Control Your Raspberry Pi Media Centre with Ease Using FLIRC and OneForAll Remotes

The Raspberry Pi has become an increasingly popular choice for media centres, offering a cost-effective and customizable way to stream your favorite content. However, one area where it falls short is in terms of remote control options. Unlike traditional TV boxes, the Raspberry Pi doesn't come with a built-in remote control, leaving users to find alternative solutions.

This is where FLIRC comes in - a clever little USB receiver that allows you to use almost any traditional IR (infra-red) remote control with your Raspberry Pi media centre. In this article, we'll explore how to set up FLIRC and use it with the OneForAll Essence remote to give you a seamless control experience.

Getting Started with FLIRC

To start using FLIRC, simply download the software from their website for your Windows, Mac or Linux machine. The installer is clean and easy to follow, with none of the annoying additional software options that you often see. Once installed, open the application and you'll be greeted with a straightforward interface.

Next, install the software by following the steps. It's very user-friendly and doesn't require any technical expertise. Simply download the software from FLIRC's website for your Windows, Mac or Linux machine - it's one of the cheaper options available, but as it supports four devices, it's a perfect companion for the FLIRC.

Using OneForAll Remotes with FLIRC

FLIRC have their own software for setting up your remotes. The remote we're using in this example will be the 'OneForAll Essence'. This is one of the many infrared remotes that can be used with FLIRC, and it's a great option because it's easy to use and has a simple interface.

To set up the OneForAll Essence remote with FLIRC, simply connect the FLIRC USB to your PC/Mac, open the software and start mapping buttons via the friendly and easy-to-use interface. The clever hardware inside the FLIRC, mixed with the excellent key mapping software (for Windows, Mac & Linux), allows you to 'record' the signal from each button press on your existing remote, and map that to the device you want to use it with (such as KODI).

One of the best things about FLIRC is its ability to talk to almost any infra-red remote up to 20 feet away - from old TV remotes, to universal remotes, home-made IR blasters, air conditioning controls and everything in between! Rather than buying a separate remote control, FLIRC keeps your sofa clutter to a minimum by allowing you to easily program it to accept signals from your existing remotes.

FLIRC is a really clever solution that lets you use your existing remotes to control your Raspberry Pi media centre, all from this tiny USB device. It's a perfect companion for the Raspberry Pi 4, and with its easy-to-use software and compatibility with almost any infrared remote, it's an ideal choice for anyone looking to set up a media centre.

Whether you're using it to control your TV, satellite box, amplifier or even your Raspberry Pi media centre itself, FLIRC is a great way to keep things simple and clutter-free. And with its affordable price point and ease of use, it's a must-have accessory for any Raspberry Pi user.

Raspberry pi 4 flirc