Control Android phone from bluetooth remote/media button - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
Im looking for an app which can control an android phone completely from a bluetooth remote, just like you control Android tv box from its ir remote.
Like navigating/flipping throught menus, click open apps, and selecting context menu, buttons options etc.
Most of the bluetooth handsfree in market allows to control only media apps and play/pause volume features.
For reference, there was this abandoned indiegogo project few years ago called AppYourCar
It had a Bluetooth controller which sticks to the car steering wheel and it had an app which can control your phone.
I found the app apk on google, but it doesnt work anymore and crashes on launch, I've tried on MotoZ play with android 8.1
I want the similar app, and want to use it with a bluetooth remote or a handsfree media buttons like Satechi media button.
There should be an app like this, but I just couldn't find it it... Please help
Thanks

Related

The one and only - one remote for ALL ur devcies

hey guys
dont know if anybody has explained that but its possible to create one remote for all (with most common used commands)
in my case i control my sagem iptv stb, onkyo av reciever and my samsung LE46C750
create a remote with manual adding comands and use the remote from device of ur needs
example
sagem remote for channel up,down,epg,...
onkyo remote volume up, down, sound modes,...
samsung only the menu, input and dvb input...
try it it works too with oldern devices, maybe some parents active here, the tablet is the ultimate parental control ^^
I think it's a good idea. Universal remote for basic commands then just register the device by itself for more complex commands.
Now we need a way to trick it to do macros. I'll need one icon tap that'll turn on my Sat receiver, amp, and TV, as well as sets them to the proper inputs for that activity. Another icon to tap for my BlueRay player, amp, and TV. Etc.. Until then my Logitech Harmony wins the Sofa award.
4dthinker said:
Now we need a way to trick it to do macros. I'll need one icon tap that'll turn on my Sat receiver, amp, and TV, as well as sets them to the proper inputs for that activity. Another icon to tap for my BlueRay player, amp, and TV. Etc.. Until then my Logitech Harmony wins the Sofa award.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ +1 agreed. Macros would make this unbeatable!
Hmmm... I used to have a 20 something dollar sony remote that was programmable for macros. I wonder if that eoyuld work in this case...although my hrmony app for google tv does the job just fine.
There will be an update coming for the remote software either later this year of beginning of next... In the mean time, to set up one universal remote you can just add a device, sect learn from remote, choose "other" then teach it controls from all your other devices and label the buttons what you like, takes time but saves switching between devices.
What if I send a all ready made "macro signal" from my logitech multi remote to the tablet for example the on/off button?
try it out!
I tried to send a macro command to the sony tablet from my harmony remote that should turn my tv on switch it to hdmi, turn on my popcorn hour and turn on my stereo. It recognised the command but only applied the first 2 steps.
So i think the tablet is able to learn macros but not on several devices.....
Sent from my Optimus 2X using XDA App

Bluetooth Remote To Control An Android Phone

Hello, i've done a quick search on the forum here for what i'm looking for but all the posts are old and everyone seemed completely clueless at the time so maybe someone will have an answer now.
I have an LG Ally which is running Android 2.22 if I recall correctly. I currently have a setup so that I plug my phone into my stereo through AUX so I can use my phone to play music, and as a GPS when needed. I use the Music system that's built into android phone, but when i'm driving it's very hard to change the songs and still drive. I know they make bluetooth headphone that allow you to pause, skip, etc so there must be a bluetooth remote control that I can pair to my phone so I don't have to take my eyes off the road in order to change a song.
To make this clear, I am NOT looking for an app, nor am I trying to turn my phone into a remote control. I can't stress this enough, because a lot of posts I read while looking into this a lot of people where getting confused and thinking the person wanted to use their phone as a remote and this is not the case.
I would greatly appreciate some help finding something that would work, since i've not seemed to be able to find anything.
Sony Liveview
Check out the Sony Liveview to use as a bluetooth remote for you android based phones.
I would post a link but since i am a new member it will not let me so just google Sony liveview
Sony Smartwatch
Looks like the Sony Liveview is the older version so may want to look at the newer Sony SmartWatch
Maybe a Bluetooth game controller? Probably still need a helper app.
Not yet
I'm looking for the same exact thing, looks like it is such a small market that there are no products to suit the need.
There is a remote called Satechi BT Media remote that is compatible with iPhones.
