~~Need a keyboard for wireless 15-20 feet away for Win7 media center HTPC

[EXman]

What keyboard has some good range? I usually hate wireless but there is no way I can do a wired keyboard for this application.

A full 15-20' range. 🙂

 

[ripster55]

I use my Bluetooth DiNovo Mini to access my wiring closet in the basement from my living room. About 25'. Also can get into my PC's bios fine at boot.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

isn't that more of a remote control keypad than a keyboard? Or can you actually type on it to some degree like a normal keyboard?

 

[corkyg]

For that range - Bluetooth.

 

[wirednuts]

normally if youre sitting that far away, you cant see the screen well enough to type extensively. thats why those tiny keypads are really the best choice. nobody wants to lug around a full sized keyboard on the couch either.

the only reason i would want a real keyboard at the couch would be for FPS games... but i dont play those so for me its a non issue. is this why you want a real keyboard?

this is my favorite mini keyboard at the moment. you can find them as low as $17 on ebay, and they work pretty well. easily tucks away to whatever you put your remote too.

http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Wir...62N4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305904090&sr=8-1

 

[TheUnk]

Any Logitech 2.4GHz wireless keyboard/mouse should work. They all claim 30'.

I use mine through a wall and about 15' away flawlessly.

 

[Bacstar]

Before the Logitech mini keyboard came out, I found a logitech PS3 bluetooth keyboard with an integrated touchpad that works with my HTPC. If only I had waited a couple extra weeks 🙁.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3616

 

[wirednuts]

there is also a community working on getting the xbox 360 chatpad working on the wireless controllers for pc's. they already nailed down the wired controllers, so it shouldnt be much longer- http://www.mp3car.com/hardware-development/140189-contest-xbox-chatpad-driver-challenge.html

 

[rolodomo]

I've gone through trial and error to arrive at the following keyboard/mouse components for my Win7 HTPC, which I am extremely satisfied with (but I do game a lot on it and thus enjoy the full size keyboard).

Logitech Wireless Illuminated Keyboard K800 (great for the darkened living room - keys only illuminate when your hands near the keyboard) - http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/7288

Logitech Wireless Anywhere Mouse MX (works well on strange surfaces you're apt to find in an HTPC envrionment, such as my recliner armest - seriously) - http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/mice-pointers/mice/devices/5846

 

[wirednuts]

Also can get into my PC's bios fine at boot.

that is a big plus. its one thing that bluetooth devices will never be able to do.......

 

[0roo0roo]

yea typing for a htpc is just for occasional maintenance type of stuff only, you can't practically do stuff from many feet back no matter how big your screen is.
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Multime.../dp/B0036VO67I
there are those as well.

 

[wirednuts]

^^ you learn to hold the control key down as you roll the mouse wheel, that is for sure. also, i set my dpi up to at least 125%, or else youre right there really is no chance youre gonna actually use the screen for reading text...

 

[EXman]

thanks for all the input guys! lots to look at

 

[xj0hnx]

I searched for a long time to find a good wireless kb/m combo for my HTPC, and got this ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823201035

to supplement until I found the right one because, why not, it was cheap, over a year later I haven't bought another to replace it. It worked from surprisingly far away (two rooms), was small, batteries lasted forever and a day. The mouse was weird to get used to because it's a little small for me, and the wheel isn't real smooth, but overall I was extremely satisfied with it.