Few questions about Microsoft MCE remote and Snapstream Mini

[shaurya]

Hello,

I have some newbie questions-

1. Can I use multiple MCE Remote with 1 HTPC running different applicaton. Eg- Remote 1 mapped to Meedio Instance 1 and Remote 2 Mapped to Meedio Instance 2.
2. Can the same as above be done with Snapstream Firefly Mini.
3. I read in the supported hardware that MCE remote is not supported completely. Receiving works but transmitting don't. Is it correct.
4. Not considering Price, which one should I choose based on compatibilty and ease of use. (I am planning to buy USB-URIT as well)

Regards, Shaurya

[Bitmonster]

1. No.
2. No. The only remotes I know of, that can have different IDs, so you can distinguish between multiple same models, are the X10 based remotes.
3. Yes.
4. X10 based ones, like the ATI Remote Wonder or Firefly (Full). Using an RF remote in combination with the USB-UIRT has many benefits, because you can use transmitting IR and sending RF simultaneous without interference.

[shaurya]

Thank you Sir.
I don't want to use RF remote as I am planning to put a complete IR infrastructure. Further, all my equipments will be hiding far away in closet. Any sugguestion for a IR remote.

Somwehre in Snapstream's forum I read that you can have different channel ID in each remote and eventghost/girder can then be used to route the IR commands accordingly...

Please advise...Regards, Shaurya

[Bitmonster]

Somwehre in Snapstream's forum I read that you can have different channel ID in each remote and eventghost/girder can then be used to route the IR commands accordingly...

AFAIK, this is only true for the big Firefly, as it is an RF-X10 device. The Firefly mini is an HID-based remote and doesn't support IDs. And nearly every HID remote is additionally limited, because many buttons work as keyboard buttons and can therefore not freely be used inside EG or other automation software. In my eyes the Firefly mini is really not a good deal.

Alternative:
Get some universal learning remotes and program them to use different IR protocols. Then you can use them through the USB-UIRT (but simultaneous transmitting through the USB-UIRT will not work).
But again you need to place the receiver (USB-UIRT) in the line of sight and it must be connected through USB. So the PC can't be far away. So I don't see any benefit in using IR instead of RF.

The only benefit of an IR remote can be, that you can use it as an universal remote. But this isn't true for the Firefly mini, MCE remote or Streamzap.

[shaurya]

Thanks again. Great Answer.

I am planning to use those low cost IR flashers/Repeater with USB-URIT. So my IR infrastructure will just repeat/flash (sticked to USB-URIT) IR commands to USB-URIT. Doable???

So based on what I read/comprehend, I can use those cheap ($10-$10) Universal learning remots such as "One for All" etc...Right?
Regards, Shaurya

[Bitmonster]

Might work, but I have never tried these extenders.

[CollinR]

You can use your IR distribution with an RF remote, EventGhost will act as a transcoder between the FireFly and the USBUIRT.

Thats what I do anyway, I hope I never have to use another IR remote again!