MCEUSB IR blasting in Libreelec

GuustFlater89 · November 22, 2017 at 9:32 PM

I have been using Libreelec since is was forked, and before I used Openelec. I have had a serious puzzle in the past to get my MCEUSB IR receiver up and running where I only use ir blasting to control my TV and amplifier. Since Libreelec 8.x I cannot get it working anymore. I've read a lot about Lirc being replaced by ir-support in kernel, but as far as I understand this is only for IR receiving. I have not been able to find a wiki/guide how to set up IR blasting in Libreelec 8.x, only for receiving. can someone point me in the right direction to get this working again?

My MCEUSB is found:

Code

dmesg | grep Infrared
[    2.413489] usb 1-1.3: Product: eHome Infrared Transceiver
[    5.166912] rc rc0: Media Center Ed. eHome Infrared Remote Transceiver (0471:0815) as /devices/platform/soc/3f980000.usb/usb1/1-1/1-1.3/1-1.3:1.0/rc/rc0
[    5.336338] input: Media Center Ed. eHome Infrared Remote Transceiver (0471:0815) as /devices/platform/soc/3f980000.usb/usb1/1-1/1-1.3/1-1.3:1.0/rc/rc0/input0
[    5.552379] mceusb 1-1.3:1.0: Registered Philips eHome Infrared Transceiver with mce emulator interface version 1

Code

dmesg | grep mceusb
[    5.240141] rc rc0: lirc_dev: driver ir-lirc-codec (mceusb) registered at minor = 0
[    5.552379] mceusb 1-1.3:1.0: Registered Philips eHome Infrared Transceiver with mce emulator interface version 1
[    5.552407] mceusb 1-1.3:1.0: 2 tx ports (0x0 cabled) and 2 rx sensors (0x1 active)
[    5.552631] usbcore: registered new interface driver mceusb

I have a lircd.conf file in /storage/.config, exactly the same file that was working perfectly in Libreelec 7.x. But if I do a irsend -d /run/lirc/lircd-lirc0 SEND_ONCE "RM-U305_func" "ON/OFF" I get the message "do_connect: could not connect to socket", which sounds logical because the port does not exist. In Libreelec 7.x this was the correct port to blast to. I cannot find the correct port in Libreelec 8.x. I have tried every location with something with "lirc" in it, but no luck.

I hope someone can help me with this!

**HiassofT** · November 22, 2017 at 10:49 PM

In LE 8.2 the lircd socket is /run/lirc/lircd.socket - keep in mind that you also have to enable Lirc in LE Settings -> Services and probably have to disable in-kernel decoding if you want to use it. See the wiki page for details infrared_remotes [LibreELEC]

As an alternative to lircd / ir-send you can also use ir-ctl for "IR blasting". You don't need to run lircd for that and can simply specify the IR protocol and scancode to transmit. eg:

Code

ir-ctl -S rc5:0x1234

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 23, 2017 at 1:23 PM

Hi HiassofT,

Thnx for your reply.

Never found ir-ctl. Will give it a try! Which option would you suggest to continue with, lircd/irsend or the ir-ctl? I had a working Lircd based solution, but I get the idea that Lircd is being fased out...

Can you recommend a source for scancodes to control a Sony Home Theater receiver and a Philips TV?

**HiassofT** · November 23, 2017 at 2:30 PM

Use whatever suits your needs best.

We don't have plans to remove lirc - it's still very useful for supporting remotes which aren't handled by the kernel (yet). OTOH if you like to try something new have a look at ir-ctl.

Sony equipment should use one of the sony protocol variants (12, 15 or 20 bits data) and Philips equipment rc5 (or maybe rc6) - these protocols are supported by the kernel and ir-ctl, so it should work.

To find out which scancodes you need to transmit it's easiest to check with ir-keytable -t (also specify the protocol, eg -p sony, -p rc5 etc) and press the button of the remote.

