Internal IR receiver for HTPC that can Power ON/OFF computer hard like button press?

[iratasan]

[UPDATE] Several threads have been merged into this since this is operating-system independent and applies to both Linux and Windows.

I am thinking about building a HTPC case dedicated for XBMC Media Center.

What hardware mod/mods do I need to power-up the PC via a remote?

[miamiwice]

I installed a relay inside my case and wired it in series with my power button. My alarm for my house has voltage triggers and accepts x10 commands. So when it sees a certain code it triggers 12v for 1 second. The relay gets energized and closes the contact so it like pressing the button. I use the NO side of the relay to my alarm for status so it knows if it's already on. You could do the same with a plug in x10 lamp module and 12 v power supply and 12 v relay if you can get it to energize the relay for no more than 1 second.

[snappz]

I'm using an Antec Fusion case with built in IR. This can be powered up by remote. No extra hardware needed.

[iratasan]

I'm using an Antec Fusion case with built in IR. This can be powered up by remote. No extra hardware needed.

awesome! thanks man, yer a saint. :D

are there other cases out there that can do this? does anybody know a case that does this and is made out of aluminium?

snappz, which model do you have exactly? or is the complete fusion series able to do this?

anybody got an idea if it is possible to powerup via remote with the OrigenAE HTPC Aluminium S16V - silver??

[snappz]

I have the Antec Fusion 430, not sure about the rest of the series but I would ASSUME they do the same.

I also had a MCE303 (http://htpc.mce701.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=33&osCsid=d9b2ae1fb1c61227e78a71bc4786f7cc) that I had powering up at one stage but it isnt at the moment. I guess it should but I dont have access to it atm.

[paularms]

I have a Lian-Li PC-C30I A (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112127) that came with an Imon VFD with Pad remote that has everything needed for it. I love this case, so it's unfortunate that they don't make it anymore--but I'm sure there are better cases for decent prices by now.

[gerryyoung1977]

I have a Lian-Li PC-C30I A (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112127) that came with an Imon VFD with Pad remote that has everything needed for it. I love this case, so it's unfortunate that they don't make it anymore--but I'm sure there are better cases for decent prices by now.

Hi

I use one of these, i have my harmony set-up as a MCE Remote and i use this device, works a treat.

http://www.simerec.com/PCS-2.html - works out about £20 delivered

[paularms]

Hi

I use one of these, i have my harmony set-up as a MCE Remote and i use this device, works a treat.

http://www.simerec.com/PCS-2.html - works out about £20 delivered

That's pretty much the same setup that comes as part of the iMon panel. Works great!

[artik]

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40751&page=2 ;)
The problem is you need to buy big cases, or zalman / antec cases. (not "perfect quility")

If you buy another unit, i found a better solution :P

[dlxmax]

You could buy the XIR Pro kit, originally for the Xbox, at just $20, plus a few bucks for the programmer (necessary to reprogram the power button) and hook it up to power on/off a HTPC. It simply connects to the 3.3v standby power, 3.3v switched power, and the power button.

http://xir.us/xirpro.aspx

[waldo22]

I installed a relay inside my case and wired it in series with my power button. My alarm for my house has voltage triggers and accepts x10 commands. So when it sees a certain code it triggers 12v for 1 second. The relay gets energized and closes the contact so it like pressing the button. I use the NO side of the relay to my alarm for status so it knows if it's already on. You could do the same with a plug in x10 lamp module and 12 v power supply and 12 v relay if you can get it to energize the relay for no more than 1 second.

@miamiwice, did you know that the X-10 "Universal Module" (UM506) is a contact-closure device?

http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_um506.htm

It's what I use to remote control my power button.

No relay required, just wire the momentary contact closure to your power switch on the motherboard.

@everyone else,

I use the XIR for my xbox and it works great. I was going to suggest that as well.

That is probably the best way to do it, as it is just like pressing the power button on your PC when you hit the button on your IR remote.

[oldnemesis]

I have a router machine in the same room, so I set up lirc there as well, attached another IR serial receiver to the router, and when I press "power on" it turns on my media center using Wake-on-LAN :)

[miamiwice]

@miamiwice, did you know that the X-10 "Universal Module" (UM506) is a contact-closure device?

http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_um506.htm

It's what I use to remote control my power button.

No relay required, just wire the momentary contact closure to your power switch on the motherboard.

@everyone else,

I use the XIR for my xbox and it works great. I was going to suggest that as well.

That is probably the best way to do it, as it is just like pressing the power button on your PC when you hit the button on your IR remote.

Yes but my HAI home automation board has relays on it, so i wired it to that so i can turn my pc on from my phone over the internet if im away from home, if i need to VNC into it to do something or see certain files. There are easier out of the box solutions. The relay on my alarm panel turns the pc on and off, and the relay i have off a 12V molex plug inside my pc closes when powers up and is hooked to a zone on my alarm board, so i can see if the computer is on and off (status). That way if i hit the server on button, and it sees its already on, it wont do anything. So i dont have to check everytime if its on or off. I dont want to accidentally turn it on, and the pc already be on, and have it shut down. This is way overkill for most people though.

[miamiwice]

A while back, i was thinking about giving my extra xir to a friend to see if we could get it to turn on his pc. Have you had success with that? And if so, what wire goes where?

[waldo22]

I'm not really sure with the regular xir.

With the "pro" kit, there are only 2 wires, (and the 2 standby wires, so 4 total) and you just splice the wires in with the Power_sw wires.

As far as the regular xbox XIR goes, you'd have to use a continuity tester, I guess.

I've got a few extras in the workshop, I'll try and test it out for you.

Wes

PS If you don't hear from me in a few days, PM me to remind me and I'll post back.

[wstewart]

if your electrically inclined you can build this one:
http://www.engbedded.com/wake-on-lirc

You need to build a programmer but you'll find the software and details here
http://www.lancos.com/prog.html

I've got two different configs. One powers on using the PME signal on a PCI slot, another has a few extra parts and is connected across the power switch. Both use the same code for the microcontroller from the web site.

[MacLeod_1980]

Re-posted full question so removed this version.

[mmorselli]

I have simply connected a cheap (20$) Infrared keyboard, set my bios to "power on PS/2 Mouse o KeyBoard", and learn IR code of keyboard (integrated) mouse button on my programmable remote.

[pasqualz]

All,
I know that this thread may not appear to belong in this forum, but I think many XBMC for Windows users would want the functionality I'm looking for. And maybe someone here already has figured it out!
I'm searching for a way to turn on and off my windows computer with an infrared remote control. I have a Dell Optiplex 755 with Microsoft MCE remote and USB receiver (which work great with XBMC) and I don't see any special settings or software already installed that does this. I'm aware of PC cases that have an IR receiver that can turn on/off a computer, but I'm not going to pull the guts out of my Dell Optiplex just to get this capability. All of my searches for third party hardware to do this have been fruitless. My ideal option would be software that could work with my MCE IR receiver to interpret a specific keypress sequence as a shutdown command. I think the issue is with getting a powered down PC to recognize an IR signal and turn the computer on. I would be equally happy with a piece of hardware that would sit between the PC case power switch and motherboard power header and allow an IR sequence to be interpretted as a power button press. I unfortunately do not have the time to build a DIY device out of a doorbell, like i've seen around. I need an out of the box solution. Any ideas, products or corrections to my assumptions are appreciated. Thank You

[supernoman]

I've used an MCE IR to put my system to standby and wake it up, but never power off and never power on from a powered off state. I'm not sure how it would work since the USB MCE IR is not powered when the system is off.

Best case scenario is wake from Hibernate which has to be supported by the mobo.

If you are looking for powering on from a complete power off state, then MCE IR probably can't do it.

[pasqualz]

Supernoman, how do you configure windows XP to use the MCE remote to go into and come out of hibernate? I'd be okay with that! Thanks!

[feerlessleadr]

Supernoman, how do you configure windows XP to use the MCE remote to go into and come out of hibernate? I'd be okay with that! Thanks!

I am pretty sure that you will first need to look in your BIOS settings to confirm that you can use a USB attached device to wake your computer from ACPI S4 (which is hibernate).

I was wrestling with this problem as well, but I found that putting the computer to sleep works just as well, since the computer looks like it is off (and souds like it is off), and it also enables me to use an MCE receiver to wake the computer up. The only thing you would have to do is have your remote send a command (and I think any command would work) to the MCE receiver to have the computer wake up.

But like I said you need to look in your BIOS settings to see if you can have your computer be woken up from S4 sleep (hibernation) or S3 sleep (just regular sleep or standby).

[supernoman]

Again, hibernate is not supported by all mobos. I have Asus and Gigabyte and neither support it. I use standby, plus it "boots" back to XBMC quicker than hibernate would.

MCE remote should have a power button. In Windows power options, select the behavior you would like when the system power button is pressed, power off, standby, hibernate. I use standby.

Also, make sure under System, Device Manager, that your MCE IR is enabled to wake system. There may also be a corresponding BIOS option to allow USB devices to wake system.

Supernoman, how do you configure windows XP to use the MCE remote to go into and come out of hibernate? I'd be okay with that! Thanks!

[craigd]

I can't speak for mce remote but I use the cheapy cyberlink remote and functions perfectly on my dell d520. Couldn't get it to work at all in xp though would power down but always had to user power button to bring back. Runs fine in vista though.

[pasqualz]

Supernoman, So yoiu're saying that the power button on the MCE remote is recognized as a system power button? I was assuming that the MCE remote power button would be recognized as a distinctly different button and show up in power options as a separate button too.

[turbodonkey]

All,
I know that this thread may not appear to belong in this forum, but I think many XBMC for Windows users would want the functionality I'm looking for. And maybe someone here already has figured it out!
I'm searching for a way to turn on and off my windows computer with an infrared remote control. I have a Dell Optiplex 755 with Microsoft MCE remote and USB receiver (which work great with XBMC) and I don't see any special settings or software already installed that does this. I'm aware of PC cases that have an IR receiver that can turn on/off a computer, but I'm not going to pull the guts out of my Dell Optiplex just to get this capability. All of my searches for third party hardware to do this have been fruitless. My ideal option would be software that could work with my MCE IR receiver to interpret a specific keypress sequence as a shutdown command. I think the issue is with getting a powered down PC to recognize an IR signal and turn the computer on. I would be equally happy with a piece of hardware that would sit between the PC case power switch and motherboard power header and allow an IR sequence to be interpretted as a power button press. I unfortunately do not have the time to build a DIY device out of a doorbell, like i've seen around. I need an out of the box solution. Any ideas, products or corrections to my assumptions are appreciated. Thank You

Indeed, there is a way...

There is an XBOX mod called the XIR by Greengiant, this is a small atx mod that sits on the permanent 3.3v on your ATX connector and listens for a pre programmed IR signal to trigger the on signal in the ATX connector. This can be adapted to suit a PC ATX connector.

http://xir.us/

Happy modding!

[supernoman]

I can't recall for sure since I was using eventghost and my harmony remote. It may have been a trigger in eventghost to call system.standby.

Supernoman, So yoiu're saying that the power button on the MCE remote is recognized as a system power button? I was assuming that the MCE remote power button would be recognized as a distinctly different button and show up in power options as a separate button too.

[pasqualz]

All, after an exhaustive search I've found a product for $40 that does what I originally wanted. http://www.simerec.com/PCS-2.html This device gets plugged in between your computer's power switch and the power header on the motherboard. You then quickly program teh device to interpret a specific IR signal (any button on your remote) as an on or off command and it makes your mother board think you've just pressed the power button to either turn on or off your computer. No messing with windows power settings, stand by and hibernate modes! You simply turn on or off your computer from across the room. This works for me because i'm only going to build a stripped down PC for XBMC to replace my aging modded xbox. Thsi way I'll have high def in a small form factor! I'd be interested to know if anyone else knows of similar products from otehr company's out there.
Thanks!

