My Fire TV is part of a set-up consisting of itself, TV (duh), A/V Receiver, and a couple of other HDMI devices that go into the receiver. TV, A/V receiver and others are controlled via Infrared remotes, while Fire TV remote is Bluetooth, if I understand correctly. I'd like to consolidate all the different controls into one universal remote and was wondering if someone had any ideas on how to go about that.
I've previously owned a Logitech Harmony remote that worked well, but I really don't want to shell out $250+ for those.
I've confirmed that RF-type mini keyboards with a USB receiver work. Now I need to find a similar one with IR and learning functionality. I've been looking at Amazon and it looks like something like this might work.
If anyone has recommendations, I'd be very grateful.
You can just use the Flirc IR to USB receiver. Search Amazon for FLIRC, its $30. Then use that with your current universal remote, if you have one.
I can't post link, too new, but here is the XBMC thread confirming its functionality.
ht tp://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=191109&pid=1674861
Spelvin said:
You can just use the Flirc IR to USB receiver. Search Amazon for FLIRC, its $30. Then use that with your current universal remote, if you have one.
I can't post link, too new, but here is the XBMC thread confirming its functionality.
ht tp://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=191109&pid=1674861
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the Flirc suggestion, I'll look into it. Unfortunately I don't own a universal remote any more. My old Logitech Harmony 880 died a few years ago, and I've been making do with a Sony Google TV remote (comes with a couple of IR blasters.)
a lot of people seem to like the ortek/mce remote but it only has a mousepad-thingy and no kdb. then again spamazon has it for USD12.55, so that's almost worth getting just to have a spare remote.
the remote you linked, Chahk, seems quite useful (although who chose the button colors it is so ugly
the keyboard/mouse side looks like the standard Rii type - I have one of the most basic Rii for my ouya, except in BT rather than RF. the touchpad is kinda sketchy and takes some finesse, but it works well enough. the keyboard works well enough.
my favorite is still the PS3 / BD remote. but it only has 2 IR modes (tv, and amp/receiver) and it sounds like you have 3-4 IR devices?
(and the IR modes are only of the "pick a number out of the hat" variety, not custom programmable or learning or anything.)
it works great with ouya bluetooth, but there are at least 2 problems in regard to firetv:
- either amazon has to expand BT settings to generic HID, or we will need root to edit some config files.
- it is a pinless device. for android up to 4.1.x there is a consistent workaround. but not for android 4.2 and higher. (but again editing config file would probably be enough)
Is there an remote app from the market you can use to control the Fire TV?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
scottsdca said:
I can confirm that the Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate I purchased from Amazon does indeed work with my Harmony One and the Fire TV.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do the "Home" and "Menu" buttons work with the Ortek remote?
I have a similar MCE remote (LINK) which mostly works but not these two buttons.
kociubin said:
Do the "Home" and "Menu" buttons work with the Ortek remote?
I have a similar MCE remote which mostly works but not these two buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the buttons show there work, including "Home" and "Back", however there is no button on the remote to bring up a context menu
google "fire tv tips" there is a key map that shows what buttons do what on a google tv forum
Remote/keyboard app
Is there a remote app from the market you can use to control the Fire TV?
scottsdca said:
Is there a remote app from the market you can use to control the Fire TV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an official one. Able Remote works well for Google TV, but requires a companion app to be installed on the TV. The developer will have to come up with a Fire TV specific version.
Well, I went ahead and ordered this ugly monstrosity. It's coming from Singapore, so it'll be a few weeks before it get here.
Chahk said:
Well, I went ahead and ordered this ugly monstrosity. It's coming from Singapore, so it'll be a few weeks before it get here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's here, and it does a fine job at controlling the Fire TV. unfortunately it does a piss-poor job of controlling pretty much anything else. Contrary to the description, it has no "IR learning" functionality, but a simple list of codes instead. The list is quite limited, and only supports half of my devices. I'm done with cheap Chinese knock-offs, and will be ordering a Logitech Harmony remote instead.
