Which MCE Remote/Blaster & How to switch on an Amp?

[kit2]

Hi guys,

I wanted to step up configuration and have my HTPC power on my Amp. Its an old Amp, so I far as I can tell, it can only be switched on by remote or by pressing the power button.

So, my two questions are,

1) Can I use this MCE remote & Blaster (from Ebay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261128239948? ... 1438.l2649), with EG, to send a IR signal from my HTPC to the Amp to power it on. I've read that some buttons on a MCE remote can be reprogrammed, but coming to my second question.

2) Can EG be configured to send an IR signal e.g power on AMP, when an application e.g XBMC or Windows itself, is started? without having to press any buttons on the MCE remote?

My goal here is, that I can currently wake up my HTPC through XBMC remote on Android, through WOL, whilst being in another room. But I can't switch on my Amp through Android, unless I invest £50+ for something to switch on the AMP. The MCE remote & Blaster is less then £15, so would be ideal to control the HTPC and if possibly, power on the AMP.

Thanks guys,

Kit

[kkl]

1) Can I use this MCE remote & Blaster (from Ebay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261128239948? ... 1438.l2649), with EG, to send a IR signal from my HTPC to the Amp to power it on. I've read that some buttons on a MCE remote can be reprogrammed, but coming to my second question.

Probably. I've successfully used a different style receiver like this, but don't see why the Lenovo wouldn't work. The MCE remote buttons themselves are not re-programmed. The EG plug-in intercepts IR signals received by the MCE receiver and you can program what actions EG takes. The MCE receiver can accept any standard IR signal, not just from an MCE remote. You can then choose what action to take based on the signal received (event).

2) Can EG be configured to send an IR signal e.g power on AMP, when an application e.g XBMC or Windows itself, is started? without having to press any buttons on the MCE remote?

Probably. I haven't used the XBMC2 plug-in myself, but it appears to trigger EG events. You would use the MCE plug-in to learn the Power On signal for your amp. When EG receives the right event from XBMC2 plug-in, you could then "blast" your amp's Power On IR signal. Again, I haven't used XBMC myself, so take my advice on this with a grain of salt.

[kit2]

OK, I'll give this a try,

Thanks mate