How to control TV and HTPC with same remote

[WannaFly]

I have an HTPC connected to my TV currently. I use the mouse and keyboard to navigate win 7 media center. I'd like to be able to use a remote. I know I can buy a media center remote, but can I also program that remote to control my TV and blueray player? Note: I don't currently have an IR receiver on the HTPC.

I got ahold of an USB IR receiver a while back and tried using that and some free software (HID something) to program my TV remote to control the computer but had no luck, so I gave up.

Whats my best option here? I know a harmony remotes are good, but I feel I dont have enough devices to take advantage of one. And, I need an IR reciever for it to connect to the HTPC.


sidenote: is there a simple/cheapsolution to get a harmony to send RF signals, It'd be awesome if I could control my ceiling fans from one also! (They currenly have a separate RF remote)

 

[Fallen Kell]

Go get a USB-UIRT: http://www.usbuirt.com/

As for harmony and RF, yes, certain remotes do that, you just have to select one of the models that are RF capable. For home automation, you will probably want to look at a Harmony that has Z-Wave which is what most of the current generation of home automation use for wireless RF communication.

 

[WannaFly]

The USBUIRT look like a decent option, but at $50 + another $50 for the girder software - theres gotta be a better/cheaper way? How does the $25 microsoft remote work, can a harmony be programmed to do the same as it, with it's receiver?

As for RF, my understanding is that any of the harmony models only use RF as an IR extender, as in - they still send IR signals, it just uses RF to transmit it through walls/cabinets.

 

[kalrith]

All you need is this USB IR receiver for $15 and any Harmony IR remote. I'm using that exact one with my Harmony remote and MediaPortal. It's basically Dell's MCE IR receiver, and I would think that Win 7 MCE would read it as well. I can't verify that one since I haven't gotten around to installing Win7 yet.

Edit: If you want to control your ceiling fan too, you can get a Harmony RF remote and then an RF-to-IR converter (I think) to feed the IR signals to the rest of your devices.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

stay away from the WMC-based remotes. i'm using an Antec Mult-Station EZ with a harmony 880. there are other models that fit in drive bays. it is actually the imon product resold by antec. the remote software is now totally configurable for windows and any software you want, as is the harmony. the included imedian multimedia software is terribad, so don't install it, but the remote app is solid.

tip 1: stay away from models with the led/lcd displays. they're pretty crappy
tip 2: i never did get the internal version to work right for power on. also, it introduced tons of wires into the box, including an external/internal usb adapter. the usb version is as simple as can be, you can attach it anywhere, and the cheapest.
tip 3: in the harmony setup, when you enter your PC as a device, it will default to turning the pc on and off just like a/v gear. you may want to change that.
tip 4: in the imon setup, tell it you have the larger rm200 remote, so you can use all of the buttons on the harmony.

 

[WannaFly]

kalrith: Thanks for the info. I already have that other IR reciever, so i might try buying the harmony 510 (newegg has it for $50 today) and seeing if it works with it. I don't have software for the receiver but windows recognized it as an "eHome IR Receiver" I just don't know what software would need installed to control win 7 media center. I'd also REALLY love for the remote to be able to turn the computer on since it hibernates a lot.

Boston: Why stay away from WMC remotes? I'm gonna get the harmony and try it with the reciever i have if not i'll probably get the one you mentioned. BUT, I think its a bit creepy they made it look like a webcam lol.....my SO will think a webcam will be watching everything we do.

 

[Modelworks]

No software is required for media center if windows recognizes the remote.
There is nothing wrong with WMC remotes. I have one I use all the time without problems in win7. Just plugged in the receiver and started using it, didn't have to configure anything.

The one I use:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-003-_-Product

 

[The Boston Dangler]

well, with a WMC remote, the is no customization at all, and i had a hell of a time getting it to work with programs other than WMC. the advantage is, obviously, optimization for its purpose.

 

[phillyTIM]

My Logitech Harmony (Xbox 360 Remote model) controls both my HDTV and HP Windows Media Center PC beautifully!