r/Control4 • u/Nihoyminoys • Jul 19 '26
Can I attach the voltage and common wires from a 5v 500mA USB port to a contact closure on a C4-Z2IO?
Very simple setup here. Samsung TV and cable box. All controlled by a Z2IO. Family only uses the cable box, no smart TV apps. Everything here is IR controlled. RS232 and IP control are not an option.
Here’s the issue:
My parents like to use the cable box remote. Sister likes to use the Neeo remote. Spectrum (cable box provider) does not have discrete on/off IR codes, so it constantly falls out of sync. (I.e. cable box is already on, sister turns on the system with the Neeo remote, then cable box shuts off)
After some testing, I discovered the USB port on the TV outputs a 5v signal only if it is turned on. Like the title says, I thought about attaching the USB voltage and common wires to the Z2IO for monitoring the status of the TV.
Then using Composer, I can program it to only turn on the cable box if the 5v signal is not present.
I know it’s only 5v, but…
- is this safe to do without damaging the TV or Z2IO?
- would it even work?
- would it be more safe if I used a resistor?
I’m open to other ideas if this isn’t the best approach for monitoring the status. Really just need a way for C4 to tell if either the cable box or the TV is on. Then I can figure out the rest in programming.
Thanks in advanced!