My 10' Interface is finally complete

[Nick Burns]

I hope I'm using that term correctly.

I recently bought the wife a new PC: HP Pavilion a6560t Quad-Core 2.5GHz Desktop.

It came preloaded with Windows Vista Home Premium and an internal TV capture card with Remote and Receiver.

I upgraded the PC to Windows XP SP3, and appropriated the Receiver and Remote as she will not be using these items. My HTPC read the Receiver as an eHome Infrared Receiver as noted in this thread.

I was able to successfully put the PC in standby AND wake the machine. Also, I believe I stated before that when BTV wakes the PC, it doesn't refresh the video, causing me to have to hit a key on my remote keyboard or move the mouse. With the remote, I can just push the green MCE button which just sends a Key Press to the PC without actually running any commands.

With that done, I was able to add a Microsoft MCE device to my Harmony remote and now I can do everything I need to with just that remote.

[Zaap]

Shucks, for a second there I though you had invented some new HTPC software with a kick ass user interface!

Nice that you were able to get everything working with just one remote.

I haven't stepped up to a Logitech yet, but for my living room setup, I'm still happy with my dirt cheap Philips learning remote trained to use the Firefly Mini and converted to RF, as I once ranted about here.

Since that post, I split the IR bulb send from the RF converter, and ran a 50ft headphone jack extension to my surround sound unit in another cabinet. Now my one remote controls two banks of AV devices over 50ft from each other, and none of them in sight. I love the 'home automation' feel of it.

[Zogg]

Nick, I'm about to try the same thing with a Dell MCE IR receiver I got from Ebay. I was also given a Fusion MCE remote so I'm hoping that will work, otherwise I'll have to pick up a remote as well.

Did your HTPC automatically load the eHome driver or did you have to grab one from somewhere?

Thanks,
Z

[Nick Burns]

Originally Posted by Zogg

Nick, I'm about to try the same thing with a Dell MCE IR receiver I got from Ebay. I was also given a Fusion MCE remote so I'm hoping that will work, otherwise I'll have to pick up a remote as well.

Did your HTPC automatically load the eHome driver or did you have to grab one from somewhere?

Thanks,
Z

Windows recognizes it as the eHome Infrared Transceiver, but fails to load a driver. When installing, do it manually and use the option to select from a list of devices. Then select Universal Serial Bus Device. It will then install the devices I have listed in my original thread concerning this unit.

[Nick Burns]

Now my BTV Link is complete... I found the same IR receiver that came with the wife's PC at Amazon for $14. Found the correct drivers and now I have a single Harmony remote to Resume from S3 and power the TV and Link.

Hooray!

[Zogg]

I might grab one for the bedroom Link box I'm going to build. Thanks for the tip.

Looks like there are some on Ebay as well, including some with the remote.

[Nick Burns]

Originally Posted by Zogg

I might grab one for the bedroom Link box I'm going to build. Thanks for the tip.

Looks like there are some on Ebay as well, including some with the remote.

What's amusing to me is that when I ordered it, the company actually sent me the REMOTE! Of course, when I pointed out their mistake and told them I would be happy to send it back (at their expense) they only responded by sending out the receiver.