IRMan - Anyone bought and used one lately?

[steingra]

Im looking into a cheap way to control sagetv (and maybe other apps) on the DELL 600m laptop. For fun and business, using a remote control. Seems like IRman is pretty affordable, even with a small remote.

I didnt see a lot of recent information about it here, so I thought maybe I should consider something else like a USB-UIRT. I am already using that on a pc that is running a SageTV Client.

But I definately use laptop a lot, in different rooms, for playing movies and music library, and having a remote to control SageTV (and maybe WInamp) would be real nice.

[mayamaniac]

What software does it use to map the buttons to your PC apps?

Alternative is to get the MCE Remote and Girder. I think thats the best choice for the price.

[olyar15]

I used to use the IRMan, until the newer motherboards no longer came with serial ports. Worked fine in Girder. I never tried the software that came with it, though, just Girder.

[byremote]

If you have a COM port and only want to process incoming IR commands, then IRMan is a good option. You could though probably get the MCE package for about the same price and this is a better option IMOH.

To save a few more $$$, you can use both Hip instead of Girder

[steingra]

Originally Posted by byremote

If you have a COM port and only want to process incoming IR commands, then IRMan is a good option. You could though probably get the MCE package for about the same price and this is a better option IMOH.

To save a few more $$$, you can use both Hip instead of Girder

WOW, that Hip looks nice. Yet another thing to try out. I imagine you must use it? If so, can you elaborate on it a little?

PS Laptop does have a serial port on it still. Believe it or not.

[robertmcox]

I've been using the IRMan for about 2 years now. Works great, no software to install, no configuration necessary, just tell Sage you have one.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by robertmcox

I've been using the IRMan for about 2 years now. Works great, no software to install, no configuration necessary, just tell Sage you have one.

thats what I wanted to hear

Did yu get the remote with it, or else how do you send commands to it? Just curious.

I have an MX-500, so I suppose I can just program it to talk to SageTV client. Although I do have 2 hauppauge 45 key remotes, that I have floating around in the house. So I could use one of those too. Or maybe just buy another one to keep with the laptop.

Since I am thinking I would like to control other applications using that free HIP program, maybe using the MX-500 would be the best option. I have'nt done enough research yet on this to know for sure.

[stevech]

I've used an IRman for a long time.
I have my own software for it, but it's supported in several programs such as GIRDR.

I take the living room TV IR and send it over the TV coax using an IR-to-RG6-signal converter (cheap), then out to the garage where the PC is, and back to IR, and that emitter shines on the IrMan that's connected to the PC.

[folly12345]

I also have used the irman for almost 2 years on my living room client machine. As far as ir codes I use a pronto so I just loaded a device that I do not own (sony vcr) and used the ir codes from that. Sage will readily learn the codes you wish to associate with each function for the irman. If you have a serial port (or are not opposed to using a usb to serial adaptor) and do not need the usb - uirt ir blaster it is a excellent piece of equipment.