Do-it-yourself

For enjoyment of those who like to fabricate their own electronics, there are quite a few web pages explaining how to build remote control hardware:

Device	Connnection	Platform	Tecnology	Price
IgorPlug-USB	USB	Win	AT90S23x3	$38
IgorPlug-Serial	232	All	Discreet
LIRC	232	All	Discreet	12€
PCRC-HCMOS	232	All	HCMOS
PCRC-HC11	232	All	MC68HC11
PCRC-SIRC	232	All	Discreet
UIR (Ties Bos)	232	All	PIC16x84/12C50x
UIR (John Main)	232	All	PIC16F88
UIRT2	232	All	PIC16F84	$36
USB-IR-Boy	USB	All	MC68HC908
USBTiny	USB	All	ATtiny2313

Notes:

• The simplest circuits by far are the ones using the DCD line of the serial port to send the received commands to the computer, namely LIRC and SIRC. However, they have the disadvantage of needing the computer to decode the sequences in real time. For that reason, a slow computer could result in low reliability in the recognition of remote commands.
• Some circuits are listed for historic or student sake (HCMOS, HC11). Nowadays, there are far better alternatives (UIR, SIRC).
• The listed prices refer to the purchase price at which the product is sold, and not to the cost price.

Looking for a remote control software? Take a look at the PC Remote Control software.

For an explanation on why an IrDA port is not good for remote control take a look at the IrDA and what it is not for page.

 

Take into account

• Remember that apart from the hardware you also need some type of software.