Remote question (1 Viewer)

[BlizzofOZ]

Finally got my MP up and running, hooked to my media server and playing movies on my A/R receiver to my TV.

At this point, I'm confused about remotes and how they work.
What is a decently priced, good quality remote? I've seen the Harmonies listed... and MCE remotes.
What are the differences? Is IR better than RF? Which remote(s) are better?

For range, what are the limitations?

Where do you find MCE remotes?

Do these come with receivers? If not, what are good receivers?

What is/are blasters? Is this hardware? What does it accomplish?

Running on XP Pro...

 

[dcwp]

If you check the Hardware selection forum, you'll find a lot of this information. I'll take a stab at a couple of your questions though.

If you are planning to operate all media functions within MediaPortal, the MCE remote is your best bet. It integrates seamlessly and is very inexpensive. But if you are planning to operate other equipment as well (AV receiver, VHS player, STB, etc) then you'll want a universal remote. The Harmony remotes are generally the favorites here, you can program all the functions for MP and your other equipment into one device with a sharp LCD screen.

An IR blaster is a piece of hardware that links your remote receiver (MCE for example) to a set top box (STB) so you can use that remote within MP to operate the STB. This means that if you want to run just MediaPortal, but you have to use a STB for digital cable or satelite, you can set it up to look like it's all happening in MP and only use the one remote. I have never used a blaster, but they are very popular. If you look around the forums, you'll find tons of threads with people talking about how to get them working properly. If you buy a new MCE remote (and probably some other types) you'll get a blaster in the package.

MCE remotes are widely available. Take a look at the major web retailers or e-bay. They are very affordable.

The MCE remote includes a receiver that is (I believe) universal. It can receive signals from other remotes if properly configured.

In terms of range, you will need line of sight with IR. The range will be similar to what you get with a standard TV/Stereo remote. RF does not require line of sight as I understand it.

Search around the forum or the web a little and you'll find most of these answers plus much more.

BTW you will likely also want a keyboard and mouse that works at a distance. There are some very nice and expensive options, but I found that the logitech keyboard/mouse combo designed for Playstation 3 works very well at a much lower price than most. It isn't anything fancy (no special media keys or anything), but it's small (integrated touchpad mouse) and gets the job done.

 

[BlizzofOZ]

dcwp,
Thanks... this morning I was doing a more wide search of the forums and realized that there was a Hardware Help section.

I'd asked about where to buy a MS MCE remote because surprisingly, I couldn't find them on Newegg. I see some in Amazon, from other vendors. I can only find, which I guess is new, a MS XBox 360 remote, which supports MCE.

As far a range, it is rather line of sight. You confirmed of what I thought between the differences. It is rather line of site, but I'm thinking I can actually put the receiver so that it is in line of sight.

I appreciate the repsonse....

 

[dcwp]

No problem. I bought mine a few years back, so they may be more hard to find now. And yes, the USB cord is quite long so you shouldn't have trouble putting the receiver in line of sight unless your PC is somewhere very far from the TV.

 

[BlizzofOZ]

Just ordered from one of Amazon vendors, which just happened to be TigerDirect for $30.

Works for me!