Re: Infrared control gadgets?

["Bob F" <bobnospam@xxxxxxxxx>]

Josepi wrote:
> I am looking to set up a PC as a media control centre and just
> starting to explore options.
>
> I have seen a few input devices and software packages but know littl
> eabout them. Girder seems to be the most publicized but I am sure
> there are many more.
>
> The USB-AIRT module look like a workabel compatible unit. It's
> distance may be a bit limited.
>
>
> Anybody have experience with some of the IR detection hardware and
> software? I would appreciate hearing some of your experiences.

I recently added a USB-UIRT to my Win-XP PC so that BeyondTV can control cable
settop boxes. It works great so far, although I did have a few problems, getting
it to send all the numbers properly to change channels, during the initial
setup. I haven't tried it at any distance.

Yesterday, I found a HP media center box (5188-1667), $3 at a thrift shop, that
should be able to do the same job. I was pleased to see it installed without
problem into XP, and the MCE remote I had laying around works with it fine to
control BeyondTV.

I haven't used Girder, but understand that it gives you way more capability to
control more things. Expensive though.