If it works like like a Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, media functions should work with Galaxy Note, but I don't know about LG. Every company use different Bluetooth stack.
youtube.com/watch?v=sne9B0j4Z64
androbo said:
There is a remote called Satechi BT Media remote that is compatible with iPhones.
If it works like like a Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, media functions should work with Galaxy Note, but I don't know about LG. Every company use different Bluetooth stack.
youtube.com/watch?v=sne9B0j4Z64
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i know this thread is a little old and i realize this doesnt directly help the OP, but could an IR remote, plugged into a USB host like a moto dock or one of those cables that enables the host command through the mini usb port possibly work? I suppose youd still need some sort of software to control the function...
I was thinking about this the other day when i had my phone attached hdmi to the tv, watching netflix. Once the episode was over, id have to get up and pick something else. A remote or a bt mouse might be a decent solution, but a mouse isnt very sexy as youd have to move around and click, as opposed to just using a directional pad or an arrow key.
dog199200 said:
Hello, i've done a quick search on the forum here for what i'm looking for but all the posts are old and everyone seemed completely clueless at the time so maybe someone will have an answer now.
I have an LG Ally which is running Android 2.22 if I recall correctly. I currently have a setup so that I plug my phone into my stereo through AUX so I can use my phone to play music, and as a GPS when needed. I use the Music system that's built into android phone, but when i'm driving it's very hard to change the songs and still drive. I know they make bluetooth headphone that allow you to pause, skip, etc so there must be a bluetooth remote control that I can pair to my phone so I don't have to take my eyes off the road in order to change a song.
To make this clear, I am NOT looking for an app, nor am I trying to turn my phone into a remote control. I can't stress this enough, because a lot of posts I read while looking into this a lot of people where getting confused and thinking the person wanted to use their phone as a remote and this is not the case.
I would greatly appreciate some help finding something that would work, since i've not seemed to be able to find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking for exactly the same thing, for the same purpose.
I wasn't aware of the bluetooth HID protocol until now and hence I was thinking about a different solution:
I thought about using a bluetooth headset for media control as these often include all the media control buttons.
However I only wanted to use the media buttons of the bluetooth headset while I was playing music through the headphone jack in my car.
Therefore I was seeking for a solution to connect the bluetooth headset in a way that its buttons can be used for media control but no music would be streamed to the headset or could be muted.
I think it's possible but some android hacking might be involved.
But that's a thing of the past with this new Satechi Bluetooth Remote, the amazon sales description states that Android devices are supported as long as they support Bluetooth HID. The customer review section also includes a guy who succesfully paired the Satechi with his Galaxy III.
The Satechi was introduced a couple of months ago so maybe other manufacturers will introduce similar and cheaper devices.
If your Android OS supports Bluetooth HID you can also use some Bluetooth HID devices which are advertised to work with iOS only (ie Apple Bluetooth Keyboard).
dog199200 said:
Hello, i've done a quick search on the forum here for what i'm looking for but all the posts are old and everyone seemed completely clueless at the time so maybe someone will have an answer now.
I have an LG Ally which is running Android 2.22 if I recall correctly. I currently have a setup so that I plug my phone into my stereo through AUX so I can use my phone to play music, and as a GPS when needed. I use the Music system that's built into android phone, but when i'm driving it's very hard to change the songs and still drive. I know they make bluetooth headphone that allow you to pause, skip, etc so there must be a bluetooth remote control that I can pair to my phone so I don't have to take my eyes off the road in order to change a song.
To make this clear, I am NOT looking for an app, nor am I trying to turn my phone into a remote control. I can't stress this enough, because a lot of posts I read while looking into this a lot of people where getting confused and thinking the person wanted to use their phone as a remote and this is not the case.
I would greatly appreciate some help finding something that would work, since i've not seemed to be able to find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is a pretty old thread but Motorola has a product called the RZ100 which should fit the bill nicely. I use it for my GS3 (I travel quite a bit, so gs3 + HDMI out adapter + this remote = bliss) and it works without issues. The only thing I would like is an app that allows remapping the buttons on it (Ahem Android developpers...)
hampox said:
I was looking for exactly the same thing, for the same purpose.
I wasn't aware of the bluetooth HID protocol until now and hence I was thinking about a different solution:
I thought about using a bluetooth headset for media control as these often include all the media control buttons.
However I only wanted to use the media buttons of the bluetooth headset while I was playing music through the headphone jack in my car.
