Control IR and RF Devices in Home Assistant through Broadlink Integration

[@deansiddall3729]

Thank you sir, i have had the RM Pro for years and only just come across this, i didn't think it was possible to get my rf blinds working in home assistant. they now work brilliantly thanks to you

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks @deansiddall3729, check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4Wlk4qibK6hnck, if you like the RM Pro then this is next level.

[@lightinthedark_]

Thank you! Watched two other videos trying to explain this process and they were both slightly different and didn't work for me. This did.

[@smart_home_australia]

You are most welcome. I found the same issue, alot of videos but none of them really worked. Hence i created this video to share my experience and help others. Have you tried the eHub from LinknLink (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJeWoI14ebeKjdE), this is basically an RM Pro but smaller and with a built in mmWave sensor. Great little product.

[@hansratzingerselbstandiger9786]

Great! Thank you so much! There is very few information about this topic in the internet aside your tutorial.

[@smart_home_australia]

Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@johnherrington1110]

Been wrestling with how to fix this in my setup for a little while. Thanks for the walk through and demo.

[@smart_home_australia]

Glad to be of help. Anything else you need help with let me know. Always looking for new ideas for videos.

[@aaajp3]

Thank You - Best IR Control Vid I have seen, with easy explanation. Great work.

[@smart_home_australia]

Always a pleasure to help others on our smart home journey. Just make sure you gain SO approval it the trick :)

[@jamescreer]

Thanks so much. Nice simple easy to follow video. Aircon all set up in HA now :)

[@smart_home_australia]

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy using your BroadLink in HA

[@user-xn3ux4bp2u]

Best walkthrough i have come across thanks!!

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks, glad you liked it. if you have any other topics that you'd like covered then please let me know. SHA (aka Paul)

[@tranminhchu1002]

Why i can’t find file broadlink on storage file. what do i solve this problem

[@yannisjanen6105]

I had the same issue first i tried to learn the signals from broadlink itself so these ones i had already in there and had the same issue Like you than i restartet homeassistant completely and learnd the command from my aktual remote than i found broadlink in the storage section so ether it was the reastart or the remote

[@tranminhchu1002]

@@yannisjanen6105 i reboot both home asssistant and broadink rm mini but i cant file it. How do you can fix this problem

[@smart_home_australia]

This is usually due you missing the configuration of the File Editor (Ref: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZuro3uBhLp-bZI) to allow you to view the .storage files. Make sure that you have done this and they should appear. Now that said there are some issue with learning RF commands and these not appearing (view the other comments from a channel member). He had to perform the function several times and this solved the problem, but it does seem strange that this should be the case, but try this. I did a full retest of the process and it does till work, so should work for you.

[@soumynonareverse7807]

So what if you have all your network devices hardwired in your bedroom on purpose, what kind of ethernet to IR/RF bridge do you use to control those devices?

[@smart_home_australia]

I dont know a cost effective way of converting IP to IR as I have only ever done it via WiFi. You might need to head down the home built Tasmota device route. Sorry.

[@Biggim221]

learn command seems to not work properly. even though HA "successfully" learns the RF command I want to teach it, there is no file created nor can I recall this learned command. Is there a possible other way to do this?

[@Biggim221]

I've been playing around with it for a couple of hours now and have finally found a solution. for RF devices the RM4 pro will go into "search frequency" mode. Hence you need to continously press the button you want to teach for ~30s. a broadlink_remote_.... file has also been created. Thank you a lot for this video, helped me learning HA even better!

[@smart_home_australia]

Wow, I wasn't aware of that, maybe this is different between devices as I learnt a heap of ceiling RF fan commands and they learnt first time, no issues. Had you learnt any IR commands beforehand? Maybe it needs the IR files first before you learn the RF commands. Either way, well done for figuring it out !!

[@peejayw]

Thanks. When I open the editor and go to .storage there is no entry for Broadlink?

[@smart_home_australia]

If you went into file editor for .storage and there is no entry for Broadlink then it sounds like your Broadlink integration has not installed correctly. I'd try a restart of HA to see if that fixes it, otherwise you might need to reinstall the Boradlink integration.

[@felipemcarli]

thank you thats what I need!!

[@smart_home_australia]

Pleasure. Please let me know how you go and if you need a follow-up video or any other topics you'd like help with.

[@felipemcarli]

@@smart_home_australia so it is not possible to use the brands database in HA?

