Make an Infrared Remote Control for PC

Posted July 10, 2006

A friend of mine came yesterday to me asking if I can do something for him to control WinAmp via a Remote Control. After some searching I found a very simple to build IR receiver using the serial port on LIRC official page so I started to gather the components from our local electronics shop. It costed me around 1.5$ so it was also cheap enough .
The schematic is

and the components are as follows :

IC1 = 78L05, 5V regulator
IC2 = TSOP1738 , IR receiver
D1 = 1N4148
C1 = 4.7uF
R1 = 4.7K
one male or female (depends on your configuration/cables) serial (DB9,RS232) connector

I choosed to put all components on air and in the serial connector’s box (photos below).
The pinouts of the 9-pins connector are :

1 = DCD (Carrier Detect)
2 = RXD (Receive Data)
3 = TXD (Transmit Data)
4 = DTR (Data Terminal Ready)
5 = GND (Ground)
6 = DSR (Data Set Ready)
7 = RTS (Request To Send)
8 = CTS (Clear To Send)
9 = RI (Ring Indicator)

TSOP1738 pinouts

the starting materials

during construction

inside the box

the final product

the remote controls I use

For the software part you can use :

Girder – free trial, can be buyed for about 40$
WinLirc if you are on Windows and Lirc if you are on an UNIX platform -freeware
WinAmp Plugin for WinLirc
BSPlayer – a very good video player, it have a built-in support for WinLirc

(Edited) As a remote control you can use almost all universal remote controls (you must know its working code for the TSOP1738, for the one from the attached picture the code is 081) and most of the domestic (videorecorder, tv …) remote controls. To see if one is working open WinLirc, press Reconfigure and then Raw Codes. If when you press a button on your remote control you see lots of numbers there then it means it is working.

(Edited) To add a status LED to your receiver, just make the schematic below (I tested it last week and it went ok). The disadvantage of this is that you’ll need a battery so it can run ok.

Just click the image to see it larger

References :

181 comments on “Make an Infrared Remote Control for PC”

Harry on February 9, 2007 at 3:33 am said:

hi trim, i try to build this infrared remote control receiver for my pc. Since i’m living in indonesia, i can’t find the TSOP1728 IR Receiver, i just got TSOP1240. Is this IR Receiver can be used without changing any schematic and component value? FYI, the pinout of TSOP1240 and 1738 is the same.

Thank you,
Trimbitas Sorin on February 9, 2007 at 6:57 am said:

A friend of mine used TSOP1238 and it worked so TSOP1240 should also work.
Please be aware that TSOP1240 is for 40kHz so , before buying it (even if it is about 1$), be sure that you have a remote control for it.
Hope this helps
Sorin
Pingback: #hsk :: PC IR Remote Control :: February :: 2007
sangwan on February 20, 2007 at 6:36 pm said:

can i use tsop1556 here
Trimbitas Sorin on February 20, 2007 at 6:46 pm said:

As long as you have a remote for it, yes.
Here is the description of the TSOP 1556 :
http://www.ortodoxism.ro/datasheets/vishay/82029.pdf
sangwan on February 20, 2007 at 6:50 pm said:

and please tell me about pinout of tsop1556
Trimbitas Sorin on February 20, 2007 at 9:05 pm said:

You can see it in the link I gave you above.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Sorin
dolfin on February 27, 2007 at 10:01 am said:

My PC do not have Serial port and most of the new PCs don’t. Do you guys think this will work on a LPT or Parallel port?
Trimbitas Sorin on February 27, 2007 at 10:08 am said:

According to the WinLirc page (http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/) : “Note that the parallel port hardware, …, are not yet supported by WinLIRC”, but, if you use Linux you are lucky : http://lirc.org/parallel.html
Tyler Yeomans on March 21, 2007 at 10:00 pm said:

I have an IR led receiver, can I use that or do I have to use your little IC? (The TSOP)????
tyeo098 at yahoo dot com
Trimbitas Sorin on March 23, 2007 at 10:22 am said:

You need to use the TSOP as it is a specialized IC for this job.
Hope this helps
Sorin
pasan on March 23, 2007 at 3:41 pm said:

Hey i downloaded GIRDER ( free trial ). But its not detecting when i press my remote button. Does this need any plugins.
josi on April 28, 2007 at 6:05 am said:

Hi,
I was working excellent with Girder 3.3 + igor’s plugin during years with one JVC remote and a gml file I donwloaded from the internet.
Now the remote is not working anymore and I tried to “learn event” with every remote I have in my house and the same happens: the code is changing every time I press a button.

I can’t get it works like in the past and I am desperate for use it again.

I tried with the anti repeat wait time (200, 500 1000 ms) and nothing.

Even I tried to build manually my gml file but it was imposible to understand the way (is there any tutorial?)

