PVRwire pointed out a post showcasing alleged pics of the new Vista flavored Media Center Remote design, which apparently has been tweaked signifigantly from the previously leaked photos of a remote that was a white xbox360-esque version.

Remote 2 Key 0.4 has been released, and includes beta support for the IR Trans receiver. IR Trans is the second receiver to be supported by Remote 2 Key, the first being USB-UIRT.

Remote 2 Key allows you to control your computer with a remote control. It converts IR signals from your remote control into simulated key strokes directed at an application of your choice, using customizable mapping files. It's similar in concept to Girder, although does not have so many features and is less complex. Remote 2 Key can be used to control your PVR application if it lacks support for the USB-UIRT or IR Trans receivers.

Try it out at remote2key.sourceforge.net

Mark from CommandIR passed this along: "Thanks to a successful Beta testing group, in part with the BYOPVR.com community, we're releasing CommandIR Mini - the new multi-IR blaster for Linux-based PVR's. The CommandIR Mini works with LIRC to simplify the control of multiple set top boxes - even when they are identical and would normally interfere - because each device gets its own independently controlled micro IR-emitter! We hope it will be very useful to DIY Linux users with PVRs and general AV automation. "

The cost is $149 CDN + Micro emitters, but the BYOPVR $40 discount will reduce it. NOTE: (place for 'BYOPVR' coupon entering is on 2nd page)

Previous byopvr coverage of the CommandIR mini IR blaster CommandIR Support site for questions & support

Control your PVR with Remote 2 Key It's similar in concept to Girder, it's free and it's open source.

Remote 2 Key allows you to control your computer with a remote control. It converts IR signals from your remote control into key strokes using customizable mapping files. It's similar in concept to Girder. Remote 2 Key can be used to control your PVR application if it lacks support for the USB-UIRT receiver.

To use this software, you need an infrared receiver connected to your computer to pick up the signals from your remote control. Remote 2 Key currently supports the USB-UIRT receiver, available from www.usbuirt.com. Receivers are implemented in a "pluggable" fasion, so it's easy for software developers to add support for other receivers.

Learn more at remote2key.sourceforge.net
Note: rampy--> love to see exciting new open source projects catering to the needs of the HTPC/DIY PVR community!

Matt at Innovation One has developed a USB IR transceiver that makes using multiple cable & sat boxes with MythTV much easier and more reliable (they are based in Canada, fwiw). They are seeking a few more Beta testers before they finalize the CommandIR - and were looking to see if any BYOPVR Canadian users was interested.

They do charge a nominal (below their cost) fee for the units, but if you're interested in helping with the testing and have mulitple set top boxes to control and/or want a better way to consolidate your IR receiving/blasting this seems like a good product to check out!

See the COMMANDIR IR Blaster/receiver control product page and the CommandIR BETA Tech Preview information page. See also the CommandIR Beta Forum post

Have no idea what an IR Blaster is? Check the BYOPVR Wiki!

LIRC PVR-150 IR blaster support via this post in our forum linking to Mark's mailing list post (got that?!)

"I have a basic driver that appears to make this work, based on I2C captures from the Hauppauge windows software. I will say right now that I have no idea how the hardware actually works — various people have made suggestions but it was not enough for me to figure it out (search the ivtv-devel list on “cheapi2c/lmilk” for more information)."

It's a good first step to getting the hauppauge wintv PVR 150 IR blaster working in linux/mythtv!