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HTPC Input devices.....what do you use?

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Mr.Guvernment

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2003
Now that i am doing an HTPC i am digging through the forums to see what devices people use for their HTPC and they seem to vary, if it isnt in the main post, add what you use and why and include pics if you can.....

Some seems to prefer remote controls like the logitech harmony line, others smaller compact keyboards with built in track pads of balls....

Help me, and others decide what should we be looking at?

  • How does it work?
  • What is the distance on it?
  • How does it integrate with your software, XMBC, MC or other software?
  • Did it work in windows, linux or other systems?


items from other threads suggested or used:

IOGEAR 2.4G Hz Multimedia Mini Keyboard with Trackball, Scroll Wheel and Backlight LED, GKM571R (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Multimedia-Ke...B4KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336631880&sr=8-1
31UaSX3SHuL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Lenovo Multimedia Remote with Keyboard N5901
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Multimedia-Remote-Keyboard-N5901/dp/B0036VO67I?tag=hardfocom-20
41-naMSn2nL.jpg

Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400
http://www.logitech.com/en-sg/keyboards/keyboard/devices/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400
wireless-touch-keyboard-k400-amr-glamour-images.png

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Nat...UZBM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336632176&sr=8-1
41BFy1svkdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Azend Group MediaGate GP-IR01BK 1-Channel IR Windows Vista Media Center Remote Control and Receiver (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Azend-MediaGa...2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1336631791&sr=1-2-catcorr
41ysEkKqQ7L.jpg

IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel, 2.4GHz Wireless GKM561R (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Multimedia-Ke...e=UTF8&qid=1328029720&sr=1-1&tag=hardfocom-20
41eToI55-eL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Premium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard with Laser Trackball
http://www.vidabox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=10
ACC-BT-KBLTB_LRG.jpg


Logitech Harmony® 650 Remote
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/remotes/universal-remotes/devices/6621
26419.png

Logitech Wireless Keyboard K360 (Dark Silver) (920-003366)

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Silver-920-003366/dp/B004ZKXXAU?tag=hardfocom-20
411MPQGAxxL._AA300_.jpg

CE Compass Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad Mouse PC Remote Control
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VPXLDI/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details?tag=hardfocom-20
41DFs5aEbNL._AA300_.jpg

Cideko Wireless Air Keyboard and Gyro Mouse Combo for PC, Mac, and PS3 (AVK02)
http://www.amazon.com/Cideko-Wirele...e=UTF8&qid=1332228266&sr=1-1&tag=hardfocom-20
41-xuhocSzL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

HP Wireless Mini Keyboard
http://www.amazon.com/HP-XB387AA-ABA-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B0044DPB4O?tag=hardfocom-20
41VMmECgs4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Wireless USB PC Remote Control Mouse for PC
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M56DI0/?tag=hardfocom-20
41Q5lNWSbQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SVSJ1K/?tag=hardfocom-20
41soA5FU0UL._AA300_.jpg


Software remotes for devices

http://www.unifiedremote.com/

http://www.mobilemouse.com/
 
Cheap Logitech wireless keyboard similar to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126197
818m%2Bnhn91L._AA1500_.jpg

With the Logitech M705 for browsing/media
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wire...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336664821&sr=1-10
41b8qjP4mKL._AA300_.jpg

And the Razer naga for gaming.
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Laser-G...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336664923&sr=1-1
415hKvsz5zL._AA300_.jpg

As for range and whatnot, it's pretty much moot point for me since I don't go past the 8' range but I use my logitech devices on the unifying receiver which I really like.
 
Last edited:
I use an anyware multifunctino remote control to control PC stereo and TV. Anyware used to sell their stuff under their name now then just outsource it for ones like that Azend you posted above. Rosewill remotes are also anyware made. Very cheap and works well.

