Handheld Z-wave and IR Remote?

Apps & Remote Access
1

I want to set up a remote control that will control my existing AV equipment (TV, DirecTV, etc.) via IR and also control some of my Z-wave devices. My thought is that the Z-wave control would occur through my Vera, but it doesn’t have to happen that way.

I have read in a couple of places that the higher-end Harmony remotes can control Z-wave but I am confused as to how this is occurring. Are the Harmony’s talking directly to the device (via Z-wave) or are they talking to the Vera (via Wifi/network) which is talking to the device (via Z-wave)? If it is talking directly to the device, is it okay to have the Vera and the remote both talking directly to it?

I feel like this is probably pretty basic and easy and I am just missing something. I am sorry if it seems like a dumb question, I just can’t find it spelled out.

2

I am using two Philips Pronto remotes to control a lot of Zwave devices. I also have my Vera operating several IR devices. Here was my original question posed in this forum.

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,23223.msg157439.html#msg157439

RexBeckett’s plugin with a Kira module from Keene Electronics works without any problems. Easy to setup. Thanks again! RexBeckett.

3

Ok, so it seems like using the Kira module I could in theory use any IR remote to control Z-wave devices? Is that right? I don’t see the Kira app listed in the app store, it it called something else?

While that option seems like it will work, what I was really hoping to do was to get a remote that “out of the box” talked IR and Z-wave OR a WiFi remote that would talk to the Vera. Either of these options would help take an extra “hop” or node out of the loop.

4

Below is a link for the Kira plugins (Rx-receiver and TX-transmitter). There are a lot of posts to read. The first post covers the plugins very well. The plugins need to be installed manually (real easy).

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,14618.0.html

Just follow the instructions. Not difficult.
The only other option that I am aware of is the Global Cache iTach. I don’t think that it works as both a transmitter and receiver. The Kira is a great solution! I am using two Kira modules in two different rooms. I even have my Prontos operating my HVAC through Vera.

Mark

5

Thanks for the second quick reply! I followed the link from your first post and then the link from that post, but I didn’t read it very well. Now that you have drawn my attention to it again, it makes more sense. The one thing that I am still not 100% sure of is whether or not ANY remote will work, or if I need to have something special like a Harmony, Phillips Pronto, etc. I have a learning/programmable remote but it is just a cheap $20 Sony one and I am just trying to figure out if I need more than that.

I am still very interested to know if there is anything out there that does IR and Z-wave all in one.

6

The Kira module and the plugins don’t care where the codes come from. The codes can be entered manually, or learned from your remote or a friends remote that uses different equipment than you. You could for example, use any existing code sets that your remote has now. Confusing? Hear is what I am suggesting. Lets say you have a TV made by ZZZ. You want to control a Zwave light switch. You could use a TV code set for a TV made by YYY and use ANY YYY command for the switch (#1=on #2=off #3=toggle) or (channel+=on channel-=off Volume+=toggle). It’s a little bit to learn but the end result is the best of both worlds. I liked my Vera before. Now I love it.

Mark

7

Ok, this is sounding better and better. I just wasn’t sure whether the Kira learned the code from the remote or if the remote had to learn the code from Kira. So that is pretty sweet that I can use my existing remotes. I’m guessing that the main benefit to using a fancier remote such as the Pronto is just to be able to customize and text & icons?

It looks like I will need the KIRAMW. When I look for it online, it looks like it is pretty much only available from Keene in the UK. Is that who you purchased it through or do you know a US-based retailer that has them?

Thanks again for all of your help.

8

You can get a Pronto or Harmony remote on eBay for a reasonable price. The ability to customize the graphics is only one of the benefits. You can set them up with any logic and structure you want. Have a look at:

http://files.remotecentral.com/index.html

Direct from Keene is the only place I found it.

http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/keene-electronics/keene-ir-anywhere-ir-over-ip-module-(single)/KIRAM.html

If you need a world power supply:

http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/keene-electronics/keene-ir-anywhere-(single-worldwide)-/KIRAMW.html

Mark