Chromecasts are not controllable using an IR remote control. This projects adds that function by using a raspberry pi with an IR sensor that receives the remote cotrol codes and converts them into http calls.

download and install latest version of spotipy and pychromecast python3 Using sudo easy_install3 ... doesn't work as it retrieves an older version. (why?)

Login to the https://developer.spotify.com and create a new application. Remember client_id, client_secret and redirect_uri.

• copy remote.py and config.py to /spotify.google/ (or other folder) then make it executable

• update config.py with all the required credentials:

#name of the chromecast device
chromecast = "your_chromecast_name"
chromecast_ip = "x.x.x.x"
volume = 0.8

#spotify_client credentials 
accounts = {"default":{"username":"", "password":""}}

#Application
client_id = "as_created_above"
client_secret = "as_created_above"
redirect_uri = "as_created_above"

• give your account a short name and you is later in the login url. ex: accounts = {"john":{"username":"[email protected]", "password":"73847893497389478389479374892398"}} becomes http://127.0.0.1:9999/login/john

The system loggs in to the last used account or to account "default" (if present), if no user is logged in yet. (calling http://127.0.0.1:9999/login is equivalent to calling http://127.0.0.1:9999/login/default if a default user has been provided)

• run it once from terminal and follow instructions to activate/authorize Spotify.

• create /lib/systemd/system/spotify.service with content:

[Unit]
Description=Spotify Remote
After=network.target auditd.service

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /spotify.google/remote.py
ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
KillMode=process
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Alias=spotify.service

• start service

sudo systemctl enable spotify
sudo systemctl start spotify

The command map file for lirc (/etc/lirc/lircrc):

begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_PLAY
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/play
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_PAUSE
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/pause
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_PREVIOUS
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/previous
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_NEXT
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/next
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_ON
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/login/john
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_OFF
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/off
end
begin
prog = irexec
button = SPOTIFY_REBOOT
config = curl http://127.0.0.1:9999/reboot
end

Where SPOTIFY_* buttons in the lircd.conf file recorded (irrecord --disable-namespace -d /dev/lirc0 /etc/lirc/lircd.conf) or random created codes and then taught to the remote (see https://github.com/MoonshineSG/remote.ir)

Setup a new device and a new activity, thne configure the buttons as usual.

Accepting beer tips...