What's the most user friendly / plug and play remote for MP? (1 Viewer)

[WTBHelp]

Hi,

I would like to buy a remote for my new setup. Can someone recommend a model that they've used through experience? I am looking for something very cheap, very user friendly. I would just like to plug it in and go! (ie. very limited mapping etc).

Any ideas? This one is $23 (Newegg.com - Anyware HA-IR01SV Infrared Certified MCE VISTA Remote Control)

Notes:

1) I currently do not watch TV (no tuner card), but may want to do so in the future. Not sure if this will affect my choice of remote.
2) I may want to get a surround sound setup at some point. Will it be possible to map the volume control on the Logitech Z-5500 for example? Newegg.com - Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speakers - Speakers

A single universal remote is always better. Can it also be mapped to my TV?

Thanks guys.

 

[etheesdad]

that remote is fine for MP.

as far as I know its not possible to map an MCE remote to a stereo, but you can control the volume output to the stereo via the PC sound output

Universal remotes are great but be aware that some users have reported response-time issues with the 525 Harmonys

 

[kiwijunglist]

you can control the volume within mediaportal/windows IF you use analog audio output, with SPDIF (Digital Coaxial/Optical Out/Toslink) you can not control the volume within mediaportal. I am not aware of any PC remotes that allow you to learn the volume control from your stereo. However you have two options

1. Universal remote which can learn the PC remote and the audio amp/receiver volume IR commands

2. Use an IR blaster from the PC to control the Receiver volume (Complicated for new users)

 

[WTBHelp]

What about this remote - it's $2 more and have some good reviews on Newegg:

Anyware GP-IR01BK Windows Vista Infrared MCE Black Remote Control
Newegg.com - Anyware GP-IR01BK Windows Vista Infrared MCE Black Remote Control

Can anyone personally confirm that they have used this remote and share some of their experiences specific to MediaPortal.

Thanks!

you can control the volume within mediaportal/windows IF you use analog audio output, with SPDIF (Digital Coaxial/Optical Out/Toslink) you can not control the volume within mediaportal. I am not aware of any PC remotes that allow you to learn the volume control from your stereo. However you have two options

1. Universal remote which can learn the PC remote and the audio amp/receiver volume IR commands

2. Use an IR blaster from the PC to control the Receiver volume (Complicated for new users)

I'm planning to get this TV: 32" Vizio 1080P Model VL320M
Sam's Club - 32" Vizio 1080P Full LCD HDTV

For now I'm just going to hook up my HDMI from my PC and run it to the TV, using the TV speakers for sound. Down the road when I need to get 5.1, I will probably have to use the TV's SPDIF Digital Optical output.

I assume I can affect the TVs sound via my HDMI cable using the remote, but would that in turn affect the SPDIF output?

Thanks. Tough question I know, so if anyone has actually used this setup please post.

 

[kiwijunglist]

2 channel HDMI audio should be able to be controled within mediaportal because you are not using pass thru mode, therefore any PC remote that has a volume button on it will be able to control audio volume.

Down the road when you need 5.1 you will not use tv spdif output, you will either run direct spdif out to the receiver or you will run the HDMI directly to the receiver then the receiver will output the video signal to the tv.

PS - 1080P sounds like overkill for a small 32" TV, you wont notice the extra resolution, you should go bigger size or smaller resolution. However if you are usig the TV for PC text based tasks eg. surfing web/writing emails then you will need a TV that is either 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and has 1:1 pixel mapping.

 

[WTBHelp]

2 channel HDMI audio should be able to be controled within mediaportal because you are not using pass thru mode, therefore any PC remote that has a volume button on it will be able to control audio volume.

Down the road when you need 5.1 you will not use tv spdif output, you will either run direct spdif out to the receiver or you will run the HDMI directly to the receiver then the receiver will output the video signal to the tv.

PS - 1080P sounds like overkill for a small 32" TV, you wont notice the extra resolution, you should go bigger size or smaller resolution. However if you are usig the TV for PC text based tasks eg. surfing web/writing emails then you will need a TV that is either 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and has 1:1 pixel mapping.

