Remote Suggestions (1 Viewer)

[captainflash]

Hello! I was hoping that I could get some advice on picking a remote control for my new HTPC i will be building. The case I have chosen is:

Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases

As you can see it doesn't appear to have any place for an IR sensor, so I was wondering if I should go with an RF remote( I was looking at the Gyration remote Newegg.com - Gyration GYR3101US Universal Infrared / RF Remote Control ) or should I just try to pick up a USB IR receiver and get an IR remote.

If I am going to go IR i was thinking of getting one of the harmony remotes so I could control all of my devices with one remote. I don't think i would be able to control my DVR with the gyration remote as it doesn't appear to have a guide button. Controlling the DVR is least of my priorities though, I wouldn't mind using two remotes .

My main priorites are:

1). Getting all of the basic functions to work in mediaportal (play/pause,next,back, select, arrow keys)

2). Easy of use/setup, I don't mind tinkering with event ghost or something similar to set it up for mediaportal but I also don't want to spend 3000 hours programming it either.

3). Controlling several devices with one remote, this would include mediaportal,TV,Logitech z5500 speakers, and possibly my DVR.

Any suggestions/comments/etc greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[dcwp]

Reading the reviews on that case, it looks like no LCD comes in the bundle but there is an LCD window. Are you buying an LCD display to put in there? If not, you can probably put an IR receiver behind the glass (plastic?). I think iMon even offers an IR receiver/LCD display combo.

Otherwise you shouldn't have any trouble putting an RF receiver inside. I've been experimenting with putting my receivers in the case and it works quite well.

 

[captainflash]

I was planning on putting an LCD in there but I will check into the iMon combo display. Thanks for the input

 

[dcwp]

Maybe it's Antec and not iMon. I've never used one of these so I have no idea how they work.

Newegg.com - Antec Mult-Station Elite Internal IR receiver w/ VFD and remote - Case Accessories

Oh here's an iMon

iMon VFD and IR Remote for 5.25 SILVER Plate Drive Bay Soundgraph Silver USB VFD/Remote package for 5.25\" drive bay with iMon PAD Remote IMONVFDS (SOUNDGRAPH - IMON-VFD-S)

 

[captainflash]

First of all thanks for your input! I had considered getting a 5.25" bay display/IR receiver combo but my case doesn't have an external 5.25" bay (other than the one used for the DVD-Rom) so I would likely have to strip the LCD screen from the 5.25" bays and try to get it to fit into the LCD spot on my case, which I think would bring me into a whole new world of problems LOL!

I still haven't decided which remote I would like to get, I have been reading lots on both but I just can't make up my mind! I like the Gyration because it's RF and if I can't get all of the buttons to work I can still use it as an air mouse and navigate around like that. BUT I also like the harmony since I can turn all of my remotes into one, but I do get very frustrated with IR remotes at times. Maybe my experiences with IR remotes is just because the one I currently use is a bad remote or a bad receiver. I just hate it because I have to point the remote right at the IR receiver or it will not work.

 

[Efros]

Snapstream firefly

I've used the rf version of this remote successfully for about 3 years now, you can generate a profile for whatever program you are using. My principle reason for rf was that my HTPC is located in the basement about 12 feet below my TV so rf was pretty much the best option.

SnapStream Firefly: Overview

 

[captainflash]

Thanks for the suggestion! I think I have decided I will give the Gyration a try and see how I like it.

 

[MagicA]

How do you get the RF version of the Snapstream Firefly's pause button to work? I finally moved from Beyond Media and Beyond TV and was happy until I went to watch a xvid on my HTPC only to discover the pause button wouldn't work This is a deal breaker for me as I don't want to buy another remote as this one is fantastic!

Any suggestions?

 

[Efros]

Must be something to do with your setup, pause works fine on mine.

 

[MagicA]

Thanks Efros.. at least I know it's a "me" problem which can be fixed

I'm really starting to like this app a lot! Now if only I can figure out how to get the epg data from my snapstream.net account so I don't have to pay someone $20 a year (Canada (boy this place can suck at times) I will be one happy camper

Regards!