What is the main differences between the SQ Blaster+ and the Redeye for remote device control?
Do either of them allow me to control multiple of the same equipment located in the same area? (Like 3 cable boxes located in the same media cabinet?) or would i need 3 seperate sq blaster/redeye units to control each unit independantly?
The SQblaster+ supports 4 separately controllable emitters plus the built in blaster. Redeye doesn’t look like it can do this.
The SQ blaster also has good plugin support so that you can control devices through scenes in Vera.
but how do i control 3 of the same devices located in the same area? they all have the same IR codes, so if i change the channel on 1 set-top box it would change on all 3…how do i work around that?
…By using external emitters plugged into each of the SQ blasters external emitter ports! The emitters are attached to each individual STB, and are individually controllable! They are designed exactly for this purpose since the emitters are usually attached to the front of STB (over the IR sensor) and only beam one direction so as not to interfere, and blast a signal to the other boxes!
Make sense?
There is a third option the Global Cache GC100 or itach. They all offer simpler function as identified to the other two and both SQ Blaster and GC100 (including itach) have supported plugins. With GC100 family they only offer a single user connection whereby the newer iTach offers multiple users to connect at the same time.
Another difference is Both the CG/iTach and Sq Blaster can be utilised by multiple third party remote control software and as far as I am aware this is not the case for SQ Blaster but I could be wrong (I was wrong and I should have known this as I had recently installed the Homeseer app for a look - thanks @guessed). I have multi GC devices; however, have recently order a SQ Controller as well. Details can be found at squareconnect.com
Now I do not use Vera to control my IR and utilise another program but the capability and the seamless integration is what you should be looking for. The one thing I really like about the design of the SQ Blaster is its embedded IR blaster design rather than external blaster and it present a very wide angle to emit the IR across.
Here’s a list of the SQBlaster control apps:
squareconnect.com
The other difference is that the SQBlasters have an actual IRCode chip on the device. This is basically what’s on (hardware) remote controls so the IR codes that can be sent are precise, along with a wide catalog… Both in the chip, and in their external installer catalog.
whats the difference between the SQ Blaster+ and the SQ Controller you are linking to?
also what are the main advantages/disatvangates with going with either the SQ Blaster or a GC/iTach unit?
I’m using redeye for a time. and conclude…is a good device…but has only 1 port for additional emitters (my model is redeye only not a pro MOdel).
it runs good…has a good free app.
has only wifi connection not a lan port.
I would like to see redeye comunicating with vera but is not possible yet.
I’m buying a sqblaster because I need integrate to vera and create a unique scene which control lights and turn on my home theater equipments.
I hope be doing the right thing for this…
I bought the sqremote HD app and functions very well with my vera…is a very beautifull interface for vera.
when all integrated will be good tap in an unique button and integrate zwave and IR commands
The SQ Blaster + is an ir device, whereby, the SQ Controller is the SQ Blaster + with an embedded Z-wave. It is only new but I only pre-order that version as is is cheaper than buying the SQ Blaster + in Australia and that is after including shipping…
The itach is a very simple and dependable unit as is the comments relating to the SQ Blaster. The Itach Is cheaper but @guessed identifies the SQ Blaster contains the embedded ir chipset. Not sure there is any main advantage/disadvantage other then then SQ Blaster + design and its embedded ir emitters which allow it to be placed somewhere in a room to control other ir equipment (air conditioners etc) and still utilizing an ir emitter cable to extend into your cabinet. Of course that depend on what equipment is placed where.
Warning the Itach states seven clients/connections at the same time which I have only ever four/five during my testing. I am not sure of the limitation via apps on the SQ Blaster +. But this has not caused any problem just identifying a limitation of the Itach.
so what is the advantage of having the Zwave built into the SQBlaster unlike the normal SQBlaster+? Does it operate differently?
The full functions and details are not complete as yet thus the beta trail. Basic it will enable it to add ZWave device directly to the unit or another way to put this act as an alternative to Vera. That wasn’t the reason I was buying it but I am very happy to act As beta tester. They are still on development phase so unsure to the rest of your questions.
waht if i need more than 3 IR leads to be independantly controlled?