[david81]

I, for one, have gone the route of standby as well. Using MCE Remote receiver + Harmony + EventGhost is a dream come true. Very high WAF as well.

[MacLeod_1980]

I have the Antec Fusion 430, not sure about the rest of the series but I would ASSUME they do the same.

I also had a MCE303 (http://htpc.mce701.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=33&osCsid=d9b2ae1fb1c61227e78a71bc4786f7cc) that I had powering up at one stage but it isnt at the moment. I guess it should but I dont have access to it atm.

I have an Antec Fusion 430, and I have a working harmony remote, how did you manage to get the remote to power up/down the htpc? Do you go into hibernate, or is it a full shoutdown?

I would appreciate if you could provide details on this.

Thanks

[Haggy]

Don't know if it has been posted yet, but there's a small lirc receiver that is capable of learning a power-on/off remote code to trigger the power switch on the mainboard (it also can do WOL or WOR). I bought it from here: http://www.atric.de/IR-Einschalter/index.php (unfortunately the site is in german).

[MacLeod_1980]

Yeah but it appears that snappz has been successful in doing it without additional hardware - and it appears he has a similar setup to me.

[karifsmith]

I have an Antec Fusion 430, and I have a working harmony remote, how did you manage to get the remote to power up/down the htpc? Do you go into hibernate, or is it a full shoutdown?

I would appreciate if you could provide details on this.

Thanks

I have an Antec Fusion 430 and am able to power on/off the HTPC via my Logitech Harmony. By default it does a full shutdown. I have not attempted to change this behavior. I am using the IR/VFD module that is built into the Antec Fusion 430 case.

What IR receiver are you currently using with your Harmony remote? Is it the built in IR/VFD module or a separate receiver that you plugged in?

In order to do this with the built in IR/VFD module you need to:
Wire the Antec Case so that the wire from the Power button goes to the back of the VFD/IR module. And then take the wire from the VFD/IR module and plug that into your Motherboard. It sounds like newer cases already have this done by default. Mine did not and I had to remove the front panel (3 screws I think) to do this. Here is Antec's explanation (see the 2nd question):
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/index.php?page=support_roductInfo_FAQ&FAQno=24

After it has been wired you need to set up LIRC (unless you have already done this).

[bobo1on1]

Dealextreme has this thing: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12902

Only downside is if you press the button when the computer is on, it instantly turns off.

[MacLeod_1980]

karifsmith thanks very much for your informative help.

I am using the inbuilt LCD/VFD module and a Harmony 550, I guess I just need to set up lirc keymap to choose the right function - suspend/hibernate, when I press the power button.

I had this working on a previous attempt, but was unable to restart using the power button - I have also read other threads that people have had issue with using the remote when they get the restart functionality working.

I don't suppose you could shed more light on your techniques for resuming correctly with remote functionality?

Also, which command did you configure for your power button? And what settings did you enable on your bios for wakeup.

Thanks for the help.

[MacLeod_1980]

Dealextreme has this thing: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12902

Only downside is if you press the button when the computer is on, it instantly turns off.

This is an interesting solution, but I would be more inclined to use this for powering off other devices, such as my sub... as it sits on standby. I am constantly trying to be energy efficient, yet also have full automation.

Ahh home automation, the wonders!:nod:

[miljbee]

You can buy that :
http://www.vlsys.co.kr/English/retail_mini.php

The Ir Receiver connects to the computer with a USB plug, but it has another connector that you plug to the power switch of the mobo, enabling to turn the pc on and off, as if you where pushing the power button of the case.

