Control Your LEDs With Your TV Remote?! || Arduino IR Tutorial

In this project I will show you how I repurposed the useless buttons on my TV remote to control the LEDs behind my TV. You can also use this technique to control all sorts of things with a bit of code editing. I will also talk a bit about the theory of how an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver communicates with each other. Let's get started.

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you all the info you need about the theory of this project and the practical implementation. So watch carefully.

But in the following steps I will also present you my parts list with example sellers and the schematic, code,.... to make your life easier if you want to build this.

Step 2: Order Your Parts!

Here you can find most of the parts that you will need to complete this buid (affiliate links).

Ebay:

1x Arduino Nano:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 10k Resistor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 100µF Capacitor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x DC Jack:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x IR Receiver (TSOP4838):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Veroboard:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

RGB LED strip (common anode):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Power Supply (12V 3A):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

1x Arduino Nano:http://amzn.to/1tgG8ux

2x 10k Resistor:http://amzn.to/1zknpuw

1x 100µF Capacitor:http://amzn.to/1wnBpS0

1x DC Jack:http://amzn.to/1x5ReSt

1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET:http://amzn.to/1tgGBgl

1x IR Receiver (TSOP4838):http://amzn.to/1rkolRN

1x Veroboard:http://amzn.to/1rkoswO

RGB LED strip (common anode):http://amzn.to/1A9iSPM

Power Supply (12V 3A):http://amzn.to/1rkrmSn

Aliexpress:

1x Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

2x 10k Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

1x 100µF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl

1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWhSrDl

1x IR Receiver (TSOP4838): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6YejR1

RGB LED strip (common anode): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dW9Etb1

Power Supply (12V 3A): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dY6sCVt

Step 3: Build the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic for the circuit. You can make your own board layout for this but you can also just use mine instead. It should work without any problems

Step 4: Program the Arduino Nano!

Here you can find the code/sketch for the Arduino Nano. Make sure you upload it before you start testing.

And don't forget to download the IR library for the Arduino: https://github.com/shirriff/Arduino-IRremote

Step 5: Success!

You did it. Now you can control everything with your TV remote and never have to get off your couch!

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[YoD4]

Iis it okay if we can add a 470uf capacitor or a 2220uf Capacitor ? I currently don't have the 100uf one.

Thank you.

[ahmadsaleem389]

you can add four 470uf in series.

[YoD4]

Okay thanks

[Ravi ravnang]

Dimmeble 2 channels led with arduino and ir remote

[YoD4]

I don't understand anything from your schematic, I can't read it, how do I make? I don't know the polarity of the capacitor .

:(

[Robv86]

great TNX!

it made it work even for a starter like me

[parisa.zp.7]

What software are you using to generate schematics and stripboard diagrams?

[XanderS10]

he use easyeda

[kxling]

Hi, what is the purpose of resistor R1 and R2? Especially R2. It seems R1 is used to limit current, but correct me if I am wrong

[dunk8888young]

Hi,how would i do this with ws2812b leds,i understand its not as simple?? Great project Dude

[Gabrielin]

Thank you Scott! Awesome project, useful guide as well! Had to use a 38KHz variant of the IR receiver because it's the one that they had at the local store (TSOP343338), and the reception works flawlessly with my One For All XSight Plus TV remote. Nice project as always :) and thank you again

[AaronL106]

amazing! just subscribed!!

[Knödelcrafter]

Awesome project Great Scott! But can someone help me, I have made all the connections and resistors. But my LED strip is only switching on and off. Even if i let the brightness step for step increase, aftersome time it is switching on and not getting brighter. The only difference is, I used IRFZ44N MOSFETs. Does someone know what the reason could be? Thank you in advance!

[Knödelcrafter]

After one day of bugtesting i still dont have any idea. I can give you my results.

The Blue LED is actually dimming, as it is supposed to do. The other 2 Colors are on or off. In the images, you can see my schematic and measured Voltages at brightness levels from the arduino. If anyone has a clue why green and red are not getting darker/brighter let me know please.

[hoosenzahed]

Buy a prototyping board first,there is no pride taken in this project!!Great Scott has set such wonderful standards,you use a cardboard?

[Knödelcrafter]

Okay I'm blind. Only pins

3, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11

support PWM

[hoosenzahed]

You obviously using an Arduino nano which now is blown due to incorrect wiring .

[bkeskin]

could you please explain me what is the capacitor for in this circuit?

[hoosenzahed]

Would it kill You to just use it.The video gives detailed information on why you need the capacitor.I watched video 10 times plus,and got it working with one go.

[MiguelH45]

i made it, but cant post image, so yea.