Help with Media Center

DJ... said:
What AV Supply is asking, is what are you using the mouse and keyboard for? Are you using it to control the Android operating system, or XBMC itself?

Either way, both can be controlled over your wireless network without the need for additional hardware and complications. The Yatse XBMC remote control is the best around, and Android has remote control and remote apps...
Click to expand...

Please excuse me for asking a stupid question but what does it matter? I want to use the keyboard to type and move around the screen. How does it differ whether it's being used for the Android operating system or XBMC itself? How would that determine the recommendation for a keyboard?
 
Magandroid said:
Please excuse me for asking a stupid question but what does it matter? I want to use the keyboard to type and move around the screen. How does it differ whether it's being used for the Android operating system or XBMC itself? How would that determine the recommendation for a keyboard?
Click to expand...

Its just that, depending on what you want to do, there are apps available for your Android phone that will provide the functionality of a hardware keyboard and mouse, but for cheaper.

However, I have an air mouse and I find it pretty easy to use. I think I would prefer it to an Android app. I use the remote control included with the unit for some XBMC functions, and also turning the unit on and off. And I use my phone to control music playback through Squeezer.
 
@AVSupply - had a look at your website. see you have HDMI switches, do you have the same for optical audio?

opinion poll quick here
Plex vs XBMC and why?
 
Magandroid said:
Please excuse me for asking a stupid question but what does it matter? I want to use the keyboard to type and move around the screen. How does it differ whether it's being used for the Android operating system or XBMC itself? How would that determine the recommendation for a keyboard?
Click to expand...

Because if all you're controlling is XBMC then there's no need for new hardware. Just download Yatse to your phone. If you're controlling the OS then you can download Android remotes for this purpose as well. Again, no need for additional hardware.

Or you can go the route of a physical remote keyboard/remote combo if you choose. Personally, I've not needed one with a media system and I prefer to declutter the lounge with fewer remotes. Bluetooth remotes especially, which are notoriously unreliable...
 
O, and my current setup.

HTPC, running windows 7. Have XBMC installed and Plex Media Server and Home Theater. Can't decide which one I like more.
 
fanie.dry said:
@AVSupply - had a look at your website. see you have HDMI switches, do you have the same for optical audio?

opinion poll quick here
Plex vs XBMC and why?
Click to expand...

Both media systems have their uses, but I prefer XBMC as I don't require transcoding. The last time I used the Plex media server it was a rather stupid interface imo.

I prefer XBMC. I run a Windows 7 HP Microserver box in my lounge as my main media centre and server for other boxes around the house. It's a SQL library, so all remote boxes operate off the same library, with the same resume points, ratings, etc.

So one "server" which doubles as the main media centre, and 7 other remote XBMC installs around the house, on Android, Openelec, Windows, Ubuntu, and I'm contemplating trying a Linuxbmc install soon as well. All served content wirelessly from multiple routers so as to avoid wireless congestion...
 
DJ... said:
Both media systems have their uses, but I prefer XBMC as I don't require transcoding. The last time I used the Plex media server it was a rather stupid interface imo.

I prefer XBMC. I run a Windows 7 HP Microserver box in my lounge as my main media centre and server for other boxes around the house. It's a SQL library, so all remote boxes operate off the same library, with the same resume points, ratings, etc.

So one "server" which doubles as the main media centre, and 7 other remote XBMC installs around the house, on Android, Openelec, Windows, Ubuntu, and I'm contemplating trying a Linuxbmc install soon as well. All served content wirelessly from multiple routers so as to avoid wireless congestion...
Click to expand...

I too have no need for transcoding. I have SD and HD content of the same show, and what I like about plex it only display it once, when I play it, it asks me which one I want to play. Comes in handy with Movies with SD, HD and 3D content.

XBMC is faster though because of the SQL element i suspect. Both are great imo. Resume points are also kept in sync with Plex. Don't know if this is new maybe, but it does do it.
 
Magandroid said:
Please excuse me for asking a stupid question but what does it matter? I want to use the keyboard to type and move around the screen. How does it differ whether it's being used for the Android operating system or XBMC itself? How would that determine the recommendation for a keyboard?
Click to expand...

