There are a few ways to go about getting a remote control to work with MythTV.
- Build or buy an infrared reciever and purchase a universal remote to go with it.
- Purchase an IR wireless keyboard and a learning remote that can learn and replicate the signals sent my key presses.
- Purchase a TV Tuner card that includes a remote control
- Purchase a remote and receiver combination that is intended for use with PCs
The advantage of building your own receiver is that it is potentially easier to end up with something that can be embedded in your case, since you are building it custom. The downside is, well, you are building it custom. I'm not one for making my own circuit boards and such.
The wireless keyboard with learning remote is most interesting (to me) from a technical standpoint, partly because you can still use the wireless keyboard, which is certainly nice for added flexibility. The bad part is price and confusion. It's more expensive because you obviously need to buy a wireless keyboard that otherwise would not be needed. The confusion comes in when you try to match remotes to the wireless keyboard. Many people who take this route end up with remotes that can't work with all the keyboard infrared frequencies. This is less of a problem when you get a higher end learning remote which bumps the price tag up.
This silent MythTV Set-top Box I'm building will not contain a TV Tuner, so that option's out.
The PC remote option is what at first I thought was going to be one of the more expensive options. After looking into all three of these options I decided that really it was one of the more cost effective choices. I was able to get a StreamZap USB remote and receiver for about $30. You can't build your own IR receiver and get a decent remote to go with it for that price. The StreamZap is what I decided to go with, and I'm very happy with the decision.
Update: Read my StreamZap Review.
Build a Silent MythTV Frontend
Hardware:
- Requirements
- Base System
- Disk
- Remote Control Options
- Hardware List
Software:
