So Hulu Desktop’s site says:

“Can I use a remote control with Hulu Desktop Linux?

Hulu Desktop for Linux supports input from hundreds of infrared remote controls using the LIRC open source package. You can download LIRC and receive general configuration information from http://www.lirc.org, as well as browse a list of supported remote controls. Hulu Desktop for Linux requires that lircd be run with the -r (–release) switch.”

So Naive me I’m thinking I just run lircd using the terminal command “lircd -r” right? Well not sure if it’s because I was running it in an ssh terminal or if it doesn’t work that way (although lircd -h shows it as a valid command) but here’s what worked:

  • Open Terminal and type “sudo nano /etc/lirc/hardware.conf”
  • Find the line REMOTE_LIRCD_ARGS=”” and change it to REMOTE_LIRCD_ARGS=”-r”
  • Then use ctrl-o and enter to save and ctrl-x to exit nano text editor.
  • Now just reset (“shutdown -r now” in terminal) and you should be good.

By the way if anyone is concerned changing this item does not loose remote functionality in Boxee for Linux ;). Next task: Configure LIRC to open/close Hulu & Boxee, if you know how to do it please comment!