[@smart_home_australia]

Directly, no. However, there is a way of using the e-control App that can use the Broadlink Database to "learn" your commands and then dump the commands and reload these into HA. I didn't cover this in the video as its alot more complex. But if you are feeling brave then check out this link, www.home-assistant.io/integrations/broadlink/ and scroll to the section for "Using E-Control Remotes"

[@brandonfertig]

What’s the range on this? Will it provide coverage for a two-floor home?

[@smart_home_australia]

I assume you are talking about the RF component as it will go through walls as opposed to the IR which is line of sight. If that's the case then very good. I installed one for a client and it worked through 5 walls and approximately 20 metres and worked perfectly. Although go check out this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJeWoI14ebeKjdE, you get IR and RF but with an integrated mmWave motion sensor included.

[@jaytherider]

Hi, I have the same setup and want to use it to record buttons from the AC remote, or the TV remote. However I've noticed that when I learn for example the "power" button or the "digit_1" multiple times (for test purpose), I never get exactly the same code. Any idea why? I thought it was rolling code, but I understood this only applies to blinds for example, not for a TV remote.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @jaytherider, rolling codes tend to be only used for devices that need security (ie. garage door openers or cars), so I doubt that would be the case. AC's can be a lot more challenging as they come in two flavours with only the version that send the full instruction set (ie temp, fan humidty etc) to the device. Simplistically, if you have a display on your remote then they tend to be supported. TV's likewise have some complexity in that some use a combination of IR and Bluetooth but in general they are supported. As for the codes learnt, I cant really say why the codes would be different. The question is, do the codes work?

[@gabriellopes0]

Hey, thanks for the video. Do you know if you are able to bridge these IR and RF commands in HA to Home Kit?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @gabriellopes0, I dont have home kit installed, yet, so I don't have any personal expereince on this topic. However, doing abit of a search I found ,that yes, you can bridge the IR and RF commands from the Broadlink integration to HomeKit. This can be achieved using a plugin called Homebridge Broadlink RM1. This plugin allows you to control your RM Mini and RM Pro with HomeKit using the Home app and Siri. Here are the steps to set it up: - Install Homebridge. - Install the Homebridge Broadlink RM plugin. - Update your Homebridge config.json file with the BroadlinkRM platform and the accessories you want to control. Here is an example configuration: "platforms": [ { "platform":"BroadlinkRM", "name":"Broadlink RM", "accessories": [ { "name":"TV On/Off", "type":"switch", "data": { "on":"2600500000012...", "off":"2600500000012..." } } ] } ] - Run Homebridge. Your Broadlink RM device will be automatically discovered. In the Home app, you can toggle the switch on, perform the IR or RF command in front of your Broadlink RM device, and copy the HEX output from the Homebridge log to wherever you want the code in the config. Ref: broadlink.kiwicam.nz/ I hope that helps.

[@johnwinder2462]

Hi, I have bought an RM4 Pro and want to use this to control a ‘Chinese Diesel Heater’ that has a simple remote ( on /off, temp up/down). There is timer and thermostat functionality but it’s really confusing to setup. So my question, can I set this RM4 with a 3rd party thermostat/ thermometer to monitor the room temperature and adjust the output of the heater accordingly?

[@smart_home_australia]

I don’t see why not. The rm pro can give you the temperature and then you’ll just need to learn the commands for on off and temperature controls then write an automation to adjust accordingly. But before starting I’d make sure that you can get HA to learn the commands by following through the instructions in the video. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[@lee70687]

Does anyone know if this would be a good solution to use to help out an elderly relative when her Smart TV moves to a different 'source', would I be able to turn the sky box on and get it back on to the correct source for her remotely using this?

[@smart_home_australia]

Sorry I dont have any experience with a Sky Box, But as long as it is controlled through IR or RF then I don't know why you could not load the controls into HA and then include those into scripts that a smart speaker, such as Alex, that your relevant could verbally activate, ie. Alexa switch to {source}. Alternatively, dependent upon what your user case is the next video to come out (Messaging and control of Smart TV's) might also help with this.

