Looking for a good media center wireless control option

[TheInternal]

Hey everyone.

Well, I noticed a few threads that were similar to my own, but different enough that I felt I should make a new thread.

What I have:

a media box out in the living room (running XP MCE) that's hooked up to my big old CRT TV and some 5.1 speakers. Two wired USB keyboards, a wired optical cheap-o mouse, and a wireless Logitech MX-Revolution (my "main computer is using my newer USB keyboard and the wirless mouse currently).

What I want to use it for:

watching internet TV (hulu.com and netflix mainly), occasional DVD, maybe some "actual" cable TV (if I keep my cable tv subscription much longer). It may on occasion be used for some gaming, web browsing, or for guests to use.

What I'm debating over:

What control set up would work best but not cost a ton?

I'm guessing the Logitech Harmony remotes wouldn't be flexible enough to easily navigate internet TV stuff... not to mention $100 is the cheap one, quickly jumping to over $200.

I could do a wireless mouse, or maybe that shiny lookin (but pricey) Logitech MX Air, then just grab my spare wired keyboard out of a closet when any real typing was needed.

Or, maybe the new Logitech diNovo Mini">http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16823126039</a> thing that just came out? Still pricey though

I could do a wireless mouse and keyboard, but that would be a bit of clutter (unless I could fit it under the 2" or so of clearance under my couch for storage), and it would need a range of at LEAST 10 feet, with 15-20 feet being more reasonable to aim for.

So, any comments/suggestions? I think I'm leaning towards the MX Air, but the price point is just so darn high ._.

But it does look awfully shiny and would match my black media box <.<

 

[TheInternal]

or I could luck out and find an old wireless mouse that still works in my bin of lost computer components.

/kill thread

 

[mpilchfamily]

Realy your going to need a KB, mouse and remote. No PC remote will be a good subsatute for a mouse. They are all cumbersome and slow. So its not a good idea to replace the mouse with a remote when gaming. So you'll need a good Blutooth kb and mouse set along with the remote for general surfing and channel surfing.

 

[chizow]

I've looked lightly into this in the past but ultimately haven't taken the plunge on any of them (I just don't use MCE enough to bother with it), but here's a few options with a brief description:

Windows MCE Vista Ultimate Remote $25-30

Antec Veris E-Z Remote + IR receiver $20-25

MythTV link that may help with programming remote functionality

Some of the other options you've listed might work also, my biggest concern is with software support outside of MCE, so for that, the MX Air might be the best option as it just functions like a normal mouse and isn't bound to software/program/remote binds. My main use for something like this would be for PowerDVD 8 compatibility. At one point I was using my SB X-Fi IR bay for this, but I lost the hacked commands at some point and just haven't bothered re-enabling it.

Another option might be a TV Tuner card with a remote, as it may allow for wireless mouse cursor or MCE support. I know my really old Asus TV880 allowed me to control the mouse cursor via IR, although it was really laggy/choppy due to a horribly low polling rate. But it worked.

Also, once you have a remote IR receiver, you may be able to tweak the software and improve functionality with one of the programmable Logitech Harmony Remotes.

 

[mitchafi]

If you happen to already have an xbox 360 I would consider investing in the $20 USB adapter for PC. Using a small and free program called x-padder I've been able to map every button on the 360 controller to have a useful function with my new HTPC. For example, the D pad up and down scrolls up and down in my internet browser. Left and right open my media folder and internet browser respectively. the start button pauses all of my media players, the back button mutes audio. A is mouse left click, B is mouse right click. the joysticks both move the mouse cursor, but I have the left one set to move very fast and the right one slower. pressing down on the left joystick executes the windows key + tab command in vista (3d alt-tab). The two sets of L + R buttons do volume up/down and medium fast forward/rewind in VLC player/Media Player classic. All very intuitive and pretty cheap if you've already got the controller. The only problem is that it can't turn on my PC, but I leave it on all the time anyway. Definitely worth checking out as it is totally customizable.