LIRC and Remote Control Devices
 

I asked some MythTV questions in another thread. Rather than get lost in the middle of that thread, I am posting a related but specific question in a new thread.

1. Will a USB infrared receiver connected to my PC work with any remote control device?

I have a Hauppauge HVR-1250 capture card that works great receiving digital ATSC stations. An A415-HPG remote control came packaged with the card. Some basic searches indicate this is the same remote packaged with the Hauppauge PVR-350. This remote control device works with LIRC.

However, drivers are unavailable for the on-board remote control feature of the HVR-1250. Thus I don't have an infrared receiver for my box. Therefore:

2. If I install a USB infrared receiver, will I then be able to use the A415-HPG remote control?

I am planning to buy a 32LG70 HD TV. According to the spec sheet the TV is packaged with a "universal" remote control. I'll guess the "universality" is limited to HDMI-CEC, and only products supporting the LG SimpLink feature. The remote control device does have different buttons for DVD player, VCR, etc. Nonetheless:

3. If I install a USB infrared receiver, would I be able to use this TV remote control?

I'm guessing a USB infrared receiver doesn't care about the source of IR signals. Will LIRC see the IR signals from either remote?

I realize there are several remote control options for a HTPC. I merely want to know whether I will be able to use either of the remotes just mentioned.

Thanks again.

I just purchased the Microsoft MCE Remote from the Hauppauge Web Store for $35.00. It came with the IR receiver and an IR transmitter. Seemed like a decent deal to me. Haven't had a chance to hook it up yet, but I will be using it with my Hauppauge PVR-500 amd MythTV

There are directions on the Myth Site to build a homebrew IR receiver, so I would imagine just about any receiver should work.
This USB IR Transmitter/Receiver is in the HCL http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/USB-UIRT

I imagine you could train the Universal remote..
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Category:Remote_Controls

There are some LIRC compatible IR receivers that are designed for very specific IR protocols and only work with those IR protocols. There are also LIRC compatible IR receivers that handle all IR protocols at or near a specific modulation frequency. Most IR protocols are near enough to 38KHz that a generic 38KHz receiver can receive them. The MCE protocol is typically at 36KHz, which is close enough for most 38KHz receivers.

I found some data on the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-350 saying it uses the RC5 IR protocol. RC5 is typically at 36KHz.

The "universal" remote for the TV probably can transmit IR in several different IR protocols at a few different IR frequencies. The IR signals for the LG TV itself are probably at 38KHz.

Do you have specs on the USB IR receiver you are considering?

Yes, seems like a decent deal. I am aware of the product, but my hope is that I don't have to spend additional funds for Yet Another Remote Control. :) On the other hand, I don't have a big problem operating two or more remotes. I can think of many things in life far more inconvenient. :)

If I have to I will buy the MCE remote, but I posted in the hopes of trying to learn more before buying and building.

I expect to test the TV remote but if that fails then I'll have to consider something like the MCE remote. I need a receiver to test the remote that came packaged with the capture card. :( The capture card was packaged with the LED sensor but no software drivers renders everything useless.

Thanks for that info. Hopefully that is a sufficient lead for me to learn more about the topic.

Sounds encouraging, but of course, I won't know until I buy the TV. :)

I was thinking about the USB-UIRT.