[Update]:
Harmony Ultimate is here, and it controls everything I have except Fire TV. Aaaaarrrghhh! I'm ready to pull my hair out over here.
Last chance. I'm ordering one of those cheap USB IR receivers that people over at AVS Forums are saying work well with Fire TV, and teaching my Harmony the basic buttons (left, right, up, down, select, back, home.) If that doesn't work - all of it is going back to their respective manufacturers until they learn how to play nice with each other.
UPDATE 2:
Victory! After hooking up the IR receiver from the MCE remote to Fire TV, and teaching Harmony the basic keys, I can now control everything in my setup with a single remote. Of course the voice input from the Fire TV remote is missing, and since Harmony Ultimate has no keyboard, I'm stuck doing text entry letter-by-letter via the clunky mid-90's interface. It'll do for now, until I figure out a way to either bring QWERTY to Harmony, or get a USB hub for Fire TV so that I can use my RF micro-keyboard.
Now I need to do some wire management to take care of the spaghetti wiring from all these devices.
UPDATE 3:
Got a simple unpowered 4-port USB hub, plugged in both the IR receiver and an RF receiver, so now I can also use a micro-keyboard for doing text input. The living room is now wife-approved!
Here's another "All-In-One" universal remote option that will work for both standard IR devices and BT devices:
Blu-Link Universal Remote
This remotes can:
1. Act like a normal IR remote (i.e. it has a slew four digit codes to program the remote to work with your IR components)
2. Act like a BT remote (has a built in BT transmitter in it to work with BT devices such as gaming consoles, media boxes (Roku/Fire TV/Apple TV)
3. Has a learning functionality so that any button on your remote can be learned by the Blu-Link remote
(The user guide for the remote can be found here)
The best part is that the remote is only $27.
My only issue now is that I lose the speech recognition ability of the Fire TV remote, but I have yet to find any universal remote setup that can do that.
smithmal
I ended up with this BT/IR kbd+touchpad +8 IR keys, and it's not bad so far ... aside from being a little flimsy and the IR is not super-strong and the battery is only 250mah.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59103175&postcount=8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M32PBXO/
but I still almost wish for having one of the singapore monstrosities, simply for how wonderfully unbelievably ugly it is.
smithmal said:
Here's another "All-In-One" universal remote option that will work for both standard IR devices and BT devices:
Blu-Link Universal Remote
This remotes can:
1. Act like a normal IR remote (i.e. it has a slew four digit codes to program the remote to work with your IR components)
2. Act like a BT remote (has a built in BT transmitter in it to work with BT devices such as gaming consoles, media boxes (Roku/Fire TV/Apple TV)
3. Has a learning functionality so that any button on your remote can be learned by the Blu-Link remote
(The user guide for the remote can be found here)
The best part is that the remote is only $27.
My only issue now is that I lose the speech recognition ability of the Fire TV remote, but I have yet to find any universal remote setup that can do that.
smithmal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That remote sounds interesting. Does it work well with Fire TV? Like all the basic fire tv buttons are available? And are you using bluetooth or IR with a usb receiver?
smithmal said:
Here's another "All-In-One" universal remote option that will work for both standard IR devices and BT devices:
Blu-Link Universal Remote
This remotes can:
1. Act like a normal IR remote (i.e. it has a slew four digit codes to program the remote to work with your IR components)
2. Act like a BT remote (has a built in BT transmitter in it to work with BT devices such as gaming consoles, media boxes (Roku/Fire TV/Apple TV)
3. Has a learning functionality so that any button on your remote can be learned by the Blu-Link remote
(The user guide for the remote can be found here)
The best part is that the remote is only $27.
My only issue now is that I lose the speech recognition ability of the Fire TV remote, but I have yet to find any universal remote setup that can do that.
smithmal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you actually manage to get the remote to show up? Every time I tried to pair it, nothing showed up. Also tried it on my nexus player without any luck...
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
I did not. My initial understanding of the remote's capability was based off of erroneous information posted by an Amazon reviewer in the Q&A section for the product. Once obtaining the product I found out that the BT commands for the remote are specific only to the PS3 (i.e. the remote has no ability to "learn" new BT commands). Also, as you mentioned, the FireTV does not recognize it in pairing mode. For this reason, the remote would not work as I had hoped and I updated the Q&A product section on Amazon and sent it back.
My solution was to purchase a FLIRC dongle, download the FLIRC software to my PC, manually force the FLIRC to update its firmware (which is important as the firmware that originally installed with the software would not allow me to properly program the "back", "home" and "menu" buttons; this is done by downloading the latest firmware (which I believe is now v3.5) by following the instructions posted here), program the dongle with my IR remote (I settled on using the standard universal remote that comes with my TV) and then plug in the FLIRC dongle into the USB port of the FireTV.
After that, I had a "All-In-One" universal remote solution that would allow me to operate both my TV and FireTV with one remote.
smithmal
Related
Does anyone know if the Kindle Fire TV is compatible with any of the Harmony remotes?
Bama29 said:
Does anyone know if the Kindle Fire TV is compatible with any of the Harmony remotes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to add and IR Reciever like a FLIRC or there are reports of this item working as well.
I can't post links, so search amazon for Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate
rickdm said:
You would need to add and IR Reciever like a FLIRC or there are reports of this item working as well.
I can't post links, so search amazon for Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You Rickdm!
some of the newer harmony remotes have bluetooth. It might be possible to use them.
I use my harmony smart to control my HTPC through blutooth using the ps3 profile... if we can get a ps3 controller to pair with the firetv (requires root) then we may be able to use the remote as well.
I can confirm that the Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate I purchased from Amazon does indeed work with my Harmony One and the Fire TV.
How about using a phone app for the keyboard and mouse to control the fire TV. Is this possible?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
For those trying to get the Harmony up to speed...
To emulate the Back button on the Fire TV remote assign the clear key from the ORtek.
To emulate the Home Button on the Fire TV remote assign the Browser command from the ORtek. It is also the upper left key on the remote. The "e" with a circle around it.
On my Harmony One I assigned Home to the Menu key and Back to the Exit key. Neither were being used for the ORtek device.
Does anyone know if the Logitech Harmony One remote with the Logitech PS3 adapter will work? My Fire TV is rooted, Now the only thing I can come up with is using the SixaxisPairTool I will try later tonight. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
You can use Droidmote to emulate all input devices (mouse, keyboard, virtual controller). Further, my understanding is that if you have a proper cable, you can tether a PS3 controller to your Android device and use the controller that way. I have the parts, but I haven't connected the pieces just yet to confirm Controller.
nooknut said:
You can use Droidmote to emulate all input devices (mouse, keyboard, virtual controller). Further, my understanding is that if you have a proper cable, you can tether a PS3 controller to your Android device and use the controller that way. I have the parts, but I haven't connected the pieces just yet to confirm Controller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Ps3 adapter doesn't have an USB port, I tried to pair, the app states that's its compatible but I can't go any further.
Flirc
I use a dongle called Flirc plugged into my AFTV with my Harmony One. Instructions here:
http://forum.flirc.tv/index.php?/topic/1116-using-flirc-with-amazon-firetv/
I was under the impression that the Harmony One could now connect via Bluetooth. http://support.myharmony.com/en/article.htm?faqid=s-m-4058
I have an older 520 that I love and use the Ortek infrared receiver: http://www.amazon.com/Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate/dp/B00224ZDFY
It can be setup to do everything EXCEPT the contextual menus AKA the Menu button or the one one with three horizontal lines.
If someone could figure that out I would send them cash!
No Cash Required
Read the link above. Buy Flirc on Amazon for $30. Follow the guide. The Menu Key is programmed from the command line. If you have an H1, my posted config file might work. My H1 does everything but the microphone as it ain't got one.