[MacLeod_1980]

As well as being energy efficient I am also a fiend not wasting and recycling, therefore I dont really wont to buy additional components if the hardware I have can achieve the ends I am looking for. But once, again thanks for the information ppl!

I have to say the xbmc scene is by far the most helpful!

[bobo1on1]

This is an interesting solution, but I would be more inclined to use this for powering off other devices, such as my sub... as it sits on standby. I am constantly trying to be energy efficient, yet also have full automation.

Ahh home automation, the wonders!:nod:

I'd get a master-slave socket for the subwoofer.

[karifsmith]

karifsmith thanks very much for your informative help.

I am using the inbuilt LCD/VFD module and a Harmony 550, I guess I just need to set up lirc keymap to choose the right function - suspend/hibernate, when I press the power button.

I had this working on a previous attempt, but was unable to restart using the power button - I have also read other threads that people have had issue with using the remote when they get the restart functionality working.

I don't suppose you could shed more light on your techniques for resuming correctly with remote functionality?

Also, which command did you configure for your power button? And what settings did you enable on your bios for wakeup.

Thanks for the help.

Actually, I am not suspending/hibernating/resuming. I also don't have (or know of) any settings that are in place on the bios for wakeup.

If the HTPC is completely off, when I click the 'Play Media' Activity (which I created via the Harmony software) on my Harmony remote, the HTPC powers on and it takes about a minute or so for XBMC to boot up.

When I am in XBMC, if I click the Power button on my Harmony remote, the HTPC shuts down and is completely off (not suspended).

With the inbuilt IR/VFD, I actually didn't have to do anything to the keymap.xml to get it to Power On and Off this way.

You have to make sure your case is wired properly so that you can Power On via the VFD/IR. Are the wires from the Power button on the Antec Case going straight to the back of the VFD/IR, and then do you have the wires from the VFD/IR going straight to the pins on the motherboard?

Hope this helps.

[Ritzie]

I also have this case. Is there any way to use the IR and not the lcd? I would like to use the IR on the case so I can power off/on the pc.

[karifsmith]

Yes, you can choose to use the IR and not the VFD/LCD. Regardless, if you want to Power On via your Remote, you need to make sure the wires from the Power button go to the back of the IR/VFD module and then another set of wires go from the IR/VFD module to the Power pins on your motherboard.

I installed XBMC first and then started working on getting the case IR/VFD to work. There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum about getting the case IR/VFD to work. The steps vary depending upon certain hardware codes for the IR/VFD module. There are several guides out there but it was still a bit of work for me. Definitely check out the sticky post and if you need help with the IR/VFD, shoot me a PM. But I need to warn you, I don't know much and I did a ton of fresh Ubuntu installs before I got it working right.

[Ritzie]

Sweet...Ill go through the sticky forum thoroughly before I get started. I don't mind re-installing as I have been doing that the past couple of weeks with the P5Q-EM mobo. Thanks karifsmith. I'm sure Ill be in touch.

[MacLeod_1980]

No t had a chance to open the old box up and check the power connections yet, but today I just purchased myself a wireless keyboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166047

From newegg, with free shipping and a promo discount EMCLRLX27, it came to ~$70.

[Ritzie]

I got the LCD working on the antec 430 case. Now how do I go about setting up a mediagate mce remote using the ir on the case and how can i disable the display?

[MacLeod_1980]

I have an Antec Fusion 430 and am able to power on/off the HTPC via my Logitech Harmony. By default it does a full shutdown. I have not attempted to change this behavior. I am using the IR/VFD module that is built into the Antec Fusion 430 case.

What IR receiver are you currently using with your Harmony remote? Is it the built in IR/VFD module or a separate receiver that you plugged in?

In order to do this with the built in IR/VFD module you need to:
Wire the Antec Case so that the wire from the Power button goes to the back of the VFD/IR module. And then take the wire from the VFD/IR module and plug that into your Motherboard. It sounds like newer cases already have this done by default. Mine did not and I had to remove the front panel (3 screws I think) to do this. Here is Antec's explanation (see the 2nd question):
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/index.php?page=support_roductInfo_FAQ&FAQno=24

After it has been wired you need to set up LIRC (unless you have already done this).