[@theattorney6072]

Hi isnit possiblento add appliances to the broadlink app and at the same time use the braodlink integration

[@smart_home_australia]

@theattorney6072 thanks for the comment and what a great question !! Quick answer, YES. the two are independent from a functional perspective. You are simply using the Broadlink API to send specific codes to the Broadlink device to retransmit for you. Hopefully in future the integration will become bidirectional so that the codes that are learnt within the Broadlink App are transferred back to Home Assistant. Once that happens you should not have to "learn" the commands within Home Assistant as they will simply be pushed down to Home Assistant. I hope that helpful and that you are enjoying controling your IR and RF devices through Home Assistant.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

Is there a way to set this up without connecting to wifi or using the app because I don't want this thing pinging home nor give them access to my phones location

[@smart_home_australia]

Technically the Broadlink RM Pro should work when not connected to the internet, however, it seems inconsistent between users. I'd recommend using an application called Little Snitch (www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html). It can tell you which devices are connecting to where and then allow you to block these, basically a simple to use firewall, very easy to navigate around and use. Thats should allow you to identify the traffic and block it while allowing all other traffic.

[@faizalps501]

Can we use it as local with home assistant ? I meant without internet connection possible ?

[@smart_home_australia]

Yep, if you check the integration documentation (www.home-assistant.io/integrations/broadlink/), the integration section states "The Broadlink integration was introduced in Home Assistant 0.35, and it's used by 7.5% of the active installations. Its IoT class is Local Polling.". The thing to look for is "Local Polling". I hope that helps out.

[@defilmhouse2578]

How to make use of boardlink rm4 pro to change decoder channels with Alexa smart home command

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @defilmhouse2578, when you say decoder channels I assume you mean a set top box or similar? If so then: Pair Broadlink RM4 Pro with the mobile app: Search for “Broadlink” in your mobile store (App Store or Google Play) and install the application. The pairing process is straightforward, just follow the instructions that the Broadlink Mobile app provides. Add your decoder to Broadlink RM4 Pro: Broadlink has an extensive appliance database. You can search for your decoder brand and several common remote control setups will be offered for you to test. Integrate Broadlink RM4 PRO with Amazon Echo Device: You can either install the Broadlink skill from the Alexa App or link them using the Broadlink mobile application. After that, you need to scan for new devices. You can do this either from the Amazon Alexa mobile App or by just saying “Alexa, discover devices” to your Amazon Echo device. Create a routine in Alexa: After your devices are discovered, you can create a routine in Alexa to change channels on your decoder. For example, you can create a routine that when you say “Alexa, change to channel 10”, Alexa sends a command to Broadlink RM4 Pro to change the decoder to channel 10.

[@SnowyPe]

Why cant I see .storage on file editor? The learning of my power button worked and calling the service

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @SnowyPe, check 8:58 of the video, sounds like you have not configured file editor to show .storage. I hope that helps.

[@SnowyPe]

Hi @@smart_home_australia I found the solution and it worked for me. ".storage" now visible Here's what I done: If you use the File Editor addon, you can go to the Configuration, remove .storage in the Ignore Pattern, go to Save, and restart File Editor.

[@smart_home_australia]

Excellent @SnowyPe , well done. Enjoy.

[@ivana6141]

What can i do if the leared ir signal is not accepted by my device. I also tried the switchbot universal renote hub and it didn't work either. It's just a basic remote for a gas heater with on off up and down.

[@smart_home_australia]

Now that's very strange as basic IR (ie. not encrypted or sent in whole message segments such as AC's do) are 99.99% covered. Can I ask the make and model of gas heater you are trying to learn? I can reach out to the developers of the original Braooadlink software and see if they can assist.

[@ivana6141]

@smart_home_australia it is a rinnai dynamo 15. I aldo tried a simple logitech ir repeater. It flashes when it receives the ir input but output does nothing even with the blaster right on the receiver.

[@ivana6141]

@@smart_home_australia do some ir devices have rolling codes?

[@smart_home_australia]

Rolling codes are only for secure devices, such as car remotes or garage doors as far as I know. But AC’s don’t just send the IR codes,they send a “full set” of codes to the AC, so temp, fan speed, mode etc. The developers came back. They said that Rennai is not on the supported list, however that doesn’t mean it would not work. They had not tested it specially. So if it doesn’t “learn” it then it unlikely that RM or any other IR blaster will be able to support it. Sorry.

[@ivana6141]

@smart_home_australia thanks for the info. I may have to contact rinnai for more insight to their ir signals that they use.

[@MattiaRaggiDrum]

Hello, how can I import on Home Assistant all the codes that I had acquired from my Broadlink previously, that is before integrating it on Home Assistant? you can do it? thanks and congratulations for the video! ❤

[@smart_home_australia]

Simple answer. Yes. But it’s not easy. You need to use a tool (software). It’s late here but I’ll put the tool and instructions up tomorrow.

