looking for a IR receiver for Windows XP/WHS

[Homerboy]

I need a XP IR receiver module (USB most likely) that will work in Windows XP and/or WHS and a Harmony remote

I have a VIsta/Win7 compatible IR but XP/WHS can not detect it. I've tried a pile of dirver hacks but its just not working.

Apparently these XP based ones are hard to come by?

 

[vi edit]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MCE-TOSHIBA-REM...in7-VISTA-/330422810850?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

That works with MC2005...so maybe XP?

 

[Auric]

oops

 

[Auric]

Yeah, any genuine RC6 MCE receiver from an OEM (Toshiba, HP, Dell, &c.) should work.

I got a Dell kit but just use the receiver with my AVR remote (entered pre-programmed MCE code).

 

[Bullhonkie]

I recently bought an HP media center IR receiver off ebay to use with a Harmony remote that works fine with an XP box running XBMC. There were several around $10 shipped at the time I was looking.

 

[Homerboy]

bah! I dont even know if the XP remote will work in WHS itself. This SUCKS.
All my plans shot to hell.

 

[Auric]

Perhaps an intermediate proggy could be used (maybe even with the gear you've got) such as EventGhost, HIP, Intelliremote, LMRemoteKeyMap, ...

 

[Homerboy]

Perhaps an intermediate proggy could be used (maybe even with the gear you've got) such as EventGhost, HIP, Intelliremote, LMRemoteKeyMap, ...

The OS wont install the IR receiver though. That's the problem.
Eventghost etc would still need to "See" the IR and translate the signals.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Wirel.../dp/B003OUQ1E2 may work though

 

[Auric]

Ah so. Which receiver do you have? I was expecting to have to h4x0r an INF or such when installing the Dell OEM for XP (non-MCE) but it just worked for XBMC and MPC-HC and likewise with W7.

 

[Homerboy]

Ah so. Which receiver do you have? I was expecting to have to h4x0r an INF or such when installing the Dell OEM for XP (non-MCE) but it just worked for XBMC and MPC-HC and likewise with W7.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880121003

worked perfectly awesome with XBMC on Win7.
Sadly WHS just can't install the IR receiver.

 

[poofyhairguy]

That is why you need a dedicated HTPC frontend. Stop trying to turn WHS into a HTPC- that is just a path of pain....

 

[kalrith]

I use the Dell OVU4003/00 IR receiver. I used it with Windows XP Home, MediaPortal, and my Harmony remote for several months and never had any problems with it. I now use it with Win7 MCE.

 

[Homerboy]

I use the Dell OVU4003/00 IR receiver. I used it with Windows XP Home, MediaPortal, and my Harmony remote for several months and never had any problems with it. I now use it with Win7 MCE.

Interesting. I'm wondering if even an XP receiver would work in WHS... I can't seem to get confirmation on this anywhere.

(funny that item you pasted is actually an HP unit per the label on the top of the receiver )

 

[Modelworks]

This receiver will work with any OS and most of the time doesn't require a driver. It appears as a serial port to windows. It can also read almost every remote code as well as send codes.

http://dangerousprototypes.com/2010/01/29/prototype-usb-infrared-remote-control-receivertransmitter/

Order site:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/usb-infraed-toy-p-607.html?cPath=61_68

 

[Homerboy]

This receiver will work with any OS and most of the time doesn't require a driver. It appears as a serial port to windows. It can also read almost every remote code as well as send codes.

http://dangerousprototypes.com/2010/01/29/prototype-usb-infrared-remote-control-receivertransmitter/

Order site:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/usb-infraed-toy-p-607.html?cPath=61_68

Hmmm very interesting. So it connects via USB but will be detected (and installed) as a serial device?

 

[kalrith]

Interesting. I'm wondering if even an XP receiver would work in WHS... I can't seem to get confirmation on this anywhere.

(funny that item you pasted is actually an HP unit per the label on the top of the receiver )

I'm not sure about it working in WHS.

I thought that interesting too. FWIW, I ordered from a different seller who doesn't carry the receiver any more.

 

[Modelworks]

Hmmm very interesting. So it connects via USB but will be detected (and installed) as a serial device?

Yes.
It uses a chip from FTDI that is actually a USB to serial port converter so that is what windows thinks it is. Then you can use any software, eventghost, or whatever to convert the text it sends to commands on the pc. All you have to do to access the device is open a com port in a terminal app or the com port plugin in event ghost which is what I use. Simple text commands make it so you can always use it with any OS or application. It just sends the raw data to eventghost . So when I press a button it sends AF AF AF 80 80 81 , the code for that button, then I just use match that string in eventghost for the button.


FTDI driver page of supported OS. Most OS include it by default.
http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

I don't think there is an OS they don't support.

 

[Homerboy]

I think I may just end up getting a mini KB/trackpad.
Like:
http://efo.buy-lowest.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=180

 

[kalrith]

I know it's more expensive, but I love my diNovo Mini. It goes for about $80 when it goes on sale. It also has a remote mode that's supposed to make it work with front-end software much better than just a keyboard and mouse. I don't use the remote mode, because I use my Harmony remote for the remote functions.

 

[Homerboy]

I know it's more expensive, but I love my diNovo Mini. It goes for about $80 when it goes on sale. It also has a remote mode that's supposed to make it work with front-end software much better than just a keyboard and mouse. I don't use the remote mode, because I use my Harmony remote for the remote functions.

yeah I've looked at/considered those too.
The real rub here is that I have a already-programmed Harmony too that works flawlessly with my TV, XBMC, and Uverse. It was sending to the IR receiver I had on my old XBMC setup. So I wanted to use the same idea (Harmony can be prgrammed to send KB strokes, so it can do anything XBMC needs it to). But with no IR pickup now, I'm kinda screwed.

Super screwed in fact that the USB port in the Harmony is broken off (thanks kids!) so I cant even reporgam to use on a different TV in my house