[mythtv-users] LIRC and serial to usb

[Brian Walter]

Brian Wood wrote:
> On Mar 24, 2007, at 5:42 AM, Brian Walter wrote:
>
>   
>> Greetings,
>>
>> I've decided on the IR Receiver from irblaster.info.  This particular
>> one uses a serial port.  However, the motherboard I'm building this
>> system on does not have an integrated serial port.
>>
>> Two questions:
>>
>> 1) The motherboard has a connector for a serial port, just needs the
>> port/bracket (not a card).  Has anyone found *just* a bracket for  
>> serial
>> ports to be connected to the motherboard?
>>     
>
> Usually these come with the motherboard. You have to be careful as  
> there is no accepted "standard" for the pinout and they vary with the  
> maker, if you have the docs you can see what the various pins are and  
> make your own with a DB9 or DB-25 connector.
>   
Sadly, *both* motherboards say they can be connected, but, are sold 
separately.  I'm trying to get info/help from Asus in this regard..
>   
>> 2) I've found serial to USB adapter cables.  Is this a viable  
>> solution?
>> Has anyone tried this with success?
>>     
>
> Again you have to be careful. Most of the devices made to be used  
> with LIRC use the signaling lines of the RS-232 ports in a non- 
> standard way, and thus USB-to-serial adapters will not work. I  
> believe the unit you mention falls into that category.
>
> Units like the MyBlaster (which may no longer be available from what  
> I've seen here) use the serial port in a "normal" way and thus will  
> work with a USB-to-serial adapter if it supported by Linux itself.
>
> Costs are funny, you can buy an entire PVR-150 with a built-in IR  
> blaster that will work with a patched LIRC for less than the cost of  
> some USB-to-Serial adapters alone, which may not even work. Sort of  
> like getting a cheap blaster with a free capture card with hardware  
> encoding and the remote itself, for under $50.
>
> But those are USA prices and I'm not sure where you are, I know  
> prices start getting pretty ridiculous outside the USA. gmail could  
> be anywhere on the planet (or even beyond I suppose).
>   
So basically, you'd suggest a pci add on serial port card?

Thanks!
Brian