Therefore I was seeking for a solution to connect the bluetooth headset in a way that its buttons can be used for media control but no music would be streamed to the headset or could be muted.
I think it's possible but some android hacking might be involved.
But that's a thing of the past with this new Satechi Bluetooth Remote, the amazon sales description states that Android devices are supported as long as they support Bluetooth HID. The customer review section also includes a guy who succesfully paired the Satechi with his Galaxy III.
The Satechi was introduced a couple of months ago so maybe other manufacturers will introduce similar and cheaper devices.
If your Android OS supports Bluetooth HID you can also use some Bluetooth HID devices which are advertised to work with iOS only (ie Apple Bluetooth Keyboard).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i want the EXACTLY function as u said, just plain media control to pair with my buttonless in ear earphone, only Satechi available now? kinda bulky consider i just need the media control alone.. haiz..
hampox said:
I thought about using a bluetooth headset for media control as these often include all the media control buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much.
I'm using my Sensation with a Harman Kardon Go+Play and therefore had the same problem as OP.
I read your post and realized that I already own a Logilink BT0019 for other purposes.
I paired it and voilá, the music plays via the Harman Kardon, but the BT0019 media buttons still work.
Only Play/Pause and Next/Previous Song though because the sound level Buttons only change the Headsets volume which means that I do now need two remotes (the BT0019 +the provided Harman Kardon Remote for volume control.) but okay, cool.
I got the BT0019 for 22€, so it's a decently low priced solution too, even if I would not need the Headset for other purposes.
I know it's not bluetooth but the Mele F10 air mouse can do the trick via USB OTG.
I'm looking for a similar solution to control the media playing on an Android tablet for my daughter while on road trips. We have a Nexus 10 currently and will probably be getting a Nexus 7/Kindle Fire HD/Nook HD+ soley for her uses. Are there any android apps that might also achieve this using bluetooth? If I could control the media on the tablet using my Galaxy Nexus phone, that would be even better.
I succesfully managed to get what the OP asked for with an old TomTom bluetooth remote like this one (www ebay com/itm/331084156246) thanks to the informations provided by Norvan Gorgi at norvangorgi blogspot it/2011/10/using-tomtom-bluetooth-remote-with.html (insert dots as required ), and it worked brilliantly with both my SGS3 and my first gen Galaxy Note.
Basically, the remote is recognized as an external keyboard, so all you need is to remap its keys (the tomtom remote has 10 buttons) according to your needs, as per the instruction provided by Norvan in his blog.
Thing is, this stopped working when I installed CyanogenMod 10.2 on both my mobiles, appearently because android 4.3 now does not recognizes the remote as a keyboard anymore, but rather as an 'input device', ie with a nice 'joystick' icon next to it (and my own keyboard definition files won't work anymore).
Anyway, once paired with a 4.3 device the four directional keys and the central 'ok' one will sitll work, so it might still prove useful for someone, even if it does not have proper 'direct' media functions as it would have when set up as a keyboard.
Satechi Remote Control
I recently purchased the Satechi remote control because even though it says its specifically made for iOS, people in the reviews said it works on android and also because it works on 3rd party applications like spotify.
I have two Samsung devices, my phone which is Samsung Galaxy Note II and a Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 which is just used to download my spotify playlist for the car. since the Galaxy Player 4.2 only has 512mb of ram its really annoying when i want to change song, very slow and I realised I pay a lot of attention to the device while driving and that isnt good!
so I bought the remote thinking it would help. now the problem is it doesnt connect to android devices because it requires bluetooth HID, according to a few posts found on this website and a few others, I downloaded bluetooth keyboard easy connect and on my phone it worked fine. however on my galaxy player it didnt work. it just keeps TRYING to connect, the device is running 2.3.6.
my question is, is there any other application i can use or anything I can do to use this remote on my mp3 player?
I realize this thread is very old but I found this thread searching for the exact same thing. I have not ordered this yet, but the Amazon reviews seem to suggest this item is exactly what I have been looking for!
Amazon link
Any current suggestions?
Do remotes just work as a HID keyboard or keyboard-mouse combo?

Bluetooth remote

I've hunted through the forums and on Google for an answer but I'm drawing blanks!
What I'd like is a remote to control my phone whilst listening to music. More specifically whilst in the car.
I find it quite fiddly to double tap the screen and then skip tracks whilst driving.
Is there a solution?
