[mythtv-users] Controlling a satellite box from MythTV

[Mark]

Brian Wood wrote:

>
>The MyBlaster, OTOH, is driven by a serial port in its "normal"  
>manner, using the data lines in a totally standard way. All the  
>timings are generated  internally, and do not depend on software to  
>generate them. Since the device has its own DC power supply the IR  
>output is not dependent on the current available from control lines,  
>it is fixed and high, so there is much less chance of unreliable  
>operation or interference.
>
>The LIRC blasters usually have to be within a foot or two of the IR  
>receiver, while I have got reliable results from the MyBlaster from  
>30 feet away in a sunlit room.
>
>Neither solution is "right" or "wrong", they are just two different  
>approaches and the best solution depends on what is best for you.
>
>  
>
>>As always YMMV, but the MyBlaster is $50 well spent.
>>    
>>
>
>I happen to agree, but that's speaking as someone who had the $50 in  
>the first place, not everyone does :-)
>
>  
>
I added 50 cents to my IR blaster- added a transistor and a couple 
resistors to power mine off the USB
port,  so it does the same as the myblaster.  I think I've got about $2 
in mine.

Myblaster may be a good way of doing it, but it's not the only good way...