I have one successfully installed with vera. Although, when I get to the test screen after I have component type and manufacturer chosen I have no success. When I push the test button the appropriate ir flashes. I’m assuming each test button is a particular code for that command and manufacturer, but have not had any luck with a tv, dvd player or receiver.
This is where I’m stuck. I also have the gc-irl, but not sure how to implement this into the equation either…maybe this would even be easier…
No, I have not. My 1st problem with the IRL is I have no serial port on my laptop and it doesn’t seem possible to connect the software to the IRL through the port on the gc-100. I bought a serial>usb cable, but after trying that learned that usb only gives out 5 volts while a serial port has 15 volts so my IRL will not power up. So…I intend on bringing my work laptop home this weekend and at the very least getting all my codes recorded.
That still doesn’t help me a whole lot though, since I’m not sure what to do with the codes after I have them.
Also, at this point I’m more concerned trying to get even one command sent with the gc-100 through…what seems like anyway…their preprogrammed codes with the plug and play. Although, their wiki doesn’t seem to match up with what I’m actually seeing on my screen when I go to add a device then run into the roadblock that I described in my original post.
If you have ANY help I’d greatly appreciate it! It doesn’t seem too many are dabbling in this yet. This is the final piece of the puzzle and then Vera will be a full package for me. Ideally, I’d like to be able to add a scene to one of my Leviton’s 4-scene controllers that turns on all my a/v and ready to watch tv as I go to sit down or have music playing as an addition to my scene when I come home. Also, not that I don’t love my Harmony remote, but would love to have it all integrated into vera and my iPod.
Yeah, it’s pretty funny to get this IRL device and then realize that is has some ancient plug type that was abandoned by the computer industry long ago. Funny in a very not-funny way. Have you gone to your GC-100’s web page and played around with the settings? Maybe the port you are using is set incorrectly?
So here we are, having to figure every little thing out as if we are trying to accomplish something that MCV never imagined that the average J.Q. Public might want to do. Jeez.
I was finally able to get my GC-100 to work with many of the existing codes, although as you have seen, many of the equipment codes have only On and Off and maybe a few other basic functions. I just kept trying all the different test buttons until I found one that would that turned a piece of equipment on/off. Some of the sets are more complete: the DirecTV HDDVR has quite a few functions that work just fine on my setup. But there are lots of functions that are missing, even from this one. I have no clue how to add codes, but we’ll have to figure it out.
After using Vera and DotControlPro, I’ve come to the conclusion that the touchscreen (iPhone, etc.) is a PITA for controlling audio/video/DTV. When I’m watching TV I jump around so much - fast forwarding through ads, changing channels, turning down the volume when Billie Mays comes on - that waking up a phone, opening an app, scrolling through screens (or Control Pads), etc., etc., is all waaay to slow for me. I’m going back to my Harmony 900.
Next I’m going to try to use my blaster to control my Velux skylights. That’s something I’d like to do in Scenes…
I’ve held back from buying a GC-100 on multiple occasions. However, I have been trying to get my hands on the Global Cache’s next generation called iTach.
A couple of things to note: the next Global Cache version of an IR device will have IR learning built-in. (IE no need for the IRL and consequently a serial port.), it will be available in a WiFi version, it will also accept multiple simultaneous connections…just to name a few things…
As far as IR remote control on the iPhone, I have been in contact with the Devs @ “Bobby Remote.” I’m hoping to get in on their next Beta to support the iTach line (It looks like they might have a more fully capable UI)
Although, I do share the same feelings as CMRancho… a touch screen interface doesn’t feel as natural as a good-old button remote. (I have the Harmony 1000 right now and no matter how much I try and tweak it, it still doesn’t feel natural.)
Just thought I would add my 2 cents worth…
(I have no affiliation with any of the products or companies listed above. I’m just an interested in using a GC product for IR Control like you guys…)
Well, guys…I got the gc-100 to work after uninstalling, re-installing and playing around with some settings. I have yet to begin to work with the IRL yet.
After some thought and listening to you two on the ‘feel’ of a full-on button remote I think I’m scrapping the global cache as a loss…at least for the ir part of it. I stayed away from the Harmony 1000 for that reason. I love my 890, but I’d hate to mess with it since it doesn’t know the state of a device besides what it logs. So, I figured I should leave well enough alone. It’s not that big of a deal to have another remote lying around.
So, instead, what I did was wired a plug onto a Leviton 4-scene controller and plugged it in by my entertainment center and will use it solely for the 890. I know it’s kind of redundant, but since all my z-wave is paired with my Vera I decided to take advantage of the ir feature in the Leviton so I can still get functionality of my lights through my 890. It works like a charm and can apply it to my Activities if I want. I love the Harmony line, but not so much that they are quite proprietary as far as slaves are concerned.
I may play with the gc-100 as door and window sensors maybe activating scenes or… that and the IRL may find itself on ebay. Jacobly, I did read some on the iTach earlier and was quite impressed…especially that you can have “satellite” units as well. If you find yourself down that road, I’d be very interested in what you think. It also seems a bit more plug and play so you don’t have to worry about as much grunt work… I have an a/v (and entering smart home) business doing installation, networking & structured wiring. I’d really like to add Vera as an option, but you have to weigh cost and, especially, setup/installation time. I can’t spend a week programming someone’s home theater system, ya know?!
I use my iPhone for darn near everything, so it came as quite a shocking disappointment that for A/V I prefer the old remote(s) with buttons. It is a real flaw, though, when the controller doesn’t know the device state, especially with all the toggle functions built into A/V equipment remotes.
Thephoneguy678: is it possible that the serial port on the GC-100 would provide a direct interface with the RS232 on my reciever, Blueray, TV, and DTVHDDVR? Does serial know the state of these devices? I’m not up to the programming it would take, but if this could be made to work, at least the light at the end of the tunnel wouldn’t be a train.
@CMRancho, dont know if it helps or not, but I have a RS-232 to my TV (Panasonic). With the interface Panasonic exposes, you can enquire on the “state” of the TV (On, Off, Channel#, Input# etc) but it wont actively tell you the state has changed when someone manually turns on the TV (again, you can enquire on a Luup timer if needed)
From what I’ve seen so far, the current Luup interfaces have no way to expose this state “up” to Vera.
I’m not sure CMRancho. Guessed is more on the right track, but as he states…same as the Harmony…you are stuck with one option or the other since one controller won’t know what the other is doing.
I apologize that I started this post and am deciding to ditch the project(for now), but I see more pros sticking with my rudimentary remote. Sometimes I get caught up in the ‘possibilities’ rather than the practicality. I would be interested if Jacobly persues the iTach. Even though they always paint a simple picture in advertising, it seems to be more incorporated, simple and by far more flexible.
CMRancho, if you do continue to persue the Global Cache I’d be more than happy to know what you come up with. Maybe some knowledge down the road will alter my opinion once again.
You’re right - there’s lots of promise here, but lots of blood, sweat, and tears, too. I’ve ordered the RS-232 to USB adapter cable for my GC-IRL and when it arrives I’ll do more testing. I’ll definitely let you know how it goes.
I finally got my GC-IRL working. It’s on COM port 4 when using the USB to RS-232 cable. I’m using iMac/Fusion/WinXP. It reads and saves the codes. Woohoo! Now I’ll move to the next step of figuring out how to make use of the codes. It’s an adventure, a voyage of discovery, a PITA.
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