What and Why is the LIRC service

  • I am using LibreELEC with a Pi and a LIRCv2 USB-Dongle. In my understanding for LibreELEC/Kodi is LIRC just a keyboard - not more.

    But in the current release notes of the new LibreELEC release I read the notes about a "Lirc service". What is it and why do I need a special software/service for Lirc now? IMO it is one of the advantages of Lirc that I don't need special software - just a generic keyboard driver.

  • I can guess at the problem.

    I think you are maybe confusing the word FLIRC with LIRC.

    Do you have this dongle?

    flirc-usb

    If so, that is the FLIRC dongle, which allows you to use any remote control with a computer, without using LIRC.

    LIRC is Linux Infrared Remote Control. It is how remotes talk linux computers, unless you have a FLIRC.

    When you use a FLIRC, you don't need to use LIRC.

    FLIRC makes your computer think that any remote is just a regular keyboard, and not a remote.

    Hence no LIRC services are necessary.

    FLIRC and LIRC have nothing to do with one another besides confusingly similar sounding names, and the fact that that they both deal with remotes.