So, where can I get a suitable/compatible IR receiver?
#1
Greetings,

I just found out about XBMC in the past few days. (I never knew it even existed until about three days ago.)

Since then, I have been eagerly attempting to try it out, to the maximum extent possible, given the limitations of the hardware I have on hand.

I'll post a number of comments, observations and (maybe) a few bug reports later on, but at the moment, I just have one all-important and overriding question: Given that I am running the Linux version of XBMC (specifically XBMCbuntu) on my trusty old laptop, AND that I already have in hand a Logitech Harmony i300 remote, how and where can I obtain (for a minimal price) _just_ a suitable and compatible USB IR receiver that will work with both XBMCbuntu and the Harmony i300?

I have already perused this page:

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Rem...ol_reviews

and I have noted that it is suggested to purchase an "Unbranded MCE remote" (and then, presumably, just throw the remote itself away), but I have two problems with that: First and foremost, I have been unable to find anything on eBay that looks at all like the thing pictured on the above page, and secondly, it really does seem rather wasteful (of both material and money) to buy a whole remote+receiver just to get the receiver.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I am eager to get a working remote so that I can really find out what XBMC can do.
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#2
Hard to go wrong with Flirc (wiki).
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#3
``Ships in two weeks'' !?!?

I admire the fact that this guy gives a portion of the proceeds to charity, but ah.... TWO EFFING WEEKS?!?

What should I use until then? Telepathy?

(I'd really prefer to get something from Amazon or eBay that I can have in my hands in two days, rather than two weeks.)
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#4
Well, THAT was tough...

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Control-In...ywords=mce

http://www.amazon.com/HP-Infrared-Receiv...ywords=mce

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Microsoft-...ywords=mce

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6823166095

I use a generic MCE remote and receiver gotten from eBay but many of the remotes I see there now emulate mouse and appear to have RF vs IRDA which I think is less reliable with lirc. PS3 controllers and bluetooth work, Wii controllers, lots of options...

Edit: Hrm more on eBay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-PC-Remo...416c1338a8
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-HP-USB-M...43b40e15c0

W/keyboard! -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Keyboa...19d5a9cfc8
Openelec Gotham, MCE remote(s), Intel i3 NUC, DVDs fed from unRAID cataloged by DVD Profiler. HD-DVD encoded with Handbrake to x.264. Yamaha receiver(s)
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#5
(2012-10-03, 05:14)ronbaby-x Wrote: ``Ships in two weeks'' !?!?

I admire the fact that this guy gives a portion of the proceeds to charity, but ah.... TWO EFFING WEEKS?!?

What should I use until then? Telepathy?

(I'd really prefer to get something from Amazon or eBay that I can have in my hands in two days, rather than two weeks.)

Enjoy your IR receiver headaches. I wouldn't trade my Flirc in for the world.
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#6
With an Android smart phone you may also consider the XBMC Remote program on Google Play.
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#7
(2012-10-03, 05:14)ronbaby-x Wrote: What should I use until then? Telepathy?
No need for telepathy. If you have a spare wireless USB keyboard, you can use that in the interim until your remote control (whichever option you choose) arrives.
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#8
(2012-10-03, 05:14)ronbaby-x Wrote: ``Ships in two weeks'' !?!?

I admire the fact that this guy gives a portion of the proceeds to charity, but ah.... TWO EFFING WEEKS?!?

What should I use until then? Telepathy?

(I'd really prefer to get something from Amazon or eBay that I can have in my hands in two days, rather than two weeks.)

That says more about your patience than anything else.
I ordered parts on eBay that will take a month to get here.
We should all be happy that some one made this and really who cares if it takes a bit longer if it works like it should.
Read/follow the forum rules.
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#9
(2012-10-03, 06:06)thd042 Wrote: With an Android smart phone you may also consider the XBMC Remote program on Google Play.

The official XBMC remote in the iPhone App Store works very nice as well.
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#10
I just wanted to thank everybody for the replies. All have been helpful and enlightening.

I do suspect that I'm going to go with the $15.98 one (Adesso?) that's on Amazon. That seems to be the cheapest thing that I can get in short order. (I could perhaps snag something else on eBay that would work just as well, but I would only save a buck or two and with my luck the seller would be on the East Coast, meaning at least another 5 days delay. With Amazon, at least, I can be pretty sure that I'll have it day after tomorrow.)

In response to Martijn... yes. I'm impatient. Guilty as charged.

But seriously, if the guy selling those (rather unique, if a little pricey) IR receivers is located in the U.S... which it appears that he is...then why should it take two weeks for him to ship one? I mean what is he doing? Hand-crafting each one, only as the orders arrive?
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#11
My best guess is that he says two weeks to be safe. He probably gets them made in batches and could replenish his stock within two weeks.
So if he has them in stock you can have them way sooner.
My experience is better say two weeks and deliver in two days than say two days and deliver in two weeks
Read/follow the forum rules.
For troubleshooting and bug reporting, read this first
Interested in seeing some YouTube videos about Kodi? Go here and subscribe
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#12
I ordered 10 Flircs to be delivered to the UK (Flirc/Jason is based in the States) and they arrived in 4 days!!
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So, where can I get a suitable/compatible IR receiver?0