I added a USB hub. Have Flirc (a keyboard emulator), an MS Entertainment KB/mouse, and USB stick attached.
Also Droidmote, Play Store, client/server, $3, is a great phone/tablet based remote.
The Harmony One does not do BT. Per Logitech, "Harmony remotes without Harmony Hub cannot control Amazon Fire TV." Are you confusing the H1 with the $300 Ultimate?
schneid said:
Read the link above. Buy Flirc on Amazon for $30. Follow the guide. The Menu Key is programmed from the command line. If you have an H1, my posted config file might work. My H1 does everything but the microphone as it ain't got one.
I added a USB hub. Have Flirc (a keyboard emulator), an MS Entertainment KB/mouse, and USB stick attached.
Also Droidmote, Play Store, client/server, $3, is a great phone/tablet based remote.
The Harmony One does not do BT. Per Logitech, "Harmony remotes without Harmony Hub cannot control Amazon Fire TV." Are you confusing the H1 with the $300 Ultimate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I was confusing the one with the ultimate...Sorry. This is why I stick to the old school 500 series.
Thank you for the correction.
Spelvin said:
Yep, I was confusing the one with the ultimate...Sorry. This is why I stick to the old school 500 series.
Thank you for the correction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The remote uses standard keystokes. The Menu key is the one between the right Win and right Ctrl on a standard win KB. You need to teach it that key.
Bama29 said:
I can confirm that the Ortek-Windows-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate I purchased from Amazon does indeed work with my Harmony One and the Fire TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it complicated to set that up. I would love to get this working with my Harmony 700
michaelpat87 said:
Is it complicated to set that up. I would love to get this working with my Harmony 700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is not very complicated. It has been awhile since I did it but as I recall it did require manually learning a couple of commands. The thing that hung me up to start in the manual learning process was that I was using very deliberate slow key presses. I found out that to manually learn the couple of commands that I needed, only a very quick tap of the desired key was needed.
Bama29 said:
No, it is not very complicated. It has been awhile since I did it but as I recall it did require manually learning a couple of commands. The thing that hung me up to start in the manual learning process was that I was using very deliberate slow key presses. I found out that to manually learn the couple of commands that I needed, only a very quick tap of the desired key was needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will it do the Menu button? i thought only Flirc could pull that off.
The Oretek can do the menu button. I believe its either "Info" or "Guide". Home key is mapped to "Browser".
The issue to look out for is that no Harmony is created equally. Case in point, I use a 900 upstairs with the Oretek. Works fine. Button response a bit slow even with the key delay set all the way to 0ms. But it's useable.
I have a Harmony 890 downstairs with an Oretek. Infuriating! Not only would it not communicate the IR signals properly (had to learn all commands from the Oretek as RAW, but on top of that, with the inter-key delay set to 0 so I didn't get repeat keys AND the key delay set to 0ms, it is still slow as molasses, and I have not found a combo that both delivers the signal correctly AND makes the key presses fast enough to be useable.
Might break down and by a refurb 900. At least I know what I'm getting into with that.
Flirc Update
Flirc has a new Desktop GUI and Firmware update that directly supports AFTV.
I apologize up front because I can see that this has been discussed but I can't find a definitive answer after reading through all the different threads.
Is there a way to pair a bluetooth keyboard + mouse/trackpad to the Fire TV with a device that can't be rooted?
I ask because like a lot of others, I just pre-ordered the Fire TV Stick. Now I know it's not out so we don't know what it can/can't do but assuming the code is the same, I'm trying to do some homework before it arrives. And since the Stick doesn't have the USB inputs, I have to rely on Bluetooth or maybe an app for a virtual keyboard/mouse if anyone knows of one.
Thanks in advanced!