Please, help!

thanks in advance
josi
Paolo on May 9, 2007 at 6:22 pm said:

Wondering if you could respond to post #42:

Raed says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:42 am
hi..
why u have used the DCD and RTS pins and NOT the RXD pin which is involved for receiving data..??
and how DCD and RTS funtion in the above circuit.?
thanks
Kamil on May 14, 2007 at 8:56 am said:

Hi

I just want to know is there any possibilities to find out frequency of my remote control (SONY RMT-814). I build a infra red receiver from your site but it didn’t work with my remote controler. I think it’s because my remote control is using differnt frequency(my ir receiver use 38kHz freq).

Bye
Kamil
Sorin Toma on May 18, 2007 at 8:42 pm said:

Hi,

I saw with interest this circuit. I am interested in reading the IR codes in HEX so I can paste it in other RC applications.
Is this possible using winlirc?
Cheers
Sorin
saul on May 24, 2007 at 6:35 pm said:

hi, i have a question, how long of the 3 lines wire can i use?

i talking about 50ft
will it still work?

thenk u.
Trimbitas Sorin on May 26, 2007 at 9:24 am said:

Hi

Sorin Toma .. I think it is possible, just take a look on WinLirc/Lirc support forum and I’m sure you’ll get it working.

Saul … I don’t know exactly but my longest cable was about 5 meters long (about 16ft)

Hope this helps

Sorin
saul on May 26, 2007 at 11:52 am said:

What can i do in order to make it work for about 15 meters?

can i change the C1 maybe for a more powerfull one?, so the system won’t lose power?

and where is it better to put the commponents (C1, R1, D1, IC2) at the beggining? (next to the computer) or at the end, with the IR Reciver? (in order to give the system more chance to work for that long disstance cable)

thanx.
goodkiller on June 8, 2007 at 4:59 pm said:

Hi, i don’t get it work
Maby is problem -5V volts in computer hardware, cause it shows 3,5 only not 5v, is this problem?
vladART on June 20, 2007 at 1:27 pm said:

just stop plaing with toys … do something real stuff …. like usb receiver
fisher on June 21, 2007 at 12:18 am said:

Hi, can I simply get an old mouse IR detector and build the circuit?? Will it work?? Anyone had already tryed it??
Thanks!!
arjun on July 3, 2007 at 11:07 pm said:

hey gr8 circuit dude i made it nd its workin but my laptop doesnt have a serial port and hence i want to d the same with usb port since i m an ametuer in electronics so cant make the circuit mentioned by u above(in one of your posts) so can i use a usb to infrared port for the same
plez help
sandeep on July 14, 2007 at 5:56 pm said:

i have tried the “Learn how to control everyone’s favourite XMMS with a TV remote ” pdf document in the “howtos” page of ww.lirc.org but i have not been successful…

i connected the circuit and soldered it…….but my device doesn’t respond when i press buttons on my remote…..is there any specific range of choosing remotes…….and i connect the circuit to the serial port…..i am confused with configuring the device using ./configure……..i donot know the port nuber to which i should connect this device…….i think this device sits only in one port…..i want to know the port number of the device….

i use fedora core 3…..so as told in the manual i did not recompile the kernel as i found the files specified in the location….

i do not understand the problem……please help me…..

thanks

sandeep

chadasandu@gmail.com
sandeep on July 15, 2007 at 2:43 am said:

does using a 7805 voltage regulator effect the circuit
Trimbitas Sorin on July 16, 2007 at 5:33 am said:

Hi Fisher … no, you can’t just use those photo detectors, you need a specialized IR detector running on the frequency of your remote control.

Hi Arjun … you can buy a small USB to serial converter or make an USB receiver (please look at the post number 6 from this page)

Hi sandeep … 7805 is fine (the only differences are the package size and that it is rated at 100mA, if I’m not wrong), I used it also when I didn’t find to buy 78L05. As for your other post .. sorry, my Linux knowledge is very limited.

Best wishes

Sorin
Wolf on August 12, 2007 at 6:09 am said:

You may want to clarify in your post that R1 = 4.7KOhm (not just K). When I saw just the K I was confused for a little while!
digital on September 5, 2007 at 7:07 pm said:

Instead of making the above circuit con you give me the simple TSOP1738 receiver circuit and an IR transmitter circuit….plz reply me on
Trimbitas Sorin on September 5, 2007 at 7:23 pm said:

For IR transmitter circuits you can take a look at http://www.lirc.org/transmitters.html , they are really simple to build
As for the receiver, this is the simplest safe schematic you’ll find.
Regards
Sorin
saurabh on September 10, 2007 at 10:01 am said:

hi
I have created Ir reciver successfully Now i want to make its contolling software of my own any help ?
Trimbitas Sorin on September 10, 2007 at 11:17 am said:

I also tried doing that in Visual Basic 6 some time ago. I used WinLirc as a server (just as the WinAmp plugin does).
Anyway, if you want to build an application from 0 you can take a look at WinLirc as it is open source.
Please keep us updated on your progress.
Sorin
saurabh on September 10, 2007 at 5:38 pm said:

first of all thanks for ur reply i m trying to make software in Vc++ and have gone through WinLirc infact using it for testing but i am not able to understand a single code in WinLirc files any help plz.

