[mythtv-users] USB dual channel IR blaster?

[Brian Wood]

On Monday 22 February 2010 09:27:11 am Tony Brummett wrote:
> On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 2:06 AM, Johnny Stenback <myth-users at mythtv.org> 
wrote:
> > On 02/21/2010 08:10 PM, Tony Brummett wrote:
> >> I'm starting to gather parts to put together a new backend machine.
> >> [...]  I'd keep using that kind of set up, except that it seems
> >> that modern-ish motherboards only have one serial port anymore.
> >
> > True, lots of modern mb's only have one serial port, but they all have
> > plenty of USB, and USB to serial adapters are a dime a dozen (maybe not
> > quite, but $7 or so on eBay last I looked) so I'd just get one of those
> > and keep using the blasters you already have.
> 
> Since LIRC uses the port in a non-standard way, USB serial adapters won't
>  work.

Correct, lirc toggles the handshaking lines to drive an LED. The MyBlaster 
uses the serial port in the standard way (using txd and rxd) so it will work 
with USB adapters.

Al the OP alluded to, there are PCI Express X1 cards available with a couple 
of serial ports on them, which will work with lirc type blasters. Most modern 
mobos have at least one X1 slot.