While ir-keytable will automatically decode all bit-length variants of a protocol you have to manually specify the bit-length when blasting. Just try the different sony protocol variant (eg ir-ctl -S sony12:0x11) and check which ones work.

ir-ctl can also record and send raw signal files, details about this and the other options are in the manpage eg Ubuntu Manpage: ir-ctl - a swiss-knife tool to handle raw IR and to set lirc options

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 23, 2017 at 5:09 PM

Woow, this is great! Thanks so much for your help! I'm feeling stupid I did not find the correct socket, I have been trying and searching, but no luck. Now I have my Philips TV working again.

Still have a problem with the Sony receiver. Does not respond to irsend -d /run/lirc/lircd.socket SEND_ONCE "RM-U305_func" "VIDEO". The blasting led flashes, but no response from the receiver. It used to work when I was still at OE 4.x. I remember something with Sony IR that you needed to repeat the signal, maybe you know more about this?

**HiassofT** · November 23, 2017 at 5:31 PM

I never used irsend before, so not 100% sure what's going wrong.

irsend seems to support a -#/--count option to send a command multiple times. Maybe this could help?

Or it could be that lircd doesn't like the sony remote definition in your lircd.conf - OE 4.x came out rather long ago and LE 8.2 is using a much newer version of lirc. You could run "systemctl status lircd" and check if lircd logged any errors or warnings.

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 23, 2017 at 6:26 PM

Hi, just checked and no errors in the "systemctl status lircd". When I add another (different) Sony remote and try to use it, I do get errors. So I removed it again and went back to the original. Leds on the transmitters flash (so I assume it gets an signal), but still no response from my receiver. I will keep on puzzling and maybe try ir-ctl (only need to find out how to get the codes, since I don't have the original remotes ).

If you or anyone else has new suggestions, please let me know. I really like the helpfulness of this forum!! Thnx!!

**HiassofT** · November 23, 2017 at 6:50 PM

Post your lircd.conf, maybe this'll give some hints.

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 23, 2017 at 7:12 PM

Below my lircd.conf. I just created and added the Sony-RM-U305A, by using irrecord and a mobile phone which has IR remote option. The phone itself works perfect on the receiver, the resulting remote in lircd.conf does not work. The led on the ir blaster flashes, no response from receiver.

Code

# filename:     LCD_TV_DISCRETE
# encoding:     shift encoded, RC-5-extended
# brand:        Philips
# model:        42PF7641D
# supported devices: Philips LCD Flat TV and others
#
# this file includes so called discrete codes to switch directly to an input
# and to directly switch power on or off (instead of toggling).
# these functions are normaly not available on the standard TV remote control.
#
# these discrete codes should work on most Philips TV sets,
# but only tested on the 42PF7641D model with the mceusb2 blaster.
#
# the remote information and the codes where derived from http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/rc-5/RC-5-extented
#
# compiled by [email protected] & [email protected] on 2008-05-03
#

begin remote

  name  PHILIPS1
  bits           13
  flags RC5|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  one           866   909
  zero          866   909
  plead         858
  gap          113721
  min_repeat      1
  toggle_bit_mask 0x800
  frequency    36000
  duty_cycle   50

        begin codes
                KEY_POWER_OFF   0x100c
                KEY_POWER_ON    0x103f
                KEY_INPUT_HDMI_SIDE     0x10f9
                KEY_INPUT_EXT1  0x00fb
                KEY_INPUT_HDMI1 0x10c4
                KEY_INPUT_HDMI2 0x1039
                KEY_INPUT_HDMI3 0x10f8
        end codes

end remote


#
# this config file was automatically generated
# using lirc-0.8.2(default) on Wed Dec  9 15:28:42 2009
#
# contributed by Jrg Jenderek <joerg.jen.der.ek at gmx.net>
#
# brand:                       Philips
# model no. of remote control: 242254902314
# devices being controlled by this remote: TV 26PFL5604H
#

