IR receivers

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › IR receivers

leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#72499 27-Nov-2010 09:39

Hey there,

I've been putting together an HTPC over the last little while and the thing I left til the end has been the IR receiver.

Looking at a few options but I'd really appreciate any advice or hearing other people's experiences as I've found it quite hard to piece together any research.

- Imon inside; this seems to be a pretty popular choice but it's quite pricey, around 120 bucks.

- streamzap; this looks like a much cheaper option but it's a dongle rather than having the unit install in a 5.25" bay.

- I also have a Hauppauge Nova S-Plus which came with a USB IR receiver.

My question is two-fold; firstly, are there any other options that anyone would recommend? secondly, if I just went with the Hauppauge USB dongle IR receiver, can you use this to control more than just the card?

Would really appreciate any advice!

Cheers

Regs

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Snowflake

#410265 27-Nov-2010 19:43

i dont think the IR that comes with the nova-s is widely accepted by different htpc programs - it works with winTV but i'm not sure what other apps use it. The most compatible options tend to be the MCE ones. I have the IRTrans (like imon) inside my case and its definately the best option - no messy usb dongles hanging around. as you said though, its the more expensive option.

as mentioned, i have the imon style built in to my htpc. i use this with a logitech harmony remote and this is the best combo as the harmony can be programmed to power on the HTPC, TV and home theater kit and change all the modes etc with the click of a single button. the harmony remote i have is usually $99 or so, but they sometimes drop to $60 or $70 on special.

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leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#410308 27-Nov-2010 23:44

Thanks Regs :)

I've added IRTrans to the list. It's been quite a struggle just finding the available options.

I thought as much re: the hauppauge IR, so thanks for that. Bummer though 'cause while it's not internal it would have meant i didn't have to fork out any more money!

What is the IR Trans product you have?

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#410372 28-Nov-2010 12:17

I bought the Hauppauge Media Centre Remote Control Kit The kit costs around $50 and includes a Media Centre remote and a USB IR receiver. I've since bought a Logitech remote with I use with the Hauppauge IR receiver.

Depending on your set-up, the Hauppauge kit may be a less tidy, though much cheaper, solution than a built-in IR receiver - there's a USB cable to deal with and the external IR receiver to be placed somewhere. However it suits me to have my HTPC tucked away out of sight and just the IR receiver sited next to the TV.

Nety

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#410396 28-Nov-2010 13:33

I have a imon built into my case but each time I have tried to use it that has been issues with odd behavior. On the other hand the Microsoft IR receiver that I got with a MCE remote just works. No config just plug it in and off you go. I am using it with a Logitech remote.

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leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#410407 28-Nov-2010 15:34

Interesting that there have been problems with the Imon. I also thought the MS MCE remotes were no longer being sold? I guess the streamzap ones would be similar...

Regs

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Snowflake

#410505 28-Nov-2010 22:53

my case is the zalman hd160 - http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=190 - with the irtrans built in. i had a few issues initially with the software but for the last 3 years or so there have been no issues with either XP, Vista or 7 and MCE.

the MCE remotes arent being sold by MS, but you can buy them from hauppauge and even philips i think.

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JonnyCam

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#410577 29-Nov-2010 09:49

You could always get the hauppauge MCE remote, and see about putting the dongle inside of your case.

I've got the old MS one mounted in a 3.5 drive bay on my client pc.
You may have to take the usb receiver apart and drill a hole if you can't mount in a bay.

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leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#410587 29-Nov-2010 10:11

that's an excellent idea!

I was trying to avoid shonky mods because if i'm honest with myself i am really very bad at that kind of thing and it always ends up looking really ugly, but I might give it a try anyway.

I wonder if anyone on here has tried the Streamzap remote? As this looks similar to the Hauppauge one but a lot cheaper...

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#410669 29-Nov-2010 13:01

I had my Hauppauge remote controlling the basics for most programs (play, rewind, volume, close program etc)
Just add the programs and commands to the irremote.ini file
Took about 30mins to get it setup, but worked ok. Instructions are on Hauppauge's site.
now use the iMon setup in my case tho.

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Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#410746 29-Nov-2010 15:58

leemarrett: I wonder if anyone on here has tried the Streamzap remote? As this looks similar to the Hauppauge one but a lot cheaper...

You may be looking at a different product, because looking at PriceSpy the Streamzap seems to be almost double the price of the Hauppauge.

leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#410756 29-Nov-2010 16:18

how very strange! when i went looking at prices the other night, i swear the hauppauge one was more expensive....

vinnieg

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#410772 29-Nov-2010 16:54

I got an HP WMC edition remote and receiver off Ebay for about $24, but use my Harmony 785 to control it...works well :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Regs

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Snowflake

#410956 30-Nov-2010 00:44

if you have to power on several devices - tv, amp, htpc - then you really do get value out of a harmony (or other similar remote). the harmony remotes will usually replace any MCE remote, so you just need the receiver part with a cheap remote if you're going to get one

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leemarrett

51 posts

Master Geek

#411006 30-Nov-2010 08:53

Most definitely. I couldn't recommend the Harmony series more. I've had several over the years and they're brilliant. I'm currrently using one to control the Xbox360 I'm using as an extender before I get all the parts for the dedicated HTPC.