openinfrared/database: The OpenInfrared Database

The OpenInfrared Database

Summary

The OpenInfrared Database is a community-maintained collection of infrared remote control codes stored as JSON files. Each code is formatted in Pronto Hex and organized under a Device Type > Brand > Model/Series hierarchy, making it straightforward to look up the right signal for a given device.

What it is useful for

This repository is useful when an engineer needs to send or receive infrared commands for consumer electronics without a physical remote. Typical scenarios include home automation projects, custom remote control software, and hardware integrations that drive TVs, sound systems, projectors, and similar IR-controlled devices. The data is delivered in Pronto Hex, a format widely supported by IR blaster libraries and devices such as the Philips Pronto line. The JSON wrapper, shown in the README as {"power":"0000 006D 0022 0000 0156 00AB.."}, is trivial to parse in any language with standard JSON support, and the value side can be passed directly to most IR transmission libraries. The folder structure also helps engineers locate the right code set for a specific piece of hardware without scanning through unrelated devices.

How engineers can use it

The typical workflow is to clone or download the repository and navigate to the directory matching the target device. Once located, a JSON file can be loaded, parsed, and the Pronto Hex string passed to whatever IR transmission layer the engineer already uses, such as a microcontroller driving an IR LED or a Linux system running LIRC.

A minimal Python example that uses only the documented JSON structure:

import json

with open("path/to/device.json") as f:
    codes = json.load(f)

power_signal = codes["power"]  # e.g. "0000 006D 0022 0000 0156 00AB..."
# Pass power_signal to an IR blaster library that accepts Pronto Hex

The README does not document a specific installation command, package, or official client library, so engineers will need to handle the consumption side with their own IR tooling and refer to the project for the latest data files. The repository is licensed under GPL-2.0, which carries copyleft implications; projects that bundle or distribute these files should review the license terms carefully before integrating them into closed-source or commercial products.