which Remote to you recomment? (1 Viewer)

[haggren]

Hi All,

I'm building my own Media Center based on MediaPortal... great programm!

I'm planning to buy a remote control (instead of using keyboard all the time), which brand/model do you recommend?

What about reception?

----
currently Im using my old Terratec (TV400) remotecontrol but think its horrible!

Thanks in avance!

Jesper

doh spellling error in the title... sorry ;-)

 

[Spragleknas]

MS MCE-remote. Works out-of-the-box. Recommended in many threads (try searching).

 

[gibman]

Nothing beats RF reception when it comes to distance...

u can even sit on the crapper while changing tunes - it goes through walls etc.

This is not possible with IR based remotes (MCE).
The button layout on the MCE is great though.

I am using the ATI remote wonder (the old one).
Also great configured out of the box.

/Gibman

 

[Melloware]

This may be what you are looking for but a REALLY inexpensive solution is to buy this remote from Creative

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=16&product=14709

It is 29$ USD on most sites like BUY.COM and the best part is if you are running WinXP or Vista you do not need to install ANY drivers. It just works out of the box. Then you need a program like Intelliremote to control MediaPortal, Powerpoint, ITunes, you name it with the remote. I like it because since its just a USB plug in you can take it to any machine you want and use the remote. Your Laptop, your desktop, your PC at work, whatever.

I own one of these remotes and have found it well worth the 29$.

http://www.intelliremote.com

 

[Danguard]

I'm using the old Ati Remote Wonder too with Firefly drivers and it's working as a charm.
In future i want to try the new X10 RF MCE Remote.
Here you can find a description, and this is the PDF directly from X10.

 

[and-81]

RF remotes are nice, but really only useful when your PC is hidden from view or in another room. Most people don't need RF. I've never had a range problem with my MCE IR remote, in fact the MCE IR remote has very good range.

Another big bonus for some (not everyone) is that if you ever want to control other equipment (STB, TV, Amp, etc...) then the MCE remote is a great choice. The receiver has the ability to simulate other remote controls. It's called IR Blasting and it can be used to control just about anything that has an infrared remote control.

You can get the remote and receiver (with ir blasters) very cheaply. Or you can get it in a three pack that includes a remote keyboard as well, which is also very good. I can't quote a price for you because I'm in Australia, so I don't know what it sells for elsewhere. But I'm sure you'll find prices quoted in other posts if you do a search.

The MCE remote is well supported by MediaPortal and other software and works out of the box with most Windows OS versions. You might need to install drivers with some flavours of Windows, but it's easy and certainly not a reason to stay away.

No offence to Melloware intended, but with the MCE remote you won't need to pay for any software to control your whole PC either. I'm not saying anything against IntelliRemote, I've never used it. It might be really good, I wouldn't know. So please don't be offended, it's not my intention.

I'm a big fan of the MCE remote as you've probably guessed. I think it's probably one of Microsoft's best inventions, though I'm sure Philips had a lot to do with it so that probably explains it.

Hope that helps,

EDIT:
I just had a look at Melloware's web site. IntelliRemote does look very nice. Bravo.

I especially like the profile icons down the left of that screenshot. It looks much better than the method I use in my program that I styled on HIP.

 

[Melloware]

No offence to Melloware intended, but with the MCE remote you won't need to pay for any software to control your whole PC either. I'm not saying anything against IntelliRemote, I've never used it. It might be really good, I wouldn't know. So please don't be offended, it's not my intention.
EDIT:
I just had a look at Melloware's web site. IntelliRemote does look very nice. Bravo.

I especially like the profile icons down the left of that screenshot. It looks much better than the method I use in my program that I styled on HIP.

and-81, No offense taken! You are absolutely correct on your points about the MCE remote. The reason I like Intelliremote a little better than most solutions (not only because I wrote it), but that it switches profiles based on which application you are using. So if you click on Winamp the Winamp profile takes over, if you switch back to MediaPortal the Mediaportal profile takes over.

My next task is I am working on supporting the Microsoft MCE remote as it seems to be a really popular remote and many users of my software that have Creative Remotes have asked about supporting the MCE remote.

 

[and-81]

and-81, No offense taken! You are absolutely correct on your points about the MCE remote. The reason I like Intelliremote a little better than most solutions (not only because I wrote it), but that it switches profiles based on which application you are using. So if you click on Winamp the Winamp profile takes over, if you switch back to MediaPortal the Mediaportal profile takes over.

That's always been something I liked about ByRemote's HIP. It adjusts automatically to the active program. I don't understand why some other programs don't do this.

My next task is I am working on supporting the Microsoft MCE remote as it seems to be a really popular remote and many users of my software that have Creative Remotes have asked about supporting the MCE remote.

Use the HID interface, you'll add support into your program in no time. The HID interface is simple and reliable.

Cheers,