Many electrical appliances such as TVs, air conditioners, heaters, and so on are still controlled using an infrared remote control, but as more and more people are getting used to their smartphone to control pretty much everything, devices such as Xiaomi Mi Smart Remote Center that allows to control IR appliances with ANdroid or iOS mobile are starting to come to market. However during my Smart Remote Center review, I noticed that the app was only available in Chinese, and that it was not quite able to perform all the tasks I wanted (e.g. multiple IR codes programming). There’s now a cheaper and small device available in the form of Broadlink RM Mini 3 “Black Bean” that sells for just $9.88 including shipping, and whose app supports not only Chinese, but also English, Russian, Japanese, and other languages.
Broadlink RM mini 3 specifications:
- WiFi – 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz
- IR – 38 KHz frequency; omni directional (6 transmitters); 12 meters range; 1x IR receiver for learning function
- Misc – Reset button, power LED
- Power – 5V/500 mA via micro USB port
- Power Consumption – Less than 0.85W in standby mode
- Dimensions – 55 x 55 x 64.5 mm
- Weight – 75 grams
- Temperature Range – 0~50 degrees Celsius
The device can be controlled and configured using Broadlink e-Control app for iOS 7.0 or greater, or Android 4.0 or above. You’ll be able to select a remote from a list of device or make the device learn your appliances’ remote control, and then control the said appliances via your smartphone manually or through timers. There’s also a function for “healthy sleeping” that automatically adjust your aircon temperature at night, and devices can be controlled from anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection.
Considering the low price, I was expecting the solution to be based on ESP8266 processor, but instead Broadlink has gone with Marvell just like in Xiaomi Smart Remote Center.
Beside Banggood, Broadlink RM mini 3 also be purchased on GeekBuying, GearBest, Aliexpress, eBay, and other for $12 to $24.
Thanks to Nanik for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Broadlink RM Mini 3 User manual: http://download.appinthestore.com/201605/Broadlink%20IR%20Remote%20Controller%20Manual.pdf
I wish someone would build one or these with an open api / sdk
@Someone from the other side
Broadlink has an API and SDK for their products. I know I asked once for their SP2 smart plug, but you have to fill a form with information such as expected quantity, project timeline, etc… So I never heard back from them 🙂
More information: http://mysku.ru/blog/china-stores/41858.html
It says it has a range of 12m.
Does it require line of site for 1 device or can you use multiple devices in the same room at different angles because I see 6 transmitters?
@mo123
Yes you should be able to control multiple devices with one RM mini.
I thought to do the same with an ESP.
Problem is to find a good database of remotes, with their associated keys.
I have lost some remote controls, or got some second hand hardware because the remote was lost.
But those devices are unusable without the remote.
If appliances does not support discrete infrared codes, it will get into a trouble when appliance power state is unknown.
This is an infrared control issue that have to concern from the beginning.
Can anyone explain why any of the below Android permissions are needed for a device like this? If it claims to allow you to control devices: “from anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection”, then it must rely on a server somewhere in the “Cloud”, right?. What’s to prevent someone else from controlling your devices from anywhere?
Permissions:
Device & app history
* retrieve running apps
* read sensitive log data
Location
* precise location (GPS and network-based)
* approximate location (network-based)
* access extra location provider commands
Yes u can control it from any where.
Through the cloud. Because it has wifi built in. So when u control it from the cloud it send the signal through the infrared to the tv go example.
Do you think that is better That RM Mini 3 or RM 2 Pro?
Do you know some other brands that got something like that under $50?
Thanks!
@zoobab
Somebody already did something similar @ https://www.hackster.io/BuddyC/wifi-ir-blaster-af6bca.
Yes, the database of IR remote could be an issue, maybe it can be extracted from Broadlink or Xiaomi apps.
@Drone
I think many Chinese app developers don’t really care that much about permissions, if their app works they consider it’s all good, even if some useless permissions are requested.
@hogar315
Orvbibo is also making one: https://www.amazon.com/Orvibo-Control-Automation-Android-Samsung/dp/B00QK5AVPI
I’m not sure which one is the best among the three. I just don’t really recommend the Xiaomi one, since the app is only in Chinese, at least when I tested it last year.
Would be cool if this worled out-of-the-box with Domoticz & OpenHAB (free and open source home automation software)
>I think many Chinese app developers don’t really care that much about permissions
oh they do care very much, part of the business model is trading data exfiltrated from userbase
Same as a lot of “western” app developers then?
Well, in the abstract, location information could be very useful for displaying controls for the right devices, depending on which room/location you are in. Of course, it seems unlikely that you’d get much precision indoors, unless these permissions cover checking on a low-power bluetooth or WiFi beacon. Without that, I’d think location would only be useful if you had one of these at home, and another at an office, etc.
Somewhat related. Instructions (in Russian) to use ESP8266 as an IR remote control: http://ruben1.narod.ru/hobby/arduino/esp8266_ir.html
“you can control it from anywhere..” I installed it and am only able to control it if connected to the same network. Kind of defeats the purpose…
did you try to link and connect through google home, alexa or another home control service app?
beware: the broadlink rm3 (and I think other RM versions too) used IR frequency 38Khz .. so some devices might not work with it…. ex. my satellite stb which uses 56Khz and I bought the broadlink rm3 to remotely control my STB… FML
You know any that is based off ESP devices? I’d rather hack one of those than have another dev environment setup.
I can’t find any commercial IR blaster product based on ESP8266, all I see are DIY solutions with boards and IR receiver.