To IR Blaster or Not to IR Blaster...

[daphatty]

... That is the question.

I've been looking into purchasing a second capture card for my PVR. The Win-TV 150 seems to be the most popular choice, I just find myself struggling to decide if I should get the standard flavor 150 that comes with the remote and IR Blaster, or if I should go with the MCE version. Anyone know of any compelling reason(s) why I should go with one over the other?

[onestar]

I've just been through that too. I was trying to purchase the MCE version, which I could get for 20GBP cheaper. But in the end just got the retail version. I wasn't bothered about the remote or irblaster function, as I have the 350 remote, and a redrat IR controller.

In the end I just decided that the extra kit was backup. From what I have seen there isn't really any difference in getting either of them working.

[Tulex]

Backup remote sounds like a good idea. My dog ate my tv remote, well, chewed off all the buttons, wish I had a backup for that..........

[CaptainVideo]

Buy.com has the 150 for not too much more than the 150MCE. So I got the remote. I may still go the JP1 Remote & USBIRT route (if I find a JP1 universal remote won't work with the Hauppauge IR Blaster), but it only cost me an extra $10.

[Networker]

good find on the 150.. I guess I'll stick with a standard retail 150 again as well, perhaps 2 more on top of the one I already have.. Don't care much for the extra remote, but with one driver on the box I'd expect less conflicts.

the USB-URIT has be to better than the IR baster from Hauppauge, no? I think I'd like a really GOOD IR receiver and since I have tried the Hauppauge one once (with wintv2k) with no success I gave up. Now I want a dedicated HTPC in my A/V rack rather than an MVP so I have to get IR working now.

John

[Atomike]

One concern I've read about is people having trouble with the angle of the "eye" with a PVR-250. I don't know about the 150. I've heard people say that you need to pretty much point PVR-250 remote straight at the sensor "eye" for it to work right. Does anyone know about this or know if the PVR-150 has fixed this supposed problem?

[timbau]

You know that PCalchemy has the 150 in all it's versions as well as a listing of the most popular remotes. They have the cheapest price for the 150 MCE ($65 + S&H).

I orderfrom them and got the 150 MCE w/streamzap remote for under $100 delivered. I don't need a remote that does too much as I'm only using this to view TV on my new PC. I haven't installed the card and remote as I just received them. However PCalchemy is a good place for all your HTPC hardware needs.

Just my 2 cents

Thanks
Tim