For KBM I used a Microsoft wireless entertainment desktop 7000 bluetooth edition. KB works anywhere in the room and has a built in touch pad. Miouse just sits up on the TV stand and only really gets used when someone is gaming at the PC (Put a chair right in front of it for the kids to LAN game)
 
I personally use a logitech k400 with the trackpad built in. It works really well.

i have tested up to 20ft with no problems, windows 7 with xmbc interface
 
I use the lenovo pictured above. My biggest complaint is that it doesnt control the tv also. So i need to change the input, volume, cable channel with the tv remote. Perhaps the lenovo can do both, i havent looked into it much. I have only had it a couple weeks.i used to do a full wireless keyboard and mouse, but that is awkward. It is always in the way and the mouse always got lost or fell behind the couch.
 
I'd also be interested in what OS people are using just to know how well Linux supports these devices. I'd imagine they'd work just fine...
 
After a fair bit of trial and error I found the Shintaro Wireless Multimedia Keyboard with Trackball to be by far and away the best device out there. It's shapped to fit in your lap accross your knees. The trackball is on the right hand side with a left click button beneath it for easy use. Likewise there's left and right click buttons on the left side of the keyboard. It has a 10m range so long as the reciever is in line of sight.

There's also a scroll wheel on the left hand side. Very convenient all round. Not an expensive choice either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shintaro-Wi...4?pt=AU_Input_Peripherals&hash=item5887fa5e16

Nothing else comes close to it.

133565_shintaro_rf_wireless_multimedia_keyboard.jpg


dsc02367-300x225.jpg
 
I had a cheap one like that I bought off the classifieds years ago off the forums. Except instead of trackball it had a stick. Got it in a "box o crap" sale IIRC.

It works in a pinch but I wouldnt use it for a main HTPC.



As for OS

Vista x64 and 7 x64 have been what I used, but I actually LIKED using media center. I played around with some of the replacements before and found them to be too much work, and there are addons for MC that can be done to do everything other options do by default.

I am not saying MC is better, just that I liked it more and my sister and her kids wont bother learning anything else. *sigh

As for Linux alternatives there were some ground up HTPC distros that I think all got shelved at some point not sure if any are still around. Mythbuntu was one, Linux One or something like that was supposed to be the best thing ever not sure if it ever got off the ground.
 
I've tried many more expensive solutions. The trackball is the thing makes a massive difference, that and the shape/design of the thing.
 
I use a MS bluetooth elite keyboard & mouse, range 90feet. I'm having issues getting it to work right in Windows 7 pro x64, worked great in Vista x64. I also use my HTC inspire and a Harmony 650.
 
Gyration RF MCE remote and keyboard combo. Works perfectly. I also use a RCAware HDMI CEC bridge so my remote can control my receiver and NeoTV (cheapo roku) for netflix, hulu, and vudu. That and an Android tablet for people who think touchscreen remotes are neat-o.

Gyration-GYR4101CKUS-Air-Music-Remote-with-Compact-Keyboard-0.jpg
 
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 running stock rooted ICS

galaxy-tab-2-1329135312.jpg

It has an IR blaster, with that, I use the Peel universal remote app, and it works great with everything I have. I use the XBMC remote app to control my ATV2s.
 
I use a Logitech Harmony One + Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 (Mouse/Keyboard combo). I rarely usually do any adding/art & info scraping/updates via my primary desktop using Team Viewer to control it remotely.
 
does the logitech K400 kb require line of sight? ive been using a logitech PS3 media board pro (essentially the same thing but bluetooth) and ive been happy with it, except my rambunctious cats decided to spill my beer all over it :(.

i liked that i could put the BT adapter on the back of the PC and not have to see it on the front or affect the quality of the signal.
 
does the logitech K400 kb require line of sight? ive been using a logitech PS3 media board pro (essentially the same thing but bluetooth) and ive been happy with it, except my rambunctious cats decided to spill my beer all over it :(.

i liked that i could put the BT adapter on the back of the PC and not have to see it on the front or affect the quality of the signal.

No idea to be honest, the wireless adapter that came with the 400 is so small (it is one of the USB plugs that stick out maybe half an inch from the usb port)
 
I use the backlit Lenovo and a Harmony One in the living room. In the bedroom I use the Azend Mediagate with my Xbox as an extender. All work great.
 
ya i found an app for Android i wanted to try out on my kindle fire see if that would work!
 
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