[mythtv-users] suggestions for usb-based IR blaster

[Mark Small]

On June 19, 2009 11:34:14 Jack Perveiler wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I'm going to be upgrading my old p4 backend with it's serial ir blaster to
> something more modern, and it seems rs232 ports have been deprecated on
> modern motherboards.  Rather than fight with making my own header, adding a
> serial expansion card, etc I've decided to come out of the dark ages and
> switch from my serial blaster to a usb-based one.  I'm seeing some
> conflicting info on the web though:
>
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/MCE_Remote
> Seems to indicate that blasting works fine on mce remote receiver/blaster
> combos
>
> But this:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mythbuntu-lirc-generator/+bug/290
>139 Seems to indicate that at least one popular, low-cost mce remote is
> having touble blasting.
>
> There are other conflicting stories, but you get the gist.
>
> I've batted heads with lirc in the past when originally setting up my
> serial blaster... no matter WHAT I did I couldn't get one instance of lirc
> to both receive and transmit.  I finally had build a second, differently
> named version of lirc following the directions here:
>
> http://losdos.dyndns.org:8080/public/mythtv-info/MythTV_DISH_IR_LED_TX_via_
>Modified_LIRC.html ?
>
> I'd rather not go through this battle (or similar) again though, so I'm
> looking for anybody with a "I used <fill_in_blank> and it worked like a
> charm".  Preferably with mythbuntu, and preferably with a link to newegg :)
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> --Jack

To be safe, get a microsoft branded MCE remote from a couple of years ago.  
They are sure to work.  A lot of 'MCE' remotes these days show up as hid 
devices and aren't as flexible.

Get one where the receiver looks like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Windows-XP-MCE-IR-USB-Remote-Dell-HP-Toshiba-New_W0QQitemZ130313129473QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item1e57448e01&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1215%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I'm not sure about this one, but it may work too:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/PC-Remote-Control-HP-USB-IR-Receiver-Windows-Vista-MCE_W0QQitemZ230344186369QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item35a1955a01&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1215%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Mark