X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => General Discussion => X10 Product Wish List => Topic started by: fitbrit on October 29, 2012, 12:02:23 AM

Title: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: fitbrit on October 29, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
A lot of people seem to be looking for this thing, and there are none to be found, outside the European equivalent that runs on 220V/50Hz. I want one for my nStinct/Harmony remotes so I can mix IR/X-10 Macros.

Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on October 29, 2012, 05:53:54 PM
See...
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: HA Dave on October 29, 2012, 09:30:37 PM
...I want one for my nStinct/Harmony remotes so I can mix IR/X-10 Macros.

A new cool setup may be the Melloware (http://melloware.com/ (http://melloware.com/)) with the X10 controlling and IR device controlling software. The apps can play on itouch, iphone, or ipad devices.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: fitbrit on October 30, 2012, 12:32:18 AM
See...
  • http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=27644.0

Thanks very much! I made an offer to him and it looks like we have a deal.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: fitbrit on October 30, 2012, 12:35:07 AM
...I want one for my nStinct/Harmony remotes so I can mix IR/X-10 Macros.

A new cool setup may be the Melloware (http://melloware.com/ (http://melloware.com/)) with the X10 controlling and IR device controlling software. The apps can play on itouch, iphone, or ipad devices.

Thanks! Yes, i already used X10 commander from Melloware, and am intending to use iRule eventually to control everything. However, the wife will not be using the iPad for controlling stuff, so needs to retain use of a Harmony One as a secondary system. I like to have redundancy in my systems! I will, however, check out Intelliremote again to see how it compares to iRule.
Title: EZUIRT replaces IR543
Post by: sroberts on January 26, 2013, 06:23:05 PM
I bought an EZUIRT and it is doing a fine job at replacing my dead IR543.  $130 shipped, made in USA, it has a built-in IR repeater and of course supports INSTEON if/when you need it.  The only thing I don't like is that the housecode is set to "C" by default and this default cannot be changed via the on-device programming.  But X10 compatible remotes should certainly be able to send a housecode.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Brian H on January 26, 2013, 06:35:11 PM
Yes you need an Insteon PLM or PLC along with the free SimpleHomeNet Utility to change the House Code in the EZUIRT.
As you indicated. All 256 X10 addresses from an X10 remote sending IR commands including the house code should be processed.
Remotes that used the IR543's House Code Dial would be on C by default.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: HA Dave on January 27, 2013, 01:51:24 AM
My most recent Home Theater build (not mine).... I used a Logitech-harmony link  (http://www.gosale.com/5794023/logitech-harmony-link-915). The round disk shaped unit mounted in the remote equipment room and connects to an apple (or Google approved android network connected device) via the wireless home networks router. I got it to work with the ipad, ipad mini, 2 iphones, and an itouch. The itouch is the theaters dedicated remote.

Since the link  (http://www.gosale.com/5794023/logitech-harmony-link-915) and equipment is in a hidden area and the theaters projector is in the common area the logitech-harmony link couldn't signal the projector. So I used powermids to relay the projector signal to the common area.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on January 27, 2013, 12:06:33 PM
The GlobalCache WiFi to IR module has multiple (addressable) IR output ports so might be a bit more versatile. It is a bit more costly than the Harmony disc but might have saved the cost of the Powermids.

Also, most RF transmitter modules (like those listed in the below link) cannot switch fast enough to respond to the IR carrier so you can drive them with an IR output. Thus, you could send RF to a transceiver for X10 control with a 310MHz transmitter.

Along with the WiFi and Bluetooth controlled LED lightbulbs, it's looking more and more like the future home will be controlled by smartphones and tablets.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: harley31169 on January 29, 2013, 05:00:46 PM
I have to agree on bringing it back. Everybody is looking for one (including myself). Anybody have any ideas on where to get one?? Or better yet how do we convince them to put it back into production?
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Dan Lawrence on January 29, 2013, 09:18:16 PM
If no one other than those who post here want the IR543 then X10 won't ever put it back in production.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: harley31169 on January 30, 2013, 11:07:16 AM
Well with over 3000 views in just 3 months, and various other forums, I would say the market for it is definitely out there. Let's put this forum to the test. If you are wanting, or could want in the future, then please post here. Even if it's just a simple "I agree". Anything to prove it's worthy of bringing it back to life.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on January 30, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
The IR543 was one of the first controllers from X10, dating back some 30+ years. If they decided to discontinue it, it's unlikely that you will persuade them otherwise.

You might have better luck convincing Marmitek to make a 120V version of their European model (which works with all housecodes).
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Brian H on January 30, 2013, 12:43:15 PM
I believe the IR543 was discontinued well before X10 closed their factory in China and is now having a select few devices made by an outside factory.
I would also not put too many hopes into seeing them ever again. As many of the newer modules are also now discontinued.

Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: harley31169 on January 30, 2013, 01:26:44 PM
So your saying the days of new x10 products, and maybe even as a company are numbered? I'm only about 3 weeks into ha so excuse my ignorance. Universal remotes have came a long way since the ir543 was discontinued, and with other ha companies offering newer technology, just seems that bringing back a product that thousands of people want could benefit them in many ways.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dave w on January 30, 2013, 02:26:59 PM
The IR543 was one of the first controllers from X10, dating back some 30+ years. If they decided to discontinue it, it's unlikely that you will persuade them otherwise.

You might have better luck convincing Marmitek to make a 120V version of their European model (which works with all housecodes).
$0.02
I agree with Dave and Brian 100%. X10 cancelled the IR543 due to low sales, long before their factory shut down. One of the reasons is there are other ways of skinning this cat. Also the IR543 had some problems when under flourescent lighting and I don't think X10 wanted to spend the engineering time to fix.
So I also do not think we will ever see another X10 made IR543. 

However I think dhouston has made a great suggestion about Marmitek. It would not be all that difficult to make Marmitek work on our power standards. My guess is frequency, not voltage would be the most difficult adaption.

In fact I am surprised Marmitek did not try and fill some of the X10 void when X10 factory shut down. Is Marmitek a completely independant company? Some of their products have a distinctive X10 look. Are companies connected?
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Brian H on January 30, 2013, 02:57:02 PM
There is also another independent company in China Marmitek mentioned if they ran out of modules.
http://x10bus.com/

Overseas voltages and RF frequencies. Are the only ones mentioned at present.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on January 30, 2013, 03:47:13 PM
Is Marmitek a completely independant company? Some of their products have a distinctive X10 look. Are companies connected?

I think (but do not know) they are independent as there is also an X10 Europe.

X10 Europe has the IR7243W which is all housecodes.

Marmitek has the IRRF7243, also all housecodes, which does both IR and RF but the latter is 433.92MHz. 50/60Hz is only a factor with 3 phase systems.

I believe all of them have problems with fluorescents, CFLs and plasma screens. it just dawned on me that the proliferation of CFLs and their switching supplies might be why Vishay discontinued a wideband IR receiver that handled ~36-56kHz carriers - I hadn't made that connection 'til now.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on January 31, 2013, 08:37:51 AM
Does anyone know anything about this device?

There's no documentation at that link but it appears to learn IR codes and allow assigning X10 PLC codes to them. Of course, it uses the PSC05 which is also discontinued so if the one that comes with it fails...
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Brian H on January 31, 2013, 12:27:28 PM
Looks interesting.

You can always use the XTB-523 from JV Engineering for the PSC05 and even get a stronger power line signal.
http://jvde.us//xtb/XTB-523_description.htm
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: Dan Lawrence on January 31, 2013, 08:34:47 PM
I note the IR543 predates my use of it since I began using X10 in the middle 1980's and the IR543  wasn't available then.
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: bring back the IR543!
Post by: dhouston on January 31, 2013, 10:18:39 PM
There was a CircuitCellarInk article about it (in 1979 if memory serves). The article detailed the X10 IR protocol. I've a copy but it may be on a PC that I retired. I liberated a drawing from it that I used in...
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: forget the IR543!
Post by: sroberts on February 04, 2013, 04:23:14 PM
I have to agree on bringing it back. Everybody is looking for one (including myself). Anybody have any ideas on where to get one?? Or better yet how do we convince them to put it back into production?

I say forget the IR543 - they were not particularly well made and alternative devices are readily available.  I replaced a few components that had sweated it a good bit evidenced by the discoloration on the circuit board on my IR543 but wasn't able to revive it.  I think those folks paying $50+ for a used IR543 on ebay are nuts!

Steve
Title: Re: I'm gonna say it: forget the IR543!
Post by: Dan Lawrence on February 04, 2013, 09:17:27 PM
I have to agree on bringing it back. Everybody is looking for one (including myself). Anybody have any ideas on where to get one?? Or better yet how do we convince them to put it back into production?

I say forget the IR543 - they were not particularly well made and alternative devices are readily available.  I replaced a few components that had sweated it a good bit evidenced by the discoloration on the circuit board on my IR543 but wasn't able to revive it.  I think those folks paying $50+ for a used IR543 on ebay are nuts!

Steve

I agree 100%