Revisiting iPad as a Remote

[itschris]

I've been reading a lot about iRule lately. It seems to have a lot of fans. I'm trying to get some real world feedback on why I shouldn't get it. Also, on the hardware side, you have to use this thing:

iTach | Global Caché

What is this thing? I'm not even sure what it really does. I think it puts all your a/v equipment on your network which is how iRule controls it.

Thoughts, suggestions, opinions?

 

[Grador]

That box is am OR transmitter that controlled over the network. Your ipad app tells it what you want to do and it sends out remote commands.

 

[itschris]

So, is the iRule app the only use for this? I'm trying to figure out the best way to control my system. I'm looking for an alternative to $350-$450 for a remote that's slick and easy to use. The iPad seems perfect and I have an extra one that I can dedicate solely to remote use and Plex.

 

[ImcLoud]

I was thinking the same thing, but then when I tried the harmony remotes, there is no reason for it... I do like using my ipad2 in my 2.2 listening system, "siri play aerosmith tracks from the 90's" plays them, "siri stop playing aerosmith and play guns and roses" "siri mute" "siri raise volume to max" ect... works awesome...

 

[avengineer]

I've been reading a lot about iRule lately. It seems to have a lot of fans. I'm trying to get some real world feedback on why I shouldn't get it.

You shouldn't get it if you'd rather a run-of-the-mill remote.
You shouldn't get it if you don't want to customize your remote system.
you shouldn't get it if you don't have time to program it.
And you shouldn't get it if you'd rather nobody but you can figure out how to control your system.

Seriously, it does take an investment in time, but well worth it.

Also, on the hardware side, you have to use this thing:

What is this thing? I'm not even sure what it really does. I think it puts all your a/v equipment on your network which is how iRule controls it.

Thoughts, suggestions, opinions?

That thing lets you control your stuff using your wifi network. iRule can send commands to an iTach, which will, depending on which iTach you get, spit out actual IR commands, RS232 commands, or contact closures. You'll want IR or RS232 for most things. If you have an AVR that can already be controlled by IP commands, and all your other stuff has IP control capability, you might not need the iTach at all, but mostly there will be something in your system that will be too old or just not sophisticated enough, and will have to be controlled via IR. iTach is the bride between network (IP) and IR.

 

[itschris]

I mean here's the thing that agitates me to no end. It shouldn't cost $400 to control your system. I know there are cheaper options, but to have a nice remote... Harmony One-ish in style and function + RF... just costs too much in my mind. Put a better way I guess... it costs too much just so my wife can watch a movie once a month. I'm fine having to use two remotes.

The iTach thing seems genious to me. I think having all your components on your wireless network so to speak makes total sense. Now... it just seems the software is behind. The iRule is a good start, but i have read a lot about the difficulty in setup, difficulty making changes, and just not working all that well. You'd think there would be some of the best looking remote apps available for the iPad, but I guess we're just not there yet.

You shouldn't get it if you'd rather a run-of-the-mill remote.
You shouldn't get it if you don't want to customize your remote system.
you shouldn't get it if you don't have time to program it.
And you shouldn't get it if you'd rather nobody but you can figure out how to control your system.

Seriously, it does take an investment in time, but well worth it.


That thing lets you control your stuff using your wifi network. iRule can send commands to an iTach, which will, depending on which iTach you get, spit out actual IR commands, RS232 commands, or contact closures. You'll want IR or RS232 for most things. If you have an AVR that can already be controlled by IP commands, and all your other stuff has IP control capability, you might not need the iTach at all, but mostly there will be something in your system that will be too old or just not sophisticated enough, and will have to be controlled via IR. iTach is the bride between network (IP) and IR.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The alternative is the Sony S Android tablet which has a built-in IR Blaster and Universal Remote app that lets you program any IR function and even change the names of the remote keys.

I can control every single IR component in my house. Every single one. No need to buy any additional hardware or software.

And the Sony S costs like $200-$250 used or $300-$350 new.

Here is an open box item directly from Amazon for $237.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005FXYJZY/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1353516766&sr=8-2&keywords=Sony+S&condition=used

And Android has apps to control AVR, BD players, TVs, via WiFi.

And it has Unified Remote app to turn your Android into a wireless keyboard for your PC or HTPC.

So.....this Sony S tablet for $237 shipped can be used as

1. Universal Remote to control every IR component in addition to the WiFi remote apps
2. Wireless keyboard & touchpad
3. Browse internet/ email/ calendar/ doc
4. WiFi Thermostat (need to buy the $100 WiFi thermostat)

 

[cpp]

The alternative is the Sony S Android tablet which has a built-in IR Blaster and Universal Remote app that lets you program any IR function and even change the names of the remote keys.