Can u tell from where i can understan there codings any site link etc .
FraN on October 13, 2007 at 9:04 am said:

Nice device!
For the sake of information sharing, I used the IR-receiver from Everlight, IRM-8601S, and it works just fine!
A question:
It’s too complex to append a LED, to the circuit, that lits when a signal is recieved and then un-lits? (Excuse my english)
Ali on October 17, 2007 at 6:53 am said:

what is the type of wires you used ? and you only connected to DCD GND RTS pins and left all other pins without any wiring?
Trimbitas Sorin on October 17, 2007 at 7:34 am said:

For adding a LED .. hmm, I’ll give it a try in the weekend and post here the schematics but .. it will mostly sure need an external battery (3V cell) just to be secure.

Ali .. yes, only those 3 pins are needed for WinLirc.

Regards

Sorin
Ali on October 17, 2007 at 8:33 am said:

thank u for ur fast reply , do i have to use cd rom audio cable to connect or what kind can be used?
Trimbitas Sorin on October 17, 2007 at 8:39 am said:

You’re welcome
You can use any type of cable, i found at our shop cable on 3 wires which is perfect , but you can also use normal telephone cable which has 4 wires (just let one unconnected).
Ali on October 17, 2007 at 9:06 am said:

thanx again and wish u good luck in ur futural projects and keep amazing us with beautiful things
FraN on October 21, 2007 at 7:27 pm said:

Trimbitas, I found this in the mailing-list of LIRC (from Bill Paxton):

——————————————-
Disclaimer:
Please remember this is a serial port. Like always if
you fry something – whoops. Your bad. Besides this
could be a trick and I want you to destroy your serial
port. Beware.

Parts:
1 – low current (~2mA) LED of your choice
1 – 3.3k+ resistor of your choice

Directions:
Wire LED+ to the resistor. Wire other side of resistor
to detector input pin. Wire LED- to detector output
pin. Done.

Notes:
This is really not that bright, and I mean
intelligence not millicandelas.

It /must be/ a low current LED. We shouldn’t use more
than 1mA. Already there is a Vreg(~3mA) and a detector
(~3mA) plus if you use the 4.7k pullup resistor,
another ~1mA. Measuring one on the table right now
using an L78L05, PNA4602, and a 4k7 pullup it’s taking
6.2mA from RTS.

3.3k ohm would allow 1mA if it were constant and the
LED was 1.7Vfd so it’s less really. If you don’t need
the brightness by all means increase the resistor.
PLEASE do NOT take advantage of the fact that it is
pulsed and lower the resistor. You probably can, some.
But for the record “don’t do it.” (if you make it too
low or omit it, your detector will stop working
because it’s ‘stealing’ all the output)
——————————————-

If this works it seems that the kind of solution I have looking for

What do you think?

(I’m gonna try it when I have the time)
ashok on October 23, 2007 at 7:02 am said:

its very nice .
please send me the full project
akaSLEEP on October 24, 2007 at 10:02 am said:

Hey, I must write a program in C# where I must write and read data from the serial port, but the communication must be wireless. Do you have a sender that will work with your receiver circuit?
aka[SLEEP] on October 24, 2007 at 10:05 am said:

thanks
Ol Schoola on October 27, 2007 at 1:09 am said:

Trimbitas,

May I have permission to use the schematic at the MythTV wiki? I’m working on IR docs and how-tos there and could use a sharp graphic like that. I’ve already linked in your, IMO, superior writeup on the matter.

TIA
Trimbitas Sorin on October 27, 2007 at 7:34 am said:

Ol Schoola … yes, you have my permission to use it.

As for adding a LED … a little later today or tomorrow morning I’ll put working schematics (just to have some time between unpacking my stuff).
papai on November 2, 2007 at 4:00 pm said:

i want to do it using usb port,
would you like to help me ?
Trimbitas Sorin on November 7, 2007 at 11:21 am said:

I just added the status LED schematics (it works 100%, tested it).

Papai … there is an USB version on http://www.cesko.host.sk/IgorPlugUSB/IgorPlug-USB%20(AVR)_eng.htm

Regards

Sorin
papai on November 10, 2007 at 2:36 am said:

hi,
i try to do tre ir reciver, but till i can not able to make it .plzzzzzzzz ,someone help me
plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Ashish on November 11, 2007 at 8:36 pm said:

Hi ,

Could not find the circuit for adding the status LED ?
Trimbitas Sorin on November 12, 2007 at 6:41 am said:

papai .. what exactly aren’t you able to do?

Ashish .. it is at the end of the post ( just above all comments )
papai on November 12, 2007 at 5:27 pm said:

Hi,
my ir receiver is working & signal is detect by winlirc.
But problem is that I do not have the idea how to write script For control the volume, mouse movement power off, Enter, previous, next, open jet audio etc.
Please someone sent me those scripts.

My add : repapai143 ( at ) rediffmail.com and leglegi ( at ) gmail.com

Dedication to DIY and programming

Make an Infrared Remote Control for PC

181 comments on “Make an Infrared Remote Control for PC”

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