Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows MCE $23 + shipping at Directron

[cyberia]

This keyboard is an almost must have for MCE-based HTPCs, especially at this price. It combines the functionality of the MCE remote, a mouse (via a barely usable nub) and a full keyboard. It is available from Directron for $23 + shipping.

Microsoft Remote Keyboard

I don't know if it works with Vista (it very well might). It requires an infrared receiver which many MCE HTPC owners will already have with their MCE remotes.

EDIT: Some people correctly complained, so I provided a better description for the poorly designed mouse control.

 

[AmberClad]

I have an infrared receiver for the remote that came with my ATi tuner...wonder if that would work with this. Thanks for the deal either way, I have one of these things on my shopping list :thumbsup:.

 

[Mitch101]

Tempting to get this. Would be nice if it was RF and not IR.

 

[eruss]

A "trackball" it is not. It's more of a button like some laptops have. Not very accurate. I am using MCE with an HDTV and I keep a mouse plugged into the computer for when I need it, which isn't often because you can use the MCE menus to scroll through almost all settings. Other than the badly designed button the keyboard is great.

 

[Binky]

The keyboard and special buttons on this thing are great. The mouse is....ummmm...ok it sucks beyond belief. Good price as long as shipping isnt more than a few bucks.

The mouse thingy is NOT a trackball. It's a wanna-be IBM style nub thing. It is barely functional and very frustrating to use.

Vista functionality is the same as MCE2005. You must have the IR receiver from the MS remote.

 

[cyberia]

Originally posted by: Binky
The mouse thingy is NOT a trackball. It's a wanna-be IBM style nub thing. It is barely functional and very frustrating to use.

I have to totally agree with the complaints about the mouse. I just could not come up with a better word for it at the time.

 

[ir0nw0lf]

lol, that mouse nub thingy was commonly referred to as a "j-mouse" on laptops as it was between the H and J keys. And yes it sucked worse than an intern at the White House. Stinks it is IR instead of RF.

 

[Delbert]

Originally posted by: cyberia
I don't know if it works with Vista (it very well might). It requires an infrared receiver which many MCE HTPC owners will already have with their MCE remotes.

Works with a Media Center PC that runs Microsoft Windows Vista®, Window XP Media Center Edition 2005 or later and has a Windows® XP Media Center Edition Infrared Receiver.
Remote Keyboard for Windows® XP Media Center Edition requires Microsoft Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 or Windows® Vista® Home Premium or Ultimate. Earlier Media Center Edition versions are not supported.
If you are using Microsoft Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005, you must also install all the available Media Center updates for full functionality.

 

[Delbert]

If you dont have a remote and receiver...
They have This 3rd party MCE remote and USB receiver at Directron for$20 AR.

And this OEM remote and USB receiver for $30

I ordered the keyboard a couple days ago. Shipping was 8 bucks.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

You can use MCE devices in plain old XP with this update:
http://www.microsoft.com/downl...2F31DC8&displaylang=en
The functionality will be a bit limited but you can use HIP to assign functions to the keys that won't natively work:
http://www.byremote.com.au/HIP/
And the mouse nub on the MCE keyboard isn't that bad if you know to push it straight down to make it work.

 

[superHARD]

nice!

 

[cyberia]

Originally posted by: Delbert
If you dont have a remote and receiver...
They have This 3rd party MCE remote and USB receiver at Directron for$20 AR.

And this OEM remote and USB receiver for $30

I ordered the keyboard a couple days ago. Shipping was 8 bucks.

I have not tested this remote with the keyboard, but this may be a cheaper option if you need an IR receiver:
Remote Control for Windows XP/Media Center w/USB receiver at Geeks ($15, no rebates).

Make sure to estimate paying shipping at two places as opposed to combined shipping at one. Also, very important to those with STBs: The Geeks' remote does NOT support an IR blaster.

 

[bigsnyder]

I think the ATI wonder remotes are RF, not IR. Not compatible. I bought one of these a couple
of weeks ago, and yes the mouse button is frustrating. However, once you "tweak" it, it is usable
for a short term solution when getting a real mouse is not feasible.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: bigsnyder
I think the ATI wonder remotes are RF, not IR. Not compatible.

The one that came with mine is definitely IR, not RF. It has the transmitter "bulb" in the front of the remote, and the thing doesn't work if I cover it with my hand. But I have no idea if one IR receiver is just as good as another.

Edit: Just for clarification, mine is a Visiontek ATI TV Wonder, not the "reference" one. It still has the ATI logos on the remote and the IR receiver, but it might be that the remotes you get with the ATI coupon are not identical to the ones that Visiontek bundles with their cards.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

If it's not explicitly an MCE receiver then it's pretty much not going to work with MCE devices. I'm not going to say there's absolutely no way to rig something up using Girder or Hip or something, but I sure wouldn't bank on it.