Right here I go:

I am looking for a cheap IR Blaster I can use to change the channels on my Sky box from MythTV.

My questions are:

1. Will this thing work (if yes then ignore the other questions)

http://www.mobtech.co.uk/ecbmob/item974.htm

It is listed as a supported device but will it emit the right kind of signals ?

If not.

2. What precisely do I need ? I found this http://www.irtrans.de/english/. That looks like it should carry everything I need.

Please don't just ask me to do a search, I don't particularly want to order anything from the US.

Douglas

That unit will not work with a Sky box as it doesn't emit the correct
type of IR signal.

I've got a "Red-eye" serial which seems to work & has linux drivers available
from the website at http://www.redremote.co.uk/serial/index.html

I'm also in the UK and have a skybox.

I just use a IRDA sir module which plugs into the IR header on the motherboard. Freely available from UK suppliers over the web. I bought mine about 5 years ago from Dabs, and have used it on several boards since.

I used a lead from an old PS2 mouse, along with a PS2 mouse socket on a blanking plate to extend mine so that it would fit underthe sky box.

configure the bios to redirect one of the serial ports (com2) usually to IR, and configure and comile LIRC. Its included with Knoppmyth. there are instructions in the documentation about compiling LIRC.

Works great.

Gary