MCE USB IR receivers/blasters

[b00sfuk]

Need some advice please.

Currently using IR Server Suite software (IRSS version 1.4.2.3158 from Mediaportal) with the original Microsoft MCE USB IR receiver/blaster to blast a Sky STB (in the UK). This works well.

Building a 2nd setup for somebody and have bought (as the Microsoft kit is no longer available) the Logitech MC remote control kit and also as an alternative the HP MCE receiver kit (off eBay). I expected these to work the same way as the Microsoft one but neither work with IRSS though they are recognised in a similar way as devices in Windows 7 and work fine natively in Windows Media Centre. Spent the evening on Google and cannot find anything to indicate if this newer hardware can be made to work outside of Media Centre or not.

So, does anybody know:
a) If IRSS can work with these later USB receivers/blasters
b) Is there any alternative software to IRSS that can be used in NPVR for blasting (HIP, Eventghost?)

Thanks