Hello.

Could anyone help figure out how to remotely control my EchoStar 4900 (from Telus) through my Control4 system?

I realize that my version of the 9400 has a UHF interface for its remote, but I am hoping there is an IR interface built in it that could be activated and then used with Control4.

Thank you, Trevor

It's just a rebranded Dishnetwork receiver. So yes, it has an IR receiver.
As far as I know, it responds to standard Dishnetwork IR codes.

I confirm. It supports standard Dishnetwork commands.

Thank you Brad.

Could you tell me a couple of things:

1. How do I activate the IR receiver, and where on the unit should I place the Control4 red flasher?
2. Could you please give me a lead to the standard Dishnetwork IR codes you refer to?

Thank you, Trevor

You are using Control4, it should be in the Control4 IR database - any of the Dishnetwork PVR codes will work (they have been the same codes for over 20 years).

If for some reason the IR database is missing or corrupt in your C4 software. You could always buy the original Bell 5.4 IR remote that works for that receiver (also listed as 20.1 remote) and learn the codes in.
Here's one on Amazon: [Link: amazon.ca]

There is a setting in the Dish Hopper that allows IR/UHF control to be changed. But I don't think the 9400 has that. If you dig thru all the menus and don't see a way to change the control from UHF to IR, that means it does both at the same time - there is nothing to change, IR just always works.

I believe the IR sensor is along the middle of the panel. You can take the IR emitter and move it across the front while sending commands to find the location. If it gives you trouble, you can open it up and look inside to see where the little IR receiver is located behind the panel.

I have no experience with this device. I can often find IR receivers by shining a small flashlight through the panel. A shadow or change in contrast is often a clue.

Thank you Brad.

You have been very helpful.

I am not a Control4 programmer myself, but I may well have to learn! My retail store programmer has not been able to find theses codes, I shall delight in sending them to him.

Cheers, Trevor

Thank you Buzz.

I have had a good look but I can't seem to find it from the outside. Could it be that Telus (my model) uses UHF only units?


Cheers, Trevor

Hey Brad,

Is there perhaps a way to convert my remote labelled (UHF Pro) to send only IR signals so that I can confirm that my 9400 does in fact accept IR commands?

There are a LOT of different remotes that Bell uses (all Dishnetwork rebranded). You need to look on the back of the remote, at the very top there is a label. Tell us what it says (i.e 5.4, 6.0, 3.4, 20.1, etc....).
Some of the remotes can do IR and UHF by flipping a switch in the battery compartment, or flipping a key insert in the bottom of the remote, .... just depends on the remote. Some are IR only like I linked to, some are UHF only.


You can NOT program the Control4 yourself. It takes special software that is only available to dealers unfortunately. Even if you got a copy of the software, you couldn't use it because you have to login into the software with a dealer account for it to work.
If your dealer (store) isn't able to do something as simple as program an extremely common sat box.... I'm afraid you're in trouble. Because they clearly have not been to any kind of training and have no clue what they are doing.


[*]
Does anybody else want to jump in here? I'm not a Control4 dealer and not a Canadian. So my knowledge on the Control4 and Bell boxes are a little limited. I'm pretty sure everything I've said so far is accurate. But if anyone else has some finer details, it might help him even more.

Hi Brad,

The remote is a 6.4 IR/UHF; link to photo attached.

[Link: dropbox.com]

Inside the battery compartment there is a little A-B switch, link to photo attached.

[Link: dropbox.com]​

Cheers, Trevor

That's interesting. The Dish version of the 6.4 IR/UHF Pro remote is silver in color.

The switch in the battery compartment is to change the UHF band. Leave that on A, don't mess with that.

There should be a color key that plugs into the bottom of the remote (front side). I can't see from your pics. The key will be one of the following colors:
Green with the marking 1
Green with the marking 1 UHF Pro
Blue with the marking 2 UHF Pro
Black with no marking or possible the marking UHF
Silver with no marking or possible the marking UHF Pro

If you pull/slide the key out of the remote bottom, you should see a different color or marking on the other side. We are looking for the Green color with the marking 1 on it - sliding that into the remote (facing front) will select IR mode for the remote.
Here is a link to the manual that shows all the different keys = [Link: my.dish.com]
It only shows the Dish versions, which should be the same as the Bell equivalent.

If you don't have a Green IR key on either side of the key installed (and they didn't leave you with the extras - I'm sure they didn't). Try ordering that IR remote I linked to earlier for $22.85.

Lastly, with a working IR remote, go to your System Info screen, press and hold the REC button on the IR remote, this should change the control from a blue UHF box to a green IR box.

___________________________

All this means nothing however. Someone has to program the Control4 system to work the Bell box.

Hey Brad,

This does mean something to me, thank you. I need to make sure that my 9400 does in fact work on IR before I talk to the programmer.

The back of the key in the remote is black with a generic UHF logo:

[Link: dropbox.com]

It looks like all my key does is move some kind of switch in the bottom of the remote. Does the green one do something special, or could i fake the position the green one would set it too?

Trevor

I have never taken one of those remotes apart before to see. It is most likely internal switches.

The IR 100% works on that 9400. Echostar didn't take parts out of the boxes they made for Bell. The problem is getting it to switch to the IR mode.

I use to have a box of those remote keys sitting on a shelf. That was over 10+ years ago. Haven't messed with one of those remotes or old receivers since the Dish Hopper came out.

hi alll