1959au
2008-02-21, 05:12
I don't know if it helps, but I have been trying the Apple Remote on my Mac Mini with the Sofa Control script posted elsewhere.
Seems to work really well, so far!
cjc
:rofl:
jeremymc7
2008-03-02, 02:49
Well anyone who has a Keyspan Express, I just ported it for XBMC.
Works awesome.
Can you forward a listing of which buttons you mapped to which keyboard keys? I too looked at the Keyspan Express but it seems to be lacking enough keys.
Can you advise which model Express you have. Seems there are three version. Who current models and one discontinued.
Thanks much.
jeremymc7
2008-03-02, 04:24
For sending IR signals on Mac, IRTrans (http://www.irtrans.de/en/index.php) bundled with iRed (http://filewell.com/iRed/) may be the best solution.
For simply receiving commands through the built-in IR receiver iRed Lite (http://www.filewell.com/iRedLite/) works really well. It supports Apple Remote ID's, so you can have 1280 discrete codes! 2304 codes are possible if you utilize long button presses!!! Remote Buddy (http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy) has the same abilities, but iRed Lite (http://www.filewell.com/iRedLite/) is free and works well for me.
-Aman
Except that the IRTrans/iRed is $109 while iRedLite doesn't seem to work with anything or then the Apple Remote.
Sigh. No one good option.
renegade
2008-03-02, 16:39
Can you forward a listing of which buttons you mapped to which keyboard keys? I too looked at the Keyspan Express but it seems to be lacking enough keys.
Can you advise which model Express you have. Seems there are three version. Who current models and one discontinued.
Thanks much.
There is only one model of Keyspan Express... HERE (http://www.keyspan.com/products/urm17a/)
Basically I just mapped each control key I thought I would use. Some of the button labels dont match exactly there printed function, but its is easy enough to figure out what you prefer.
It has 16 programmable buttons, not sure how many more than that you could need.
Well anyone who has a Keyspan Express, I just ported it for XBMC.
Works awesome.
If you use this remote, you can actually set up a buttone, for me the cycle button * , to a global action that will open XBMC upon being pressed. Works Great! Even on my Logitech harmony 880.
Hi All,
Could someone list the mapped keystrokes to the different buttons that makes sense for XBMC? Volume is less important.. unless this could be done with long presses.. (?)
I am going to set it up with MIRA..
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/screenshots.html
cheers,
krux
Hi All,
Could someone list the mapped keystrokes to the different buttons that makes sense for XBMC? Volume is less important.. unless this could be done with long presses.. (?)
I am going to set it up with MIRA..
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/screenshots.html
cheers,
krux
forgot to add an essential detail. I am talking about the apple remote..
sorry.. but couldn't edit my previous post..
krux
I am going to set it up with MIRA..
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/screenshots.html
Not much point I'm affraid as Mira does not fully support Leopard and the developer has gone AWOL. RemoteBuddy seems a better option...
i would love to use remote buddy, but it doesn't let me configure the buttons with the keyspan receiver i've got.. . :(
mira seems to be the better choice.. and it seems to work fine with leo.
mira seems to be the better choice.. and it seems to work fine with leo.
Well if it works for you then great. BTW, why are you not using the keyspan software to define the buttons?
i didn't know that i could map the keys from an apple remote with the keyspan receiver software....
anyway you were right about mira, seemed to work fine but in fact it didn't so i trashed it, and got remote buddy. how do i set it up to work with XBMC? i cant seem to add xbmc to the app control list.. :-/
got remote buddy working with XBMC. Just mapped all the buttons to the virtual apple remote.. Now i am just missing the function to launch XBMC with a press (hold) of the "manu" button, instead of frontrow.
Cheers!
jakobmetzger
2008-03-16, 09:44
Ok, if you guys really dont want to go through all the trouble of LIRC and porting all that stuff over I believe my setup can help you guys out.
I have a custom made USB adapter for my Xbox1 DVD Playback kit. Very simple its only like 4 wires to solder. I know there is a tut on Xbox-Scene on how to do it. It would make a great weekend project and there is very little you can mess up.
After you sacrifice a spare usb cable and that 15$ IR dongle to make the adapter. I use a mix of Xbox HID Driver
http://xhd.sourceforge.net/
and to assign the buttons
http://www.carvware.com/gamepadcompanion.html
Its very simple as long as you take the time to do it right.
Thats just a cheap alternative to all these other remote's you guy's are wanting support for. I have been using this for years to control everything from iTheater, CenterStage, Front Row, and now all I use it for is XBMC.
Please share your gamecompanion config Jakob. :grin:
This is how i solved getting xbox1 IR working in 30 minutes.
http://osxbmc.mindfeeder.net/
And thanks a lot for your efforts devs, i've bought a mini just for osxbmc.
jeremymc7
2008-03-22, 04:01
Please share your gamecompanion config Jakob. :grin:
This is how i solved getting xbox1 IR working in 30 minutes.
http://osxbmc.mindfeeder.net/
And thanks a lot for your efforts devs, i've bought a mini just for osxbmc.
Would it be possiable to just solder the XBOX IR adapter directly to a spare USB cable. Does one really need the XBOX and a PSP USB cable?
Did it work automatically with OSXBMC or did you need additional software / code?
My bad if I missed something.
jeremymc7
2008-03-22, 04:07
Side question but couldn't one use any IR receiver (Apple excepted) and the XBOX DVD remote and not have to mess with the manual work around to get the XBOX IR adapter on the MAC. USB to IR are easily available for hardly anything.
jakobmetzger
2008-03-22, 06:33
Would it be possiable to just solder the XBOX IR adapter directly to a spare USB cable. Does one really need the XBOX and a PSP USB cable?
Did it work automatically with OSXBMC or did you need additional software / code?
My bad if I missed something.
It just has to be a spare usb cable. usb is usb whatever it is
And check my post above. I mention the driver and software to map the keys and where to download them
jeremymc7 Side question but couldn't one use any IR receiver (Apple excepted) and the XBOX DVD remote and not have to mess with the manual work around to get the XBOX IR adapter on the MAC. USB to IR are easily available for hardly anything.
Yea I have always wondered that too but never ran across anything about it. I never understood why the stock Mac Mini IR reciever can't accept just any old IR remote's signal. Maybe someone just hasn't written a driver for it? Or is the stock IR sensor "locked" where no software developed by 3rd parties can access it?
KOiN:
Yea thats the tutorial. Not the same one I used but it would have been a lot easier with yours.
Good Link!:D