Controlling HTPC..what are you guys using.

[blueswitch]

Here's the setup I'm looking at. basically I want to stop putting a desk and chair in my bedroom. I've got a 26" Samsung LCD..with D sub and HDMI in's. Hardware wise I've kinda got it narrowed down..and I'm going with minimalist approach...the closer it can look to a TV on a dresser..but still have good sound and a HTPC to run movies and music on the better.

Here's my question....what are you using to control these HTPC's? Since mine is going in a bedroom..I won't have a coffee table to set an IR keyboard and mouse down onto. I'm sure I'll want to do some web browsing on it..not a ton because I still have a laptop..but some quick hits...I'll mostly use it for movies, music, photos. I played around over the weekend with my laptop hooked up and an IR keyboard and mouse. The idea is great..but using an IR mouse on a bed is frustrating...a book solves the problem but....is there a better way?

I saw this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104089 which is a great idea...but come on $140 for a mouse...Nintendo seems to be able to sell their pointers for $40. They also make a mini Bluetooth keyboard with a touch pad for the same price.

What have you guys found to work well? I think interface is a big deal...if it's a pain to control....I won't want to use it.

[Wicked Klown]

I'm using a MS Optical desktop elite for bluetooth and a Logitech Harmony 520.

[blueswitch]

I'm using a MS Optical desktop elite for bluetooth and a Logitech Harmony 520.

how does that harmoney work...what kinda of functions can it control without needed to jump in first with a mouse to open up an app or something?...can you go from boot screen to launching movies and music?

[jdf_warrior]

If your not gonna be doing excessive typing, I would recommend the Logitech diNovo Mini. I love mine. My HTPC is used for that only though. I will browse the web once and a while, but its mainly for watching movies in Xbox Media Center, Hulu, Youtube, and Netflix.

[nd4spdbh2]

i have a wired keyboard and mouse that sit by the tv, but i have mediaportal setup with my ati remote wonder plus so 90% of the time i just use that. also have the controler setup to act as a mouse when not in mediaportal so i can browse through my shared itunes library.

[blueswitch]

so it sounds like you guys are getting quite a bit of functionality with your remotes...can anyone suggest one?...this is not a super expensive HTPC...like I said it's for a bedroom..I think all together I'm only looking at about $150 to build the machine...

[jimmsch]

I love my Logitech Dinovo Mini. It is a full blue tooth keyboard with a mouse pad built in and the whole thing is roughly the same size as a TV remote.

$125 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-000594-diNovo-Mini/dp/B0011FOOI2)

[ratbuddy]

I love my Logitech Dinovo Mini. It is a full blue tooth keyboard with a mouse pad built in and the whole thing is roughly the same size as a TV remote.

$125 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-000594-diNovo-Mini/dp/B0011FOOI2)

I'm looking at grabbing one of those. Does it come with a dongle?

[jimmsch]

It came with everything neeeded to use it.
1: The keyboard
2: The USB Bluetooth adapter
3: Battery charger.

[arsenewenger]

Sorry to jump in here but before reading this thread i had not heard of the dinovo mini and am really thinking of getting they look cool and most people say they love them . is ther anything else round that is similar to that for a comaparision before i buy one of these

[mrjspeed]

Gyration remote and compact keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823172021)

I'm surprised no one mentioned this one here. This one uses the same tech in the Wii remotes, except it's much more accurate. It is RF so you don't need line of sight and it has (supposedly) a 100 foot range. The main reason I like it is because it works as an air-mouse and it is also a universal remote. It has a learning capability so you can program your TV/cable box/reciever etc...

This company has the gyro technology patented, which is why no one else is doing the same thing. It's a shame too, I would love to see Logitech make a Harmony with this capability. Until then, this is the best thing I've found.

[markp1989]

Im using a wiimote to control mine, running moovida (was elisa) and ubuntu linux.

i havnt set up and of the acelormiter stuff, just use the buttons to navigate the software

http://www.moovida.com/wiki/TipsAndTricks/HowToUseNintendoWiimote

if i ever get around to buying a sensor bar, i would set it up to use as the mouse, but currently i have no need.

[JLK03F150]

I'm using this Adesso wireless keyboard with a touchpad built in. It's just like using my notebook keyboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166047

A friend has the logi mini & says it's great for web surfing but he wouldn't recommend it for a lot of typing.

[||Console||]

I just use a MCE remote in media portal . Dont really do and web browsing on my tv

[Neuromancer]

I am using a Anyware universal remote (love it, but need to get a remote for my TV to program it ) and a multimedia wireless keyboard for the rest of the time (about 2% of time, 90% of that time is the remote is lost)

I bought a Harmony remote, and was not happy with it at all. I thought it controlled HTPCs, but if it does, its a hidden feature (

[Twigglish]

Gyration remote and compact keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823172021)

I'm surprised no one mentioned this one here. This one uses the same tech in the Wii remotes, except it's much more accurate. It is RF so you don't need line of sight and it has (supposedly) a 100 foot range. The main reason I like it is because it works as an air-mouse and it is also a universal remote. It has a learning capability so you can program your TV/cable box/reciever etc...

This company has the gyro technology patented, which is why no one else is doing the same thing. It's a shame too, I would love to see Logitech make a Harmony with this capability. Until then, this is the best thing I've found.

That not only sounds great, but the reviews of it are pretty nice too.
I will definitely have to buy one.

[xtkxhom3r]

i use a logitech dinovo edge keyboard http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/192&cl=us,en

i love this keyboard man no issues with it

and i used to have a gyration mouse and keyboard...WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! it would always disconnect and would suck through batteries like nothing! and they key setup is really weird i could never hit the backspace on the first or 2nd try...

and the whole air mouse thing if "fun" but not as easy as you think...when you actually try to click on a link your finger pushes the mouse down thus making you miss the link lol..

[Neuromancer]

gyration was "neat" when it came out was that like 9 years ago? Nothing has changed that I have seen lately, and I did not like them either. But I am not partial to the idea of spending $100 on a mouse and having it feel like a $7 one.

[mrjspeed]

have you tried the new one? I can't save I've had it ever disconnect and the batteries have yet to die after several months, despite the device having a backlight and lcd now.

It definitely isn't perfect, Logitech makes better quality products. I want something that looks like a livingroom remote control that can control all devices and control my HTPC's mouse cursor effectively. I haven't seen anything else that does this.

[xtkxhom3r]

have you tried the new one? I can't save I've had it ever disconnect and the batteries have yet to die after several months, despite the device having a backlight and lcd now.

It definitely isn't perfect, Logitech makes better quality products. I want something that looks like a livingroom remote control that can control all devices and control my HTPC's mouse cursor effectively. I haven't seen anything else that does this.

link???

[mrjspeed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joiryZue96o

http://www.buy.com/prod/lcd-remote-vista-accslcd-remote-w-receiver-vista/q/loc/111/207964449.html

[Twigglish]

I don't see how it's the new version, but with the same model number.

[xtkxhom3r]

hmm never seen that remote... i thought gyration only made mouses and keyboards... i like how it displays the music playlist on the lcd of the remote do the logitech remotes do the same??