Hauppauge IR vs USB-UIRT

[CyRex]

For my new system, I will be buying a PVR 150... that much I know. I have been trying to decide between the Retail version and the MCE. I don't care about the FM radio, so forget about that difference. I don't really care about the software package either, since I plan on using Sage for everything anyway.

The thing that is making my decision hard is the remote that's included with the Retail version. If I get the MCE one, I will have to buy an additional remote, which will even out the price, or buy the USB-UIRT (or similar) and use a programmable remote, etc.

Can anyone give me feedback on the PVR-150 remote / IR unit that comes with the Retail version? Can the IR module included with the PVR 150 do everything that the USB-UIRT can, or are there significant differences that warrant spending the extra $45 on the latter?

Any insight would be appreciated...

[Opus4]

It depends on what your needs/goals are.

The Haupauge remote & software can easily be used to control SageTV & can be used to control additional programs. The 150 even comes with an IR blaster that SageTV can use, but it may not work with multiple of those same blasters. There is a plugin to use the older remote+receiver with Girder instead of the Hauppauge software, but I think it would have to be rewritten to make use of the new remote's button codes.

The USB-UIRT has 3 zone blaster output (control 3 converter boxes) and can be used with just about any remote. SageTV can make use of it directly, but that method does not allow you to use it to control other programs. Or, you can use it with Girder to control just about anything.

- Andy