This page contains alternative instructions and bills of materials to the published Hardware Reference Implementation.

The reference implementation should be considered the most up-to-date and best supported hardware option. The alternatives published here are viable options but be aware that they may not be all up-to-date.

Asus Eee Box B202

The B202 is easy to get started with since no assembly is required. You can order one from your local retail store. Configurations vary slightly but in general it includes an Intel Atom N270 CPU based mainboard with 100Gb to 160Gb hard drive. The box is quite small, weighing at about 1.1kg.

Note that Asus recently announced new models B204 and B206. These new models include an HDMI output (instead of DVI output) and come with a remote control making them attractive as home entertainment centers. We haven't tested the new models yet but plan to do so soon.

Bill of Materials

Approximately $250 including shipping and taxes. Price varies based on store and location.

Features

• CPU: Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
• Memory: 1Gb
• Hard drive: various configurations with 80Gb, 120Gb and 160Gb hard drive sizes have been released

Connectivity

• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• 1 LAN port
• 4 USB ports
• DVI output
• Stereo output
• Microphone input
• SD card reader

Software Installation

Installing Ubuntu On B202

Extensions

This section contains extension units that have been verified to work with B202.

Infrared: CommandIR II

CommandIR II has been tested with B202 using Ubuntu 8.10 desktop operating system and LIRC 0.8.4a. For details on CommandIR II, please see the hardware reference implementation page on infrared extensions.

Extensions

Additional units to extend the connectivity of the CPU main unit.

Infrared

We currently recommend solely the CommandIR II infrared transceiver included with the hardware reference implementation.

The following infrared products were tested but each suffered from one or more issues which is why we do not recommend them at this point. However, we've made the notes available in case you want to cross-check an existing infrared product you plan on using with OpenRemote controller or in case some of the mentioned issues will get fixed.

CommandIR Mini

Vendor: InnovationOne

Currently Not Recommended with OpenRemote Hardware.

While we recommend CommandIR II (a different product from the same vendor) as part of our reference implementation, we had issues using CommandIR Mini with LIRC and our controller hardware. The issue appears to be with CommandIR Mini's inability to replay some of the recorded remote control configurations stored into LIRC configuration files. Suspected cause is CommandIR Mini's inability to create short enough pulse/space sequences. Therefore we do not recommend CommandIR Mini.

Note that CommandIR II had no problems replaying remote codes using the same LIRC configuration files.

CommandIR Mini form factor is an external box with an USB cable. Four external infrared extenders are supported. The IR extenders must be purchased separately. Infrared receiver is embedded into the unit.

IguanaWorks Infrared Transceiver

Vendor: IguanaWorks

Currently Not Recommended with OpenRemote Hardware.

We found IguanaWorks IR transceiver software (version 0.98) suffering from serious concurrency/locking problems. A issue ticket has been opened with IguanaWorks support which you can follow here. Some people have worked around the issue by scheduling regular restarts of the IguanaIR daemon software.

More details on the IguanaWorks IR transceiver can also be found on the forums. We are interested in revisiting Iguana's IR product once a new release becomes available.

IguanaWorks IR transceiver comes with a couple of different variants. A USB dongle with IR emitter leds embedded in the dongle, a USB dongle with two stereo jacks for IR emitter extenders and a mix of the two. We strongly recommend the version with at least one stereo jack (and possibly two) for an IR extender. The version with two embedded IR transmitters is very difficult to place and aim correctly.

Homelectronics TIRA

Vendor: Homelectronics

Currently Not Recommended with OpenRemote Hardware.

While TIRA is an infrared transmitter, it does not provide a transmitting driver for LIRC which OpenRemote controller software depends on. Therefore TIRA is not useful with ORC at the moment.

More information about TIRA also on the forums.

Form factor is an external unit with an USB connection cable. Single infrared emitter extension is supported. Also an infrared emitter is embedded into the unit, as well as an infrared receiver.