[mythtv-users] Remote Control confusion

[jds]

"MasterC" writes:
> 1.  I ran across a site today:  http://irblaster.info  And reading the
> description truly confused me.  I have several "All in 1" remotes, ranging
> from 8 device controls to 4.  If I were to purchase these irblaster
> builds, and hook it to my mythboxes serial port, would I then simply need
> to grab the lirc script pertaining to my particular remote and place that
> in my mythtv users' home directory?  Or is this device for something else?

for a description of why you may need an IR blaster to contol an external
set top box (and how you implement the solution using LIRC), see the
introduction section of my IR blaster HOWTO:
http://losdos.dyndns.org:8080/public/mythtv-info/IR-BLASTER-HOWTO.html
or mirror:
http://mirror.mmdsi.com/losdos.dyndns.org/public/mythtv-info/IR-BLASTER-HOWTO.html

note that if (a) your cable setup does not require the use of an external
box  or (b) the channels that you want to record do not require an
external box, you may be able to use the tuner that came onboard your
capture card.  in this case, no IR blaster is required.  support for your
capture card tuner is dependent on modules/drivers external to mythtv but
intrinsic to it's operation (e.g. ivtv or bttv).

> 2.  What functions/features do I lose (if any) by not having a keyboard
> connected/controlling my mythbox?

in most cases, none.  for example: i have a pvr350 in a small form factor
PC, and this box (combined frontend/backend) runs completely headless (no
keyboard, mouse, nor monitor).  i admin via mythweb and ssh.  n.b.: some
older PC's are resistant to booting without attached peripherals;
generally this can be overcome in the BIOS setup but in some cases it is
necessary to purchase a "keyboard/mouse keeper", such as the Raritan
APKME.
http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/store/APKME.html
http://www.kvmchoice.com/detail_switch.asp?id=884

> 3.  I have been linked to BeyondTV's website while reading quite a few of
> the posts on the list as well as other forums that discuss mythtv.  Is
> that site a good place to go for commercial products that work well with
> mythtv, such as the RJ6-RS232 connectors?

what problem are you trying to solve?

> My specs:
> Standard, analog cableTV (Comcast Basic)
> Nvidia Geforce4 MMX-440 128MB DDR with TV/Out
> Tuner 1: BT878 (WinTV GO!)
> Tuner 2: Philips SAA7130

jds