• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Anyone use a Universal Remote to IR on Mboard to control WinDVD?

T

ToxicMussels

Senior member
This sounds interesting!

I would like to remote control my DVD player on my pc across the room for playback. Is there such a device or software around to do this with?
If not, has anyone written code to control this with?
 
I have been using X10 DVD Anywhere, and for the price, it is truely unbeatable.
DVD Anywhere $69.95 and get a $30 GC for more goodies.

This does a lot more than what you need. Since it uses 2.4GHz instead of Ir, no line of site is needed, has great range, even through many walls. My PC has a TV tuner as well, and I've used this system to send a Nascar race to a TV outside by the pool. Also used it poolside for playing MP3's. Just plugged the receiver into a set of speakers, and it was done. Of course since it's X10, it also controls light and appliance modules, and the $30 GC is a good way to add to your system. As a universal remote, it will control just about anything.

The included DVD BOOM 2000 software is a little flacky, but luckily you can use any DVD software that you want.
 
A similar but less expensive option than RobsTV suggests is to just get the X10 MouseRemote, it's $25 and lets you control ANY function of your PC. Don't use the software that comes with it, though - use maX10, it's much better than what comes with the device, and it's free. DVD Anywhere includes the MouseRemote and a wireless audio/video transmitter/receiver, but it does not seem as if you need that.

I use a MouseRemote with my "home entertainment" PC and it works extremely well. It makes my PC's DVD player as easy to use as a stand-alone set-top player. And as RobsTV pointed out, it is a "universal" remote, so it can control your TV and other stuff, too.
 
The mouse remote is a good suggestion but I just checked, and the price went up to 49 dollars at x10.com. That sucks because I was just about to order one myself. 🙁

-patchy
 
Damn! They doubled the price - business must be good. It's still a good deal, in my opinion the MouseRemote combined with a properly programmed maX10 software installation is worth much more than that. I have 2 MouseRemotes - the one I use, plus a spare. I got the second one for $10 using an X10 gift certificate I got for buying some lighting modules. After using the first remote for a while, it seemed like a good idea to get a spare unit as a hedge against breakage, since now I can't live without the thing!

If you get one DO NOT install the software that comes with it and DO NOT connect it the way the instructions say. Get the maX10 software and connect the remote's receiver module to a serial port and leave your mouse connected to the computer's PS/2 port.
 
I guess we all forget about X10 after a while.
Don't forget that if you sign up for their email specials, which are about 1 a day, they will send you discounts. Typical is $20 off ANY purchase. So this brings that mouse remote down to $29, and the DVD Anywhere down to $49. With the DVD Anywhere purchse, they also give you another $30 off ANY future purchase. So you end up spending about $49, and getting the DVD anywhere package, and a bunch of light modules. Don't forget to cancel the email's after you get what you want.

The reason I like the DVD Anywhere so much is the Audio/Video transmitter and receiver. Crystal clear. You can connect this to a Pay Per View cable box, or digital satellite receiver in your living room, and send the signal to your bedroom. Even send a TV top's DVD output anywhere in your home. Things like this used to cost over $200, and it's hard to find now for under $150, except through X10.
 
OK RobsTV,

I'm hooked!😀

If I get the Entertainment Anywhere package, I will be able to send my VCD's to my TV downstairs.
Correct?
Well, when I get my new Vid Card of course!
 
I use the DVD Anywhere transmitter/receiver to send the output from my computer DVD player and my satellite receiver to the TV in my bedroom. It works really well, except when you turn on the microwave. The m/w oven works on about the same frequency as the video transmitter, so make your popcorn before the movie starts! You wil have to fiddle around with the transmitter's and receiver's antenna to get a clear picture in any case.

Something you should be aware of - the DVD Anywhere/Entertainment Anywhere started shipping with a different remote a few months ago. The "new" remote DOES NOT WORK with the max10 software, and the software that comes with it to control your PC is extremely limited in comparison.

The "good" MouseRemote is model MK19A, and it used to come with the DVD Anywhere (and other) packages, but for some reason X10 started shipping a different remote that does not use the same IR codes as the MK19A.
 
Yep, I get the same junk when using the microwave. 2.4GHz stuff I guess.

Going through floors and walls is no problem.

I purchased my DVD anywhere over a year ago, and it did not use the mouse remote even then. Yes, the Boom 2000 software doesn't work well at everything, but it is not needed for the transmitter and receiver to work. For example, My PC's TV tuner card is not supported, so I can't use the remote to change channels, but I can still start the tuner app normally on the PC, and it is then transmitted to wherever I place the receiver.

You can still set up the x10 Boom software to allow you to use most DVD and MP3 software players, and all of the software functions are controlled not like using a mouse, but like using a regular remote, with play, stop, FF, etc., for the software player, right on the newer x10 remote.

BTW, once you get hooked on x10 light modules, you'll wonder how you ever did without them, and at a cost of almost free doesn't hurt..
 
Like RobsTV says, walls, floors, etc. aren't a problem.

The nice thing about the MouseRemote is that it has "regular" keys like play, FF, REW, numeric pad, etc., but it also can control your mouse pointer, and with the maX10 software, the "regular" keys can be programmed to do the appropriate functions with ANY piece of software. Plus you can program maX10 to give you on-screen feedback when keys are pressed, and it can also control your mouse pointer and the left and right mouse buttons.

I also agree with RobsTV that the X10 light modules are really cool. I have all the lights in my "home theater" room plus my garage door and garage lights all controled by X10 modules. Guests are always freaked out when I pull out ONE remote, turn on the TV, dim the lights, and start a movie, without using anything but the remote. And it's all really simple to use.

Since the topic of this post was looking for a remote to control the computer, I think the MouseRemote is a much better solution than the one that comes with the DVD Anywhere. It works with ALL software instead of SOME software, and is infinitely more customizable. But you gotta go with what works for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top