I didn't even think of that. I ordered two. I use my K400 occassionally for different apps. I was using the limitless remote app too. The new Fire Tv Remote app might work but I will miss the K400.
stanggman75 said:
I didn't even think of that. I ordered two. I use my K400 occasionally for different apps. I was using the limitless remote app too. The new Fire Tv Remote app might work but I will miss the K400.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I'm looking for it to use with HBOgo mostly. I'm guessing that the mouse is the important input to get that working.
It will be great if I can pair my Bluetooth mouse with Fire TV Stick.
This works well with the FireTV: http://eud.dx.com/product/ipazzport...google-tv-player-black-844230388#.VHTNJTSsVx0
podge3 said:
This works well with the FireTV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a bluetooth device? Or does it have a USB dongle? The Fire Stick doesn't have a free USB port.
jeck11 said:
Is that a bluetooth device? Or does it have a USB dongle? The Fire Stick doesn't have a free USB port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB dongle. I don't use the port for anything else so its fine for me.
Has anyone tried a USB hub on the Fire?
jeck11 said:
Is that a bluetooth device? Or does it have a USB dongle? The Fire Stick doesn't have a free USB port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I am trying to figure out also, a Bluetooth keyboard/trackpad that will work with sideloaded apps like HBO GO or NFL Game Pass that are not compatible with the remote.
usb dongles work on firetv, not on firetv stick.... for now.
Would also like to know, sideloaded Settings.apk on mine to get to the stock android settings. Can detect Microsoft bluetooth mouse, Monoprice bluetooth headset and sound brick but none of them pair right. The two audio devices make a pairing sound. But don't play audio.
I sideloaded the settings.apk, and using it I'm able to successfully pair Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. Both keyboard and mouse functionalities work just as if it was USB keyboard/mouse.
Aerb ibk-02
kanedo said:
I sideloaded the settings.apk, and using it I'm able to successfully pair Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. Both keyboard and mouse functionalities work just as if it was USB keyboard/mouse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, keyboard pairing works with both Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. I've sideloaded the settings apk and have successfully paired the AERB IBK-02 keyboard with trackpad/mouse to both devices. This keyboard has a trackpad, but it has limited functionality. Although scrolling is possible with two finger touch, you cannot click and drag. For this you'll need to pair up a Bluetooth mouse.
vg-kbd2000
I picked this up for my Samsung TV ( doesn't work with mine - no Bluetooth )
But, it works with my Sony GoogleTv and my FTV stick with settings apk side-loaded
the nice thing with this keyboard is that you can pair it with 3 different devices.
It has a selector button on the top to choose which one.
I haven't played with it very long and am trying to figure out what works and what doesn't
To use the touch-pad a switch on the bottom needs to be slid to "mouse mode"
I can't use the TV specific buttons on the right side of the keyboard. Wish i knew how to get them to work with the GoogleTv - it has an Ir blaster built in and will control volume,channel,etc
It will power my TV on and off - it has an Ir transmitter. But, that is all that does - strange
They are marked down to $39 at Best Buy and there are usually many open boxed ones to be had for less. Original price was about $100
But, they are mostly useless for the Samsung Tvs that they do work on - Most of apps do not support the keyboard or so I have read.
Wish the was some sort of unifying remote that I could connect to it and then plug into my TV though.
If you get one, the touchpad goes into a sleep mode after 30 seconds or so. I've read that hitting any button will wake it up. I didn't know that at first and was pairing it , unpairing it and powering it off.
If anyone else picks one of these up, Please post your findings
kanedo said:
I sideloaded the settings.apk, and using it I'm able to successfully pair Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. Both keyboard and mouse functionalities work just as if it was USB keyboard/mouse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello
i tried to connect an Apple Magic Trackpad - i can find it and i can write the pin then im am stuck - it wont connect - how did you do it ?
Hey guys!
Loving my FTV so far, thanks for this great forum where a dozen of tutorials and tools helped me to get my FTV running.
Today I replaced the remote with an Harmony 900 and Flirc stick.