Hooked up the power cables as you suggested, tight fit, but got there. Now I just need to configure my remote to do the right calls!

Ok just looked at my keymap.xml, and I am doing XBMC.Shutdown(), but that only shuts down XBMC, not the PC.

What command should I link to the power option to shutdown the entire linux box?

[MacUsers]

Hi all,
Just started using XBMC and I love it. My apology if this is already covered elas where.
I'm working on a Mythbuntu based HTPC project (and using XBMC of course) and looking for an internal IR receiver so that I can switch on the computer from the remote control. Does any one know one, which works with Ubuntu/XBMC? I tried SoundGraph/iMon but seems like the iMon internal receiver (the one with out VFD) is not in production anymore. Cheers!!!

[wstewart]

Search the forum, there are a few topics on this.

You can build one: http://www.engbedded.com/wake-on-lirc

Use this free software to program the microcontroller: http://www.lancos.com/prog.html. Instructions there to build a small adapter from PC parallel port to Atmel part to do the programming.

this is what I did. With a few small modifications, it can be connected across the power switch instead of WOL connector for ethernet card. Most motherboards and cards don`t have a WOL connector anymore.

Other option is to buy a case that has a built-in IR transciever, some but not all have the ability to power on and off. Don`t remember which ones.

[wstewart]

This one I believe will do the job for you:

http://www.origenae.co.kr/en/accessory_ir210.htm

Don`t get the 220 or 221. These can only wake the PC from standby not from power-off, unless the motherboard supports power-on wake from USB. Motherboards I`ve seen don`t.

[wstewart]

According to this the IR221 may also do the job:

http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=26

If you go with this one, be careful, there is a transistor that connects across the power switch most likely to ground. Most motherboards the power switch goes to ground, one I have seen goes to +5V instead.

[Tariella]

If you like do-it-yourself kits, there is one with good documentation here (http://www.ocinside.de/go_e.html?http://www.ocinside.de/html/modding/usb_ultra_ir_receiver/usb_ultra_ir_receiver.html)
I got mine from that site (just the on/off switch chip, the IR USB reciever came with my remote).

[MacUsers]

Many thanks to both of you for those useful links; you guys are really of great help. I'm going through one by one. But I wonder if those kit easily available in the UK (it kinda sucks :rolleyes:)
I also wonder if my HipperMedia HMC-1K53A case can accommodate those extra stuff inside.

Couple of question though........
wstewart, so for the OrigenAE, I can go for 220 or 221 if my mobo supports power-on wake from USB? I have ASUS P5Q-VM motherboartd and as far as I can remember, it supports power-on wake from USB feature.

Tariella, which remote control do you use?

[wstewart]

According to this diagram: http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.com/images/12336939511271845169696.jpg, if you buy that kit, IR221 with all the cables, it will connect directly to your power switch. Don't need to have wake-on-usb. Thats a new find for me too, all other stuff on the IR221 I've seen suggested S5 is not always supported, but that's not what I see in the diagram.

[MacUsers]

wstewart, I'm trying to understand: so, what's the basic differences between 210 and 221?

any idea, how this Antec Veris IR receiver (http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_5495.html) or the iMon Inside (http://www.soundgraph.com/Eng_/Products/imon24.aspx?topMenu=2&subMenu=2&leftMenu=24) works? The latter doesn't seems to available any more but the page 10 of installation guide (http://www.soundgraph.com/Common/filedownLoad.aspx?fileName=Installation+Guide(ENG) .pdf&flag=support) outlines a bit. cheers!!!

