[jlandgdr]

I have a 96-year-old mom that has a vizio (not smart) tv and has very low vision.   I live 40 miles away and she can't work her remote to find the ball game or sometimes pressed the wrong button on the remote and sets the input to something else and disables her tv.  I sometimes have to drive up to help her.   This is crazy and there has to be an easier way.   She has wifi.   I have a firestick at my home and I understand that I can use my iPhone as a remote, but have to be on the same wifi system???    If I get her a firestick or similar devise, on her tv, is there a way for me to control her tv from my location?  

Edited by jlandgdr, 05 January 2018 - 04:08 PM.

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Most remotes use IR to control the TV.  There are a few that do use WiFi but they are rare.  If the usual remote won't work if pointed away from the TV then it is probably IR.  There are ways to remotely control an IR control TV but you have to put it together yourself.

I haven't seen any commercial offerings.

 

You would need a PC (Windows or Linux based),

a USB to IRD transmitter adapter

http://www.irdroid.c...ed-transmitter/

, WinLIRC

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/

or LIRC software

http://www.lirc.org/

and TeamViewer software or other remote control software like logmein. 

 

Then another PC withTeamViewer on it and your location.

 

The hardest part is getting the remote control codes into the PC so it can send them out when you tell it to.  You may need a separate USB to IR Receiver adapter to pick up the codes.

Something like Inteset USB External Infrared (IR) Media Center Receiver with Cable (Amazon 18.95)

 

I think it would probably be simpler to hire a neighbor and pay them $10 each time to go over and press the right buttons.

[RKinner]

Most remotes use IR to control the TV.  There are a few that do use WiFi but they are rare.  If the usual remote won't work if pointed away from the TV then it is probably IR.  There are ways to remotely control an IR control TV but you have to put it together yourself.

I haven't seen any commercial offerings.

 

You would need a PC (Windows or Linux based),

a USB to IRD transmitter adapter

http://www.irdroid.c...ed-transmitter/

, WinLIRC

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/

or LIRC software

http://www.lirc.org/

and TeamViewer software or other remote control software like logmein. 

 

Then another PC withTeamViewer on it and your location.

 

The hardest part is getting the remote control codes into the PC so it can send them out when you tell it to.  You may need a separate USB to IR Receiver adapter to pick up the codes.

Something like Inteset USB External Infrared (IR) Media Center Receiver with Cable (Amazon 18.95)

 

I think it would probably be simpler to hire a neighbor and pay them $10 each time to go over and press the right buttons.

[dmccoy]

You an buy an Android box that is rooted and run teamviewer on it to control from anywhere. I use this setup for my mom. Let me know if you have additional questions. 

[RestoreMagic]

Hi jlandgdr, were you able to find a solution that works best? 

I have a similar situation with my parents and am not sure should I try to create a setup like that or pony up for a smart TV. Been eyeing some electronics reviews from BestTechExpert but if there's a cheaper solution that would be nice. I have a spare laptop, though it's 5 years old by now.

[Nasrin77]

You an buy an Android box that is rooted and run teamviewer on it to control from anywhere. I use this setup for my mom. Let me know if you have additional questions. 

I am thinking what brand and model of Android box do I need to buy to easily remote control my mom's TV remotely on my cell phone? could you please shed some light on this?

[dmccoy]

What questions can I answer for you?

[Nasrin77]

What questions can I answer for you?

Could you please tell me the brand name of the Android box that you got? thank you

[dmccoy]

I purchased a couple of the older models (mini MX 3 II) of the following boxes and have been happy with them. The nice thing abox this model is it is already rooted and they provide firmware updates regularly. Let me know if yo7 have other questions.

Beelink GT1 Ultimate Android 7.1 TV Box 64 Bits 3GB RAM 32GB ROM with Amlogic S912 1000Mbps LAN/Dual WiFi 2.4G+5.8G/H.264/H.265 4K Smart TV Box https://www.amazon.c...i_awwaCb9VHJQW1

Good keyboard remote:
(2018 Backlit Version)REIIE H9+ Backlit Wireless Mini Handheld Remote Keyboard with Touchpad Work for PC,Raspberry Pi 2, Android TV Box ,KODI,Windows 7 8 10 https://www.amazon.c...i_mzwaCbZTSRJN5

I also use a harmony 650 remote that makes it easy to use other then when a keyboard is needed.

Edited by dmccoy, 30 November 2018 - 11:00 AM.