Global Caché IP2IR iTach TCP/IP to IR Converter - Connects Infrared Control Devices to a Wired Ethernet

I do not believe the average home consumer purchases this type of device, so I'm writing this for the semi educated consumer that understands what they are buying or trying to achieve.This device acts as a "bridge" between two commonly used protocols: TCP and Infrared. Global Cache is one of the leaders in these types of devices, used by many home automation companies to integrate home automation controllers with receivers, TVs, and just about every type of device that has a remote control and takes infrared commands.Centralized home automation is not just for the uber-rich or the professional installer anymore. A Do it Yourself (DIY) community of people are out there that have built many great tools for building your own home automation solution. With the communization of devices like an iPad, you can use software to design your own remote control. These types of devices are critical to controlling devices in your house.RS232 is substantially better at delivering commands to a device than infrared, but many times you have no choice. In that case, this is the best device for bridging that gap to include infrared devices in your home automaton scheme. Keep in mind that infrared cannot give you feedback (such as acknowledgement that the device received the command, or the ability to ask a device a question - What is the currently volume level?) where RS232 and TCP do. So, if you want to communicate with a device via a home network, RS232 or TCP are preferred.These devices work great with a home automation package called Indigo by Perceptive Automation, and can be integrated using a plugin called Global Cache. Certainly these devices can be used with just about any home automation system, but these are two of the best for the DIY market. Feel free to reach to me if you have questions.

This is an awesome little device. The single IR blaster included works quite well. The two adhesive emitters were easy to set up and worked fine with a 25 foot 2.5mm stereo extension cable, to control a projector on/off.The IR learner was hard to use at first. Just put the iTach and the remote control on a flat surface, point the remote's emitter at the back of the iTach with about 2 inches distance between the two. There's a pinhole reset button that apparently also includes the recessed IR receiver. You may need to angle the remote, so it's IR emitter has a "line of sight" directly into this little hole on the back of the iTach.I get frequent crashes with the iLearn software if I use any of the functions except learning a code, trimming it, and saving it. Reconnecting the iTach (it apparently times out after a while), clearing windows, etc, caused the program to eventually crash. Other than that the iLearn and iConvert tools work perfectly.I tried both OpenRemote and iRule, and settled with iRule because I couldn't figure out how to get repeating IR codes to work smoothly with OpenRemote for my Motorola set-top-box. iRule occasionally goes into a mode where it fails to send commands to the iTach, but I think this mostly has to do with my Nook Tablet's groady wireless. Otherwise iRule and the iTach work together perfectly, including the extensive IR device library available with iRule.If using OpenRemote, assign the iTach a static IP _before_ programming a bunch of commands to save yourself a lot of grief when your DHCP server decides to play musical chairs.

The IP2IR hardware works well. What they don't tell you is that, other than for testing, it MUST be used with expensive and complicated third party software. There is no capability with the included web interface to even set up simple on/off control of IR devices. Global Cache had the opportunity to build a really great product but is simply missing the point by not including any practical application capability with the IR2IP. If you don't have the required software already, there is absolutely no point in buying this item.

My initial impressions of the iTach IP2IR were 1. it's smaller than I expected and 2. feels a bit plasticky/cheap. I was a little worried about what I had plunked down $90.00 on. However, I am pleased to say that I plugged it in and found it quickly on my network. The size is great because I hide it right next to my router. In it's final destination, my new home's AV closet, it won't take up much space or generate much heat. I am using the iRule remote software and it works great with the iTach. The two were definitely made for each other. The IR blaster included with the iTach is very effective at the range I'm using it (approx. 10 feet). The best place to use the IR blaster is when it's aimed at devices that won't move. Some, like my XBOX and Apple TV, need to be angled just right for the signal to successfully go through.One more thing that I've heard people get frustrated with on network connected devices is the lag that occurs when a device "goes to sleep." I've seen it happen on my wife's iPhone when she uses the IOS remote software to control the Apple TV. It takes a few seconds to connect to the gateway. I'm happy to report that we haven't had that problem with the iRule and iTach. As soon as the screen comes back from "dim" or the program opens, we can send commands. Great little device! Definitely worth the money if you're going to put together a mildly complex home AV system.