Antec Fusion V2 IR Receiver -work with MCE Keyboard/Remote under Ubuntu?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Antec Fusion V2 IR Receiver -work with MCE Keyboard/Remote under Ubuntu?

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#26282 17-Sep-2008 11:59

I've got the Antec V2 Fusion case on my Media Center PC running Ubuntu. Looking to add a wireless keyboard and remote. I see I can buy a MCE remote/Keyboard bundle for $99 and a MCE keyboard/remote/receiver for $145. The Antec receiver gets some bad press by some websites however that might be related to the bundled windows drivers so not applicable for Ubuntu? Just wondering about GZ users experience with the fusion IR receiver?

Should I spend a little more and get the combo that has the MS IR receiver, or will I be okay using the integrated receiver?

imadog

107 posts

Master Geek

#165104 17-Sep-2008 15:28

I have the same case running under windows.

I still use the MS MCE receiver as I found the onboard IR receiver very unresponsive. Could well be a driver issue as you suggested so you might be ok under linux.

Depending on how much the package deal saves you, you could always try your luck with the ubuntu drivers first.

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#165595 19-Sep-2008 10:48

imadog: I have the same case running under windows.

I still use the MS MCE receiver as I found the onboard IR receiver very unresponsive. Could well be a driver issue as you suggested so you might be ok under linux.

Depending on how much the package deal saves you, you could always try your luck with the ubuntu drivers first.

Did you end up modifying the case so that the MS receiver was inside the case somehow? or are you just using it externally?

datahawk

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#165791 20-Sep-2008 10:22

I also have the V2 case, MCE Remote and Keyboard but using Vista 32. I have played around with the VFD quite a bit and it is very limited if you use the supplied Antec VFD driver. It appears that the latest IMON software now fully supports the Antec V2 VFD.

Remove the supplied Antec VFD software and try using the latest Soundgraph software. I installed only the IMON software and skipped the IMEDIAN option (I will try that out later). I now have my IR working quite well with various applications.

The IMON software allows you to set up IR layouts for individual applications (it comes with scripts already set up for PowerDVD, Browsing etc). In my case, I have the MCE remote 'learned' into my Pronto NG remote and after setting up the application mapping in the IMON software and creating a script for DVbViewer (and some IR settings in DVBViewer) I can now control PowerDVD8, DVBViewer, Media Centre and other applications from the MCE Remote.

As you switch to the applications, the IMON system usually works out the correct IR mapping for the active window or you can use the IMON task swapper to set the correct script to use. It even shows the application name on the VFD when executing IR commands and you can customise your own layouts.

Excuse the fact that this is not Linux related.

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#166284 22-Sep-2008 14:30

datahawk:

Excuse the fact that this is not Linux related.

Thats fine I was wondering about Windows install anyway :)

Just an update I purchased a MCE remote + receiver (as well as a keyboard but that hasnt arrived yet). Not using the MS receiver, just the remote with the built in antec receiver seems to go well :) About the only thing I've got to figure out is how to turn the HTPC on with the remote which I understand you can do with the fusion receiver as long as you wire the header connectors correctly.

Not so sure how well it will go with the mce keyboard but will find out soon enough.

datahawk

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#166290 22-Sep-2008 15:21

rphenix:
... About the only thing I've got to figure out is how to turn the HTPC on with the remote which I understand you can do with the fusion receiver as long as you wire the header connectors correctly.

Not so sure how well it will go with the mce keyboard but will find out soon enough.

Yes, no problem with the VFD IR on/off connection -> connect the MB PWR & GRND wires from the VFD to your normal motherboard power ON header and the Power ON/OFF switch connector then plugs into the back of the VFD (pull the optical drive carrier out to get at it). The on/off switch cable passes through the VFD which allows you to power the PC on/off via a the remote - works great.

The MCE keyboard works fine with the VFD but it is a bit more directional than the MCE IR receiver. i.e. you have to make sure the keyboard is pointing directly at the VFD.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#166321 22-Sep-2008 17:08

Most wireless keyboards and mice use RF, why do they bother making an IR keyboard, what is the advantage of that?

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#166347 22-Sep-2008 18:42

kiwijunglist: Most wireless keyboards and mice use RF, why do they bother making an IR keyboard, what is the advantage of that?

Me either, used to have an X10 Mp3 remote with a serial receiver think it used fm to transmit, used to love how i could go down the hall into another room and it would still change songs :)