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<onlyinclude>{{Remote
[[File:Flirc.jpg|thumb|An early version of the Flirc USB dongle]]
|Name= Flirc
FLIRC is a small, universal USB infrared receiver dongle that plugs into your computer or media player and pairs with your television/cable/satellite remote, or any IR remote that you want to use. It supports all major platforms/operating systems and allows you to use any [[MCE remote controls|IR remote control]] you own to control almost any media player software, mimicking a standard PC keyboard so the built-in keyboard assignments present in all media player applications, [[Keyboard controls|including Kodi]], accept its commands without needing to install any device drivers.
|Image= Flirc.jpg
|Description= Flirc is a small usb device that plugs into your computer and pairs with your same television remote. No need for another remote to clutter your table, pair once, and use forever. The best part about flirc is that it mimics a keyboard so every media center application understands it without any drivers. Flirc runs across all platforms.


[http://flirc.tv Flirc Website]
== Overview ==
FLIRC is quite elegant in its simplicity, originally imagined as a USB adapter for the [[Fire TV|Amazon Fire TV]] to add universal IR remote support and functionality. Just insert it into the USB port of a PC (Windows or Linux) or Mac and use its simple configuration interface to set it up, then point any remote you have at the FLIRC and teach it what actions to perform when a particular remote button is pressed. When done, the FLIRC can be relocated into your HTPC or media appliance's USB port, and your IR remote will be able to control Kodi on that device. FLIRC is compatible with USB hubs, so you will still be able to use external storage, keyboards, mice, and other USB devices while the FLIRC is connected.


It is a small project run by Jason Kotzin with a portion of each sale going to a [http://www.flirc.tv/fundraising/ cancer charity]
== History ==
}}</onlyinclude>
FLIRC started out as a small project run by Jason Kotzin during his battle with cancer, with a portion of each sale going to the oncologist he credits with profoundly impacting his survival, [https://flirc.tv/about_us Dr. Heinz Lenz of the University of Southern California Cancer Research Facility].
== '''A user review of FLIRC''' ==
My name is Chris (or pseudo7 on the forums). I’ve been an XBMC user for about 3 years, firstly using my mac then using a shuttle box running Openelec (so I didn’t have to keep connecting/ disconnecting my MacBook Pro).
I love XBMC: the application, the project and everything it envelops.


I have recently come across a product which has enhanced my XBMC experience, and wanted to give back to the community and share my findings about Flirc.
== Usage ==
Much like the Pulse8 articles that crop up from time-to-time, my intention is to highlight what I think is a great product that many users may not have heard about.<br/>
Please visit the [https://flirc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us Flirc Knowledge Base] for help getting started and feel free to ask any questions you have at [http://forum.flirc.tv/ their forum].
(Disclaimer - whilst I am “staff” on the FLIRC forums I am not employed by Flirc and do not benefit directly, financially or otherwise, from the project)


=== What is Flirc? ===
=== Reviews ===
Flirc allows you to pair your same television remote to your computer with easy one time use set-up software.<br/>
* Kodi.tv blog entry, [https://kodi.tv/article/flirc-new-old-way-control-xbmc/ FLIRC - a new (old) way to control XBMC]
Flirc is a small USB infra-red (I.R.) adapter that receives I.R. commands from a remote control.<br/>
* February 2013 WIRED article, [https://www.wired.com/2013/02/flirc/|flirc: the Ultimate XBMC Controller]
[[File:FLIRC1.jpg|400px]]<br/>
* HowToGeek guide, [https://www.howtogeek.com/217587/how-to-use-flirc-to-add-any-remote-to-any-media-center/ How to Use Flirc to Add Any Remote to Any Media Center]
Small and convient!<br/>


=== Flirc is different from other I.R. adapters. ===
=== Tutorials ===
Conventionally, I.R. adapters require the computer to understand the I.R. commands, which is what LIRC is for. However, methods like LIRC require extensive knowledge should your remote control not be supported, which can be more frequently than expected, LIRC is not meant for the novice. (Not trying to bad mouth the hard work on remote support by XBMC dev - just my opinion)
* [https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/how-to-raspberry-pi-media-centre-with-flirc-remote-set-up The Pi Hut: How To - Raspberry Pi Media Centre with FLIRC Remote Set Up]
That's where flirc steps in. Flirc is detected as a USB keyboard, eliminating the need for XBMC special drivers. Any media center application that supports a keyboard as an input device, supports flirc out of the box.
* Sven and the Art of Computer Maintenance entry, [https://kiljan.org/2019/03/30/controlling-android-tv-and-kodi-with-logitech-harmony-and-flirc/ Controlling Android TV and Kodi with Logitech Harmony and Flirc]


