Universal IR Remote Power Switch for PC

This project lets you switch your PC on and off with the TV remote. Several months ago I posted a project that showed how I use my DirecTV remote to control a lamp across the room. That project turned into something that I use all the time. Almost immediately after I started using it I realized that I needed something to switch my PC off for when I'm watching a movie playing out of the PC. I don't have a home theater PC or anything, but sometimes when I watch a movie late at night --which is quite often -- I would like to be able to hit a button on my remote to shutdown the PC.

Step 1 The IR Switch Module

Originally I was going to use the simerec.com SIS-PC chip for this but since they have an on/off module for PCs that doesn't require any soldering, I went ahead and got the PCS-1 module. If you want to save some money and have time to solder then you might consider the SIS-PC chip.

http://www.simerec.com/

Comments

[Utsav25]

Very nice concept ..looks great .It would be greatly helpful to me if you provide a schematic of this circuit so that it could be easily made at home . thank you .

[jkhpgf]

?

[jkhpgf]

how can i do the same using an arduino and also use the remote to control the windows media player?

[junti]

hello good day. i have a problem with this. My IR detector is not a TSOP but there is a three pins in there like TSOP IR detector but its different Number. not same in TSOP.

[nbagf]

if we find a 2 way 2 pin connector would it work and let the button and the ir toggle still work?

[fadebrain]

nice ya...

[Mr Sinster]

this this harm your computer it is as if you where to hold the power button no?

[purpulhaze]

My question is, if I was to buy the chip where can i get schematics for the circuit so I could solder it together?

[purpulhaze]

Guess I'll answer it myself. Maybe I should be one and figure out how it's put together. Then I will post a sketch of the schematics for everyone else who would like to build and not spend a bunch of money. Guess I need to go this route since I will eventually need a total of 4.

[bmxlive]

where can i get one of those?? Can i use the IR receptor from any dvd player?

[vbexpressrocker]

That is so COOL!
I'll ask Dad to help me do it!

[electronic boy]

not bad try typing in on Instructables ir on serial bus/computer. note i am only 13 so don't expect too much.

[dombeef]

Cool!

[tykies]

HOW CAN I GET THE CODE FOR THE REMOTE PLSS................. GIVE I NEED IT

[munchman]

All you need to do is aim and push the button, from what I understand.

[Gelis]

Hey would be very nice if you would put together the instructions of how to control the media player with an ir-remote because that's exactly what i have been looking for!!! thanks in advance..!

[Hycro]

Something that should be noted is that not all computers have tabs that hold the front cover on, some, like mine, use screws. I would have preferred mine to have tabs though, so that I wouldn't have had to take out one of my hard drives to get one of the screws out when I put a customized, illuminated 3.5" faceplate in my computer, both computer and plate I made myself from parts. And the plate I made from a scrap piece of plexiglass (though I would have preferred 1/4" lexan, and then made it flush with the rest of my computer's face, instead of it being recessed) and I illuminated it with 3 high brightness clear LEDs that when lit up are red (I got them from a $1 bicycle safety light, and had a board, holder, and the holes for the LEDs with them soldered in already done for me, I felt it was worth it, since the nearest place that I could buy just the LEDs would have made the total cost (gas to get there and back included) a lot higher than what it was)

[psi_teck]

would the hardware mod for this be as simple as soldering a wire between the ir receiver output (pin 6 on the PC2) and port 1 (DCD) of the serial port?

[limwel23]

if we turn off the computer, is the shutdown mode will appear or not?

[TimHepner]

This switch can be used to shut down the PC just as if you had pressed the front panel switch.

[Zujus]

Nice :)

[Zujus]

http://www.instructables.com/id/PC-remote-control/?ALLSTEPS Check this out! :)

[NickMich]

good stuff man, I'm totally gonna do this on the rig I'm about to start building. Thanks!

[MerleCorey]

Ok. i know its non nerdy solution but if you want a remote control for your pc why not just buy a wiimote? mine works great.

[TimHepner]

Can you turn your PC on( not from standby, which is constantly wasting electrical power )with a wii remote? If so, please share the connection instructions.

[manofshadow]

Nice, I'd like to make one for myself, the only problem is I can not find the toggle IR switch to a local dealer. Do you know a replacement for it? Can you post the schematics? Thanks.

[Spicer__]

u should and hit me up wen u get it done

[fegundez1]

I have a couple of old vcr and dvd players,think its possible to use the scavenged parts for this?I was going to try to make the remote run the pc like your future instructable i just haven't figured how to do it.

[nbradford]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks! Would also be interested in hearing if the project to use the receiver on your serial port was successful - and if so, what software did you use? winlirc / lirc?

[TimHepner]

Unfortunately, I haven't had time to implement the serial port solution yet. Maybe this weekend??? I'm planning on using winlirc.

[nbradford]

Great - would be really interested in seeing the result if you get there. PS - I got my PCS-1 on Thursday night after reading about it in your article here. 30 minutes or so to solder in extension wires so I can mount the pickup outside the case (my htpc is in a cupboard) and it works like a treat!