[Tariella]

I got this remote control (http://www.itvmedia.de/htpc-itvcontrol.htm) with an internal IR to USB controller. I got it from this ebay shop (http://stores.shop.ebay.de/Linux4Media-Shop__W0QQ_armrsZ1). Unfortunately I don't have a link for english info on this, but I can provide translation if you need it.
This remote is automatically detected as mouse and keyboard out of the box. It is programmable for all my other TV, recorder,... devices.

I'm about to use gizmod (http://gizmod.sourceforge.net/index.html#about) to add different functions to some of my keys in some applications. Also I can translate the mouse movements to arrow-keys with it.

[wstewart]

Tariella: Doesn`t look to me like that one will support power on/off which is what MacUsers wants to do.

MacUsers: The IR220 is the older model, I don`t know if it is still available. It has a relay that you connect across your power switch. The IR221 has no relay and appears to use a transistor instead.

I don`t see any mention of power-on/off support in the Veris. the iMon however, does connect to the power switch, so it is very likely that it will support power on/off.

[MacUsers]

Thanks wstewart and Tariella, for your input. I'll get back to you guys soon with the outcome. Cheers!!!

[psipsi]

http://www.simerec.com/PCS-2.html

[wstewart]

psipsi thanks for the link, didn`t see that one before. Very similar to the DIY link I posted above but a little more capable. It is a little expensive at $39 given that you could get an imon VFD with ir for about $100.

[waldo22]

This is what you want:

http://www.xir.us/order.aspx?f=beta

$20.

You want the V2 Beta Pro kit.

works with any ATX board that can provide 3.3V or 5V standby power (which is basically all of them).

You just wire the red and blue wire in-line with your standard ATX power header by clamping it onto the wires, and you're off to the races.

-Wes

[P@co]

This is what you want:

http://www.xir.us/order.aspx?f=beta

$20.

You want the V2 Beta Pro kit.

works with any ATX board that can provide 3.3V or 5V standby power (which is basically all of them).

You just wire the red and blue wire in-line with your standard ATX power header by clamping it onto the wires, and you're off to the races.

-Wes
Hu ... Isn't this a receiver for the Xbox ?:rofl:

[waldo22]

Yes it is, in fact :)

But the way it works in the xbox is the same way it works in a regular ATX PC.

So, it has an internal relay that "bridges" the connection between the Red and Blue wires.

(this is known as "momentary contact-closure")

All you need to do is use "vampire taps" to tap in to the connector that goes to your ATX power-on header on your HTPC Motherboard and it will work fine.

I'm using two of them with my home-built XBMC PCs.

The "Pro" version of the Xir is better set up for use with a PC, where as the "easy" version is plug and play for an Xbox.

Also, the "Beta" version 2 allows "learning", so it will work with any remote.

I use an xbox DVD remote kit with both of my Windows XP XBMC machines, following the instructions I wrote here:

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?p=352393

So my Yamaha receiver remote, programmed to control an RCA DVD player, can turn my XBMC HTPC on and off.

:cool:

-Wes

[ekim232]

Does anyone know of a way I can power on a pc with my mce remote with my htpc? I am using IR server suite right now. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Silverxxx]

you mean power another pc? you could use a magic packet, you have to enable the option in bios. there would be programs that send magic packets on the web.

[ekim232]

Just simply turn on my htpc with the mce remote.

[cotdagoo]

you likely can't.. most people will just use standby and then resume by hitting the power button on the mce remote. my system often resumes in under 10s (far quicker than my boot time) and xbmc is loaded up to the exact spot i was last.

no more waiting to boot.. just standby/resume & you're ready to go

[feerlessleadr]

some mobos will allow you to wake the computer from hibernation (which is s4 sleep, which is practically the same as being 'off') through a USB port.

This is the approach that I use for my HTPC since I wasn't all that comfortable leaving it in Standby all the time, even though there is nothing wrong with that.

You should look in your motherboard's BIOS settings about waking from S3 (regular standby) or S4 (hibernation) sleep.

[waldo22]

You can also use the Xir solution I posted above. It's a "learning" receiver, so it will work with your MCE remote button of choice.

-Wes