Controlling MP with a Remote (1 Viewer)

[Darkbee]

I've just set up MediaPortal for the first time (and also my first HTPC) but it was very much a spontaneous decision, so I don't quite have all the pieces of the puzzle yet. In particular, I currently have to use keyboard/mouse for control of MP. Obviously this isn't an ideal situation and not really very practical.

Is there a cheap solution that would allow me to use my existing universal remote that came with my digital cable subscription? The remote has several buttons to operate different devices (like Video, DVD, TV, Cable Box etc) but only the TV and Cable box work (read: only devices that respond to remote). I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a USB IR receiver and program the remote to use with the PC? Or would this be a waste of time?

If that is not a viable solution (or not cheap), what is the next best solution for somebody with no remote? A wireless keyboard/mouse? A gamepad (wireless or otherwise)? I'm wondering what the bear minimum controls you realistically need to be able to use MP.

I'm just curious what other people use. I assume 99.9% of people here have purpose-bought PC remotes of one description or another?

[EDIT]I should have added that I do NOT have a TV card at the moment, and there are no immediate plans to get one (due to budget constraints ). I'm using the other features of MP,namely music, video, DVD and then some of the extras like weather, games etc.

 

[Shukuyen]

AW: Controlling MP with a Remote

Hi and welcome

I can't say much about remote controls as I always had problems with those (tried to use my Logitech Harmony but was never satisfied), but I am sure someone else will ...

The alternative I am using is a wireless xbox 360 gamepad with Pinnacle Game Profiler (Cialis Soft Tabs - The Cheapest Price.). This is working quite well. I can attach the profile I made for MP if anyone is interested.

Another alternative is if you have a smartphone you could use iPimp (https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ipimp-518/ipimp-5-0-0-released-83305/). As teased before I am building a native iPhone app at the moment which is my primary method of input, but this isn't public yet.


edit: you should add moving-pictures (http://moving-pictures.tv/wiki/Main_Page) and mp-tvseries (http://code.google.com/p/mptvseries/) to your list of features

 

[The Dave]

Buy a Logitech and set the profile to MCE keyboard. That is what a lot of people do over at xbmc.org and it works great for them. I use a Dell Microsoft MCE clone I bought off of eBay (2 actually) and they work great with everything I use so far (Win 7 MCE and XBMC). I just installed MP and noticed in the remote tab a picture of the same exact remote I bought so I assume MP works with MCE remotes out of the box. Good stuff