I can control every single IR component in my house. Every single one. No need to buy any additional hardware or software.

And the Sony S costs like $200-$250 used or $300-$350 new.

Here is an open box item directly from Amazon for $237.

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Sony SGPT111US/S Wi-Fi Tablet (16GB)

And Android has apps to control AVR, BD players, TVs, via WiFi.

And it has Unified Remote app to turn your Android into a wireless keyboard for your PC or HTPC.

So.....this Sony S tablet for $237 shipped can be used as

1. Universal Remote to control every IR component in addition to the WiFi remote apps
2. Wireless keyboard & touchpad
3. Browse internet/ email/ calendar/ doc
4. WiFi Thermostat (need to buy the $100 WiFi thermostat)

That's pretty cool. Here's a comparison of the ipad and the Sony S

http://store.sony.com/wcsstore/SonyStyleStorefrontAssetStore/pdf/Sony_Tablet_vs_iPad.pdf

 

[avengineer]

I mean here's the thing that agitates me to no end. It shouldn't cost $400 to control your system.

Yea, that one bugs all of us. But controlling a system turns out to not be that simple if you want the end result to be easy to deal with. It's more like designing a really easy to navigate, but fairly deep web site. Not as easy as it sounds if you want it to be simple enough for a compu-phobe to wade through.

Now... it just seems the software is behind. The iRule is a good start, but i have read a lot about the difficulty in setup, difficulty making changes, and just not working all that well. You'd think there would be some of the best looking remote apps available for the iPad, but I guess we're just not there yet.

I'd suggest you give it a try first before you hang an opinion on other's opinions. Since you've already had the negative, let me give you a positive. I've searched for the perfect remote for a while, never found it. I've learned and programmed several iRule systems now, and all of them work very well. But you do need to invest some time in the learning curve. The investment is paid off in the result, so a cursory try will give you a generally ok, but not elegant result. It's really not all that hard to program, changes are actually very simple, and what I really like is the system is highly stable. If you just use their pre-designed panels and drop in the commands for your devices, it goes together pretty fast.

Once you get it running the way you want it to, it never really changes, though I did have a Global Cache device fail (it wasn't an iTach, though). Frankly, there are other iPad apps for control, and every AVR manufacturer has their own, but they are all different and not always reliable. iRule is really an excellent solution, you just need to give it a chance.

 

[itschris]

Yea, that one bugs all of us. But controlling a system turns out to not be that simple if you want the end result to be easy to deal with. It's more like designing a really easy to navigate, but fairly deep web site. Not as easy as it sounds if you want it to be simple enough for a compu-phobe to wade through.

I'd suggest you give it a try first before you hang an opinion on other's opinions. Since you've already had the negative, let me give you a positive. I've searched for the perfect remote for a while, never found it. I've learned and programmed several iRule systems now, and all of them work very well. But you do need to invest some time in the learning curve. The investment is paid off in the result, so a cursory try will give you a generally ok, but not elegant result. It's really not all that hard to program, changes are actually very simple, and what I really like is the system is highly stable. If you just use their pre-designed panels and drop in the commands for your devices, it goes together pretty fast.

Once you get it running the way you want it to, it never really changes, though I did have a Global Cache device fail (it wasn't an iTach, though). Frankly, there are other iPad apps for control, and every AVR manufacturer has their own, but they are all different and not always reliable. iRule is really an excellent solution, you just need to give it a chance.

Alright... I'll go with it. It's on my Xmas list to myself. I'm not a terribly patient guy, so expect me to call upon your expertise prior to me throwing my ipad across the room.

 

[avengineer]

Alright... I'll go with it. It's on my Xmas list to myself. I'm not a terribly patient guy, so expect me to call upon your expertise prior to me throwing my ipad across the room.

Ok. First tip: Aim it at something soft.

Second tip: Make use of the iRule tutorials, forums on their site before you get going. The tutorials will probably answer most questions, they're pretty good. Then hit me up when you get in deep.

Ok, one more: Try to use the largest monitor possible when using the Builder. It benefits from a lot of screen real estate. Small or low res monitors just make it hard to manage. Ideally you want the iPad screen in the builder to be actual size with room around it for the Builder's UI. I like our 21" iMac best, though I get a lot done on my 15" MacBook Pro, it's harder to work on that small screen.