I got a 3rd party remote that uses RF which is much better than IR. It's not great out of the box so I created a new X10 map for it + discovered some other tweaks to make it much more useable.
I bought it here http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZjoschQ5f1962
1) Install the drivers that come with the remote ( http://www.jovs.de/de/Download/Download.htm ) NOT the one recommended on the MediaPortal x10 config page, which won't work properly. This adds an item to the control panel 'wireless remote settings'. Open this and check "use wireless remote settings with the remotes set to this code" and set = 2
2) grab the attached file at bottom of post and place in MediaPortal\InputDeviceMappings\custom
3) Run mediaportal config|remote|x10 tick use x10 remote & other, also tick settings|use RF channel control on the same page
It should now all work. I spent a long time setting up the remote file and it works pretty well. some points of note:-
- You can page up/down EPG using the channel up/down buttons and page left right using ffwd/rewind, the skip buttons alter the time range
- In Music/Videos Enter shows playlist, Clear exits playlist, using file-list Play key adds item to playlist, OK plays now, using playlist enter removes item.
- * shows visualisation with music, or GUI on other screens
- # shows subs with dvd/videos
- colour keys green=mymusic, red=radio, yellow=photos, blue=weather (unless in teletext mode)
- <- back arrow key is back, clear does prev channel with TV or prev folder with file list windows
- green windows button takes you home
- (i) button shows context menu
rest of buttons are as expected, there may be other tweaks I did I've forgotten.
OPTIONAL STEPS:-
IF pressing power button causes your pc to hibernate you should go to Power settings|Advanced|when I press sleep button on my computer and set = 'Do Nothing' which will stop the power button hibernating your pc. I think step 1) above may have already stopped this though can't remember.
You may if you wish set your remote to a different channel other than the default of 1:-
- Depress green windows button on remote until it flases
- Type diff number 1-16
- Press windows button again
Just ensure that this number is different to the one set in the control panel in step 1) currently 2, as we don't want the windows driver to pick up the codes or you get duplication of some keys. (handy accidental discovery I made)
I attached the dongle to a USB hub on the end of a 5m USB cable. The further it is away from the computer the better it seems. I also changed mine to a different channel (channel 9 sounded nice) as in step above which DID seem to work better than the default of 1. It works through a wall but is not 100% perfect. I think the advertised range of 20m is a bit high, maybe in a straight direct sight line. 5m through a wall seems more likely. With RF you can split your MP signal to other rooms and be able to control it, without needing IR->RF->IR devices or other nonsense. Much better....
I bought it here http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZjoschQ5f1962
1) Install the drivers that come with the remote ( http://www.jovs.de/de/Download/Download.htm ) NOT the one recommended on the MediaPortal x10 config page, which won't work properly. This adds an item to the control panel 'wireless remote settings'. Open this and check "use wireless remote settings with the remotes set to this code" and set = 2
2) grab the attached file at bottom of post and place in MediaPortal\InputDeviceMappings\custom
3) Run mediaportal config|remote|x10 tick use x10 remote & other, also tick settings|use RF channel control on the same page
It should now all work. I spent a long time setting up the remote file and it works pretty well. some points of note:-
- You can page up/down EPG using the channel up/down buttons and page left right using ffwd/rewind, the skip buttons alter the time range
- In Music/Videos Enter shows playlist, Clear exits playlist, using file-list Play key adds item to playlist, OK plays now, using playlist enter removes item.
- * shows visualisation with music, or GUI on other screens
- # shows subs with dvd/videos
- colour keys green=mymusic, red=radio, yellow=photos, blue=weather (unless in teletext mode)
- <- back arrow key is back, clear does prev channel with TV or prev folder with file list windows
- green windows button takes you home
- (i) button shows context menu
rest of buttons are as expected, there may be other tweaks I did I've forgotten.
OPTIONAL STEPS:-
IF pressing power button causes your pc to hibernate you should go to Power settings|Advanced|when I press sleep button on my computer and set = 'Do Nothing' which will stop the power button hibernating your pc. I think step 1) above may have already stopped this though can't remember.
You may if you wish set your remote to a different channel other than the default of 1:-
- Depress green windows button on remote until it flases
- Type diff number 1-16
- Press windows button again
Just ensure that this number is different to the one set in the control panel in step 1) currently 2, as we don't want the windows driver to pick up the codes or you get duplication of some keys. (handy accidental discovery I made)
I attached the dongle to a USB hub on the end of a 5m USB cable. The further it is away from the computer the better it seems. I also changed mine to a different channel (channel 9 sounded nice) as in step above which DID seem to work better than the default of 1. It works through a wall but is not 100% perfect. I think the advertised range of 20m is a bit high, maybe in a straight direct sight line. 5m through a wall seems more likely. With RF you can split your MP signal to other rooms and be able to control it, without needing IR->RF->IR devices or other nonsense. Much better....
Germany
