IR control of Amazon Fire TV stick?

General JP1 chit-chat. Developing special protocols, decoding IR signals, etc. Also a place to discuss Tips, Tricks, and How-To's.

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madbrain
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Post by madbrain »

Robman,
The Robman wrote:Were you given any instructions on how to control multiple units in one location? I ask because the instructions might give us a clue as to what the other codesets look like.
No instructions. I found a function map.
http://downloads.inteset.com/Inteset_IN ... _IReTV.pdf

I think there are 4 sets of IR signals that get translated to different keystrokes/commands over USB. Those USB commands are overlapping, so it's probably not possible to use multiple IReTV in the same room unless spacing them quite a bit, and pointing the IR remote in the correct direction.

Nevertheless, I'm still interested in knowing what the other codes might be, as they would produce different keystrokes.

In particular, I'm currently seeking a way to use the "back" function with my FireTV and the new Chromecast with Google TV. It looks like I may have to resort to using an Android map to remap buttons/functions. One is called Button mapper, but it's a paid app, and I'm not sure it can do the job based on the functions in the free version.
The Robman
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Post by The Robman »

madbrain wrote:The IreTV allows for this situation by responding to 4 different sets of IR codes. You posted one set. Would know where to get the codes for the other 3 sets of IR codes for the IReTV ?
Hey Julien, where did you get this information about the IreTV allowing for 4 different sets of IR codes? Do you have a link to a website or something?

The point is, we only know about one codeset (the one posted earlier), so I'm looking for some sort of clue as to what the other 3 codesets look like.
Rob
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Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!
madbrain
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Post by madbrain »

The Robman wrote: The point is, we only know about one codeset (the one posted earlier), so I'm looking for some sort of clue as to what the other 3 codesets look like.
Look at the PDF I posted.

http://downloads.inteset.com/Inteset_IN ... _IReTV.pdf

You will see 54 rows and 4 different device columns, one for Fire TV, one for MCE, one for Kodi/PC, one for nVidia Shield. Each column corresponds to a different code set on the Inteset remote. You can see that there are obviously more than the 40 functions present in your device upgrade.
In the MCE column alone, there are 45 different functions.

I don't have the Inteset INT-422-3 remote to learn all the signals from the 4 different sets of keys. It's possible there are overlaps in the signals between those 4 columns, but perhaps not.

How did you create your device upgrade with the 40 functions ?
pH7_jp1
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Post by pH7_jp1 »

I may be able to supply some information about this, but it is only guessing, since I do not own the inteset IReTV device. I do, however own a FLIRC which does the same thing in is different way. What both of these do is receive a set of IR codes and turn them into a set of USB Keyboard codes. The device being controlled believes that a generic USB keyboard is connected to the USB input and these devices already have the ability to be controlled by a keyboard.

Where things are different, is how the mapping from IR command to keyboard code is defined. The FLIRC, while it comes shipped with a default mapping it can be programmed using an application on Windows. You plug FLIRC into a USB on your computer, aim the sending IR remote at FLIRC and proceed to teach the FLIRC by transmitting the IR command and choosing the key code to send. After this teach/learn process is completed one time, the FLIRC is plugged into the device being controlled. The choice of what protocol, device, sub device, code being sent is completely up to the sending device. You can pick any setup code you want, so long as it doesn't interfere with other devices in your system.

The IReTV - I am guessing here - instead of allowing complete flexibility instead comes with 4 mappings for the 4 devices is supports and that they chose 4 setup codes built into the Inteset remote it expects to be used with. This makes the setup simpler for the user, but removes the flexibility (the usual tradeoff).

The problem in this instance is that apparently the FireTV and Chromcast respond to the same set of keyboard commands. (Another assumption on my part, given I don't own either.) If this truly is the situation, using FLIRC for one device and training the IR to key code mapping would allow you to have both devices in the same room.
The Robman
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Post by The Robman »

If you want to re-create the setup codes mentioned in the PDF, you can use the following files:

2049 is for the Xbox360
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=13503

4918 is for Nvidia Shield TV models that work with IR
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=14747

1272 is Microsoft Windows MCE
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=5532

2000 is the second address for MCE
(use above RMDU file, change device code to 20)

If you end up using the MCE codes, here are all 8 addresses:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... C&start=24
Rob
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Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!
chuliu
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Post by chuliu »

Hi,
I confirm that the above four upgrades work on the iretv and fire tv 4k stick. However, as Ph7_jp1 said since the iretv responds to whichever ir code we send, I can't control two iretv in the same room without enough spacing even if I use different codes.
Last edited by chuliu on Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
The Robman
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Post by The Robman »