begin remote

  name  PHILIPS
  bits            8
  flags RC6|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2718   844
  one           478   408
  zero          478   408
  pre_data_bits   13
  pre_data       0xEFF
  gap          106540
  min_repeat      1
  toggle_bit_mask 0x10000
  rc6_mask    0x10000

      begin codes
          Power                    0xF3
          TV                       0x60
          SUBTITLE                 0xB4
          TELETEXT                 0xC3
          SOURCE                   0xC7
#red
          DEMO                     0x92
#green
          SCENEA                   0x91
#help
          yellow                   0x90
#blue AudioDescriptor
          Home                     0xAB
          GUIDE                    0x33
          OPTIONS                  0xBF
          up                       0xA7
          left                     0xA5
          OK                       0xA3
          right                    0xA4
          down                     0xA6
          BACK                     0xF5
          INFO                     0xF0
          <<                       0xD4
          Play                     0xD3
          >>                       0xD7
          Stop                     0xCE
          Record                   0xC8
          Vol+                     0xEF
          Vol-                     0xEE
          Mute                     0xF2
          FORMAT                   0x0A
          P+                       0xDF
          P-                       0xDE
          1                        0xFE
          2                        0xFD
          3                        0xFC
          4                        0xFB
          5                        0xFA
          6                        0xF9
          7                        0xF8
          8                        0xF7
          9                        0xF6
          SOUND                    0x0B
          0                        0xFF
          PICTURE                  0x0C
      end codes

end remote

# Please take the time to finish this file as described in
# https://sourceforge.net/p/lirc-remotes/wiki/Checklist/
# and make it available to others by sending it to
# <[email protected]>
#
# This config file was automatically generated
# using lirc-0.9.4d(default) on Thu Nov 23 19:52:18 2017
# Command line used: /storage/.config/lircd1.conf
# Kernel version (uname -r): 4.9.59
#
# Remote name (as of config file): Sony-RM-U305A
# Brand of remote device, the thing you hold in your hand:
# Remote device model nr:
# Remote device info url:
# Does remote device has a bundled capture device e. g., a
#     usb dongle? :
# For bundled USB devices: usb vendor id, product id
#     and device string (use dmesg or lsusb):
# Type of device controlled
#     (TV, VCR, Audio, DVD, Satellite, Cable, HTPC, ...) :
# Device(s) controlled by this remote:

begin remote

  name  Sony-RM-U305A
  bits           12
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2395   573
  one          1206   569
  zero          608   569
  gap          45079
  toggle_bit_mask 0x0
  frequency    38000

      begin codes
          KEY_VIDEO                0x441
          KEY_POWER                0xA81
          KEY_DVD                  0xBE1
          KEY_VOLUMEUP             0x481
          KEY_VOLUMEDOWN           0xC81
          KEY_MUTE                 0x281
      end codes

end remote

#
# this config file was automatically generated
# using lirc-0.6.5(serial) on Tue Aug  6 01:45:22 2002
#
# contributed by Indrek Kruusa
#
# brand:                       SONY
# model no. of remote control: RM-U305
# devices being controlled by this remote: audio/video system
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_func
  bits           12
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2392   593
  one          1202   575
  zero          609   575
  gap          45164
  min_repeat      3
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          KEY_SLEEP                0x0000000000000061        #  Was: SLEEP
          AV_i/o                   0x0000000000000A90
          KEY_VIDEO                0x0000000000000441        #  Was: VIDEO
          KEY_DVD                  0x0000000000000BE1        #  Was: DVD
          TV/SAT                   0x0000000000000561
          KEY_AUX                  0x0000000000000B81        #  Was: AUX
          KEY_CD                   0x0000000000000A41        #  Was: CD
          KEY_TUNER                0x0000000000000841        #  Was: TUNER
          KEY_POWER                0x0000000000000A81        #  Was: ON/OFF
      end codes