LG-G2 / Android 4.2.2
http://www.amazon.com/Satechi-MediaRemote-Bluetooth-Multi-Media-Control/dp/B00824948U
Valiceemo said:
I've hunted through the forums and on Google for an answer but I'm drawing blanks!
What I'd like is a remote to control my phone whilst listening to music. More specifically whilst in the car.
I find it quite fiddly to double tap the screen and then skip tracks whilst driving.
Is there a solution?
LG-G2 / Android 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One solution is to use tasker to disable screen turnoff while connected to your car bluetooth and charging (assuming you have a car charger). Then use something like Unity Music Media Keys (universal control widget that you can supersize, works with pretty much every major music service) for easy skipping.
Or they make aux cables (if you are not using bluetooth) that basically add android remote (volume and skip) functionality and then have a female end (so you can plug into your car normally).
empiremaster23 said:
One solution is to use tasker to disable screen turnoff while connected to your car bluetooth and charging (assuming you have a car charger). Then use something like Unity Music Media Keys (universal control widget that you can supersize, works with pretty much every major music service) for easy skipping.
Or they make aux cables (if you are not using bluetooth) that basically add android remote (volume and skip) functionality and then have a female end (so you can plug into your car normally).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I've had a look in play store and can't find the unity music media keys
LG-G2 / Android 4.2.2

[Research][Accesories] Remote control bluetooth music player for steering wheel

Hi everyone,
i'm searching for a remote control working with bluetooth to put it on my steering wheel, to change music from my phone when i'm driving.
Is someone if something like that exist ?
I would like that it looks like this: Click here (but it does'nt work with android phones...)
And if it doesn't exist, do you know a simply remote control to control smartphones ?
Thanks in advance
I use my pebble watch .. works wonders for this and other things it does .
http://www.dx.com/p/steering-wheel-mount-a2dp-avrcp-bluetooth-caller-id-handsfree-mp3-player-fm-transmitter-32292
and
http://www.elite-electronix.com/car-accessories/steering-wheel-mount-bluetooth-caller-id-handsfree-and-mp3-player-fm-transmitter-tforusb-host

WORKING: Sony NSG-MR5U Bluetooth Remote

I was able to successfully pair my Sony NSG-MR5U Remote (from my old Google TV NSZ-GS7)
Keypad works great, directional pad works but the center button on the pad does not function as the "select" button. If you press the "
Enter" key, that serves as the select button as well as the play/pause option on youtube. The mouse/touch pad also does not seem to work as well. The back button and the home button work fine as well. Still playing around with it trying other buttons to see what they do in other apps.
To enable or force pair mode:
Hold Fn + the center button between the navigation arrows on the remote side. you will notice the green light flashing in a slightly different pattern than while pressing the buttons.
The 1st try found the remote but failed when trying to pair. I played around with the Fn + center button a couple more times during paring mode and it finally paired successfully.
This will more than likely work with NSG-MR7U as well.
chibluboy said:
This will more than likely work with NSG-MR7U as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can verify that all that you have said is true for the NSG-MR7U as well. Tried it all this morning.
Someone from the kodi forums seems to have worked on a patch for the Linux Kernel, but it seems abandonned as the last threads are pretty old.
Here is the informations I've found :
The kodi forum (look the jflatt post where he says everything but the accelerometer works) : http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=153504
The patch (by Jason Flatt, or jflatt) : http://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-input/msg26324.html
I don't have any coding abilities, maybe some xda-dev could help create a working module for Android.
Yes...mine works as well, however the center ok button on the directional pad does not work for some reason...very annoying.
Select/OK Button
Well I got the select button in the middle of the direction pad working by installing External Keyboard Helper an app in the play store (web play store!). I then created a custom keyboard layout and programmed the select button as enter!!! Almost perfect, but still no mouse!
I would totally buy one of these if there was a way to get the mouse working! This remote was very well designed and would go great with my NP
I had been trying to get this damned remote to work with my stuff for years. short of finding a developer to create a proper working driver for it, i dont think we will have much success getting it to work completely functional with anything.
Although, i wonder if anyone with the original google tv player this remote works with, can somehow find and pull the android drivers from it? maybe someone here can tweak the driver to make the mouse and other functions work with the nexus player?
I've been playing around trying to figure something out with a different device, and found that in the root directory, going into /system/usr/keylayouts brings up a few files with a .kl extension to them. Its in these kl files that some devices are configured with scan codes. If we can find the proper scan codes for this remote, as well as the device and vendor ID, I think we might be able to create our own kl file specifically for this remote to make it do whatever we want. I think for everything except the mouse/touchpad unfortunately.
