IR Receiver Suggestion Needed

VGLance · Post by **VGLance** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 2:29 pm

Hello, I'm new to everything, from this forum to building an HTPC (but not building computers), so please be gentle. I tried the search button, but search functions in forums never work for me. I figured something as simple as putting 'rc6 ir receiver' in the search string would return results, but it didn't.

Basically I'm building a windows 7 HTPC+DVR running WMC with HD Homerun Prime for whole home video network and looking for a remote / IR receiver for the living room that can run the HTPC and all my other components (all relatively new and brand names).

I am not yet set on a remote, I've been pointed to Harmony and One-for-All remotes and even cheap $15 RCA remotes. I've seen JP1 and JP1.3 tossed around but don't know the difference or what I should make sure I get for compatibility.

The HTPC is going to be state-of-the-art with the brand new AMD trinity chip and the asus F2A85-V+PRO. So I should have all the latest and greatest tech at my fingertips.

I just want a remote that is sturdy (won't crap out if dropped a couple times on a tile floor), can run all my components, and do that special thing where it controls all the critically important functions of each unit like volume control without having to switch between modes. Forgot the term for that.

It seems there are a lot of remotes that can do what I need, some more appealing than others like buttons that aren't too small and whatnot, but what about the IR Receiver? What should I be looking for to be able to control the HTPC and WMC? I'll have a wireless keyboard/trackpad combo for web surfing so the remote doesn't need to have full keyboard functionality.

Oh, and fast response time is important to me too. I hear some remotes for some reason are faster when cycling through repetitive key strokes like guide surfing.

Any advice for this noob would be greatly appreciated and I'll certainly pay the knowledge forward.

Thanks.

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 3:54 pm

I don't know if 'rc6 ir receiver' is the best search term, but when I ran it I got 453 results.

VGLance wrote:and do that special thing where it controls all the critically important functions of each unit like volume control without having to switch between modes. Forgot the term for that.

The term you are looking for is "punch thru" where the main buttons might control your DVD player but the volume buttons still control your stereo, that sort of thing. You will also want "macros" that execute a series of steps.

The company that makes JP1 remotes (Universal Electronics, Inc) has changed the platform several times. The original remotes, which we simply call "JP1" or "JP1 (EEPROM)" were all EEPROM based. The original JP1 cables supported these. Then they switched to Flash based remotes, this is where the JP1.x label came in as the first of these were JP1.1 (which used SST chips) then there was JP1.2 (which used HCS08 chips) and then JP1.3 (which use S3F8 chips). JP1.1 remotes were very short lived and were limited to a few early Comcast models, so that type is completely obsolete. All current JP1.x cables support JP1.2 and JP1.3 type remotes, and that covers most of the JP1 remotes on the market today.

Since then UEI has changed to a completely different platform. The first of these new remotes were called JP1.4 but then they changed the label to JP2. And even though this platform required a complete re-write of much of the JP1 software, the good news is that you can still use a JP1.x cable with them.

So, bottom line, if you get a JP1.x flash based cable, it should work with any JP1 remote that you are likely to buy.

As for getting a remote to control the PC, there are tons of really cheap remote/dongle combos on ebay for under $10. Any one of them will probably do. Keep in mind that you will never use the actual remote, because once you've programmed it into your universal remote, you can put it in a drawer, so don't worry if the remote isn't well designed.

Dilligaf · Post by **Dilligaf** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:45 pm

I personally would recommend a true MCE remote using the RC6 protocol, there are thousands on e-bay. If the remote says it has mouse controls it is NOT a true MCE remote. Check out this quick search http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=rc6 ... &_from=R40

As far as the remote goes I have Harmonys and JP1 remotes, the harmonys sit in a drawer collecting dust. They aren't bad but I can't stand not having real buttons. Another downside is we have his, hers and kids remotes so there's never any fighting about who gets it. at under $15 a piece it's easy to justify. I could not use multiple Harmony remotes at any cost as as soon as one performed an action it will put the others "out of sync" where they don't know the state of the devices they control

VGLance · Post by **VGLance** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:54 am

I figured out why my search came up empty. I hit the search link at the top of the page and put the text in the available text box but didn't realize it was a search by author.

I've decided against all logitech harmony remotes because the reviews are horrible when it comes to battery issues, charging problems, build quality and customer service.

I don't mind getting a simple looking remote if it's got the following features/functions:

Solid weight and feel
Durable
Very fast response time especially when it comes to cycling through the guide (I heard the harmony remotes are horrible on this because of an internal delay)
Relatively easy to program, especially configuring 'punch through' and activities (don't necessarily need macros).
Not only controls WMC on the HTPC but all the other AV devices (Room for about 5 others)
Backlit preferable
Sold factory new in sealed packaging (and preferably not on eBay, I'm not comfortable buying even new things on ebay after seeing lots of people complain that what they thought was new, clearly wasn't)
Does not have to have RF functionality

VGLance · Post by **VGLance** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:24 pm

I found this which I think it'll do everything I need for the time being until I can find a better quality JP1 remote:

http://www.amazon.com/URC-Universal-Con ... B001KC08A4

The reviews seem light years better than the harmony remotes and man, what a price! Am I missing something?

I know it doesn't do JP1, and I love the idea of plugging a remote into the PC to do some advanced programming, but that's only if I need it because of the complexity of my home theater setup and the inability for learning remotes to do what I need.

All the components in my home theater are bought in the last year or so and all brand names. Samsung, Harmon, Panasonic, Sony...

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:09 pm

I cannot recommend a non-JP1 remote. Regardless of whatever they promise you can do with other remotes, nothing comes close to what you can do with JP1.

Try this one instead: RCA RCRP05B
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140750146120 ($9.99 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028IKXLS/ ($13.59 new

)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052RP9K2/ (used for $8.24 shipped)

Post by **vickyg2003** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:09 pm

I'm a JP1 addict. I love my JP1 remotes. They are sturdy and customizable. I got into the JP1 thing because my husband kept destrying our OEM remotes. I've been working with the JP1 remotes for 10 years, and they have all held up to his killer squeeze and temper tantrums (he likes to throw things when his team gets a bad call). All in all UEI makes a nice remote.

I don't think I could ever go back to using a regular old universal remote.

Even without the JP1 UEI remotes are really nice. With JP1 its beyond compare.

VGLance · Post by **VGLance** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:15 pm

Ok, well at this price point, if it can do everything I need, who can argue with it?

How do you acquire that special cable that connects the remote to the computer and what software do I use to program all my devices into it?

For this remote that is:

RCA RCRP05BR

VGLance · Post by **VGLance** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:40 am

This what I need?

http://www.diygadget.com/jp1-1-1-1-2-1- ... motes.html

Post by **vickyg2003** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:21 am

Yes you need a JP1.3 FLASH cable. DIY or TommyTyler provide them.

Post by **The Robman** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 8:40 am

Tommy make the best cables, but his store is closed until November as one of the chips that he uses is on backorder, so if you need something now, DIY is the way to go, and yes, that's the right cable.

The software can all be downloaded for free from this site. Check out the wiki for a general description of how everything works.