IRCommand2 - Features
- IRCommand2 is universal remote control and home automation software for your PC
- Control your TV from your personal computer
- Control any device that has an IR (infrared) remote
- Control lights or electrical appliances from your personal computer using X10
- Issue complex IR and/or X10 command sequences with a single button click using the macro feature
- Execute commands on a specific weekly time schedule. Time triggers can execute on schedule even if your PC is in a standby state
- Control IRCommand2 from your sofa with a handheld remote control or X10 controller
- Create your own button layouts for your remotes or use pre-defined templates
- IRCommand2 uses inexpensive IR and X10 hardware that connect to your PC (see below for more info)
- IRCommand2 runs on Windows Vista Win7/Win8/Win10
Supported IR Hardware
An IR (infrared) interface "dongle" is required to control devices that respond to an infrared remote. If you do not yet own a supported IR dongle then the one you choose will depend to some extent on your intended usage.
The following table lists IR interface dongle hardware supported by IRCommand2:
| Feature>> Dongle | Signal Training | Listen Triggers | Transmit Range | Universal Codes | IR Band Detection | Usable Band Range | IR Emitter Jack | Zone Support | Size | Power Supply | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Cache iTach | Yes | No | Good | No | No | 15 - 500kHz | Yes | Yes, 3 zones | 1.2h 3.2w 2.4d | Power pack | Ethernet / Wi-Fi |
| IguanaWorks IR | Yes | No | Fair | No | No | 20 - 100kHz | Yes | Yes | .4h .8w 1.8d | from PC | USB |
| Actisys IR200L | Yes | Yes | Fair | No | No | 32 - 250kHz | No | No | .6h 1.4w 2.4d | from PC | Serial |
| My.TV MyBlaster | Yes | No | Good | Yes | Yes | 32 - 100kHz | No | No | 3.5h 2w 3.4d | Power pack | Serial or USB |
| Home-Electro Tira2 | Yes | No | Good | No | Yes | 32 - 80kHz | Yes | No | .7h 2.4w 2d | from PC | USB |
| USB-UIRT | Yes | Yes | Good | No | Yes | 20 - 60kHz | Yes | Yes, 3 zones | .7h 1.4w 1.5d | from PC | USB |
| ADS IR Blaster | Yes | No | Good | No | Yes | 20 - 60kHz | Yes | No | 1h 3.5w 4.3d | from PC | USB |
| Firefly RF Remote | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A (RF) | N/A | Yes (unit codes) | 1.1h 2.2w 3d | from PC | USB |
| Windows MCE Dongles | Yes | No | Ext Emitter | No | No | Varies | 2 jacks | Yes, 2 zones | Varies | from PC | USB |
Some places to purchase supported IR hardware:
USB-UIRT -- manufacturer of the
USB-UIRT dongle. This dongle is one of the first supported by IRC2 and has
been extensively tested with it.
Actisys -- manufacturer of
the IR200L. There are many other variants of Actisys dongle, but only the
IR200L will work with our software. If you already have this dongle on hand
then use it! If not then we don't recommend attempting to acquire this
dongle.
IguanaWorks -- makes and
sells the IguanaWorks "USB IR Transceiver"
Global Cache --
makes and sells the iTach. These dongles communicate via your network so
they can be located anywhere within your network's reach and require no
attachment to the PC running IRC2. Sub-models specifically tested with IRC2
are the iTach IP2IR (wired and Wifi versions) and the iTach Flex (Wifi).
Windows MCE Dongles --
MCE dongles were made by several manufacturers for the original Media Center Edition of Windows. These dongles are still readily available
(link is for eBay listings) and will work with Windows 8 and 10. Most of these dongles do not have integrated IR blasters so you must also
acquire and plug in an IR emitter. Most single IR emitters available on the market will work with the dongle. Please note that only the dongle is used.
The keyboard functions of the MCE remote controls often supplied with the dongle are disabled when using the dongle with IRCommand2. This is
done because there's an issue with the MS HID driver for the remote that interferes with the USB interface used by our software.
You must download and install the IRC2 MCE service "driver" to use the MCE dongle with IRCommand2.
Supported X10 Hardware
And X10 interface "dongle" is required to control lights and appliances through the power lines in your home. Each light or appliance to be controlled also requires a slave module that responds to X10 powerline commands. X10 components are inexpensive.
The following table lists X10 interface dongle hardware supported by IRCommand2:
| Feature >> Device | Signaling Methods | Listen Triggers | Cross-Device Training | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X10 CM11A / HD11A | Powerline | Yes | Yes | Serial |
| X10 CM15A | Powerline and RF | Yes | Yes | USB |
| X10 CM19A | RF | No | Yes | USB |
| Insteon 2414U** | Powerline (X10 mode only) | No | Yes | USB |
** Support for this dongle can no longer be verified. Using it is not recommended.
Some places to purchase supported X10 hardware:
X10.com -- CM11A and CM15A
Smarthome.com -- Insteon 2414U
X10 devices can also be found on Amazon and eBay