How are you controlling Kodi (or Plex client) on your Pi?

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lchiu7

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Topic # 222607 20-Aug-2017 17:13

I am using my Pi 3 running OpenElec mainly as a media player with Kodi. I don't usually stream content on the Internet but either play off a local share directly using Kodi or more recently, streaming from a local Plex server using the KodiPlexConnect addon for Kodi.

Ideally I would just use my TV remote (the Pi is connected to the TV via a HDMI bug, Receiver and then TV) but that chain seems to break the CEC connection so I end up having to use a wireless keyboard which is not ideal.

Looking around for an IR solution led me to look at these type of units.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wireless-Mouse-Remote-Control-Controller-USB-Receiver-IR-Remote-Control-for-Loptop-PC-Computer-Center-Windows/32673019036.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.B5eX42

Looks like it should work as it just emulates a wireless keyboard. I am currently using a Logitech wireless keyboard but that is 2.4GHz I think since there is no IR and it connects via USB. What do GZ'er think? Then the remote can be learnt but a universal one to make it even easier again.

System One: Popcorn Hour A200, PS3 SuperSlim, NPVR and Plex Server running on Gigabyte Brix (Windows 10 Pro), Sony BDP-S390 BD player, Pioneer AVR, Raspberry Pi running Kodi and Plex, Panasonic 60" 3D plasma, Google Chromecast

System Two: Popcorn Hour A200 , Oppo BDP-80 BluRay Player with hardware mode to be region free, Vivitek HD1080P 1080P DLP projector with 100" screen. Harman Kardon HK AVR 254 7.1 receiver, Samsung 4K player, Google Chromecast

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Reply # 1849297 20-Aug-2017 17:38

I am in a similar boat. I was using LIRC but I found it unreliable - I obviously didnt set it up right.

I am eyeing up a 2.4 GHz keyboard/trackpad from AliEx - $20-25.

Getting up to use the USB mouse is getting old real fast !

ferg_nz

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Reply # 1849298 20-Aug-2017 17:44

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Why not just use a Remote app on your smartphone. I use the Yatse App on my Note5 and it allows me to have full control over the kodi box. When there is a screen to type in to you do it on the phone and it sends it to the kodi box. Nice and easy. Can use it to control many boxes and multiple Phones can control the same box. Wife and kids have it on their phones/tablets and find it easy to use

rscole86

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Reply # 1849299 20-Aug-2017 17:47

As ferg_nz has mentioned, not on a pi, but using Android based remotes. Yatse and the Kore the official remote.

garbonzai

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Reply # 1849313 20-Aug-2017 17:56

+1 for Yatse android app

Batwing

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Reply # 1849317 20-Aug-2017 18:09

Kodi is running on a raspberry pi2 running raspbian. Media mainly derived from local Plex server using kodiplexconnect add-on.

Control Kodi using HDMI cec and standard Sony TV remote most of the time, or using yatse app, whatever I pick up first really.

Logitech k400 keyboard/track pad combo is main input device when not in Kodi and if it's too fiddly to achieve what I want via ssh app on my phone.

Kodi was the only thing that didn't survive the update to stretch :(

JimmyH

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Reply # 1849325 20-Aug-2017 18:21

I'm running Rasplex on my Pi. Very happy with the way it has turned an old dumb TV with a good picture quality into essentially a smart, for around $100.

For controlling it, mostly I control it with one of the small palm-sized wireless keyboards. They keyboard came with it as a part of the Pi kit (Pi, case, keyboard, micro SD card, power supply) I purchased. Works well, apart from sometimes needing to click a key twice to have the command work.

I also occasionally use the Plex app on my phone and tablet. Which is great if you have a lot of media and want to search for something. It finds Rasplex on the network, and lets me play what I have selected on the phone on the Pi.

davidcole

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Reply # 1849328 20-Aug-2017 18:27

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What about a lircd controlled ir receiver connected via gpio or USB?

Previously known as psycik

NextPVR/OpenHAB: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix --> Samsung LA46A650D via HDMI, NextPVR,OpenHAB with Aeotech ZWave Controller
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4, Roku3, Raspberry PI temperature Sensors and Bluetooth LE Sensors,HDHomeRun Dual
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agent86

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Reply # 1849339 20-Aug-2017 19:04

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I have a RPi2 connected to an old TV that doesn't support HDMI CEC, and use a Flirc.
The one on their site is the new version, I bought the original one that looks like this.

It can learn pretty much any IR remote, I use an old Freeview box remote.
Works really well.

timmmay

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Reply # 1849363 20-Aug-2017 19:48

I got a cheap HP IR unit from ebay, but I mostly use my Harmony remote. I used to use an app but I got tired of it.

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Wiggum

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Reply # 1849405 20-Aug-2017 20:13

We just use the Sony TV remote. It controls Kodi (OSMC on Raspberry Pi3) via HDMI. Not sure how it works, but it just does.

Other than that, We use the official Kodi remote app on iphone, but only really requiring it when needing the keyboard.

andrewNZ

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Reply # 1849517 20-Aug-2017 22:29

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Using a Flirc dongle. Expensive, but good. 10/10 would buy again.

Location: Dunedin

robjg63

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Reply # 1849592 21-Aug-2017 08:00

I have a pi running OSMC hooked up via HDMI to my Samsung smart TV. The TV remote works everything on the pi perfectly.
Though I could see having a sound system hooked up to the mix may mess things up somewhat. Don't know how the TV remote would know which device it's meant to be talking to.

How about the official Kodi remote app from the google play store - pop that on your phone. Another remote to juggle though...

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

timmmay

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Reply # 1849596 21-Aug-2017 08:08

HDMI includes CEC, which lets you control multiple devices with one remote.

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davidcole

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Reply # 1849600 21-Aug-2017 08:11

andrewNZ: Using a Flirc dongle. Expensive, but good. 10/10 would buy again.

Cheap at $22 USD if that's right. My first IR receiver was a USB-Uirt...at $115USD. Though it transmits as well as receives. Still going though, had it hooked up to a rPi to remotely control a Yamaha receiver in a cupboard.

lchiu7

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Reply # 1849633 21-Aug-2017 09:06

Thanks to all the suggestions most of which I had reviewed already. Ideally I would use CEC but as I noted in my original post, the CEC adapter fails on startup and I think that's because of the PI -> HDM switch -> AVR -> TV connection. I don't want to connect the Pi directly to the TV as then I would lose 5.1 audio.

Tapping into pins on the GPIO port doesn't seem that attractive to me and while Flirc looks good it's expensive. I looked at how I navigate Kodi and Plex now on the Pi and I pretty much use the arrow direction keys and Enter. So a IR remote would be just fine and if the codes could be learnt from a Harmony Remote which I use, that would be even better.

I am also aware of the Android App but I don't like smartphone remotes because you have to look down at them to use them and there is no tactile feedback.

So given the item I linked to on Ali is only US$5 I am going to buy one to try it out. Having the remote integrated with the Harmony also increases the WAF :-)

If it doesn't work then I will get a Flirc.

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