Remote control for a pc (xp pro)

Poppycat

Looking for a cheapish remote control for pc connected to a large LCD in lounge. I normally use a wireless mouse but the range doesnt go far enough, has anyone managed to get a remote to work so that you can use the basic media player preferably zoom player?

I wondered if this would work okay, as I have powerdvd just prefer zoom player

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129977

ABH_3

Yes it should work fine, assuming you install the driver of course. Personally, I've got one of these: http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Remote/imon.asp I've also got a 'MS Media Center' remote with the required 'green button' in the center, which is what you've referenced, it works providing you've got line of sight to the reciever.

Here's some alternatives, which I'm referencing purely so that you have some idea on how to setup the controller, they are all pretty much the same thing http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/remote-control-from-soundgraph-changes-winxp-into-a-multimedia-center,review-1321.html but at least you'll have some insight.

I've also got one of these http://www.ebuyer.com/product/104608 which is a keyboard incorporating a mousepad which I use to control a variety of different players, including zoom player but more likely VLC.

HTH

Poppycat

Thanks most of the remote I see require MS XP mce or Vista mce

ABH_3

Poppycat wrote: »

Thanks most of the remote I see require MS XP mce or Vista mce

Yes, that's because they have predefined keys for xp mce. It doesn't mean you won't be able to redefine the keys in the software however, as that's what the drivers are for. So you'll press the mce (green button) and zoom player will start, or if you've got cyberlink mce installed you'd get an interface similar to this: http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/235/7aun6.jpg assuming you're computer has a tv card installed, then for instance if you hovered your 'mouse' or moved down to 'TV' you would get the options of 'Live TV' or 'Pre-Recorded TV'.

Likewise if you put the cursor over 'DVD' it would poll the dvd drive (assuming you have one installed) then start the disk spinning (again assuming there's one in the drive) and eventually play it.

XP MCE 2005 was only a 73MB file or bolt-on to XP Pro anyway, the original intention was to distribute it via msupdate, but for some reason ms decided they would rather charge for it, but then decided aiui to only distribute it to OEM's before it ended up on retail sale. You don't have to go with their version, you can use the Cyberlink variant, or meedio, or gb-pvr or even one of the linux variants.

http://www.gbpvr.com/
http://www.8dim.com/
http://www.meedio.com/home.html
http://www.parker1.co.uk/mythtv_ubuntu.php

Or even just as you intend on doing, remap the keys to use zoom player.

HTH

Poppycat

Thanks I ordered the remote above and the keyboard you mentioned

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129977
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/104608

Got my new tv coming on Thursday, Samsung 40" LCD and will be using a old pc to it via hdmi to dvi connector.

Thanks for your help

BarGin

I use my Sony Ericsson mobile phone as a remote via bluetooth. It works OK.

BarGin

Doublespresso

I have the Keysonic keyboard but couldn't make it work unless I placed it VERY near the receiver (I mean inches away!)
I can only assume that there is interference with my many other wireless gadgets such as WiFi, IR sender, etc.

Anyone experienced the same? Or could it be I had a dud KeyBoard?

A_Nice_Englishman

The Gyration Gyromouse is rather nice. You can use it in the air if you haven't got a flat surface at hand - a bit like a Wiii .

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/inputdevices/0,1000001009,10002198,00.htm

ZootHornRollo

BarGin wrote: »

I use my Sony Ericsson mobile phone as a remote via bluetooth. It works OK.

BarGin

me too.

a great idea.

ABH_3

Doublespresso wrote: »

I have the Keysonic keyboard but couldn't make it work unless I placed it VERY near the receiver (I mean inches away!)
I can only assume that there is interference with my many other wireless gadgets such as WiFi, IR sender, etc.

Anyone experienced the same? Or could it be I had a dud KeyBoard?

I would have to say that it's got to be a dud keyboard, but this is based purely upon my own experience. There are a bunch of happy users in the avforums who use the same keyboard for online gaming as well as mce control. When you paired the keyboard with the dongle how far away from it were you? As I was virtually sat on top of it, so it had no choice but to pair correctly

Poppycat

I got the order delivered today, that was quick Ebuyer only paid cheap delivery.

Plugged both into pc and worked brill straight away, no drivers at all

Keyboard came with usb dongle and remote receiver plugged into usb

I found this to work great with navigation of video etc http://www.8dim.com/

Just waiting for our new tv to arrive

Poppycat wrote: »

Thanks I ordered the remote above and the keyboard you mentioned

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129977
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/104608

Got my new tv coming on Thursday, Samsung 40" LCD and will be using a old pc to it via hdmi to dvi connector.

Thanks for your help