Home Theater Forum and Systems banner

ALM Family Theater automation using iRule

26K views 93 replies 13 participants last post by  HT2013 
#1 ·
I have not seen a whole lot of information here at HTS on the iRule app to control one's theater, so I decided to start this thread to detail my journey through it.

After reading through a slew of build threads and seeing what was used to control the room, I decided to follow Simon's (raZorTT) and Moggie's steps and use iRule to control the room. Main reasoning was we already had an iPad that could be used (as well as a couple iPods) and it had the ability to tie in with the Lutron GE well to handle lighting. It did not hurt that I could ask Simon questions too. ;)

I tried the free 2 week trial earlier this year to see how intuitive it was. TBH, I was a bit nervous about it because there is a learning curve involved and the trial did nothing to sway me from that opinion. However, for those considering iRule, using the trial does not give you a real good idea of building panels.

I took the plunge and purchased the GC-100-12 a couple weeks ago. Once I got the modem, router and switch set-up earlier this week, I purchased the iRule license. I decided to go with the Pro license as opposed to the basic - for $50 more, you get 2 additional handsets, the ability to use the feedback functionality, and you can share panels, etc.

The GC-100 is a communication device as far as I can tell. You connect it to your network (it needs a direct connection - I used one of the ports on my switch) and all communication is done through it. You can use IR emitters which plug into an IR port on the GC-100 and the emitter side is placed on the unit you wish to control over the IR point. Fortunately, it seems like most of the newer equipment has an IR port that you can plug a TRS jack into instead of taping the emitter to your equipment.

When I installed the Lutron unit, I ran a length of Cat6 from the Lutron into my AV closet (using cat6 was suggested by Simon). The Grafik Eye has an IR Com and Data connection point - these are used to send commands to the GC-100. I used the Orange and white/orange lines. I put a TRS on the other end.

Yesterday, I used one of the Panels that was already there called LIGHTING and, using iRule's iBuilder page (you need a Google account to do this), set up the panel that would allow me to turn the lights on and off. It was a simple matter of using the database codes that were already provided for the Lutron units and dropping them onto the buttons.

Once that was done, I installed the iRule app to my iPad and configured it using my Google account. Once that was entered, I clicked the Sync button so that it could pull any panels I created using iBuilder.

Then, I set up the equipment. I connected the GC-100 to my switch and plugged the power in. I then plugged the TRS jack from the Lutron unit into IR Port 1.

Now, it was time to create the Gateway so I grabbed the iPad, tapped the Gateway icon, and it brought up a list of the different unit types (mine is the GC-100). Then, I clicked on the EDIT buttion which allows you to search for gateways for each device. Once I clicked on ADD for the GC-100, it started a search for an existing gateway and found the unit I had just powered up. Then, I selected IR Port 1 which brought me to the ADD DEVICE screen. There were several to choose from - the first was Lutron. I selected that and it brought me back to the previous gateway display screen. I then renamed the gateway and saved it.

Finally, I touched the Panels tab - it brought me up my list of panels of which LIGHTING was one. When I selected that one, it took me to the panel display I created. Be sure to check in the lower right corner for a green "wi-fi-like" icon. If it is green, it is connected to the gateway; otherwise, you have an issue. I then touched my LIGHTS ON button and VOILA! The lights came on. I was so excited. ;)

That is as far as I have made it thus far - I spent the next 30 mins or so creating scenes on my Lutron unit so I could program those into iBuilder when I next had a chance.

I realize this is an incredibly lengthy post - thanks for bearing with me. I will do my best to get some screen shots or pictures when I can. If you have any questions as I go along - fire away!
 
See less See more
#3 ·
I was trying to figure out how to set a different background image and was struggling a bit to get it figured out, but I just got it set. In order to make a background layer, you have to make sure to switch from all layers to background layer only.

I was not seeing it right off because it is in the lower left corner of the display panel which you need to scroll to see.

I uploaded a picture of my HT as it is right now and set that as a background - we shall see how it looks.....
 
#4 ·
I bought iRule and a POE glocal Cache IP2IR device a while back. I'm quite excited about the software and what not, but I have yet to build an interface for it! It's certainly going to be an accomplishment when I finally do.

