Keyboard/mouse combo - Wireless/RF - what/where to buy?

MAJJ

Hi Folks,

I've been looking to get a decent keyboard. Preferably one that I can use without line of site as my HTPC will be in a different room but as I need to route cables to the TV/AMP (some day I'll buy them) I can if need be easily route a cable/receiver to use IR rather than RF/Bluetooth.

I have a RF 2.4ghz receiver in my PC which the supplied remote uses to control MCE. I wonder could this also be reused?

This IR keyboard http://www.dabs.ie/productview.aspx?quicklinx=3X73&aQuicklinx=49QB&InMerch=1#specifications seems to come well recommended in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055186116

I need the keyboard/mouse to control my HTPC and do occasional surfing/email/navigation this will all be over a LCD TV.

Thanks in advance,
MAJJ

artvandulet

If you read the rest of my thread you'll see I didn't go for it in the end.
If you want a seperate keyboard and mouse I'm selling my Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop. Its a bluetooth Keyboard, mouse and numeric keypad. Really good but Im replacing it with a keyboard with integrated touchpad as I wont have PC at a desk anymore. I'll be selling it on adverts.
BTW, there are no line of sight issues with bluetooth, it is a type of RF.

krinpit

I've been looking for a wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad, as I sometimes hookup the laptop to the TV and it'd be great if I had all the control I needed while sitting on the couch.

So what model did you go for artvandulet?

WetDaddy

I was a little under-budget for my own HTPC when I was building it, so I went for this dealy: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=329573 - Expensive, but it does have an integrated touchpad and comes with a charging base, so no screwing around with batteries. Plus, it does look very stylish; not something I'd normally consider, but a HTPC is likely to be in your TV room, so you'll care more about the aesthetics than if it was in a bedroom or a study or something.

Also, as a footnote, don't get disheartened if using a touchpad on a large screen seems awful at first. Just takes a little bit of sensitivity / cursor speed tweaking and you're good to go!

krinpit

I saw that keyboard in Dixons alright. So how exactly does the touchpad control the cursor on screen? I thought it was just for volume/frame adjustment?

WetDaddy

krinpit wrote: »

I saw that keyboard in Dixons alright. So how exactly does the touchpad control the cursor on screen? I thought it was just for volume/frame adjustment?

Well, there's two touch sensitive parts to the keyboard really. You're correct, one of them controls volume. But the other circular one down the bottom right operates the same as a touchpad on a laptop... If that makes sense?

kaisersose77

Just dont buy the microsoft media center keyboard, its the biggest pile of junk ever created

You'd be missing letters in every second word.

subway

kaisersose77 wrote: »

Just dont buy the microsoft media center keyboard, its the biggest pile of junk ever created

You'd be missing letters in every second word.

or the microsoft wireless desktop 2.0
hopeless!!