Got a question? Check out some of the most common questions and answers, below.
- What is RedEye?
- How does RedEye work?
- How many RedEye devices are included with the purchase?
- What are the requirements to use RedEye?
- What is the IR range of the RedEye?
- Do you support macro functions?
- What type of voltage does the RedEye support?
- Do you deliver outside the US?
- Can I customize the application?
- Can I use an IR blaster with the RedEye base station?
- Does the RedEye work if my line-of-sight is limited?
- Does the RedEye support RS232?
- Does my iPhone have to use the RedEye’s Wi-Fi network to control my equipment?
- Can two people operate the same device with two different iPhone/iPod’s?
- Can I control multiple devices with one activity?
- Can additional IR emitters be plugged into the RedEye?
- Does the iPhone or iPod touch have to be docked in order to control home entertainment devices?
- Does the RedEye device have the ability to learn remote codes?
- Does the RedEye have a database of remote codes?
- Does each RedEye device have its own wireless adapter?
- Does the RedEye work with Bluetooth?
- Which devices does the RedEye support?
- What if my device uses radio frequency?
- What is a “toggle” command?
- Will I have to spend a significant amount of time setting up the RedEye?
What is RedEye?
RedEye is a hardware device and software application that turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote control.
How does RedEye work?
After you install the RedEye app (a free download from iTunes) on your iPhone or iPod touch, you can communicate with the RedEye device over Wi-Fi. Then the RedEye device sends out infrared signals to control your equipment. Because the RedEye device is in the same room as your equipment, you don’t have to be. Instead, you can control your living room stereo from the kitchen, or turn off the TV upstairs. (top)
How many RedEye devices are included with the purchase?
The package contents consist of one “RedEye” Wi-Fi to infrared bridge; AC power adapter; Universal Dock Adapters for iPod touch, iPhone, and iPhone 3G. (top)
What are the requirements to use RedEye?
iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or iPod touch with firmware update 2.2.1 or later; RedEye software application (available as a free download from iTunes). (top)
What is the IR range of the RedEye?
35-40 feet (or more, depending on the sensitivity of the receiving equipment). (top)
Do you support macro functions?
Yes — we support macros in a couple of ways. First, the software is set up to be “activity-based” meaning you define a set of activities (Watch TV, Listen to CD, etc). Each activity has certain launch actions, as well as other shutdown actions (launch actions might include turning on the TV and tuning it to a certain input; shutdown is probably just turning it off). Here’s the great thing about the iPhone’s touchscreen: each activity also has its own button layout, so you have just what you need for what you are doing at the moment.
The other way that we support macros is within those activity layouts for the buttons themselves. Each button can be set up to play back a number of commands. For example, if channel 517 is one of your favorites, you can create a macro button for that channel and even give it an icon corresponding to that television network. (top)
What type of voltage does the RedEye support?
The power supply we ship with our unit is of the international variety: 100-240V, 50-60Hz. (top)
Do you deliver outside the US?
Yes, we ship to the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom,. (top)
Can I customize the application?
Yes, you can change button sizes and positions freely, and we have a relatively large variety of built-in icons. We have not yet added functionality that would allow you to change colors or screen backgrounds, or import custom icons or button styles. We are working on automation so that you can spend more time tweaking the interface to suit your taste rather than the basic setup process. (top)
Can I use an IR blaster with the Redeye base station?
Yes — the RedEye device can send infrared signals just as any other infrared remote control, and therefore is compatible with IR blasters and IR repeaters. However, the RedEye does not include jacks for directly connecting IR extender cables.
In some ways, the RedEye unit itself is an IR blaster — it has six IR LEDs positioned to emit signals around all sides of the device. Since each LED has an effective range of 35-40 feet (or more, depending on the sensitivity of the receiving equipment), you could place the RedEye in the middle of a very large room (say 70 feet by 70 feet) and still be able to control equipment over the entire space. (top)
Does the RedEye work if my line-of-sight is limited?
If your devices are set in an AV rack, we suggest using an IR repeater system to be able to control the equipment. (top)
Does the RedEye support RS232?
At the moment the RedEye does not offer RS232 compatibility, however, we will be adding new functionality to the RedEye family of products within the near future. (top)
Does my iPhone have to use the RedEye’s Wi-Fi network to control my equipment?
You can connect the device to your existing Wi-Fi network, and we recommend doing so. Since the device has no screen or keyboard, it ships configured to set up an ad hoc network called RedEye. The first time you use it, you connect your iPhone or iPod touch to that network, and then launch the application. Then from within the application you can point the RedEye device to your existing network. (top)
Can two people operate the same device with two different iPhone/iPod’s?
Yes. Once you program your iPhone/iPod touch, your settings will have been saved on the RedEye hardware, thus syncing the other iPhone’s/iPod’s with your customized preferences. (top)
Can I control multiple devices with one activity?
Yes. Button layouts are activity-specific rather than device-specific. For example, if you have a Watch DVR activity that uses 1) your TiVo, 2) your TV, and 3) a sound system, you could create an activity layout that mixes and matches commands from all three devices, with the transport controls mapped to TiVo commands, and the volume controls mapped to the sound system. You can even have macros that combine commands to different devices into one button. Our design philosophy was to enable you to have a minimum but appropriate number of buttons for each activity so as to reduce clutter onscreen. (top)
Can additional IR emitters be plugged into the RedEye?
We did not design the hardware for plug-in IR emitters; however, one option is to use an IR repeater cable, which should work for devices tucked away in a cabinet or A/V rack. (top)
Does the iPhone or iPod touch have to be docked in order to control home entertainment devices?
No. The dock is there for convenience so that you can have a place to store and charge your phone while you are using the RedEye system. (top)
Does the RedEye device have the ability to learn remote codes?
Yes. Along with our remote code database, the RedEye has the ability to learn remote codes. (top)
Does the RedEye have a database of remote codes?
Yes. The RedEye has an extensive list of remote codes which is updated regularly. (top)
Does each RedEye device have its own wireless adapter?
The Wi-Fi radio and infrared transmitter/receiver are all part of the same unit — one per box. Basically, you would need one RedEye device for each room of the house that you want to control. (top)
Does the RedEye work with Bluetooth?
At this time RedEye works with infrared technology only. (top)
Which devices does the RedEye support?
The RedEye supports devices that utilize traditional infrared technology, but not those that use Bluetooth (such as the Sony PS3 or Nintendo Wii).
We know of one exception to the above, and it is temporary: Bang & Olufsen devices. The issue is that our infrared learning unit does not operate in the frequency range that some B&O devices us. However, our infrared LEDs can handle those frequencies, so with B&O codes in our database you will be able to control those devices. We should have B&O devices in the database within the next few weeks. (top)
What if my device uses radio frequency?
There are some higher end devices that use radio frequency remote controls (instead of infrared). Often there is a way to change the settings so that they can work with infrared. (top)
What is a “toggle” command?
A toggle command is one that when sent repeatedly to your TV switch it between two or more different states. The classic toggle command is Power On/Off, which turns the TV either on or off with a single button. (top)
Will I have to spend a significant amount of time setting up the RedEye?
One of the great features of the RedEye is the ability to customize and display only the buttons specific for your needs, but if you’re looking to get started right away, there are activity button templates that include the most commonly used buttons for every activity. No special software download needed, as these features will be embedded within our software. (top)