[@smart_home_australia]

In the meantime have a read of this community.home-assistant.io/t/alternate-way-for-getting-rf-code-from-broadlink-rm-pro/165596

[@smart_home_australia]

Morning, ok check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZobalXl5bJ6JfMU, this should help you.

[@MattiaRaggiDrum]

@@smart_home_australia good morning😊 thanks from Italy for the support ! See you👋

[@smart_home_australia]

Non è un problema, amiche italiane.

[@devicesrft7808]

I'd like to know if these RF hubs work locally. I want to be free from the cloud, as Smart Life RF hub works.

[@smart_home_australia]

Yep. Sure does, although you can use via the internet if required. Also check out the LinknLink eHub, same functionality of the RM pro but with an added mmWave motion sensor and "off device" temperature and humidity for more accurate measurements. Link kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJeWoI14ebeKjdE

[@devicesrft7808]

@@smart_home_australia Thanks a lot. Could you recomend an smart smoke detector?

[@smart_home_australia]

Thats a hot topic based on the importance of making sure this sensor never goes offline. Rather than just give you a recommendation, I'd suggest reading through this community post as the decision is very much dependent upon user case, cost, your eco system and communication protocol. Ref: community.home-assistant.io/t/what-smoke-detectors-are-recommended/640351

[@yunusertugrul3270]

I couldn't find broadlink in file editor storage

[@smart_home_australia]

@yunusertugrul3270 Remember the broadlink files only get created one you have learnt commands. Also that these files are the stored cods for your learnt IR commands, so have you learnt and tested with retransmitting these commands from Home Assistant? Also make sure that you have make your configuration changes to file editor and removed the .storage from the "GIT" in the options section. I hope that helps.

[@Tntdruid]

I'm using a athom Tasmota IR Controller, very easy to use and setup.

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks for commenting and sharing. There are afew different ways of solving this issue. I've not tried the Tasmota approach but I'm sure its a solid solution.

[@Tntdruid]

@@smart_home_australia it's free from the ☁️ 👍

[@smart_home_australia]

Arrh the legend of local control... there are a thousand videos I could make for that. I'm still contemplating doing the legend of TUYA Local, but it's very involved and potentially with a small audience, but never say never ;)

[@kenkoknz1]

Thanks for that. I also have Samba installed, and thought I can access .storage folder from a PC, however I cant find the .storage file folder (other folders are present), is the .storage folder a special hidden folder?

[@smart_home_australia]

Yep, hidden. Just use file editor and watch 8:57 of the video and it shows you how make it visible.

[@kenkoknz1]

​@@smart_home_australia Got it! and shows ok now. On another topic, I was trying to get Alexa integration and was having issues with the file path as it require me to create a authen.txt file in config. I am not familiar with the home assistant file structure, rather confusion in that case, as in a nuc installation and there seems to be two subdisr, homeassistant and config sub directory, both showing the same files. In that instant I got it to work by only creating the file in homeassistant dir. Anyway great to see a HA expert down under, thanks, Ken, NZ

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks Ken, check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqPYq2iZqJx-h9U, this shows how to reauthenticate Alexa, that might be of help.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Another great video mate, keep them coming! Let me know if we can collaborate in some way

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks Simon. Same could be said. You’re an inspiration to the community. Keep them coming and once I have all the basic videos in place I’d love to collaborate, I’ll DM you when I get there 😊🤞

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@smart_home_australia Thank you so much, what a kind comment! I look forward to working with you!

[@chrisham2757]

Thx

[@smart_home_australia]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@indiandarkhorse]

Great video! I was able to use it for my BroadLink IR device for my AC! Thanks a million! Just a question, How do I know the state if the AC is powered ON or OFF? I was thinking of showing the status on my dashboard.

[@smart_home_australia]

If your AC remote has two IR commands then it would be easy. If however, like most are, it is a single command that toggles the power, then its a little more tricky. Best option is to send the command and set a toggle helper (if you don't know how to do this I can put up a video on how) that reflects the state of the power and then just display the toggle helper.

