Linux (Ubuntu) IR remote?

MCE USB receiver. Cheap and works well with lirc.

I hear you. I've got tons of remotes. and it's easy to make any remote work. The problem is the receiver. I's like to get one off ebay that will plug right into the front usb port. The problem is drivers for them. Are there any? I hate to even contribute anything to anything MS and I sure don't want any more useless remotes filling my remote box when I always use a universal learning remote. So if you find a cheap USB receiver that works, let me know. And by cheap I mean many of the ones you can pick up on ebay for under $5. Or if you can find someone that can write drivers for them, I'll buy them one of each. Right now, I'm using serial port receivers that cost $5 each, but they're wired and many boards don't have serial ports any longer. besides, I want one without a cable that will plug right into the front usb port.

I don't know anything about XBMC, but I have Ubuntu with a Silverstone LC-11M and both VFD and IR work. My Harmony has some trouble duplicating the codes, but that's the Harmony's issue really.

Many of the tuner cards have remotes supported by Linux; if yours does that'll save you a part.

Not all USB MCE remotes work with LIRC (the IR remote package on linux). In particular, those that say "Vista" on them do not work. It's due to the fact that they are HID USB devices so they look like a keyboard/mouse combo to linux. Best I can tell there is no way to plug them into LIRC.

What you want are MCE Remotes that say RC6 on them (usually on the back and not visible through the packaging). That doesn't stand for release candidate 6 but rather it's the name of the Philips protocol. The bad ones have a row of 4 color buttons across the center of the remote. and yes, this really about the dongles, not the hand held unit but they are seldom sold separately.

Here is a list of supported devices. Scroll down to see the list. Many are no longer sold, though. http://www.lirc.org/

I've found them on ebay but there are also lots of the Vista remotes there so be cautious. The bad ones have a row of 4 color buttons across the center of the remote. Unfortunately, it looks like the good ones also say "vista" on them so good luck. I did find a streamzap remote at Frys that can be set up to work with LIRC a few months back. I got the last one and haven't seen them since, though. I actually like it better than the MCE remotes.

By the way, if you have LIRC already installed on linux, you will need to reconfigure it for the new remote. For debian systems (like ubuntu) use the following command in a terminal window:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lirc
and it will allow you to select the new remote. Be sure to reboot afterwards to clean out what ever remote was previously selected.

LIRC can use keyboards through the /dev/event driver. This should work for remotes which look like keyboards as well, but I admit I haven't tried it.

I bought 5 HP usb receivers off ebay. Sure hope they work. Supposedly MCE compatible.