Guidelines for capturing IR codes

For best results when capturing IR codes for a Control4 system, follow the on-screen prompts in the Driver Wizard.

Follow these guidelines:

  • Point your manufacturer’s remote control directly at the IR window located just below the dial on the front panel of your controller hardware (e.g., EA-3). Avoid aiming the beam at an angle, and keep the beam in the same axis as the IR window.
  • While capturing the first few codes, the controller begins to recognize the frequency. Note that a message about 'an alternate frequency' might display. This is normal, and it means that the controller is adjusting to the remote frequency.

To help ensure a successful capture:

  1. Hold the manufacturer’s remote at a distance of approximately 6" away from the controller hardware, and then press the button requested.
  1. When prompted, press the button again to confirm the code captured. You are prompted a third, fourth, and possibly a fifth time to press each of the first few buttons.
  2. If another device in the room emits IR, such as a bi-directional IR device, block the IR so it does not interfere with IR capture.
  3. The process of capturing IR codes is very sensitive to light, such as sunlight and fluorescent lights. If it is not working properly, turn off the lights, close the drapes or blinds, or cover the physical hardware so that the light cannot interrupt the capturing of codes.
  4. When capturing IR codes, press and release the remote button in one second.

    5. Note: Do not press and hold for long periods (longer than three seconds). Doing so increases repeat counts. Typical repeat counts are between three and five seconds.

  1. When capturing IR codes, look for a green light to turn on and off on the controller hardware. Also, watch the Driver Wizard screen; it changes the steps to indicate that codes are captured.
  2. Avoid IR interference from your laptop by disabling or powering off the IR devices.

After successfully capturing a few codes:

  1. Hold the manufacturer’s remote at a distance approximately 8" - 12" (about 20 – 30 cm), and then press the next button requested.
  1. When prompted, press the button again to confirm the code captured. Most buttons are confirmed with the second button press. You may be prompted repeatedly to confirm the code captured, including:

    2. If the remote uses alternative codes—Some manufacturers provide alternate codes or a second code to differentiate between two distinct button presses, such as '1' and then '1' again for Channel '11.' Some remotes have a different code for each '1.'

    If an incorrect button was pressed, or if there was interference during the IR capture—If you press the wrong button for a code or there was some interference during IR capture, the system may sense this and ask for a different code or request the same code again. If you test the code, and it doesn't work, try to capture it again.

    If you pressed a button longer than three seconds. 

To disable the devices from the laptop’s Control Panel:

  1. Select Wireless Link.
  1. Click the Hardware tab, and click Properties.
  2. Ensure that any IR devices are disabled.
  3. After capturing the codes, enable the IR devices again.

When the system has finished capturing codes for a device, the Driver Wizard moves to the Input/Output category.