What's New

IRCommand2 - Features

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 TrainingListen TriggersTransmit Range Universal CodesIR Band DetectionUsable Band Range IR Emitter JackZone SupportSizePower SupplyInterface
Global Cache iTachYesNo GoodNoNo15 - 500kHzYes Yes, 3 zones1.2h 3.2w 2.4dPower pack Ethernet / Wi-Fi
IguanaWorks IRYesNo FairNoNo20 - 100kHzYes Yes.4h .8w 1.8dfrom PCUSB
Actisys IR200LYesYes FairNoNo32 - 250kHzNoNo .6h 1.4w 2.4dfrom PCSerial
My.TV MyBlasterYesNo GoodYesYes32 - 100kHzNo No3.5h 2w 3.4dPower packSerial or USB
Home-Electro Tira2YesNo GoodNoYes32 - 80kHzYes No.7h 2.4w 2dfrom PCUSB
USB-UIRTYesYesGood NoYes20 - 60kHzYesYes, 3 zones .7h 1.4w 1.5dfrom PCUSB
ADS IR BlasterYesNo GoodNoYes20 - 60kHzYes No1h 3.5w 4.3dfrom PCUSB
Firefly RF RemoteYesYes N/AN/AN/AN/A (RF)N/AYes (unit codes)1.1h 2.2w 3dfrom PCUSB
Windows MCE DonglesYesNo Ext EmitterNoNoVaries2 jacksYes, 2 zones Variesfrom PCUSB

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 MethodsListen TriggersCross-Device TrainingInterface
X10 CM11A / HD11APowerlineYes YesSerial
X10 CM15APowerline and RFYes YesUSB
X10 CM19ARFNoYes USB
Insteon 2414U**Powerline (X10 mode only) NoYesUSB

** 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