IR-Remote receiver (with wake on IR) WinLIRC

[Schmidti]

Hello,
some time ago I had the idea to turn on my pc on by my IR-Remote.
I was searching the web for a cheap and simple solution. I`ve now the "IR-Einschalter Rev.4" for 13€

http://www.atric.de/IR-Einschalter/index.php

Here are my other search results.
http://www.irshop.de.vu/
http://www.ocinside.de/html/modding/modding_d.html
http://www.stefanfroede.de/
http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~mutax/IR-Schalter/
http://markh.de/wakeonlirc/

Most of the sides are in german :? Perhaps somebody can find english sides also and add them to this thread.

[Deco]

This is something I was looking for a while ago, and couldn't find anything!

I thought there would be some device available that would learn a button from an IR remote and connect in-line with the PC power switch to switch on the PC (bringing it out of hibernation).

Using WOL instead is ingenious; the "IR-Einschalter Rev.4" looks really interesting, if only it had instructions in English! Wonder if they will release a translated version?

What is the RS232 port for (I'm guessing to flash firmware)? Could the firmware be flashed on another PC, as my Media Portal Pc has no legacy ports?

Thanks,
Deco

[Schmidti]

Hi Deco,
The "IR-Einschalter Rev.4" receiver has the funktin you explained. In program-mode it learns a button from an IR remote.
If this special button is pressed during normal operation you have different choices to switch your PC on.

1. It is connect the device in-line with the PC power switch to switch on the PC
2. Use the wake on lan connector to the device to switch on the pc
3. Use power on ring over seriel connecton to turn it on

You need the serial port for standard IR-remote control with Girder, WinLIRC, Mediaportal... what ever.

In detail you can find the english manual here.
http://www.atric.de/IR-Einschalter/m...ction=download

[Deco]

Originally Posted by Schmidti

Hi Deco,
In detail you can find the english manual here.
http://www.atric.de/IR-Einschalter/m...ction=download

Thanks Schmidti!

That's exactly what I've been looking for! Must have a look now and see if they'll post to Ireland ... Thanks for the link to the English manual.

Where did you locate the IR receiver in your setup??

Kind regards,

Deco.

[Deco]

Originally Posted by Deco

Must have a look now and see if they'll post to Ireland ...

In case anyone else is interested, Atric will post to Ireland (and probably most of Europe) for EUR 4.

I'm going to order one; should allow me to lower power consumption by putting my PC into hibernation and still powering up using by remote. At the moment, if I hibernate the PC will only wake up by pressing the power button.

Only awkard bit is that have to pay Atric direct - they do not have any credit card / Paypal payment facility.

Deco.

[Deco]

Got the "IR-Einschalter Rev.4" within a week, great service from Atric!

Installed it during the week. Bit tricky with the Dell (thanks Dell!) - had to patch into the 5VSB line directly from the PSU and solder wires to the power switch. However, works beautifully and is ultimate couch potato solution when using hibernate rather than standby.

The IR receiver is very sensitive, so was able to locate the receiver behind one of the front grilles. Just programmed the TV power button with code from old remote, then programmed IR receiver with this code. Perfect!

Thanks for the link Schmidti.

Deco

[Schmidti]

Nice to hear!
Hope it`s an interesting link for others too.
I have assemled it on my own. (It was not so difficult and cheaper)
What have you done?

[mzemina]

I was thinking to purchase such a device. But since I am in USA, I doubt they will ship and can't even find a way to order it since the entire site (did find the english manual Schmidti pointed out) is in German.

[Deco]

Originally Posted by mzemina

But since I am in USA, I doubt they will ship and can't even find a way to order it since the entire site (did find the english manual Schmidti pointed out) is in German.

Why not drop Atric an email, I found them very helpful:
info@atric.de. They got back to me very quickly with postage rates and order details (in English!).

Payment was by direct transfer to their bank account - no PayPal or credit card facilities available. However delivery was very quick and the package is very small (approx A5 size bubble wrap envelope).

I opted for the fully assembled board for EUR 19.50. Note that there are 3 different versions - the only difference though is the serial cable supplied (2 internal header types and one external serial port type). All other necessary wires were supplied.
Although I purchased the external serial port version, in the end I did not connect the serial port at all as I have an MCE remote - although pin 5 has to be connected to ground, which I just connected directly to the metal case. However, if you use WinLIRC or similar, it works as a remote receiver too.

BTW I don't speak German either - Google Translate is your friend! You may have to supply the particular frame URL for it to work properly.

Hope this helps, let me know how you get on. It's been working perfectly now for nearly a week. Great when you arrive home from work, slump into the couch and then realise you forgot to switch the HTPC on!!

Deco.

[mzemina]

Deco - Thanks. I think I'll send them an email.

Mike