Multimedia remote for PC

[Beetman]

Hi

I currently have my XP box hooked up to my plasma via HDMI, but now i'm looking for some kind of remote control i can use to open files and control playback and volume. I have heard of some that have a receiver that plugs into the USB port and then have a normal remote control similar to a dvd player's.

Anyone have any suggestions for me with regards to what i should be getting and where to buy?

Thanks

 

[ruan567]

They are expensive, but the Logitech ones apparently work with XBMC (http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=HOW-TO_setup_your_Harmony_Remote_for_use_with_XBMC_for_Xbox) as well:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/&cl=us,en

 

[ruan567]

And here is a SA link for the 885:

http://www.webantics.co.za/viewItem.aspx?idProduct=6277

 

[Park@82]

I used my phone as a bluetooth remote control... http://www.salling.com/clicker/windows/
http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Remote/Bluetooth-Remote-Control-63886.shtml
Salling Clicker worked great, even muted the volume when you got a phone call.

 

[<moLe>]

Xbox controller + wireless dongle, works better than I expected it to, and even awesome for browsing the web etc

 

[Beetman]

don't have an xbox, so probably won't be buying a controller. Problem with the cellphone solution is if i'm not at home with my cellphone there is no remote

i saw this remote online
http://www.nivo.co.za/buy~compro.technology.k200.remote.control.for.media.center.edition.ideal.for.upgrading.vista.home.premium.ultimate.to.media.center.edition.ce~p13516

Saw on compros website that drivers are available for XP SP2, you guys think it will work under XP or Windows 7?

 

[LazyLion]

http://www.jump.co.za/search/logitech+remote/

http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search/?search=logitech+remote&search_category_id=0&x=0&y=0

 

[Beetman]

yip, seen the Logitechs, the are very nice but also expensive....

Think they might have too many functions which i will probably not need, i'm only looking for something to control playback and volume of my pc.

 

[zeb]

i saw this remote online
http://www.nivo.co.za/buy~compro.technology.k200.remote.control.for.media.center.edition.ideal.for.upgrading.vista.home.premium.ultimate.to.media.center.edition.ce~p13516

Saw on compros website that drivers are available for XP SP2, you guys think it will work under XP or Windows 7?

Stay far away man!! I returned two right out of the box. First one had a broken button and on the second one the receiver didn't work.
Get yourself a Hauppauge MCE Remote for just a tad more and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Beetman]

Stay far away man!! I returned two right out of the box. First one had a broken button and on the second one the receiver didn't work.
Get yourself a Hauppauge MCE Remote for just a tad more and you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for the Heads up! Will stear clear then.

What operating system are using it in? It says on the online shop that XP media centre is required, but my media pc is currently running XP Pro and will probably upgrade to Windows 7 sometime in the future.

 

[zeb]

I'm using XP Media Center. You have to install a patch that comes on the cd but it works on Win 7 with no external drivers required.
I'm sure it'll work with XP if you install the patch and then if you download Free Remote Mouse you can even use it like a mouse.

 

[Beetman]

I'm using XP Media Center. You have to install a patch that comes on the cd but it works on Win 7 with no external drivers required.
I'm sure it'll work with XP if you install the patch and then if you download Free Remote Mouse you can even use it like a mouse.

Thanks for the remote mouse link! Bookmarked it already. So just to confirm the XP media centre patch is on the XP cd?

 

[zeb]

On the driver CD that comes with the remote yes.

 

[Beetman]

Great stuff, sounds like I've found what I'm looking for

 

[Beetman]

Stay far away man!! I returned two right out of the box. First one had a broken button and on the second one the receiver didn't work.
Get yourself a Hauppauge MCE Remote for just a tad more and you won't be disappointed.

Found the Hauppage here http://www.enjoyit.co.za/Shop/Remote-Controls/HAUPPAUGE-REMOTE-CONTROL-FOR-MCE-MEDIA-CENTER-EDI/flypage_enjoyit.tpl.htmlfor R90 less. EnjoyIT any good? Any one have experience buying from them?

 

[zeb]

I'd be amazed if they can get it for that price. Mail them and see if they'll honour the price.

 

[Beetman]

mailed them this morning, still no reply, not a good sign.....

Ikonic has no stock of the Hauppage, trying to sell me the Compro...

Mailed them back asking when they can get stock.

Any other sites that i might find the Hauppage?

 

[zeb]

Sybaritic
They're a good store to deal with.

 

[Beetman]

Sybaritic
They're a good store to deal with.

Just placed and payed for my order with syberatic who have stock, hopefully will received it by middle of the week.

 

[zeb]

Just placed and payed for my order with syberatic who have stock, hopefully will received it by middle of the week.

Postal strike
You'll have it early Sept I reckon.