Managing IT for an older gym with about 50 TVs that are IR-only and rely on coax for their video input has been quite a challenge. I’m trying to set up a Home Automation system that can centrally control each TV individually, allowing me to change the channel, input, or power them on/off from a single interface.
The main issue I’ve encountered is with typical IR blasters like the Broadlink device. When I send a signal, it gets picked up by multiple TVs instead of just the one I’m targeting. My initial thought was to install an IR transmitter directly on each TV’s sensor to avoid signal overlap. However, running cables throughout the gym to each TV is cost-prohibitive.
I came across an open-source solution that seems promising: the ESP8266-HTTP-IR-Blaster. This project allows for HTTP command control, which could potentially integrate with Alexa skills and Home Assistant. While this is a viable option, I was hoping for an off-the-shelf device that’s ready to use without the need for assembly. Additionally, the project doesn’t explicitly state compatibility with Home Assistant, though it seems feasible given its HTTP command functionality.
Has anyone else faced a similar challenge or found a solution that works well? Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from the community. 