[mythtv-users] Asus unveils dirt-cheap Chromebox desktops with Haswell chip

[David Engel]

On Thu, Feb 06, 2014 at 01:25:27PM -0500, Dan Wilga wrote:
> On 2/6/14, 12:48 PM, jedi wrote:
> >I think the key here is standardization. You can adjust to just
> >about any single configuration but it is nearly impossible to deal
> >with every room having it's own collection of completely different
> >remotes.
> I'll mention something I've suggested before, a URC RFS200:
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL9E6U
> 
> along with a separate remote of the same type (available separately)
> for each frontend in the house. These remotes communicate very
> quickly via RF with the base, which then blasts the IR signal to the
> receiver on my HDHomeRun. LIRC is running on the MBE, which decodes
> the signal. Each FE connects to LIRC on the MBE via Ethernet.
> 
> This has several big advantages over using IR receivers on each FE:
> 
> - It's much faster. I've had to add delays to keep my main FE from
> repeating too quickly.
> 
> - I don't have to point the remote directly at an IR receiver to
> control Myth. I still catch my wife purposely pointing the remote at
> the display though :-).
> 
> - I'm using a single remote configuration which is cloned to all of
> the others. This allows me to use any remote in any room, just by
> choosing a different "device" on the remote.
> 
> - I have the MBE turn the appropriate FE on via wake-on-LAN when a
> TV Power On signal is received from the remote.

I've used the older, more expensive, but with nicer buttons, MX-200
and MX-350 URC remotes for many, many years.  Besides the features Dan
notes, they have excellent ergonomics.  All of the important buttons
(menu, direction, transport, volume and channel) all within easy thumb
reach.

The biggest disadvantage of these remotes is they are not PC
programmable.  If you create any really fancy macros or mixed device
modes, you need to take good notes so you can remember what you did in
case you ever need to redo or modify it.

David
-- 
David Engel
david at istwok.net