I had a similar issue with the backgrounds. I think my biggest issue is I want it to look REALLY professional and sleek so that means I have to edit all the backgrounds, buttons, and what not and create overlays and so on that all work together on the resolution the device will be. At some point I'm really going to tackle this but the only place I found decent information was over on AVS and I can't get anyone to help me out! People post in the threads, but when you ask a question it's like it's invisible or something.
 
#5 ·
I bought iRule and a POE glocal Cache IP2IR device a while back. I'm quite excited about the software and what not, but I have yet to build an interface for it! It's certainly going to be an accomplishment when I finally do.

I had a similar issue with the backgrounds. I think my biggest issue is I want it to look REALLY professional and sleek so that means I have to edit all the backgrounds, buttons, and what not and create overlays and so on that all work together on the resolution the device will be. At some point I'm really going to tackle this but the only place I found decent information was over on AVS and I can't get anyone to help me out! People post in the threads, but when you ask a question it's like it's invisible or something.
I have found it quite handy so far - I am sure I will be tweaking screens and such over time, so I used a lower res pic for the life right now.

I completely understand - AVS is the only place I have found discussion to this point which is why I started this thread. Feel free to ask questions here Harold - if I cannot answer them straight off, I can at least start poking around at it too so we can figure it out.

Now, if I can just figure out a way to get a good screen shot.........
 
#6 ·
Yeah, I was mostly asking questions about how to size and place overlays and boxes and stuff on the background to make them line up with the buttons and what not in photoshop. I think I'll likely start a bit basic and start adding things I go like feedback and what not. I just have to get up the motivation to sit down and do it haha.
 
#10 ·
OK, remember this is just a first run at a screen so no laughing! :bigsmile:



One thing I have to figure out - for some reason, the gateway IP changes periodically so I have to find a new gateway and change the IP in my existing one. Definitely need to figure that one out as it is very tedious having to update it.
 
#12 ·
Finally got back to working on this a bit last night as I finally got the wiring I needed to get the AV closet squared away.

We left off with a screen created to handle lighting - just something quick and kind of klunky. I decided to do this with the rest of the equipment as well to allow me to at least ditch the remotes for now. Plus, it helps to learn a bit more about moving around and such.

So, I created screens for the OPPO-93, the Onkyo 809, and the Panasonic AE-7000. I still need to create one for the DVR. Klunky they are, but at least the functions I need are there.

Some of the stumbling blocks I ran into are:

1. There seem to be several device version floating around - make sure you have the right one. I ran into this with both the OPPO and the 809.

2. Dropping a code onto a button does not overlay the code that was already there - it adds a delay and then will execute that second code. You have to clear any codes first before you add a new one.

3. I connected my projector via serial cable. I used the codes from the PTAE series device, but I was not getting any functions to work. So, I searched for other devices under iRule and found the AE-7000 R232 device. Aha!, that is the one! Unfortunately, still no functions working. After further digging, I found a suggestion that the baud rate would need to be changed to 9600 from 19200 on the Gateway Controller. To do this, open a web browser and enter the IP for the gateway. This will allow you to select the serial connection you are connected to and change the baud rate. Once I did that, everything functioned as it should.

4. Some of the device codes are generically named - there was some trial and error to get the correct code. If the button does not work how you intended, try a different code.

Here are the screens!

Projector:



Onkyo 809:



OPPO 93

 

Attachments

#17 ·
I love it! Keep the posts on iRule coming. I am a LOOOONG way from setting mine up but I did pickup 2 GC-100-6's for $29/each off ebay. Still quite a few there if you need more. I was wondering how you control the GE with it. Thanks for the clarification. Did you use any wallstations with your GE? I'm thinking I might need at least one as my GE will be on one end of the room and I have my office 30' from the GE. Do the wallstations operate like 3 way switches?
 
#23 ·
I used the IR ports on the GE - the ones in the orange block. I then used a standard phone line using two of the wires from there to my av closet where the GC-100 is. At that end, I put a 3.5 stereo jack on and plugged it into one of the 6 IR ports. It actually worked the first try. :bigsmile:

I do not have any wall stations. My wife and I both have iPads, I have an iPod, and I have an Android based phone. Between the four of them, I figured at least one would be accessible. :bigsmile:

Honestly, I did not pay much attention to the wall stations as I knew I would not be using one, but I think (and don't quote me here because it has been a while since I researched it) that the wall stations wire into the side of the unit next to the IR connection points.
 
