I use one of the newer Microsoft Media Center remotes for my system. For one it was dirt cheap, does what I need it to do and does it well. Also from what I have read it is well supported by Lirc. All this proved true.
The buton layout is fairly good, it has a comfortable shape and it’s got a power button that you can program to turn off your tv set.
The IR receiver has a long USB cable. Thus it can be place almost anywhere. Even though that will probably not even be necessary as this is one of the most powerful remotes I’ve seen. It works in bright sunlight and even if the receiver is directly behind you. Something I cannot say of my rather expensive Pioneer Plasma screen.
On top of that the remote comes with two IR blasters that allow you to control a couple set top boxes for cable or satellite tv. I have never used the blasting capabilities though.
Mythbuntu makes it extremely easy to select a remote an configures it for you. Contrary to my Gentoo installation the back button on the remote stopped working. I hacked the .lircrc file of my tv user to set that button accordingly.
For now it works nicely.
# Author(s): Mario Limonciello, Nick Fox
# Created for use with Mythbuntu
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Seven
config = 7
repeat = 0
delay = 0
endbegin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Right
config = Right
repeat = 0
delay = 0
endbegin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Mute
config = |
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Skip
config = Z
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = One
config = 1
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Down
config = Down
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Zero
config = 0
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Replay
config = Q
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Home
config = M
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Pause
config = P
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Six
config = 6
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Two
config = 2
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = ChanDown
config = Down
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = ChanUp
config = Up
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Rewind
config = <
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Forward
config = >
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Play
config = P
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = VolDown
config = [
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Stop
config = Escape
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Back
config = Escape
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = VolUp
config = ]
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Five
config = 5
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = More
config = I
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Four
config = 4
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = OK
config = Return
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Up
config = Up
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = RecTV
config = R
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Nine
config = 9
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Three
config = 3
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Enter
config = Enter
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Eight
config = 8
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Guide
config = S
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = mythtv
button = Left
config = Left
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end