end remote

#
#  CHANNEL BUTTONS
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_channel
  bits           11
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2411   572
  one          1223   557
  zero          628   557
  ptrail        631
  gap          45354
  min_repeat      2
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          KEY_1                    0x000000000000000B        #  Was: 1
          KEY_2                    0x000000000000040B        #  Was: 2
          KEY_3                    0x000000000000020B        #  Was: 3
          KEY_4                    0x000000000000060B        #  Was: 4
          KEY_5                    0x000000000000010B        #  Was: 5
          KEY_6                    0x000000000000050B        #  Was: 6
          KEY_7                    0x000000000000030B        #  Was: 7
          KEY_8                    0x000000000000070B        #  Was: 8
          KEY_9                    0x000000000000008B        #  Was: 9
          KEY_0                    0x000000000000048B        #  Was: 0
          SHIFT                    0x000000000000066B
          KEY_ENTER                0x000000000000065B        #  Was: ENTER
          KEY_CHANNELUP            0x000000000000004B        #  Was: CH+
          KEY_CHANNELDOWN          0x000000000000044B        #  Was: CH-
      end codes

end remote

#
#  DISC PLAYERS
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_player
  bits           11
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2391   595
  one          1202   576
  zero          607   576
  ptrail        611
  post_data_bits  8
  post_data      0xC9
  gap          45359
  min_repeat      2
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          RREW                     0x0000000000000065
          FFRW                     0x0000000000000465
          KEY_REWIND               0x0000000000000665        #  Was: REW
          FRW                      0x0000000000000165
          REVERS                   0x0000000000000155
          KEY_PLAY                 0x0000000000000265        #  Was: PLAY
          KEY_PAUSE                0x00000000000004E5        #  Was: PAUSE
          KEY_STOP                 0x00000000000000E5        #  Was: STOP
      end codes

end remote

#
#  SOUND FIELD AND MENU
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_menu
  bits            6
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2368   618
  one          1171   606
  zero          578   606
  ptrail       1171
  post_data_bits  8
  post_data      0x84
  gap          45042
  min_repeat      3
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          A.F.D.                   0x0000000000000038
          KEY_2CH/OFF              0x0000000000000020        #  Was: 2CH/OFF
          MODE-                    0x000000000000003D
          MODE+                    0x000000000000001D
          TEST_TONE                0x0000000000000014
          MAIN_MENU                0x000000000000003B
          KEY_LEFT                 0x0000000000000013        #  Was: MENU_LEFT
          KEY_RIGHT                0x0000000000000033        #  Was: MENU_RIGHT
          MENU-                    0x000000000000000B
          MENU+                    0x000000000000002B
      end codes

end remote



#
#  TV/VTR/DISC/CH
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_ext
  bits           12
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2397   587
  one          1208   569
  zero          616   569
  gap          45346
  min_repeat      2
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          DISC                     0x0000000000000531
          TV/VIDEO                 0x0000000000000A50
          MULTICH/2CH              0x0000000000000921
      end codes

end remote



#
# VOLUME
#

begin remote

  name  RM-U305_volume
  bits            3
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100

  header       2383   602
  one          1201   573
  zero          611   573
  ptrail       1200
  post_data_bits  8
  post_data      0x40
  gap          45044
  min_repeat      3
  toggle_bit      0


      begin codes
          MUTING                   0x0000000000000001
          KEY_VOLUMEUP             0x0000000000000002        #  Was: VOL+
          KEY_VOLUMEDOWN           0x0000000000000006        #  Was: VOL-
      end codes

end remote

Display More

**HiassofT** · November 24, 2017 at 1:43 PM

Thanks for posting the lircd.conf file, it looks OK to me.

I have it a try with lircd 0.9.0 (as used in OE 4.0) and 0.9.4d and was able to transmit IR signals. I don't have any sony receiver, but checking with another RPi using ir-keytable -t I saw that with both versions identical scancodes (0x100015) were received.

