Hey everyone, I wanted to share my recent success with integrating my Broadlink RM Pro with my old Onkyo HT-R540 receiver. It was quite the challenge, but I managed to get it working seamlessly with Home Assistant! 
The Challenge
I’ve been using my Broadlink RM Pro for a while now to control various RF devices around the house, and I’ve been really impressed with its capabilities. However, my Onkyo receiver was proving to be a bit of a stubborn case. The issue was that when I tried to learn the power button code from my universal remote, it seemed like the RM Pro was sending a different code that changed the input instead of turning the receiver on or off. Frustrating, to say the least!
The Solution
After some research and trial and error, I figured out that the problem was with how the codes were being interpreted. The key was to use the correct learning method and ensure that the codes were being sent in the right format. I ended up using the following approach:
- Learning the Code: I used the RM Pro’s built-in learning feature to capture the exact signal from my universal remote. This involved holding the remote close to the RM Pro and pressing the power button multiple times to ensure a clean capture.
- Testing in HA: Once I had the code, I tested it in Home Assistant to see if it was being sent correctly. I used a simple automation to trigger the command and monitor the receiver’s response.
- Adjusting the Code: After some tweaking, I realized that the code needed to be sent in a specific format to avoid conflicts with other commands. I ended up using a custom payload in the automation to ensure the code was sent correctly.
The Outcome
After a bit of persistence, it finally worked! My Onkyo receiver now responds perfectly to the power button command from the RM Pro, and I can control it seamlessly through Home Assistant. It’s such a relief to have everything working as intended!
Tips for Others
If you’re struggling with similar integration issues, here are a few tips that might help:
- Clean Learning Environment: Make sure there’s no interference when learning the code. Keep other devices away and use a quiet RF environment.
- Test Incrementally: Don’t try to set up everything at once. Test each part of the automation separately to identify where the issue might be.
- Custom Payloads: Don’t be afraid to use custom payloads if the default settings aren’t working. Sometimes a small adjustment can make all the difference.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences or has tips for troubleshooting RF device integrations. Let’s keep the learning and sharing going! 