[@Sauron6600]

You could also use a shelly device on the plug and write a script based on its power consumption for the on off state

[@steffenfasig7333]

Great video! 👍 thanks for that. I have already read out the commands from various TV devices and receivers with Esphome and ir sensors. I wanted to use this to run various processes/automations, e.g. b. switching on a streaming service in connection with the TV. Can these codes be integrated exactly as you have shown here? or is this only possible with a Broadlink device? Greetings Steffen 🇩🇪

[@smart_home_australia]

If I’m reading your messages correctly then yes you’ll need a BroadLink or similar device to play back the codes that were learnt on the specific device. The codes that are stored for the BroadLink I believe are specific to that devices and are not transportable. But once learnt you can script these together to perform more complex instructions. The example I gave was for a heater but I have a similar one to control a TV to start a streaming service (Disney plus) on a TV that’s semi smart but doesn’t go to the level of opening and controlling specific apps and logging into various profiles stored. I hope that helps.

[@mzmutlu]

how can i add broadlink tc2 ?

[@smart_home_australia]

Not natively. But check out this post to extract the codes community.home-assistant.io/t/broadlink-rm-pro-and-tc2-switch/7904/297?page=15

[@zeratul021]

Does anyone have a link for that encoding ac controller? 1:35

[@smart_home_australia]

While can control many air conditioners, there may be some specific models or brands that are not yet supported, especially if they use a unique or proprietary communication protocol. If you have a specific air conditioner model in mind, it would be best to check with the manufacturer or Broadlink’s customer service for compatibility. Alternatively check out a SwitchBot Hub or a Sensibo as they have an even wider compatibility list.

[@zeratul021]

Sorry, I understood you saying "yellow breeze light" and Google search didn't provide any match close to this. So I wanted to double check what I understood. Thx

[@smart_home_australia]

Arhh I see what you mean. OK I was talking about Cielo (cielowigle.com) they do some great smart air conditioning.

[@zeratul021]

​@smart_home_australia thanks! Btw the link doesn't work (404), but now I have been able to google it.

[@smart_home_australia]

No worries. Sorry about the link. Having no end of issues with shortened URL’s

[@DannyFeliz]

Great video, can you please show how to learn RF codes in HA?

[@smart_home_australia]

The RF commands are learnt in exactly the same way. Just remember that its the Pro models only that have the RF capability not the beans.

[@RahulParmar1978]

​@@smart_home_australiaI don't think that's quite right as the same process doesn't seem to work for RF devices and the instructions on the integration page (confusingly) seems to outline a different process.

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks for your feedback @RahulParmar1978, I actually don't have any RF devices to test this out, but was lead to believe that it was the same process. I might have to invest in one just to test it out for you. What device specifically?

[@RahulParmar1978]

@@smart_home_australia I was trying (unsuccessfully) to get it to work with my Chamberlain garage door.

[@DannyFeliz]

@@smart_home_australia Yeah, it doesn't work the same way and it's confusing that's why I was asking if you could create a video around that.

[@aaronegger]

Came to see how rf devices could be integrated, as it is not simply done with switching to device type rf, but only found the 1000 video how to integrate an ir device.. Please remove the RF word from your title as you don't show how to integrate those!

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @aaronegger, I dont have any RF devices anymore but when I did the process was the same. I'll retest with a friends RF room fan and make sure that the process is the same. If this is not working for you, have you confirmed that the RF device is transmitting within the supported RF 433MHz (frequency range: 430~440MHz)?

[@aaronegger]

@@smart_home_australia Yes of course. I tested it with the broadlink app. The learning process is different Instead of just pressing the button, you have to keep it pressed, while the frequency is scanned. If the frequency had been detected you should press the button again and if everything works the button has been learned.

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks @Aronegger, As a side you might like to check out this link for shorturl.ac/7caio, where it talks through using Broadlink Manager that sounds like a very useful tool that would help you.

[@booge53]

We need a remote

[@smart_home_australia]

Here to help. Did you try the other video and try scripting commands together so you can call the script from your Alexa or Google ?

[@jef617]

Working fine, but just in one room.

[@smart_home_australia]

The IR would only work in one room as its line of sight. The RF is much longer and through multiple wall. That is unless you live with wall of reinforced concrete with rebarb, then I couldn';t tell you.

[@jef617]

@@smart_home_australia exactly as I say, working fine but just in one room.

[@smart_home_australia]

OK then you might need multiple devices, that or try a LinknLink eHub, they are supposed to have a longer range.

[@jef617]

@@smart_home_australia Hi, I understand how I solved the problem but then I need more stuff where the brands have control on and that is just what I don't want.

[@smart_home_australia]

Agreed. hence why I tend to partner with companies that support their products with excellent tech support.