BEST MCE Remote for under $30?

[DigitalCancer]

I am needing a remote for my pc but I'm not sure what I really need.

I want it to have the capability of putting the pc to sleep (which I assume I can do with programmable buttons) and I would like to have mouse functions b/c I use windows not a dedicated theatre software.

I was looking at this one on eBay as well as the receiver that goes with it. Would this be a good option or is it going to be incompatible? I've tried to find reviews to no avail but found one post that said it was only compatible with Sony pc's? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but...guess it's possible.

What are some other good remotes/receivers to get? I would like to potentially upgrade to a Harmony at some point down the road (maybe a 520/620).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Modelworks]

Windows uses the same system for IR for all the remotes that have a windows media center button on them and RC6 on the back. The important thing is to make sure you can get drivers for the receiver. To tell if it will be recognized by the default windows drivers you could ask the seller if he could plug in the receiver and give the information that shows in properties. This is what it needs to report to windows to use the builtin drivers.

HID\VID_045E&PID_006D

There is also a file, HIDIR.inf that contains all the key press functions

This is the one I have been using for over a year and not had a single problem with it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880101003

Just plug and play.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Windows uses the same system for IR for all the remotes that have a windows media center button on them and RC6 on the back. The important thing is to make sure you can get drivers for the receiver. To tell if it will be recognized by the default windows drivers you could ask the seller if he could plug in the receiver and give the information that shows in properties. This is what it needs to report to windows to use the builtin drivers.

HID\VID_045E&PID_006D

There is also a file, HIDIR.inf that contains all the key press functions

This is the one I have been using for over a year and not had a single problem with it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-002-_-Product

Just plug and play.

I've looked at that same one multiple times. Does it allow you to control the mouse? I just need some basic functions for it (start -> programs) and to be able to program the 'sleep' function to it. At this point I'm only concerned with controlling the pc, not the tv/stereo, etc. with one remote.

Does that remote allow you to program buttons to programs?

Thanks for the info!

EDIT: Also, I'm using Windows 7 and I'm running MediaPortal for my media.

 

[Modelworks]

I've looked at that same one multiple times. Does it allow you to control the mouse? I just need some basic functions for it (start -> programs) and to be able to program the 'sleep' function to it. At this point I'm only concerned with controlling the pc, not the tv/stereo, etc. with one remote.

Does that remote allow you to program buttons to programs?

Thanks for the info!

It only does the functions that media center allows you to do by default. Sleep does work and you can even power on the pc with it provided your pc keeps the ports powered when off.

You can't program the buttons directly in media center, but you can download eventghost and use it to re-assign buttons. One of the interesting things is that with eventghost you can also process commands from other remotes that are RC6, so it works like a general IR receiver. Also with eventghost you can script to use the arrow keys on the mouse to act like the mouse.

http://www.eventghost.org/


I linked to the wrong product the first time , the correct one is the one with the long corded link. I haven't tried the other remote and receiver.

 

[Dirigible]

I have used a remote similar to the above for a couple years now. It controls WMC out of the box without doing anything. I used eventghost and programmed it so it can act like a mouse, can control xbmc and control WMC. A bit more of a hassle to use eventghost but more flexible. The mouse controls I programmed are kludgy though.

I picked this up for a bit under $30 on sale about a month ago: http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Multime.../dp/B0036VO67I
It's not so simple and remote-like, but man does it work well for controlling an HTPC. If I were you I'd review exactly what I wanted and consider it even though it's currently over your budget.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

not to sound like a broken record, but i think an imon-based remote is what you're looking for. there is a kb/mouse switch with adjustable mouse speed, a decent collection of auto-loading presets, functionality in any program, app launching/killing/focus switching and system control. the imon system is used in cases by silverstone, antec and others, and add-on products are currently branded antec veris:
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?Series=MjE=

the less expensive 2 products include a basic remote, but you can tell the driver you have the bigger remote and map a harmony to it for maximum buttons. i use the imon software without the imedian multimedia bloatware. the hardware works fine, and the software is super-flexible, especially when paired with a harmony.

 

[notposting]

Just to chime in with another possibility, I use a standard MS remote for WMC (I also have the Media Center keyboard with pointing stick) but usually if I need to mouse around I just use my Droid via MyRemote available on the Market. Don't know if other platforms have anything like it or if you have a smartphone but it's a possibility.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Alright, So it's been awhile since I first posted and I have YET to buy a remote (just been too busy with work to do much lately)...I did however, come across this one and think it might be the one, even though it's a bit out of the price-range that I originally wanted to spend.

Loftek Rii Touch N7

What do you guys think?

 

[Emulex]

then $25 lenovo special works quite well

 

[DigitalCancer]

I've debated that one a couple times as well...can't seem to catch it at the 'good' price though. =/