The signal timing isn't 100% accurate (typical when irrecord is used without templates), here's a cleaned up version:

Code

begin remote
  name  Sony-RM-U305A
  bits           12
  flags SPACE_ENC|CONST_LENGTH
  eps            30
  aeps          100
  header       2400   600
  one          1200   600
  zero          600   600
  gap          45000
  toggle_bit_mask 0x0
  frequency    38000
      begin codes
          KEY_VIDEO                0x441
          KEY_POWER                0xA81
          KEY_DVD                  0xBE1
          KEY_VOLUMEUP             0x481
          KEY_VOLUMEDOWN           0xC81
          KEY_MUTE                 0x281
      end codes
end remote

Display More

With this file signal timing is identical to what my universal remote generates (and what's typical for the sony IR protocol) - verified with my scope hooked up to the IR receiver.

One thing I noticed in your lircd.conf file is that the RM-U305_func remote has min_repeat set to 3 - so lirc will repeat the signal 3 times when sending. It's not uncommon that devices require the power button on the remote to be pressed for a longer time to wake up.

So, could you try if it works when you transmit the power button 3-10 times? eg

Code

irsend -d /run/lirc/lircd.socket -# 5 SEND_ONCE Sony-RM-U305A KEY_POWER

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 26, 2017 at 10:09 AM

Hi Hias, thnx for your serious effort to help me!! Really appreciated!

I tried your tuned remote, but no luck. Led flashes, but no response from receiver. I noticed that with my other remotes (RM-U305_func), when I send the signal twice very quickly after each other, the receiver receiver responses in the correct way. So I thought if I double the min_repeat, it might work in once. Strangely enough, I need to repeat 5 times quickly after each other to get a response. I would expect something different.....

I also tried the "-# 5", "-# 3" etc. but no luck.

**HiassofT** · November 28, 2017 at 12:41 PM

How exactly did you repeat sending the signal, did you run irsend multiple times? What was min_repeat set to in the lircd conf when you did that?

Using min_repeat in lircd and -# with irsend should have the same effect. So it's a bit puzzling what's going on.

Could you try changing the gap value? Try both lower (eg 30000, 40000) and higher (eg 50000, 60000) values and also use min_repeat 3 or higher (or -# 3 etc). This affects the time between signal repeats, maybe the signals are sent too quickly after each other or too fast.

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 28, 2017 at 10:47 PM

I'm trying both options in several configurations. I just had success with your tuned remote with "-# 5", I could turn it on and off, but only one time. Now it does not work anymore...

I tried gap value 30000 and it works again, but after turning on, off and on again I get a

Code

busy: repeating
Error running command: Input/output error

after a reboot it works again. After several commands the receiver stops responding, although the led flashes the same as when it was working.

I use this command (I renamed the Keys, hoping LibreElec itself would not respond to the command (see last remark in this post):

Code

irsend -d /run/lirc/lircd.socket -# 5 SEND_ONCE "Sony-RM-U305A" "VIDEO"

It kind of works now, but a bit unstable. If I run from command-line, sometimes the command had been executed, but I need a Ctrl-C to get a prompt back.... So it gets stuck somewhere.

Code

Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd_helper[342]: lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Info: removed client
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Info: removed client
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd_helper[342]: lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Notice: accepted new client on /run/lirc/lircd.socket
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Notice: accepted new client on /run/lirc/lircd.socket
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd_helper[342]: lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Error: error processing command: SEND_ONCE Sony-RM-U305A VIDEO 5
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd_helper[342]: lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Error: busy: repeating
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Error: error processing command: SEND_ONCE Sony-RM-U305A VIDEO 5
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Error: busy: repeating
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd_helper[342]: lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Info: removed client
Nov 28 23:44:18 GuustHTPC lircd-0.9.4d[342]: Info: removed client

And I got a new challenge. Sometimes when I send a VolumeUp to the receiver, LibreElec responds, showing the volume icon. Same for power. Must be something simple, but I'm stuck...

