Looking for Remote
#1
Hi!

My last thread about this topic has already been archived, so i'm opening a new one.

I'm looking for a good solution to control my xbmc with a remote.

I only have two special requierements about the remote:

- i would like to type words. like sms on the old mobile phones.
- it shouldn't be to expensive (the complete solution including receiver)

Other features are just standard i think (Info-Button, Play, Pause, etc.)

I have the following receiver at home:
- Bluetooth dongle
- IR Receiver from mice and keyboard (but i think this receiver will not work with a remote)

I don't care about the producer of the remote, i don't care about if it's a harmony or not.

I just want a remote solution for my requierements and easy to set up. Easy doesn't meen Plug&Play, but i don't want to configure configfiles for hours.

Thanks for your help.
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#2
Well, I use the Gyration Air Music remote. You can get it with the accompanying keyboard for typing. It's not attached to the remote, but it isn't huge. I have three of these remotes and they work good out of the box. I just use them for the basic use, nothing to fancy. I only have one keyboard and I can take it to any of my HTPC's and it works.
The Air remote is about $50, with keyboard it's a little over $100. I am not sure this is what you are looking for, but it works better then my harmony does.
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#3
SHen350 Wrote:Well, I use the Gyration Air Music remote. You can get it with the accompanying keyboard for typing. It's not attached to the remote, but it isn't huge. I have three of these remotes and they work good out of the box. I just use them for the basic use, nothing to fancy. I only have one keyboard and I can take it to any of my HTPC's and it works.
The Air remote is about $50, with keyboard it's a little over $100. I am not sure this is what you are looking for, but it works better then my harmony does.

hm, would be a good solution, but i think, i can't buy this remote in switzerland Sad
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#4
If you really want a keyboard how about using a bluetooth keyboard/mouse? I use one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keysonic-540BT-b...092&sr=8-1

I'm using it with a Mac Mini that has Bluetooth built in, but Bluetooth dongles aren't expensive.

JR
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#5
You mention the Harmony remotes... so I'm wondering if you know about them then why not use them? I use one, and it is perfect. It works out of the box with a MCE USB receiver (which isn't expensive) and emulating the MCE remote. Then of course you can use it with other components as well.

In terms of SMS text entry - doesn't XBMC support that natively? I think that it can be configured to do SMS style text entry on text input fields through the standard number pad. I remember reading that once, but haven't tried it myself.

I've recently bought a Logitech Dinovo mini bluetooth keyboard, and that works great, but it is apprently kind of expensive in some markets.
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#6
Lenovo Multimedia Remote With Keyboard for $60 - 40% off coupon USPCA16336 = $36 with free shipping. Since I dont know where they ship this is just an example.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/contr...57Y6336%26
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#7
jhsrennie Wrote:If you really want a keyboard how about using a bluetooth keyboard/mouse? I use one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keysonic-540BT-b...092&sr=8-1

I'm using it with a Mac Mini that has Bluetooth built in, but Bluetooth dongles aren't expensive.

JR
hm, keyboard and mouse need to much space, i would like to have something small like a remote.

AaronD Wrote:You mention the Harmony remotes... so I'm wondering if you know about them then why not use them? I use one, and it is perfect. It works out of the box with a MCE USB receiver (which isn't expensive) and emulating the MCE remote. Then of course you can use it with other components as well.

In terms of SMS text entry - doesn't XBMC support that natively? I think that it can be configured to do SMS style text entry on text input fields through the standard number pad. I remember reading that once, but haven't tried it myself.

I've recently bought a Logitech Dinovo mini bluetooth keyboard, and that works great, but it is apprently kind of expensive in some markets.
If anybody could confirm, that is possible to write text with a harmony and a mce receiver, i would buy this solution...


SlaveUnit Wrote:Lenovo Multimedia Remote With Keyboard for $60 - 40% off coupon USPCA16336 = $36 with free shipping. Since I dont know where they ship this is just an example.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/contr...57Y6336%26
Looks great, but no way to get this in switzerland... Sad
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#8
Basileus Wrote:hm, would be a good solution, but i think, i can't buy this remote in switzerland Sad

Why not. Try one of the Amazon (Europe) sites (there are both German and French sites which might just have what you need).
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#9
steelman1991 Wrote:Why not. Try one of the Amazon (Europe) sites (there are both German and French sites which might just have what you need).

They don't deliver hardware to switzerland.
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#10
Well there you go - what's up are your Euro's no good to them?
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#11
steelman1991 Wrote:Well there you go - what's up are your Euro's no good to them?

Don't know Big GrinBut they have their storehouse in germany, so perhaps it's a problem for them to send big packages over the border by post.
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#12
Not cheap but pretty cool, I use my iphone to run XBMC
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#13
iso13 Wrote:Not cheap but pretty cool, I use my iphone to run XBMC

I have an android device with the xbmc control software, but it isn't realy comfortable...

As I said, if somebody could confirm that text typing with a harmony is possible, i will buy this solution!
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#14
Basileus Wrote:I have an android device with the xbmc control software, but it isn't realy comfortable...

As I said, if somebody could confirm that text typing with a harmony is possible, i will buy this solution!

It is, it's built into XBMC or you can set it up manually with eventghost (alot more work, but more customizable).
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#15
LyndonW Wrote:It is, it's built into XBMC or you can set it up manually with eventghost (alot more work, but more customizable).

Ok, thank you! So i have to buy a harmony. Which one i need? There are several modells. Or is it equal which one i choose (= typing and other functionality is the same with all harmony's in xbmc?)

And the receiver, do i have to buy one or is it provided with the harmony? if not, which one i have to buy?
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