How to use 'foreign' remote for SqueezeBox (or other player)?

[peterhoogstraaten]

I would like to use a remote control I already use for other equipment, e.g. my television, to control my player. Of course I could use some 'universal' remote for it, but I want to use an existing one. Because I just like its looks and interface (and it is available).

By default Squeezecenter supports the Slimdevices remote and a JVC DVD remote. Does anyone know how to add extra definition? And if so, how to define?

Please note: I am not talking about IR Blaster. I want to use a remote to control my player.

[peterw]

Enable infrared (? slimproto?) debugging in the loging facility for Squeezecenter. If you see log messages when you press buttons on your remote, then the Squeezebox is sending "raw IR" info/slimproto commands to SqueezeCenter and you can make/install custom .ir files to use the remote. But some remote IR codes, like those sent by my Denon remote, are not sent by the Squeezebox to Squeezecenter, and therefore cannot be used. It would take a firmware update from Logitech to make a SB start sending info about codes like those from my Denon -- and some codes (most notably B&O?) might not be possible at all. I wouldn't put much hope in such a firmware enhancement -- Logitech has removed at least one feature that some users liked in order to add support for new audio formats, so it seems unlikely that they'd add more code for your use case. It's worth asking, though. It could be that the change would be virtually "free" on the firmware side -- maybe the SB is "holding back" codes, and having it send more along would actually make the firmware simpler.

If your SB is close to your SC server, you may be able to take a different route -- attach an IR receiver to the server and use some external app to listen for IR codes and feed them to SC via the network CLI interface.

Good luck.

[peterhoogstraaten]

Thanks Peter, I will give it a try. I suppose that the fact that some remotes are not working is due to the fact that these use a different IR frequency which is not within the range the SB will detect? Had the same problem once with a universal remote. It refused to learn certain IR codes.

[Mnyb]

I got my meridian remote to emulate a jvc that works "ok" not everything works.
But it's worth a try there is often a list of codes in any universal remotes manual try to set up source a a "jvc" dvd por cd player.

[peterhoogstraaten]

Peter,

Your logging remark was a great help! I now created a definition file for a Kenwood remote I have. Works like a charm.

I also found out that my Blaupunkt remote is not recognized at all by the Squeezebox. Must be like your Denon experience. Did not try it with my Boom, but I expect the same issue.

[toby10]

There is always the "learn" function of such IR remotes as well. But this entails programming every single button individually.
Tedious, but it works and you now can custom map particular SB remote buttons to the new remote buttons that make sense to you.

[peterhoogstraaten]

Guys, thanks for your answers regarding an universal remote. Of course I know those will work, but as I stated in my initial message, I do not want to use those. I want to use an existing remote I already have for other equipment.

PeterW gave me the best answer so far and it is now working great! I use the spare keys I had on the audioset remote (for extra tapedeck) to command my Squeezebox.

(Actually I'm even thinking about writing a plug-in to add such extra functionality. If I have the time somewhere in the next years :-) )