Aigoss WiFi/IR (Smart Life), Auvisio WLAN (Pearl), Eachen IR Control Hub
These 3 infrared transmitters work identically. The devices are controlled via a cloud. This requires a permanent internet connection. The disadvantage is that in order to send a control sequence, the signal first has to be halfway around the world, which entails a more or less great time delay (this could be a problem for repeated control sequences for the volume setting). The advantage is that you can control the device from anywhere with an internet connection without additional configuration effort. The devices all have a learning mode that works good.
Broadlink RM pro
The Broadlink RM pro is a low-cost infrared transmitter that still
has a lot to offer. It not only has an infrared transmitter but also a
transmitter for radio signals (e.g. for radio power switch) and a
temperature sensor. This allows both infrared and radio signals to be
learnd. The infrared receiver reacts very well. The included app covers
only the minimum needs. The setup of the device (connection to WLAN) is a bit adventurous, but once set up the device runs very stable.The
little brother (Mini 3) has the same set of commands, but no
functionality for radio signals and no temperature sensor. It also works
with these restrictions with the IRControl app.
Global Caché iTach Flex
The flex device from Global Caché offers a variety of uses. It
can be used as an infrared transmitter / receiver, as an interface LAN /
serial interface (RS232) and also as a relay or sensor for (hobby)
electronics workers – but not at the same time. With IRControl all
options can be used. Of particular interest is the RS232 interface,
which can be used to control consumer electronics devices with the
appropriate interface. This has the advantage over infrared that you can
not only send but also receive and thus visualize the state of the
device. The Flex is available with a wired LAN connection as well as a
Wifi device.
Unfortunately, the wifi version has the problem with the current
firmware that it can not configure the WLAN via an adroid device. It
needs a Windows or an iOS device.The
Flex device has a learning mode, with which infrared signals can be
learnd, but it is somewhat sensitive. Those who prefer to download the
infrared codes from the Internet can do so comfortably with the Control
Tower Database which Global Caché offers and to which there is an
interface in IRControl. Also interesting is the ability to send repeat
codes – especially in volume control.
IRBlaster (internal infrared transmitter)
Various tablets and smartphones have already integrated an infrared transmitter. Although Google defines an interface with the Android operating system (ConsumerIrManager), many manufacturers have implemented their own integration. This was tested by us with Samsung devices. We are not aware of any other manufacturers about their compatibility with the Android interface. Unfortunately, no learning mode is available. The infrared codes must therefore be obtained elsewhere (for example via the Control Tower Database from Global Caché). An interface for access is integrated in IRControl, but for the IRBlaster only with a limited functionality. The configuration is a bit more complex than with the other devices. The configuration wizard integrated in IRControl can only be used to a limited extent because the infrared codes must first be captured. The IRBlaster is not supported for the IRControl App on iOS.
IrDroid USB Transceiver
The IrDroid USB Transceiver is a small USB plug that connects to the USB interface of the tablet or smartphone. However, this requires an adapter plug, which proves to be not very practical in everyday use. Nevertheless, this device has its advantages. It is small, and does not need WiFi. Therefore interesting for mobile applications. It has the ability to learn infrared codes. The communication via the USB interface is a bit error-prone, the device has to be restarted sometimes (unplug and plug in again). The IRDroid USB Transceiver is not supported for the IRControl App on iOS.
IRTrans Wifi
IRTrans also produce larger devices
for complex infrared control with a variety of transmitters. In this
respect, IRTrans has a lot knowledge about infrared control. There is an
option with a database, which is installed on the device, where you can
store the infrared sequences. IRControl does not use this option. A
wired LAN version is also available, but we did not test it for
functionality with IRControl. The integrated infrared receiver for the
learning mode works perfectly. Unfortunately, the IRTrans Wifi device
often needs to be restarted because it got stuck somewhere. Therefore,
the devices you want to control, as well as the corresponding infrared
codes, must be fully configured first in the Logitech App.
Logitech Harmony Hub
The Harmony Hub is a very
sophisticated device. This also allows access to a huge database of
infrared codes. Unfortunately, Logitech does not provide software
manufacturers access to all of this functionality. Even the learning
mode (which works rather tricky) is only available in the Logitech App.
The configured data can then be transferred to the IRControl App. The
control sequences can then be accessed from the layout pages defined in
IRControl. The Harmony Hub supports repeat codes (such as volume
control) very clean.
Sony IR Blaster
Some tablets and smartphones from Sony have a built-in infrared Transmitter. The configuration of the devices and infrared codes must first be done in the app supplied by Sony. Thereafter, the device configurations can be adopted in IRControl. The database of control codes that you can access is rather modest. There is a learning mode available, but it is a bit tricky. The configuration therefore needs a little patience. The Sony IR Blaster is not supported for the IRControl App on iOS.
