[nmglug] a couple of a/v questions: video remote control, and audio flexibility

[Sam Noble]

On Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 03:02:34PM -0600, Mark Galassi wrote:
> I have no interest in TV applications, although I guess the
> remote control is the same.

Yeah it is.
 
> So my real problem with the http://www.lirc.org/ web site is that they
> talk about infra red receivers and remotes as if they were separate
> things, but I want both the usb dongle and the actual remote control and
> I was hoping to not have to study the issue.
> Or are they saying that I could just use any old stereo remote and
> program the computer to respond to it? 

Again yes.

> I guess I'd prefer to buy a
> pair, but the web site confuses me -- I think they assume that everyone
> knows what remotes are IR and which are not.  I know how to model the
> passage of infra-red radiation through matter, but not how to tell if a
> remote that's floating is IR or something else.

Yeah I don't think it's an issue, anything you buy or find (assuming you
don't shop at Ed G's Black Hole) is going to be IR.

> Finally: there are way too many supported ones and I feel lost.  I'd
> love for someone to tell me "just get this cheap one",

I'd be open for that too.