Does it make any difference if you use the MCE upgrade with a different address? And is it possible that there's another step that you're supposed to do? For example, back when ReplayTV still existed, there were several different address codes, but you had to program the unit to respond to just one of them.
Rob
www.hifi-remote.com
Please don't PM me with remote questions, post them in the forums so all the experts can help!
MrMoody
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Post by MrMoody »

I missed this thread but for future reference, receiver with HDMI CEC/HDMI Control will operate the Fire Stick with no additional equipment. My Onkyo that just died would do it with additional functions (included in my TX-NR709 upgrade) and the Yamaha I just got does it with no additional fiddling, just enable HDMI Control in the receiver. The transport/menu controls on the original remote work.
URC-8820 x2, URC-10820N, Insignia NS-RC05A-11 x2, RCA RCRP05B, Potenza ST ADB, OARI06G, URC-7980, OARUSB04G, Nevo C2 x3, AOC 67100BA1-017-R, onn URC-3660, Insignia NS-RMTSNY17, IRWidget
chuliu
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Post by chuliu »

The Robman wrote:Does it make any difference if you use the MCE upgrade with a different address? And is it possible that there's another step that you're supposed to do? For example, back when ReplayTV still existed, there were several different address codes, but you had to program the unit to respond to just one of them.
I tested both mce with 4, 20, and 36. Only the first two work. I assume that the other 5 won't work.

The iretv is a Y cable and it is plug and play. I can't find any info on the internet on how to program it to work with certain code only.
MaskedMan
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Post by MaskedMan »

The iretv is y cable that gives a port to plug in the repeater cable which actually accepts IR commands. Switching out the repeater cable might change which commands the fire stick accepts.
Edmund
Ed
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I can't get the Inteset gear to work with the upgrade

Post by Ed »

Hi all,

Well, I'm sure I'm doing something obvious wrong, but I can't figure out what it is. I bought a Y cable and the IR receiver from Amazon and hooked them up to a Firestick. I used the upgrade recommended here to control it, but the IR receiver , and hence the Firestick itself, doesn't seem to respond to any of the commands in the upgrade.

Edited to add: I'm pretty sure the Firestick I'm trying to connect to is a "Generation 1", released in 2014. I'm guessing it's too old to work with the Inteset gear.

I've posted my RMIR file here: http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... e_id=26121

Thanks very much for any assistance.
mdavej
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Post by mdavej »

Your file looks correct. I've never heard of any issues with older gen sticks. Did you get the Inteset Y cable or some other brand?

I did see one comment on Amazon that USB Debug Mode on the Fire stick must be turned off:
https://intesettech.com/index.php/forum ... onnecting/

Here's how it's supposed to connect:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... L1500_.jpg

In case you can't get it working, have you tried CEC and your Vizio TV codes?
Ed
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Location: Ft. Worth, TX

Post by Ed »

Thanks for the reply, mdavej.

The cables are Inteset, and I've connected everything according to the diagram, except that I'm powering things from the TV's USB port. The Firestick works fine using the OEM Bluetooth remote even when the Inteset cables are connected.

Should I power the devices independent of the TV? Using the TV's USB port means that the power goes off each time the TV is shut off.

I haven't tried CEC; I'm not sure how to do that. I'll check the TV manual and settings on the Firestick. The HDMI port the Firestick is plugged into is marked ARC, so maybe that will work. I've never used CEC controls before. I thought I'd be able to avoid that forever using JP1 remotes. :)

I actually ran across a post that suggested the cable might not work on old Firestick devices, so I asked my daughter (it's her TV) to buy a new one. Here is that post: https://intesettech.com/index.php/forum ... tv/?part=1

I'll check the settings on the Firestick to see if USB debugging is enabled and if it is, I'll disable it and try again.

Thanks again for your help. I'll post my findings.
mdavej
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Post by mdavej »

The TV's USB may not be able to power both the IReTV and the Fire stick. Definitely use the Fire stick's factory power supply. The stick will power off automatically after a short period of time anyway.
Ed
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Location: Ft. Worth, TX

Post by Ed »

In case you can't get it working, have you tried CEC and your Vizio TV codes?
I checked the TV manual and it indicates that the TV remote can control power on/off, volume, and mute via CEC. (It's a relatively old TV.) So, unless I'm missing something, CEC doesn't seem like it's going to be helpful.
The TV's USB may not be able to power both the IReTV and the Fire stick. Definitely use the Fire stick's factory power supply.
The factory power supply is long lost. I could try a generic USB power/charger but I suspect that could be risky so I think I'll wait to get the new Firestick. If I can get the new one working with its included power supply, I'll try the new power supply with the old Firestick, just for fun. I'll also check the USB settings on the old Firestick and disable USB debug mode (if it's enabled).
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