Here are your Options

(1) You need Multimedia keys for XBMC (Play, Stop, Direction up/down/left/right) and the ability to search videos on youtube and other IPTV applications. You also want to respond to emails, facebook, etc. - Rii i8

(2) You would like to play Android mouse based games, surf the web, check emails, respond on Facebook/Twitter, etc. - RC11 or MeLE F10 Pro

(3) You need Multimedia keys and the ability to search videos on youtube and other IPTV applications. You also want to respond to emails, facebook, etc. and play Android Based Games - MX3 or MeLE F10 Pro

**Note on the MX3: It has an IR learning function which is very cool if you want to power your TV on/off and control the volume from the same remote. The only annoying thing is the cursor sleep function, and it's only annoying in XBMC. Pressing the cursor sleep button works (disables the mouse) but it only stays disabled until the remote wakes up after sleep mode (20-30 seconds of inactivity). Other than that, it's a great Gyroscopic Mouse, Keyboard, Multimedia and IR remote
 
Last edited:
fanie.dry said:
I too have no need for transcoding. I have SD and HD content of the same show, and what I like about plex it only display it once, when I play it, it asks me which one I want to play. Comes in handy with Movies with SD, HD and 3D content.

XBMC is faster though because of the SQL element i suspect. Both are great imo. Resume points are also kept in sync with Plex. Don't know if this is new maybe, but it does do it.
Click to expand...

Never quite understood the point of keeping both SD and HD versions of the same content. Surely you'd just watch the HD version?

Plex runs on a central server so the point was always the centralised resume points and watched flags, together with the transcoding. It proposes simplicity, but espouses stupid complexity imo.

To me installing XBMC, pointing it to the SQL database, and chucking on a beautiful skin is simple and elegant. My setup is actually far more complex than that as I have quite a lengthy advancedsettings.xml file that does some additional stuff I wanted, but the great thing is I simply chuck this same file on all of my setups and they operate identically.

I just never got into Plex. I once tried to add a new source from a different drive and it suddenly gave me two TV Shows folders. And the skin is just ugly imo. I know you can skin it, but having taught myself XBMC backwards I was far more comfortable getting inside the XBMC folders than Plex, so reverted to XBMC. There's also better support for the addons I use via XBMC...
 
fanie.dry said:
@AVSupply - had a look at your website. see you have HDMI switches, do you have the same for optical audio?

opinion poll quick here
Plex vs XBMC and why?
Click to expand...

Hi there

No, have been meaning to get some in

I've seen the manual type ones, are there remote based switchers, and are they preferred?

Thanks
 
Ok, i think i get it now. AVSupply has sent me some info on an app that can be installed on my tablet to control my XBMC interface which, in a sense, is a wifi networked remote control application. Really, what i want to do is type on a keyboard and move around and select icons, etc, remotely. Having to to move around the screen and type things like http://www.bigbustyboobs.com with the standard remote control is tiring and cumbersome.:D
So yes, I basically want to be able to type and move around the screens of the various applications as well as in XBMC.
 
DJ... said:
Never quite understood the point of keeping both SD and HD versions of the same content. Surely you'd just watch the HD version?

Plex runs on a central server so the point was always the centralised resume points and watched flags, together with the transcoding. It proposes simplicity, but espouses stupid complexity imo.

To me installing XBMC, pointing it to the SQL database, and chucking on a beautiful skin is simple and elegant. My setup is actually far more complex than that as I have quite a lengthy advancedsettings.xml file that does some additional stuff I wanted, but the great thing is I simply chuck this same file on all of my setups and they operate identically.

I just never got into Plex. I once tried to add a new source from a different drive and it suddenly gave me two TV Shows folders. And the skin is just ugly imo. I know you can skin it, but having taught myself XBMC backwards I was far more comfortable getting inside the XBMC folders than Plex, so reverted to XBMC. There's also better support for the addons I use via XBMC...
Click to expand...

ok. good to have another opinion.

yes, XBMC looks a little better, but I'm kinda enjoying the different interface Plex have given me. Add on's I know XBMC has a lot more support than anything Plex has, but I actually don't use any but the default add on's.
 
AVSupply said:
Hi there

No, have been meaning to get some in

I've seen the manual type ones, are there remote based switchers, and are they preferred?

Thanks
Click to expand...

i've seen a remote based one, very much the same as the hdmi one you have. just can't remember where, but they do exist.
 
Magandroid said:
Ok, i think i get it now. AVSupply has sent me some info on an app that can be installed on my tablet to control my XBMC interface which, in a sense, is a wifi networked remote control application. Really, what i want to do is type on a keyboard and move around and select icons, etc, remotely. Having to to move around the screen and type things like http://www.bigbustyboobs.com with the standard remote control is tiring and cumbersome.:D
So yes, I basically want to be able to type and move around the screens of the various applications as well as in XBMC.
Click to expand...