Hey thanks man. Really appreciate the help. My TV is a bit far from my PC and thats why I thought I would use the TV's SPDIF but I suppose running it directly from the PC is the best solution. Was hoping to avoid extra cables too but I will go with this option then.

Re: the 1080p question = the 720 version was just $70 less. I sit 5 feet away so the resolution requirement is on the fence between 720 and 1080 (checked that chart). However, I figured the text menus in MediaPortal would benefit from a better resolution so for only $70 more it was worth it. I also plan to get a Blu Ray drive to play BR movies on the TV.

Can you share your thoughts on this or is it really just a waste of $70 to get the 1080. Would Blu Ray even be worth it? Thanks man.

 

[kiwijunglist]

spdif optical audio cables are limited to a few metres in length, but HDMI or spdif coaxial is fine.

what is the native screen resolution of the 720 version?

What do you want to do with the TV? Just watch movies or have you got other things in mind?

What are the specs of your PC?

EDIT: LG 32LF11 vs Vizio VL320M - AVS Forum if VL320M supports pixel mapping (as suggested near bottom of thread) then it will make a good PC monitor, however you will find txt/websites very small unless you sit close to the TV. =

However, I figured the text menus in MediaPortal would benefit from a better resolution

actually most skins are optimized for 1280x720

 

[WTBHelp]

what is the native screen resolution of the 720 version?
Here is the link to the 32" 720p: Walmart.com: Vizio 32" Class Eco 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV, VO320E: TVs
Native res = 1366 x 768
Its $400 vs $470 (edit: $424 vs $470 because of taxes, forgot to put that in)

What do you want to do with the TV? Just watch movies or have you got other things in mind?
TV will be used solely for movies+shows from hard drive, DVDs+ maybe Blu Ray from PC ROM drive, as well as streaming Netflix/Hulu off the net.

What are the specs of your PC?
I have a homebuilt PC, duel core OC'ed to 3.3Ghz, good mobo etc. PC has strong capabilities and I will be putting in a new vcard with this new setup, Radeon HD 5770, $159:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Based on this info, to me it seems like the extra $50 for the 1080p is worth it right (future proof etc)? Its only $50. The big question is Blu Ray. I will need to get a new drive (I need a new drive anyway, mine is busted), but this is $100 vs $30.

I also currently have a ATI x1900xt: Radeon™ X1900 XT - Product Specifications
Its not HDCP compliant so I wont get the benefit of 1080. Also, no HDMI. It uses its own dongle with a component adapter running component cables.
I guess I could get away using it and save the money but I have been wanting to get a new vcard for sometime (this one is 3 years old). I'm undecided. Also, no driver support anymore, legacy card. NOTE: I will continue to use XP Pro going forward. Not sure I want to make the W7 jump yet - save my cash.

In summary:
Do I spend the $230 extra for Blu Ray and 1080p at 5ft or just go with what I have? I really just want to picture to be big, crisp, and clear so that I can read the menu text and movie synopsis stuff etc. We all know when a picture looks awesome. Its just got to feel awesome.

Thanks man! Comments welcome!!

 

[kiwijunglist]

The "720P display" has an annoying native resolution, therefore i would probably choose the 1080P version over the 720P version for the extra $56. The advantage of the 720P display however is lower resolution = less system resources hungry, which is good if you have a slower coputer.

If you get hold of anydvd that may bypass the HDCP problem and you might be able to stick with current video card for a while.

Your 1900XT video card doesn't do DXVA/UVD which means you miss out on hardware decoding. If your cpu is 3300x2 = 6600Mhz then it is fast enough for software decoding for HD video. Otherwise if you want to watch 720P/1080P video rips/hdtv/blu ray you need gfx card with dxva.

The HD5770 sounds like a total overkill and waste of money for HTPC. I really like my HD4670 for HTPC.