Personally im busy and wont be able to jump right onto looking into this, but if anyone is willing to beat me to it, a little research might help configure it. i dont think the mouse/touchpad is affected by this file though: there was only one other file in the folder for a device with an existing mouse/touchpad (the logitech revue, to be exact) and i dont recall seeing any sort of settings related to a touchpad or mouse other than the left and right mouse buttons, but its a step in the right direction.
You can find the device and property ID by pairing the remote to your windows pc, going into device manager and looking in properties for the remote. Not sure how to find scancodes, but if anyone is familiar with Event Ghost, I seem to recall being able to play with the remote in that program (paired to my pc) and i think i was able to pull up scancodes through the programs log. not positive though. just mentioning all of this because unless someone beats me to it, i might not be able to get to it for another month myself.
do you all think that a PS3 or PS4 remote will connect to the nexus player
Not working for me
Any idea why?
I Hold Fn + the enter key between the navigations buttons on the NSG-MR7U, hit the "add accessory" button on the Nexus Player, but it just goes on searching for accessories without finding anything. The led on the remote's side panel is blinking quickly, but as said nothing seems to be happening.
Thanks,
Roy
With the Sony Nsz gs7 remote, will I be able to control my TV & Sony audio system all by itself without connecting the Sony google tv? I understand Sony google tv has loop through and IR sensor which could be programmed for our devices. My requirement with TV & audio system is going to be very limited like power, input toggle & volume controls. Can anybody please confirm?
shahul_555 said:
With the Sony Nsz gs7 remote, will I be able to control my TV & Sony audio system all by itself without connecting the Sony google tv? I understand Sony google tv has loop through and IR sensor which could be programmed for our devices. My requirement with TV & audio system is going to be very limited like power, input toggle & volume controls. Can anybody please confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not be able to control other items of equipment like you did when it was connected to the NSZ-GS7. The remote is a Bluetooth remote only. It was able to do so because the NSZ-GS7 had the ability to transmit IR. I use it connected to my media server PC, which also has an IR receiver/transmitter, and Event Ghost to turn on/off my system, control volume, and switch inputs (and d-pad and transport controls if I'm using Windows Media Center or Power DVD). But it can only be connected to a single device at a time, so I still use the stock remote to control the Nexus Player. Yeah, it's not a single remote solution, but it's the best I could come up with.
ninja_rancher said:
You will not be able to control other items of equipment like you did when it was connected to the NSZ-GS7. The remote is a Bluetooth remote only. It was able to do so because the NSZ-GS7 had the ability to transmit IR. I use it connected to my media server PC, which also has an IR receiver/transmitter, and Event Ghost to turn on/off my system, control volume, and switch inputs (and d-pad and transport controls if I'm using Windows Media Center or Power DVD). But it can only be connected to a single device at a time, so I still use the stock remote to control the Nexus Player. Yeah, it's not a single remote solution, but it's the best I could come up with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed response. I hoped Sony ps3 remote would solve my problem but unfortunately I was not able to pair to Nexus player because of the pairing code issue. If only it had worked it would have been my ideal single remote.
---------- Post added at 05:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:11 AM ----------
ninja_rancher said:
You will not be able to control other items of equipment like you did when it was connected to the NSZ-GS7. The remote is a Bluetooth remote only. It was able to do so because the NSZ-GS7 had the ability to transmit IR. I use it connected to my media server PC, which also has an IR receiver/transmitter, and Event Ghost to turn on/off my system, control volume, and switch inputs (and d-pad and transport controls if I'm using Windows Media Center or Power DVD). But it can only be connected to a single device at a time, so I still use the stock remote to control the Nexus Player. Yeah, it's not a single remote solution, but it's the best I could come up with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for this info. I am yet another person who loves this little remote. I have the MR7U and am attempting to use it with my windows 7 Pc running Kodi. So far I got it paired to my Samsung Note 5 just to play around with. I still need a Bluetooth dongle for my PC, are there any you recommend? Also, I am interested in what you used as an IR transmitter for your PC. I read about Eventghost and have an idea of what it's about. I did notice what you said about the "ok" button not working. I have a harmony remote with IR and RF but I really need the keyboard so I've committed to the idea of using the MR7U and retiring the Harmony. I'm confident I can get the MR7U to do what I want with kodi, but I want to be able to use it to also transmit IR to my Sony receiver and Bravia TV. Can I use the PC IR transmitter to turn on the TV, control the volume on my receiver and control Kodi simultaneously? Any info shared is greatly appreciated!
