From the Forums: Using xbee to remote-control an HDMI switch
Thanks to linux_works from the Adafruit forums for sharing this project!
I’m using the adafruit xbee adapter, a DIY arduino (328 chip), 74125 (to control tx/rx on arduino; software download time puts the xbee on high-z tristate; once arduino boots it enables the 125 chip and the xbee is now clamped onto tx/rx, getting prio (using the 1k resistor trick, too).
my remote (also using xbee and arduino) sends port-change commands over RF to the green board, here, and that uses IR.h to make the modified hdmi switch think its real IR remote commanded a port-change 😉 I have an ir sender led, series R and opto link tube (read: heatshrink tubing) inside the hdmi switch. those switches are in the $10 range and are very common now. they even allow remote IR-in in case you didn’t want to hack the switch itself. the key is to learn the IR codes using the Ken IR.h lib, save them in prog mem and use them on send to trigger hdmi input port changes.
works great. plus, you can save values in eeprom so next power-up, the arduino puts the port back in its last-set state. and, you can query the switch to find out its current port; something that one-way IR can’t ever do!
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