You have to decide whether you want bluray drive or not, i watch my HD movies via HDD rips therefore i don't rock bluray.

 

[WTBHelp]

kiwijunglist - I just wanna say thanks man. You don't know how much this is helping me. You are very knowledgeable and I REALLY appreciate your help.

1) Sounds like we're settled on the 1080p Vizio. Its worth the $50. Woot.

2) If you get hold of anydvd that may bypass the HDCP problem and you might be able to stick with current video card for a while.

I'm a bit of a tard with understanding PC output resolutions. Regular widescreen DVDs only output at 720p correct? But I think what youre saying is that if I have a 1080p TV and a card that can output 1080i, that I can still only get a 720p output if my card isnt HDCP compliant correct? I think what youre saying is get AnyDVD and bypass the HDCP stuff and get my 720p dvds from Netflix to be blown up to 1080i right? Does the MediaPortal player take care of all this automatically?

3) I sincerely hate this HDCP stuff cause I dont understand it. The manufacturers really screwed us over. If I'm looking at a MediaPortal menu on my 1080p TV via a non HDCP card (x1900xt), am I looking at 1080i? When I start my DVD from Netflix, does it down convert to 720p if I dont have the HDCP card? What if I stream a avi movie ripped from a DVD, it run at 1080i? Very confusing

4) I see the 1080p Vizio accepts "Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio". I assume this is the VGA cable. I have 2 DVI outputs on the x1900xt. I have a DVI to VGA dongle. TV specs say "1920 x 1080 via VGA and HDMI". I would need the VGA cable to get my 1080i picture. Any loss of quality with the DVI to VGA dongle setup?

5) Your 1900XT video card doesn't do DXVA/UVD which means you miss out on hardware decoding. If your cpu is 3300x2 = 6600Mhz then it is fast enough for software decoding for HD video. Otherwise if you want to watch 720P/1080P video rips/hdtv/blu ray you need gfx card with dxva.

My card seems to be ok now and I'm running avi's (800 X 400) and Netflix streaming on 1998 tube TV via s-video (side note - can you imagine my happiness level when I upgrade, regardless of what happens, the impact on image is going to be effing HUGE!). This thing is so old, I dont even know the resolution (Sharp 27k-s100, doesnt even have specs online!). My ATI software says its running at 1024 X 768 but I dont know what this real res is. Anyway, do you think my PC will take strain trying to steam a 1080i avi or DVD?

6) The HD5770 sounds like a total overkill and waste of money for HTPC. I really like my HD4670 for HTPC.

I use this PC for work and hardcore gaming, and my wife sits in the same room at night and wants to watch shows and movies while I work on my PC. If this was only a HTPC, then I would say its an overkill. However, I do a lot with the PC so its worth it. Also, 4870 goes for $150. 5770 is 10 bucks more but DX11 proof. Also, running XP for now and only PCIe 1.0 x16, so its 20% bottlenecked but I guess sort of investment proof :AnandTech: AMD?s Radeon HD 5770 & 5750: DirectX 11 for the Mainstream Crowd
(running 1900 X 1200 on my Acer 24", Amazon.com: Acer AL2416W - LCD display - TFT - 24" - 1920 x 1200 - 500 cd/m2 - 1000:1 - 6 ms - VGA - silver: Electronics).

I do see that 4670s are around $70 which would be an upgrade, but really low on the FPS charts. I game at 1900X1200:
Charts, benchmarks Gaming Graphics Cards Charts 2009 (High Quality), Sum of FPS Benchmarks 1920x1200

7) You have to decide whether you want bluray drive or not, i watch my HD movies via HDD rips therefore i don't rock bluray

I need the drive to backup my own Blu ray disks right, and need it to actually create a rip correct? Is there a work around using regular DVD Roms that I dont know about (wow that would be nice)? Or how do you get your rips. I dont have the patience to find good rips on the net so that option is out rofl.

Any, thanks so much man! I hope you're enjoying the discussion. A lot of questions but heck, you are so helping. I really appreciate it.