Home Theater Automation

[c_hernandez32]

I was recently looking at the back of my VCR and Laserdisc players. They both have a plug called "Remote." I know that you connect some type of headphone like jack to it. Is there a device that controls external devices through here? Perhaps a PC connection?

Also is there some IR control that can be used to control all home theater components through a HTPC? I really hated having to use 6 remotes to control everything.

[Jayhawk]

You might do some research on X10 type equipment but if the issue really is the 6 remotes you can solve that a number of ways.

I use a Home Theater Master MX-700 remote that can be programmed on the PC and then downloaded to the remote. The Philips Pronto line of remotes also does that. Here's a link to THE site on remote controls.

http://www.remotecentral.com/