You’d require multi itach units or for the SQ Blaster+
Product Details
The SQ Blaster Plus is a professional level IR control solution for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. For in-room blasting it has 8 internal IR LEDs that emit infrared (IR) 270º around the exterior of the case as well as out of the case top. The Blaster Plus provides 5 channel addressable IR, with 4 external channels and one internal. Each external channel uses a 3.5mm stereo jack that can drive up to 6 IR emitters meaning that it can be wired to 24 individual devices. Multiple blaster units can be run on the same network, so you can have one for each area that you want to control. Connects securely and quickly to your network using a setup wizard via USB. Uses 2 extensive IR databases and advanced built-in IR learning to capture any missing codes. How it works: SQ Remote on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad sends commands over your home Wi-Fi network to the Blaster (SQ Remote Lite is free from the Apple app store). The Blaster then converts these signals to IR control commands, which are then beamed (blasted) at your home entertainment equipment. No more pointing your remote! SQ Blaster allows you to control your equipment from anywhere within range of your home Wi-Fi network, and any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad in your home can now be used as a remote control unit. SQ Blaster has been integrated into the Vera, and HomeSeer home control systems, and plugins for these systems allow you to control The Blaster directly. Additional 3rd Party apps are available that also have integrated the control of SQ Blaster, so you are not tied to SQ Remote for your AV control.
Manufactured by: Square Connect Inc.
Merchant SKU: SQB003_B
Each unit is controllable by multiple iPhone/iPod touch/iPad units. Designed to complement your AV Equipment.
Wi-Fi, 802.11 b,g compatible. WPA & WPA2 Personal compatible. Built-in IR receiver with on board IR code protocol analysis
5 Channel Adressable IR. 8 Internal IR Emitters (Channel 0) and 4 x 3.5mm audio jack connections - powers up to 24 external IR-LED emitters and/or a 4 high powered external blaster LED
Power: 5V, 1A max. Case:Polycarbonate
Whats in the box: 1x SQ Blaster unit, 1x PSU, 1x USB Cable.
with the SQBlaster+ it says this:
the Blaster Plus provides 5 channel addressable IR, with 4 external channels and one internal. Each external channel uses a 3.5mm stereo jack that can drive up to 6 IR emitters meaning that it can be wired to 24 individual devices.
what do they mean 5 channel addressable IR? it says each external channel can control 6 IR emitters, but can each of those 6 be controlled independently? or is it those 4 external emitters that can only be controlled indepedently?
If you plug in an external emitter that has 6 emitter eyes, then all 6 are limited to the same channel they are plugged into; therefore if you used these on a few cable boxes or so, they would all receive the same command (not what you want).
If you want individual control of multiples of the same type of box, then the maximum amount of boxes your could control individually is 5 (1 with built in blaster and 4 with the external emitters), if you want to do more than this, then you need multiple SQ blasters!
nope thats more than enough 
the max i would have is 4 cable boxes that need to individually be controlled! does the SQ Blaster+ allow you to use multiple IR blasters at the same time? like if i wanted to control 1 cable box located on 1 IR channel, and then a few devices on another IR channel?
Yes. You can also create macros as well.
perfect!
one last question, how do i extend the IR sensors to each TV location to turn the tv on? Can i extend them over cat6 cables? if so, how do i splice into them or is there convertors available to convert the IR cable into cat5 and then bak into IR cable on the other side?
You wont cables that you are using from the Matrix switch to the TV’s, and therefore you would need another spare cable to run it over.
Before I started using RS232, I used to use a set of cheap IR over RF extenders, so that would be one option if you don’t have any spare cables.
i actually have 3 CAT6 cables running to each TV location from when i installed the HDMI matrix. 2 CAT6 cables for the CAT6-HDMI conversion and i put 1 extra CAT6 just in case lol…can i run it over that wire? how do i do that?
also, what is required to control TV’s over RS232? can any TV do that? I have 2 samsung smart tv’s, but the other 2 are just normal LCD tvs with no internet capabilities…
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