**HiassofT** · November 29, 2017 at 9:36 AM

I got this lockup, too, once during tests. IIRC it happened when I started another irsend on command line immediately after a previous irsend. Not really sure though, I'll try to look into it and see if I can reproduce.

As for LE seeing the sent signals: have you disabled in-kernel decoding (create an empty /storage/.config/rc-maps.cfg file)? When you run ir-keytable you should see only "lirc" under enabled protocols.

Maybe lirc is "seeing" it's own transmitted signals, in that case renaming the buttons (so they don't start with KEY_) looks like a good workaround.

so long,

Hias

**HiassofT** · November 29, 2017 at 5:33 PM

I could reproduce the hang, it seems to be caused by the combination of using repeats and invoking irsend quickly after each other. When I waited a bit beween irsend starts (fractions of a second were usually enough) it worked fine.

This seems to be a lirc bug, and I could reproduce it also in the latest lirc version (0.10.1). I've opened a bug report here:

LIRC / Tickets / #315 irsend / lircd hang when using repeats

BTW: ir-ctl also seems to have issues (though different ones) when trying to send repeated signals. I reported that here [BUG] ir-ctl: error sending file with multiple scancodes

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 30, 2017 at 9:40 AM

I have created an empty rc-maps.cfg, but it's not fixed yet. I noticed that directly after reboot the remote works perfect, without interfering with Libreelec, but when lirc hangs the irsend commands seem to be handled by LibreElec, resulting in showing the volume icon (and acting). Another reboot solves this again.

By the way, it is pretty difficult to avoid quick repeating commands, when trying to lower the volume for example. This normally involves several repeated commands.

I might try to experiment with ir-ctl. I read that sony12, sony15 and sony20 are supported, but where can I find the known commands? On this website (Sony Receiver (16, 13, 12, 18, 24, 144, 121, 25.11; 48, 45, 176)) I see a list with device codes and command codes. How can I extract/compose the scancode to be send to switch my receiver to VIDEO for example? Or send discrete PowerOff?

I see as header above the table Sony:16; 48 (volume, power, inputs) and in the table 34 - Video 1, Aux and 47 - Power Off (discrete). Do you know?

**HiassofT** · November 30, 2017 at 4:03 PM

Thanks for the info, it could well be that the lirc hanging-bug causes it to somehow see and decode it's own signals.

If that's the case you could try to disable the lircd-uinput service. This'll prevent the decoded signals to reach kodi, but it also means that controlling kodi via IR remote is no longer possible:

Code

systemctl mask lircd-uinput

To re-enable lircd-uinput use "systemctl unmask lircd-uinput".

Composing the sony scancodes for irctl is rather simple: the scancode is a 6-digit hex number, the first 2 digits are the device address (00-1f for sony12, 00-ff for sony15), next 2 digits are 00 (IIRC they'd be the 5 highest address bits in sony20) and the last 2 digits are the command (00-7f).

So the KEY_POWER scancode I used for testing, 0x100015 means device address 0x10 (16 decimal) and command 0x15 (21 decimal).

Just play around with the last 2 (command) digits, seems the first table on that webpage (sony 16) is the correct one for your receiver.

BTW: Sean sent me a fix for ir-ctl and it's now also easier to send repeated commands. Which system are you using? If it's RPi2/3 I could upload you a 8.2.1 build with the fix included for testing.

so long,

Hias

GuustFlater89 · November 30, 2017 at 6:20 PM

Thanks for the info on ir-ctl. I'm trying with several codes (0x10002F, 0x100015, 0x0C0015), but no luck yet. From the flashing of the led it seems it only sends the code once (short flash, instead of several flashes I have with irsend.

I would expect by selecting a Sony protocol, the multiple sends are included?

I would be happy to test a new build, I'm using a RPi2, but I have not yet been able to send at least one successful command trough ir-ctl, I will keep on trying.