RF Remote controller recommendation
#1
Hi Guys, I need some help in finding a new remote for my HTPC.

I've got the ASRock 330HT today and the remote that came with it annoys me like hell. I have to aim the remote directly at the 330HT for it to work properly *most of the times*. So I want to replace it. It's weird though the IR remotes that came with my TV and receiver has no issues at all. I can even aim the remote the opposite way and it still always work properly every single time.

My "wish list" for my new HTPC Remote
* Must be compatible with XBMC
* Using RF technology (not IR unless you can convince me it's damn good!)
* Being able to turn the PC On and Off (complete shutdown no standby stuff)

What are my choices? Thanks Smile
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#2
Quote:Being able to turn the PC On and Off (complete shutdown no standby stuff)

this is not a remote feature,
its more of a motherboard feature.
u wont acheive your goal here.
read my HTPC guide in the forum stickies.
i list ways to acheive POwerON using remote
and also list remote controllers for XBMC.
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#3
eskro Wrote:this is not a remote feature,
its more of a motherboard feature.
u wont acheive your goal here.
read my HTPC guide in the forum stickies.
i list ways to acheive POwerON using remote
and also list remote controllers for XBMC.

Cool, thanks Bro I'll check your sticky.
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#4
eskro Wrote:this is not a remote feature,
its more of a motherboard feature.
u wont acheive your goal here.
read my HTPC guide in the forum stickies.
i list ways to acheive POwerON using remote
and also list remote controllers for XBMC.

So basically from what I gather from your Guide it's not possible to turn the PC on using any RF remote. That is for IR remotes only because it has to be integrated on the motherboard in some way. Bummer.

I don't get it why all manufacturers prefers IR over RF. Sure I get it that there is a slight chance of interference but that is very unlikely to occur. Oh well Sad
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#5
You can use RF and still be able to turn your PC on/off remotely. Be aware that it is expensive though.

You'll need something like a URC MSC-400 along with one of their RF remotes. The MSC-400 is a system controller. It has relay capability. So the remote sends it a RF signal, it then turns the relay on & back off. The HTPC switch is wired to the relay.

Beware that if you do go down this path that at least with URC getting the programming software can be tricky. There are a lot of places on the Internet you can buy URC equipment but software is only available through an authorized dealer and they only give the software to their customers and often they won't even do that, forcing you to use them to do the programming.
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#6
radx Wrote:So basically from what I gather from your Guide it's not possible to turn the PC on using any RF remote

the ASROCK A75M-ITX motherboard
has a BIOS option to wake computer from off state
using USB keyboard/mouse.
however, im not sure if a IR USB Receiver does the trick with it..
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#7
eskro Wrote:the ASROCK A75M-ITX motherboard
has a BIOS option to wake computer from off state
using USB keyboard/mouse.
however, im not sure if a IR USB Receiver does the trick with it..

But what you've said in your post "[url=http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=111310"]How to Power ON/OFF your HTPC using a Remote?[/url]":
Quote:METHOD#4
you now what a CIR enabled motherboard is?
CIR stands for 'Consumer InfraRed'...
Not all motherboards have a CIR header though...
Becareful when buying your motherboard if you want such a thing...
Anyhow, once you found a CIR enabled motherboard,
all is left for you to buy is a compatible CIR module to plug it in!
And thats usually the hard part,, these modules are very hard to find..
Ebay is probably your best chance but even then, good luck,,,
After doing some research, i stumbled upon ASROCK's website,
and i saw at least 3 CIR enabled motherboards
but the greatest thing here is that some of them are also bundled with an IR remote & a CIR module!!
Here are some popular CIR enabled ASROCK motherboards:
*ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT LGA1155 Mini-ITX
*ASRock H67M-ITX/HT LGA1155 Mini-ITX
*ASRock H67M-GE/HT (B3) LGA1155 Micro-ATX
*ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 Mini-ITX
*ASRock A75M-HVS FM1 Micro-ATX
Again, this should also compatible with any Harmony remotes aswell!

I am confused...
I want to get the A75M-ITX board and this is one of the reasons...
Eskro, can you elaborate, please?
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#8
I bought this remote recently and have been very happy with it so far...

Image
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DSM-22-Boxe...B00480OSVK

It uses RF (includes a dongle) and appears to the system as a keyboard. It may be able to turn your system on if you set the motherboard to turn on by pressing space bar etc.

I had to create the following keyboard.xml file to make it work the way I wanted:
Code:
<keymap>
<global>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>PreviousMenu</escape>
        <h>XBMC.ActivateWindow(Home)</h>
        <m>XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyMusic)</m>
        <p>XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyPictures)</p>
        <v>XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyVideos)</v>
  </keyboard>
</global>
<Home>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>FullScreen</escape>
  </keyboard>
</Home>
<FullScreenVideo>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>Fullscreen</escape>
  </keyboard>
</FullScreenVideo>
<MyVideoLibrary>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>ParentDir</escape>
  </keyboard>
</MyVideoLibrary>
<MyMusicLibrary>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>ParentDir</escape>
  </keyboard>
</MyMusicLibrary>
<MyMusicFiles>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>ParentDir</escape>
  </keyboard>
</MyMusicFiles>
<MyPictures>
  <keyboard>
        <escape>ParentDir</escape>
  </keyboard>
</MyPictures>
</keymap>
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#9
After having it for around a year, I also LOVE the boxee remote. It's small, nice form and build, good tactile feedback, inexpensive, and simple. But it also has the keyboard for those occasional times I use it. Even if you find that you want a more fully featured remote (maybe I will as I haven't built my standalone htpc quite yet), I'd say it is almost necessary to have something small and quick and easy like this as well. For example, just to control the music as you walk around the house.

As far as on-off, I will probably settle for the wake option when I build my htpc in the next few weeks. I don't see why that's worse than on-off.

Of course there is also the android xbmc remote control. Between that and the boxee remote I think I will be all set, except maybe someday getting something to control all devices more easily than separate android apps.
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#10
jdwoods Wrote:But what you've said in your post "[url=http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=111310"]How to Power ON/OFF your HTPC using a Remote?[/url]"

dont mix CIR and IR...
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