#18 ·
I didn't go with the GC stuff because from what I understood it could only be used by once device at a time (tablets phones and such) So I went for the iTach route. Although right now I have 2 devices that even need IR and shortly that will go down to 1 lol.

I still have not messed with it much. I really wanted to find a nice tablet that I could use strictly as a remote and finances haven't allowed that recently.
 
#22 ·
Yeah I already have a Nexus 7, I was looking for something a bit larger in the 9-10" range for the remote but also with a decent resolution. I want to pick up the Nexus 10 but I don't want to leave it in my living room as a remote lol. There are a good bit of cheap 10" tablets out there, but they all have pretty resolution (lower or equal to my Nexus 7).
 
#26 ·
Apologies that I have not posted to this thread lately - I have been in full on construction mode recently.

As Harold said, if you have everything networked, you would be good to go with the software. For myself, I am using R232 communication for the projector and IR for the cable box so I purchased a Global Cache GC-100 unit. So, I ended up connecting all the devices through the GC-100 via IR (other than the projector).

Besides that, the only other thing needed was the cables to connect the devices.
 
#27 ·
Have you already figured out the changing IP issue? I was struggling with this issue for a while. Despite iRule's advice to set up static IP's for all of my devices, I left it up to the router's DHCP capability to assign them. I finally went in to my router's set-up (Netgear WNDR4500), and created IP Reservations for each device I wanted to control with iRule - including the gateways (iTach IP2IR and GC-100-12). Apparently, this method doesn't cause the "problems" assigning static IP's does (not sure what problems, iRule community forums mention them).

This may be a simple-fix to a simple-problem, but thought I'd post it nevertheless. These little steps sometimes stump me for much longer than is necessary I'm sure:sweat:

Any-who, thanks for the posts and for the threads you have going on! --Mario
 
#30 ·
I always use IP reservations rather then static IP's.
I did reserve an IP for my GE unit as I was having issues with that one not connecting - all the rest of my equipment has never had an issue.

And, you bet Mario. I really wanted to capture as much info about iRule as we could in one spot - so that when someone asked me a question later (and my tired old mind cannot remember) I would know exactly where to look for the answer! :bigsmile:

Hi Joe,

Nice work creating the thread. Sorry I've only just seen it :doh:

A couple of the things you mentioned caught me out as well. The baud rate for particular devices was an important one. I have two devices running off one of the GC serial ports and for a while couldn't work out why one worked and the other didn't.

Finally as a last resort, I read the manual and noticed that one had a different rate. So I moved it to it's own port and combined two that I knew had the same rate. Worked like a charm ;)

Cheers,
Simon
Yeah - that one stumped me for quite a bit. My biggest hurdle coming up is going to be that I am a complete and utter novice when it comes to using any picture editing packages - creating my own buttons is going to be painful. :sad:
 
#32 ·
Yeah - that one stumped me for quite a bit. My biggest hurdle coming up is going to be that I am a complete and utter novice when it comes to using any picture editing packages - creating my own buttons is going to be painful. :sad:
Let me know when you are about to start. I have some custom buttons for photoshop/fireworks that might save you some time. Happy to share them.

Cheers,
Simon
 
#29 ·
Hi Joe,

Nice work creating the thread. Sorry I've only just seen it :doh:

A couple of the things you mentioned caught me out as well. The baud rate for particular devices was an important one. I have two devices running off one of the GC serial ports and for a while couldn't work out why one worked and the other didn't.

Finally as a last resort, I read the manual and noticed that one had a different rate. So I moved it to it's own port and combined two that I knew had the same rate. Worked like a charm ;)

Cheers,
Simon
 
#34 ·
Just purchased the Denon AVR-4520CI which will be used in the theater.

I started looking in iRule to get a quick page setup - and, I must admit, I really wish the naming conventions were done much better. I am looking at the remote and trying to determine which functions tie to which commands and I cannot even locate the return/back function in iRule.

More trial and error on the way I guess. :(
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top