Jaygatesny said:
Thanks very much for this info. I am yet another person who loves this little remote. I have the MR7U and am attempting to use it with my windows 7 Pc running Kodi. So far I got it paired to my Samsung Note 5 just to play around with. I still need a Bluetooth dongle for my PC, are there any you recommend? Also, I am interested in what you used as an IR transmitter for your PC. I read about Eventghost and have an idea of what it's about. I did notice what you said about the "ok" button not working. I have a harmony remote with IR and RF but I really need the keyboard so I've committed to the idea of using the MR7U and retiring the Harmony. I'm confident I can get the MR7U to do what I want with kodi, but I want to be able to use it to also transmit IR to my Sony receiver and Bravia TV. Can I use the PC IR transmitter to turn on the TV, control the volume on my receiver and control Kodi simultaneously? Any info shared is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though it's slightly off-topic for using the MR5U/MR7U with the Nexus Player, I'll try and answer some of your questions. First, as far as the PC Bluetooth dongle goes, I just bought a generic cheap one off of eBay for under $5 (USD). Just search for 'usb bluetooth dongle' or 'usb bluetooth adapter'. As far as the "OK" button not working, I believe that was only when it was directly paired with the Nexus Player. All buttons seem to work fine for me when paired with my PC.
Second, I am using a Gateway USB IR receiver (like http://www.ebay.com/itm/GATEWAY-USB...967892?hash=item33ad7cc714:g:PUIAAOSwnH1WWmvY). Also cheap, also off of eBay. It used to be used for receiving IR as well when I had the Sony NSZ-GS7 and I had it blasting its TV and receiver IR codes to my PC instead. But now I just use it as an IR emitter controlled by EventGhost.
You should be able to do everything you want as far as device and app control. The only gotcha I encountered is that I had to disable the Windows 'Human Interface Device Access' service (hidserv). Because the remote pairs as a HID device, there are some buttons that Windows was interpreting automatically. Like the volume and menu buttons. If you want volume to control your receiver, then you need to disable the service to prevent Windows from adjusting its own volume. But it's all very doable. I use the MR5U remote to power my enter system on (TV, receiver), change volume of my receiver, switch inputs on my receiver, and control Windows Media Center or PowerDVD when I have to switch away from the Nexus Player to watch live TV or play a physical disc that I haven't ripped into Plex yet. Just have to have the time and the determination to do it.
ninja_rancher said:
You will not be able to control other items of equipment like you did when it was connected to the NSZ-GS7. The remote is a Bluetooth remote only. It was able to do so because the NSZ-GS7 had the ability to transmit IR. I use it connected to my media server PC, which also has an IR receiver/transmitter, and Event Ghost to turn on/off my system, control volume, and switch inputs (and d-pad and transport controls if I'm using Windows Media Center or Power DVD). But it can only be connected to a single device at a time, so I still use the stock remote to control the Nexus Player. Yeah, it's not a single remote solution, but it's the best I could come up with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ninja_rancher said:
Even though it's slightly off-topic for using the MR5U/MR7U with the Nexus Player, I'll try and answer some of your questions. First, as far as the PC Bluetooth dongle goes, I just bought a generic cheap one off of eBay for under $5 (USD). Just search for 'usb bluetooth dongle' or 'usb bluetooth adapter'. As far as the "OK" button not working, I believe that was only when it was directly paired with the Nexus Player. All buttons seem to work fine for me when paired with my PC.
Second, I am using a Gateway USB IR receiver (like Also cheap, also off of eBay. It used to be used for receiving IR as well when I had the Sony NSZ-GS7 and I had it blasting its TV and receiver IR codes to my PC instead. But now I just use it as an IR emitter controlled by EventGhost.