Programming Flirc is easy to do, but ironically rather hard to explain so I’ve made a video:<br/>
== External Links ==
{{youtube|6HtgHxp-XL0|width=720|height=405}}}<br/>
* Flirc can be purchased in the U.S.A direct through [https://flirc.tv/ their web site]
(Bonus points if you guess what the video playing in XBMC is)<br/>
* A list of [https://flirc.tv/distributors Flirc-recommended domestic and international distributors]
Also there is a video by Flirc explaining the steps:
* Flirc is available for global shipping through [https://thepihut.com/collections/raspberry-pi-usb-accessories/brand_flirc The Pi Hut]
http://vimeo.com/12542134


=== Flirc + XBMC = Happiness! ===
XBMC has many great functions, not being able to control them is a huge kick in the teeth.<br/>
You can control XBMC by keyboard using keyboard presses (http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard), so if your remote can do keyboard presses then you have loads more control.<br/>
Flirc sends keyboard presses to the computer... perfect non?<br/>
Flirc supports nearly every remote (see current Flirc limitations) and XBMC supports nearly every platform. So Flirc aims to make your remote work with your XBMC install on any computer that supports USB. Flirc is even supported on the xbox 360 after previously paired with a computer running windows, linux, or OSX.


Flirc can store 160 keys. The possibilities are great. For example, the off button on a remote could be mapped to the key combination Alt+F4.<br/>
[[Category:Remotes]]
After paired, when you press the off button on the remote, Flirc sends ALT+F4 to the computer.
 
=== Who Makes Flirc? ===
Flirc was set up by Jason Kotzin and his wife Maggie. It is a small company of which Jason is the only one coding for.<br/>
For more about them: http://www.flirc.tv/about_us/
 
=== Current Flirc Limitations ===
All young projects have their niggles, Flirc is no different.<br/>
Unfortunately, MCE remotes, which are quite prevalent amongst the XBMC users, don’t work as well as they should and are best avoided at the moment.<br/>
At a very basic level (which is my understanding of it) they emit non-standard I.R. frequencies (about 56Khz), standard frequency being 38Khz.<br/>
For more in-depth discussion on this issue please see these forum topics:<br/>
http://forum.flirc.tv/index.php?/topic/9-double-key-presses/page__view__findpost__p__514<br/>
<br/>
This issue is being worked on, but new features for existing remotes are being added first.
 
 
=== The Golden Lining ===
A portion of every sale goes to the USC Cancer Research center that Jason's oncologists leads and where Jason underwent chemotherapy.<br/>
http://www.flirc.tv/fundraising/<br/>
Every sale of Flirc results in a donation to the charity.<br/>
As a result Flirc module is a proprietary piece of technology to ensure the charity continues to benefit from Jason’s hard work.<br/>
Jason would like to report back to XBMC users how much they have contributed to the charity, please use discount code XBMC when you purchase to allow him to track down XBMC purchases. You get the same discount as the other codes.
 
=== My XBMC Set-Up ===
(Complete with ghetto student look)<br/>
[[File:FLIRC2.jpg|600px]]
<br/>
[[File:FLIRC3.jpg|600px]]
<br/>
Hopefully this has helped someone.
<br/>
If you have any questions about Flirc there is a forum dedicated to it (forum.flirc.tv), post any requests, problems or thanks there for friendly help (i’m Chris! on the forums there).

Latest revision as of 01:55, 13 September 2021

An early version of the Flirc USB dongle

FLIRC is a small, universal USB infrared receiver dongle that plugs into your computer or media player and pairs with your television/cable/satellite remote, or any IR remote that you want to use. It supports all major platforms/operating systems and allows you to use any IR remote control you own to control almost any media player software, mimicking a standard PC keyboard so the built-in keyboard assignments present in all media player applications, including Kodi, accept its commands without needing to install any device drivers.

Overview

FLIRC is quite elegant in its simplicity, originally imagined as a USB adapter for the Amazon Fire TV to add universal IR remote support and functionality. Just insert it into the USB port of a PC (Windows or Linux) or Mac and use its simple configuration interface to set it up, then point any remote you have at the FLIRC and teach it what actions to perform when a particular remote button is pressed. When done, the FLIRC can be relocated into your HTPC or media appliance's USB port, and your IR remote will be able to control Kodi on that device. FLIRC is compatible with USB hubs, so you will still be able to use external storage, keyboards, mice, and other USB devices while the FLIRC is connected.

History

FLIRC started out as a small project run by Jason Kotzin during his battle with cancer, with a portion of each sale going to the oncologist he credits with profoundly impacting his survival, Dr. Heinz Lenz of the University of Southern California Cancer Research Facility.

Usage

Please visit the Flirc Knowledge Base for help getting started and feel free to ask any questions you have at their forum.

Reviews

Tutorials

External Links