Arch Linux

chrisco23

Member

Registered: 2017-12-13

Posts: 156

[SOLVED] How to control volume with remote control?

On my Dell XPS 15 I'm running pipewire / wireplumber.

I just want to be able to control the volume (media players, browsers, etc) with a remote control.  How?

1.  Prefer to not use my smartphone as I hate using smartphone.  Unless it's necessary.

2.  Prefer to not use Bluetooth as Bluetooth always finds a way to cause me grief.  Again unless it's necessary, but maybe something like wireless USB dongle?

Years ago I toyed with KDEConnect, but I'm running Sway and I want >nothing< KDE on my machine.  Besides that's way overkill for volume control.

Last edited by chrisco23 (2024-01-12 23:41:32)

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,232

Re: [SOLVED] How to control volume with remote control?

If you don't want bluetooth and you want to use a bog standard remote you need some IR receiver after which you can knock yourself out: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/LIRC

chrisco23

Member

Registered: 2017-12-13

Posts: 156

Re: [SOLVED] How to control volume with remote control?

Thanks.  I looked a little into LIRC and it looks a bit daunting.

Since I only recently upgraded my Dell XPS from some 2015 model to the 9520, I decided to give Bluetooth a fresh try.  Now I find this Universal Remote Server stuff, installed the server on the laptop and the app on the Android, and it connects fine apparently.

EDIT:
Sorry, I had not seen this: "(Note: A one time call (as user) to
  /opt/urserver/urserver-start
  could be necessary before using it)"

Making progress.  Will mark solved once I see it actually work now.

Last edited by chrisco23 (2024-01-12 22:45:03)

chrisco23

Member

Registered: 2017-12-13

Posts: 156

Re: [SOLVED] How to control volume with remote control?

Bought the $5 full version, got it working with VLC.

Anybody know how to make the "Youtube (Web)" work?  I was hoping to run Youtube on Chromium on the laptop and control it with the phone using this URS stuff.

Last edited by chrisco23 (2024-01-12 23:13:07)

chrisco23

Member

Registered: 2017-12-13

Posts: 156

Re: [SOLVED] How to control volume with remote control?

I've got it working with Chrome now (not Chromium yet) so I think I can take it from here, will start new thread if any new issues.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!