Broadlink Blinds, TV, Projector Control: Adding IR Devices

Adding Projector Control & Other IR Devices to the Broadlink^® RM4 Pro Emitter:

Broadlink emitter controls blackout blinds, projectors and other appliances

As discussed in the previous article (cloning RF blackout blinds), the RM4 Pro unit from Broadlink is an emitter that can "clone" both IR (infrared) commands and RF digital radio commands.

It can directly control our IR (infrared) devices, such as our projector and projector screen. It can also control many other devices, including TV, heaters, fans, lighting, etc that can be controlled with IR remote controls.

Alexa controls BenQ 4K projector with Broadlink IR/RF emitter

Our Benq HT3550 projector uses the newer 4K DLP chip and does a great job of the picture quality. It is also much quieter than our previous unit.

It uses separate ON and OFF buttons, and since it is controlled by a backlit IR remote control, we will use it to demonstrate the cloning of the physical remote to the Broadlink RM4 Pro emitter.

There are 2 ways to set up the IR programming on the Broadlink emitter. One method uses a numerical code that will automatically mimick the functions of the physical remote on the screen virtual remote, so that you can control it with the app.

This is by far the easiest way to implement because you don't have to clone every function - the virtual remote will already be fully functional because it is pre-programmed.

But, we found that this method did not work, probably because this is a relatively new projector that uses a new shutdown procedure (a double press of the OFF command button).

The other method is similar to what we did in the previous article, where we cloned the RF blind motor control signal. We can use a very similar method to clone the Benq IR (infrared) physical remote control. Since the projector works perfectly with no need to make adjustments to the picture, we only need to turn it ON and OFF. What follows is the procedure for doing this.

If you hover your mouse over the pictures on this page, you will see some information about the picture, and the picture number, if it applies.

1. How To Add Projector Controls to the Broadlink Emitter:

Broadlink app home screen showing sub-device update-pix 24

add appliance screen shows sub-device blackout blinds-pix 25

Picture 24: Please note that we are continuing from the previous page 3 of this article series with the picture sequence. This is the same picture as the last picture on the previous page 3, where we successfully added the RM4 Pro. Please press the RM4 Pro name to add the projector controls (it will become a sub-device, and you'll see the sub-device count updated, once the projector is successfully added).

Picture 25: The Broadlink app automatically detects that you have added the blackout blinds as a sub-item to the RM4 Pro emitter yet; note that the sub-device count has been updated. Please press the Add appliances button at the bottom to start the process of adding the projector.

Picture 26: Press the Projector area to select the appliance type. An information screen may come up, if you had not previously indicated Don't remind. If it appears, please click the Add appliance button to proceed to picture 10.

2. Identifying the IR Learning Type & Assigning a Room:

Broadlink app info screen re choices-pix 27

Broadlink app RF code selection area-pix 28

Picture 27: Press the OK button that is presented. We will use the Can't find my brand, learn the remote right away button at the bottom of the screen to proceed.

Picture 28: Press the IR remote area that is presented.

Picture 29: Press the Room selection area that is presented. Note that you can create a new room at this point.

3. Setting the Projector Name & Reviewing Information:

Broadlink app button to use device now-pix 32

Picture 30: Enter the projector name and press Save.

Picture 31: This screen is information only (about sub-device). Press the I know it button that is presented.

Picture 32: Press the Use device now button to proceed.

4. Setting the Button For Cloning the IR Code:

Broadlink app info re virtual remote button to learn-pix 33

Broadlink app projector virtual remote power ON button to clone-pix 34

Broadlink app info about button learning-pix 35

Picture 33: This screen is information only, warning you that you will be presented next with a remote control screen. You will need to indicate which button you want to learn, by pressing the appropriate button (it will become active, turning from gray to a solid outline). Press the OK button that is presented.

Picture 34: This screen is presenting the virtual remote control buttons for the projector that you are going to clone from the actual physical remote. We will use the button positioned at the top row center as the Power ON button. Please press this button to proceed to the next screen.

Picture 35: This screen is information only, with an explanation about button learning (cloning). Press the Start learning button to proceed (and make sure you have the physical remote ready). If you selected Do not show again previously, you will not see this screen.

5. Cloning the IR Code:

Broadlink app press physical remote button for actual IR cloning-pix 36

Broadlink app projector ON control signal was cloned-pix 37

Broadlink app confirm virtual remote button is working-pix 38

Picture 36: This screen is the actual point where you will clone (learn) the IR code by pressing a button on the physical remote; note the countdown timer (30 seconds).

Picture 37: This screen confirms that the cloned IR code has been captured to memory; press the Power ON button to test.

Picture 38: This screen is asking you if the test the virtual button was verified to be functioning properly. The problem with this is that your projector may already be ON, so we suggest your just press the Yes button (you will be able to test it in the next step).

6. Confirm That You Have Cloned the IR Code Successfully:

The remainder of the process is very similar to the previous page where we cloned the RF signal for the blackout blind motors; you can test the virtual button, to see if the projector turns on (you may have to turn it OFF first with the physical remote).

You can repeat this procedure to clone the IR code for the OFF button; we cloned it to the MENU button in the middle of the 3rd row, since the virtual remote did not have an OFF button.

If you want to delete the projector example and start over, use the three dot ellipses (. . .) at the top right of the virtual remote control screen for the blinds, then go to PROPERTY on the sub-menu that appears.

Summary:

Broadlink app home screen with sub-devices updated-pix 24

This final test completes the process of cloning an IR code to the RM4 Pro emitter. Here we can see that the home screen is showing the projector (and blackout blinds) as a sub-device, with an updated count of 2.

You can set up a process for a home theater system in a media room - deploy projector screen, dim the lights, lower blackout blinds, turn projector on, activate audio system, select Acorn or Britbox ... with a single voice command such as "ROKU ON".

The next article will focus on the Alexa app, but if you don't want to use Alexa, you can use this app to control your Broadlink emitter and create SCENES that will combine functions into procedures that will automate a series of functions.

The SCENES in the Alexa app are called ROUTINES (these are synonymous terms), and we reccommend that you use them instead, as per the following article (if you are going to use Alexa).