Hi,
I was thinking about setting up a small home automation system with my linux box. I was looking into getting something such as a universal remote type thing that can send signals to a TV, stereo, DVD Player, and cable box and be controlled through linux, via a parallel/serial/usb port. Does anybody know of some hardware that could do this that is supported through linux? I want to be able to change channels, volume, turn them on and off, fast forward, rewind, the works. I know there is that thing where you can wire up a breadboard of sorts with some relays to turn appliances themselves on and off, but thats pretty much limited only to turning things ON or OFF (unless of course, I used a real universal remote and just wired the thing up, though more likly using transistors, to flip on and off the switches themselves bypassing the keypad on them... possible, but sounds like a pain, and would be limited and tedious) and I may only use that to turn things like lights on and off. I was thinking more about a commercial peice of hardware that's relativly cheap. If anybody knows of some hardware that can do this, and can be used relativly easily in linux, it'd be a great help. I do have a Lego Mindstorm's infra red thingy that plugs into the serial port that I can use to control my robots with... maybe I could hack that into sending signals to the TV or whatever instead? I would rather not tear the thing up though, I still use it for my robots... and I know it is supported in linux.

Thanks,
Marshall

February issue of Linux Journal had an article on building home automation systems using Linux. Emphasis was on home security, but maybe it will give you ideas. You must register to read the article online though, sorry:
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8513

Yes, your right, you have to register to be able to view an article more then a month old. I'm not really willing to pay 25 dollars just to see the article. Does anybody else have any suggestions as to some hardware that would help me do this? Right now I'm basically forcusing on making a remote control work for my IR compatable appliances such as my TV, DVD palyer, and stereo. I cant imagine it would be too hard to accomplish, even wireing it up by hand with breadboards just using transistors and an IC multiplexer of sorts that could take a parallel port's line outs and convert those to various opening and closing of circuits on the keypad of a real universal remote, but I'm just looking to save all the trouble.