I send infrared commands with the Harmony universal remote to the Flirc USB stick which is plugged to the FTV. Flirc translates the infrared command into leopard strokes which you can program yourself.
Not every app I am using is depending on a screen (Spotify which I control with my pokédex) but the app has to be started. Since I don't have a TV but a projector I would love to keep it shut off just to start the app.
I would like to have a special leopard key like 'F11' or '?' which isn't used in XBMC or FTV to start this app. I thought maybe Llama could do this but I haven't found a rule which does it.
Do you have an idea how I could get that running?
Otherwise I could program the remote to go through the menus and start it but the Logitech Harmony Software is from hell I wish I could save me the trouble.
Thanks!
plissk3n said:
Hey guys!
Loving my FTV so far, thanks for this great forum where a dozen of tutorials and tools helped me to get my FTV running.
Today I replaced the remote with an Harmony 900 and Flirc stick.
I send infrared commands with the Harmony universal remote to the Flirc USB stick which is plugged to the FTV. Flirc translates the infrared command into leopard strokes which you can program yourself.
Not every app I am using is depending on a screen (Spotify which I control with my pokédex) but the app has to be started. Since I don't have a TV but a projector I would love to keep it shut off just to start the app.
I would like to have a special leopard key like 'F11' or '?' which isn't used in XBMC or FTV to start this app. I thought maybe Llama could do this but I haven't found a rule which does it.
Do you have an idea how I could get that running?
Otherwise I could program the remote to go through the menus and start it but the Logitech Harmony Software is from hell I wish I could save me the trouble.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786618
Of course, requiring Xposed means you need to be rooted.
Thanks for the reply! That's exactly what I wanted. Sad thing though is that my AFTV is unrootable :crying:
Since the Fire TV stick has no usable USB port to speak of, we can't just plug in an IR dongle.
Some people have had success using HDMI-CEC and their TV remote control. However, my Olevia 232 TV doesn't seem to support the CEC protocol.
Has anyone had any luck using a PS3 remote? Has anyone tried using a Harmony PS3 adapter, or IR2BT bridge?
My thoughts were to build an Arduino device using BT shield setup to use the keyboard profile or Joystick profile; and couple that with an IR receiver.
I have successfully side loaded the settings.apk. I am able to pair a BT PC keyboard. I have seen reports that even some Samsung TV's don't support CEC protocol. So even if officially none of this works, I might be able to Pair one of the devices mentioned above with settings.apk.
Well, I had to side-load the settings.apk. In doing so, I could pair a bt keyboard and a bt media remote control by Satechi. Unfortunately, only PLAY/Pause and the home key do anything. But it's a star. The Forward and back buttons don't seem to work. However, I wonder, if they sent ff and rewind commands; if it would respond.
This gave me the idea to pair the Fire tv remote to my phone.
I was able to pair the Fire TV stick remote to my phone, and tested all of the key buttons .
Amazon Fire TV Remote
ButtonKeyCode
Up19
down20
left21
right22
back4
Home?
menu82
Rew89
Play85
FF90
I wonder if I rename a device to `Amazon Fire TV Remote` if it will accecpt paring in the normal Fire TV settings menu.
Just a heads up guess if you don't already know. Logitech updates it's database with the codes to work with the Shield. To set it up as a device all you need to do is add console without DVD, then choose nvidia from list of manufactures, then just type in Shield as device name.
After that setup activity like you normally would and all commands are available. Works pretty great. I have the extra remote but this almost makes me want to return it. I like how small it is though and for the audio pass though it works really well. Throw it into my pocket and walk around not disturbing the GF.
Give it a try guys
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
Good to know! Too bad I retired my harmony one remote in favor of using my note 4 as my universal remote.
Does Kodi function well through the Shield IR port?
the smart keyboard also works great over usb.. bluetooth misses some key functions though
in regards to kodi the number buttons do not work via the shield profile however you could add a bluetooth keyboard as a device which would let you map numerical buttons to the shield