# LIRC input node

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/lirc-input-node/14181>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [9 August 2019 22:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/lirc-input-node/14181 "2019-08-09T22:49:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![asandford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@asandford](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/asandford)\
**Post date:** [9 August 2019 22:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/lirc-input-node/14181/1 "2019-08-09T22:49:50Z")

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I'm building a lighting feature that I want to control with an IR remote but haven't found any LIRC input node (something like the serial node would be ideal).

I'll be using a first gen Pi-0 so no BT or WIFI (this will be in the garden and wouldn't be in range of those anyway).

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [9 August 2019 23:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/lirc-input-node/14181/2 "2019-08-09T23:51:24Z")

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> [@asandford](#):
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

Are you sure 😛

Ok,you asked....

If memory serves me, LIRC is an IR application that sends (and receives) IR commands. Typically to a TV/other remote controlled system right? (Thinking back to my XBMC days)

So essentially this _could_ be achieved with standard nodes and a serial node but it's certainly **not** a simple/beginners task and you wish to provide a nice easy to use interface via custom node(s)? It's certainly a worthy addition IMO.

_Perhaps when you get this going you will share what components you used and perhaps a video or something demonstrating it in action?_

So to think about how users would provide commands to your LIRC node... Do you intend to have a separate LIRC-CONFIG node where you can select the appliance and a LIRC-OUT node that provides a list of available commands to the a user? Will you add ability for user to send a msg input into the node to trigger LIRC outputs dynamically? Perhaps using the database names like "SRC" "LEFT" "V+" etc?. Would you be introducing the ability for users to send a string of commands like "SRC", "RIGHT", "OK" (like a macro)? With a configurable delay between commands? Also, for more advanced users, the ability to send raw codes and other properties like send\_once, send\_start, send\_stop etc? And permit the user to send these commands dynamically via an input msg? E.g. suppose the user builds a UI simulating a remote control, he may wish to do this by sending varying payloads {object} and)or topics to a single LIRC node?

On the flip side, are you also intending on having a LIRC-IN node where commands can be received by the node-red to provide a means of remote controlling actions (flows)? That would be sweet and possibly a great addition. Picture automation guys being able to pick up any old remote and have node-red do a bunch of tasks based on the input from a spare remote control they have laying around. 👍

Lastly, are you updating the old [node-red-contrib-lirc](https://github.com/estbeetoo/node-red-contrib-lirc) node or is this a new beast? Perhaps you could use it as a base or starting point if not?