You should be able to do everything you want as far as device and app control. The only gotcha I encountered is that I had to disable the Windows 'Human Interface Device Access' service (hidserv). Because the remote pairs as a HID device, there are some buttons that Windows was interpreting automatically. Like the volume and menu buttons. If you want volume to control your receiver, then you need to disable the service to prevent Windows from adjusting its own volume. But it's all very doable. I use the MR5U remote to power my enter system on (TV, receiver), change volume of my receiver, switch inputs on my receiver, and control Windows Media Center or PowerDVD when I have to switch away from the Nexus Player to watch live TV or play a physical disc that I haven't ripped into Plex yet. Just have to have the time and the determination to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm determined! Haha. I'm going to be ditching cable TV for a few months so Kodi and ps4 will be my only devices. I'm following everything you've said and am very confident at this point. The last question I have is, how do you make the PC's IR emitter send the correct codes to the TV and receiver (on/off, volume, input)? Is there software I would need to learn/program the correct codes to blast? I'm mean there has to be right? Thanks!
Jaygatesny said:
I'm determined! Haha. I'm going to be ditching cable TV for a few months so Kodi and ps4 will be my only devices. I'm following everything you've said and am very confident at this point. The last question I have is, how do you make the PC's IR emitter send the correct codes to the TV and receiver (on/off, volume, input)? Is there software I would need to learn/program the correct codes to blast? I'm mean there has to be right? Thanks!
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There are a couple of ways to accomplish this--assuming you are using EventGhost. The most fool-proof way is if you can find the Pronto remote HEX codes for the device(s) you want to control (the Files section of remotecentral.com is your friend). EventGhost has the ability to enter these codes for emitting IR. Otherwise, depending on the IR receiver/transmitter you buy, the IR plugin for EventGhost will allow you to "learn" a code from a remote. I've found this route to be a bit trial-and-error, though. As there are things that can affect the accuracy of the capture, like distance, the time you hold the remote button down for, etc. If you use this method, expect your workflow to be capture/test until you actually get the captured waveform to control your device.
ninja_rancher said:
There are a couple of ways to accomplish this--assuming you are using EventGhost. The most fool-proof way is if you can find the Pronto remote HEX codes for the device(s) you want to control (the Files section of remotecentral.com is your friend). EventGhost has the ability to enter these codes for emitting IR. Otherwise, depending on the IR receiver/transmitter you buy, the IR plugin for EventGhost will allow you to "learn" a code from a remote. I've found this route to be a bit trial-and-error, though. As there are things that can affect the accuracy of the capture, like distance, the time you hold the remote button down for, etc. If you use this method, expect your workflow to be capture/test until you actually get the captured waveform to control your device.
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Click to collapse
You have been an extraordinary help. I think I'm ready to start ordering what I need and getting my hands dirty. One last thing. Does the IR emitter you have come with software or just drivers? The only gap in my fully understanding this is how to tell Event Ghost to tell this emitter what codes to push once I have them? Thanks again, and I will report back with any info I encounter that could help others.
Jaygatesny said:
You have been an extraordinary help. I think I'm ready to start ordering what I need and getting my hands dirty. One last thing. Does the IR emitter you have come with software or just drivers? The only gap in my fully understanding this is how to tell Event Ghost to tell this emitter what codes to push once I have them? Thanks again, and I will report back with any info I encounter that could help others.
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Click to collapse
There are no drivers or software for the IR receiver/emitter. Windows is able to recognize it directly. From EventGhost, you will use the 'Microsoft MCE Remote - Vista/Win7' plugin (plus a service that it installs) in order for EventGhost to generate events on incoming IR and to send out IR (either from Pronto HEX codes or via capture). To use the MR5U/MR7U, you will use the 'Generic HID' plugin to perform actions on the button press events. The list of EventGhost plugins can be found here: http://eventghost.org/docs/pluginlist.html (some have links to individual documentation posts). So neither the IR receiver/emitter nor the Bluetooth dongle needed any extra drivers...they just worked out of the box.
ninja_rancher said:
There are no drivers or software for the IR receiver/emitter. Windows is able to recognize it directly. From EventGhost, you will use the 'Microsoft MCE Remote - Vista/Win7' plugin (plus a service that it installs) in order for EventGhost to generate events on incoming IR and to send out IR (either from Pronto HEX codes or via capture). To use the MR5U/MR7U, you will use the 'Generic HID' plugin to perform actions on the button press events. The list of EventGhost plugins can be found. (some have links to individual documentation posts). So neither the IR receiver/emitter nor the Bluetooth dongle needed any extra drivers...they just worked out of the box.
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Understood. I watched some tutorials about event ghost and have a basic understanding now. Also won that gateway ir blaster just now. Just gotta order the bluetooth dongle tonight. Should be good to go soon! Will report back in a couple weeks. Thanks greatly!!

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