[mythtv-users] IR Blaster, how does it work?

[Chad]

On 3/10/06, Chris Ribe <chrisribe at gmail.com> wrote:
> An IR Blaster doesn't plug into the satellite reciever.  It plugs into the
> computer and sends an IR signal to the satellite reciever (just like a
> remote control would).
>
> You would control mythtv with a remote, and then mythtv would send channel
> change commands to the satellite reciever as needed via the IR blaster.
>
>
> On 3/10/06, Chad <masterclc at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> Hi!
>
> I was looking at www.irblaster.info and like what I see both
> simplicity and price are right.  But, I'm even more confused now...
>
> I'm going to be hooking up a new MythTV system in a house where they
> have DirecTV.  I have skimmed over several emails about using an IR
> Blaster, but most if them say things like "hook up the IR Blaster and
> then..." without really saying much about the IR Blaster part.
>
> So I guess my question is how does an IR Blaster work?  I plug the IR
> Blaster into the back of the Satellite Receiver (either serial or
> mini-stereo depending on type) and then what?  Do I also need an IR
> Receiver on the mythbox?  Ah...  Maybe that's it.
>
> When I hit a key on the remote to change the channel, does it send the
> blip to both devices?  Well, that would work for live-tv, but what
> about scheduled programs, there is no "blip" sent from the remote, so
> how does the receiver know to change the channel?
>
> Any clarification is very welcome!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chad
> _______________________________________________

Thank you both for your replies, that makes a lot more sense now!  I
was seaching and it didn't seem too many receivers had RS232
connections on the back of em!  :D

Thanks!

Chad