You're talking two different things here - Yatse is hands down the best XBMC Android app which now allows for local file playback as well. It uses your native tablet/phone keyboard, so allows you to type very quickly.

You then have remote apps for the operating system, allowing you to remotely launch apps, or control applications or the mouse. These also typically use the native keyboard of the device they're installed on.

As an example, my media box runs Windows. I use Yatse to control XBMC (as well as a physical Harmony 700 remote) and I use Unified Remote to control Windows, which uses my touch screen for mouse input and my tablet/phone keyboard for...well...keyboard input. As well as a host of other remote controls. Pretty sure similar apps exist for control of the Android OS.

There really isn't much of a need for additional hardware, so I'd suggest you test it out for yourself and only then decide whether you want additional hardware. See my point here? Why buy hardware when your existing hardware can do the job, and do it better than traditional remotes? If you feel it isn't sufficient, then by all means invest in more hardware, but at least test it out for yourself first...
 
AVSupply said:
Here are your Options

(1) You need Multimedia keys for XBMC (Play, Stop, Direction up/down/left/right) and the ability to search videos on youtube and other IPTV applications. You also want to respond to emails, facebook, etc. - Rii i8

(2) You would like to play Android mouse based games, surf the web, check emails, respond on Facebook/Twitter, etc. - RC11 or MeLE F10 Pro

(3) You need Multimedia keys and the ability to search videos on youtube and other IPTV applications. You also want to respond to emails, facebook, etc. and play Android Based Games - MX3 or MeLE F10 Pro

**Note on the MX3: It has an IR learning function which is very cool if you want to power your TV on/off and control the volume from the same remote. The only annoying thing is the cursor sleep function, and it's only annoying in XBMC. Pressing the cursor sleep button works (disables the mouse) but it only stays disabled until the remote wakes up after sleep mode (20-30 seconds of inactivity). Other than that, it's a great Gyroscopic Mouse, Keyboard, Multimedia and IR remote
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing that up.
 
DJ... said:
You're talking two different things here - Yatse is hands down the best XBMC Android app which now allows for local file playback as well. It uses your native tablet/phone keyboard, so allows you to type very quickly.

You then have remote apps for the operating system, allowing you to remotely launch apps, or control applications or the mouse. These also typically use the native keyboard of the device they're installed on.

As an example, my media box runs Windows. I use Yatse to control XBMC (as well as a physical Harmony 700 remote) and I use Unified Remote to control Windows, which uses my touch screen for mouse input and my tablet/phone keyboard for...well...keyboard input. As well as a host of other remote controls. Pretty sure similar apps exist for control of the Android OS.

There really isn't much of a need for additional hardware, so I'd suggest you test it out for yourself and only then decide whether you want additional hardware. See my point here? Why buy hardware when your existing hardware can do the job, and do it better than traditional remotes? If you feel it isn't sufficient, then by all means invest in more hardware, but at least test it out for yourself first...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I see what you're getting at. There already too many remotes laying around. This is exiting stuff.
 
Magandroid said:
Thanks, I see what you're getting at. There already too many remotes laying around. This is exiting stuff.
Click to expand...

No problem.

My favourite combo is the one I have now - Harmony 700 (for control of all devices and some cool macros in XBMC) and then all phones and tablets around the house can control all other XBMC and operating systems with various apps. As long as they're on the same Wi-Fi network. Even if they're not it can work with port forwarding, but obviously not recommended.

So play around with Yatse, Airdroid, Unified Remote, TeamViewer, web remotes, and whatever other remote control apps you can find to find the right combo for your setup. If you're left with a gap with control, then grab some additional hardware...
 
DJ... said:
No problem.

My favourite combo is the one I have now - Harmony 700 (for control of all devices and some cool macros in XBMC) and then all phones and tablets around the house can control all other XBMC and operating systems with various apps. As long as they're on the same Wi-Fi network. Even if they're not it can work with port forwarding, but obviously not recommended.

So play around with Yatse, Airdroid, Unified Remote, TeamViewer, web remotes, and whatever other remote control apps you can find to find the right combo for your setup. If you're left with a gap with control, then grab some additional hardware...
Click to expand...

i use the unified remote for windows and plex, and use xbmc's official remote app for xbmc, also use yatse if i want to stream to my android device.
 
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