Best remote for XBMC on a HTPC?

livEwirE

Hi all,

I've just recently built a new Windows 8 HTPC and am on the lookout for a remote. Any suggestions please? I've read this one is good but looks a bit retro http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Wireless-Wind...item336b0bd129

I've also seen this one http://it-tech-uk.com/jonsbo-multime...odule-diy.html

And of course there is the Rii.

Is anyone using flirc with a remote and does it work well?

What are you guys using? Would like something that's easy to setup and works great with XBMC! I need a dedicated remote so installing the xbmc/yatse remote on my phone is not an option.

wexie

Cheap (50 euro) android tablet + the XBMC remote app.....

Mr McBoatface

If you don't need the mouse control you may as well get an RC6 remote and receiver. They are in general 100% compatible with most if not all major HTPC software and work out of the box. For the streamcom case you have you could go with this, just verify it works 100% with XBMC before buying. There are other RC6 remotes out there cheaper but they'd be external receivers and coming from china.

I actual have that first remote you linked, it's sold under various names Hama, Adesso, Maplin sell it under a different name also. To the best of my knowledge they are all the same Ortek VRC-1100 remote and receiver. It's well supported and has the bonus of a mouse function (not sure if the mouse works with XBMC) I only received it and I'm testing. I got it working 100% with Mediaportal, I can exit Mediaportal and use it to control my web browser, handy for netflix and lovefilm.

Did you sort the psu problem ?

Wossack

Ive tried a few, and always go back to my logitech DiNovo mini. I'd go for a keyboard based one - I'm thinking a Rii if my trusty Mini ever gives up the ghost.

I think I tried flirc with a logitech harmony remote, but it had pretty bad latency after coming from the mini keyboard (which needed 0 configuration - just a bit of learning of the keys..)

Ive a wireless 360 controller for my main pc, and if Im ever xbmc'g on it, Ive found it works quite well also

marco_polo

I searched high and low for a nice black remote and couldn't find one a few week back. At the moment I just have a K400 + android app which works great, so if the Rii is anywhere near as good for £14 I'd snap that right up. (Its handy to have a keyboard anyway IMO)

White Heart Loon

livEwirE wrote: »

Hi all,

I've just recently built a new Windows 8 HTPC and am on the lookout for a remote. Any suggestions please? I've read this one is good but looks a bit retro http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Wireless-Wind...item336b0bd129

I've also seen this one http://it-tech-uk.com/jonsbo-multime...odule-diy.html

And of course there is the Rii.

Is anyone using flirc with a remote and does it work well?

What are you guys using? Would like something that's easy to setup and works great with XBMC! I need a dedicated remote so installing the xbmc/yatse remote on my phone is not an option.

I have that first mce remote which is perfect (mouse works too), but find I use the yatse Android app on my tablet and phone more.

livEwirE

Cheers for all the remote advice everyone, gives me plenty to think about

@ jobyrne30. I am steering towards the first one in my list, which you have, as it seems anyone who is using it has no problems at all. The psu problem is still kind of ongoing. I got a replacement power brick from the supplier (which has a loud whistling noise when powered off:mad:) and have the same intermittent power on issues. The psu is well shielded from the case but it still happens. At this stage I've ordered, thanks to your #9 recommendation on the picopsu thread, this and will use a good laptop power supply with it. I know pico's are overpriced but hopefully it does the job

Wossack

Wossack wrote: »

Ive tried a few, and always go back to my logitech DiNovo mini. I'd go for a keyboard based one - I'm thinking a Rii if my trusty Mini ever gives up the ghost.

I think I tried flirc with a logitech harmony remote, but it had pretty bad latency after coming from the mini keyboard (which needed 0 configuration - just a bit of learning of the keys..)

Ive a wireless 360 controller for my main pc, and if Im ever xbmc'g on it, Ive found it works quite well also

Ooo hold this thought.. I think my next htpc purchase might be this snazzy hdmi-cec adaptor:

http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/products/104-usb-hdmi-cec-adapter.aspx

though, conversely, looks like I'd have to revisit flirc - I'd certainly give it more time this go though, if it meant I could use my normal telly remote to control an xbmc instance aswell

livEwirE

Does anyone know if these remotes work with XBMC in Windows 8.1?



http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Wireless-Window-Media-Center-MCE-PC-Remote-Mice-Control-/220839268649?pt=UK_Computing_Remote_Controls_Pointers&hash=item336b0bd129

Baked.noodle

I don't run XBMC but I have a Lenovo N5901 which is dirt cheep and regardless of the fact you won't write essays with it its very usable on the telly.

Northern Monkey

Baked.noodle wrote: »

I don't run XBMC but I have a Lenovo N5901 which is dirt cheep and regardless of the fact you won't write essays with it its very usable on the telly.

I have the upgraded version of that (N5902) and find it really good.

Johnboy1951

IMO, nothing beats FLIRC ...... use whichever remote handset you wish with it ......

Wetbench4

+1 for yatse on android

Wossack

Wossack wrote: »

Ooo hold this thought.. I think my next htpc purchase might be this snazzy hdmi-cec adaptor:

http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/products/104-usb-hdmi-cec-adapter.aspx

though, conversely, looks like I'd have to revisit flirc - I'd certainly give it more time this go though, if it meant I could use my normal telly remote to control an xbmc instance aswell

sorry for dredging up an old thread, but got one of these CEC adapters the other week, and to my surprise, its been completely (entirely!) plug and play

After dicking around with harmonys, and MCE remotes for ages (albeit, years ago), I was really expecting an evening of keymap files, and flirc trial and error etc, and was fairly skeptical... but no need, plug in it, and its pretty much ready to go; just need to enable it in an openelec settings screen iirc

its sitting between a htpc running openelc, and a philips series 7 tv (40pfl7605), and it just works. Your mileage may vary, as I think a lot depends on how/if your tv works with CEC (Philips call it EasyLink), but Im super chuffed with it all

would recommend!

Johnboy1951

If "All modern TVs support HDMI-CEC" (according to pulse-eight) does that mean that a R-Pi should be able to be controlled by any TV remote when using XBMC, without an adapter?

The pulse-eight adapter uses a USB connection ..... does this carry data or is it only for power? ...... wondering if it must be connected via USB to the source or if it could be connected by USB to the TV ....

Wossack

By R-Pi, do you mean a raspberry pi? If so, yes, it would appear the R-Pi has built in CEC support, so shouldnt need an adapter (double check this, but cursory google suggests as such). Again, it will depend on your telly (and version of xbmc I believe - Im on a frodo build of openelec, and no problem)

My htpc (a shuttle xs35gt), doesnt have a CEC compatible HDMI out, so I gotta use the adapter. The adapter is also plugged into a USB port on my htpc, which handles the CEC data exchange

/edit wee instructables guide on Pi + CEC, may be of use - http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-Remote-For-Free/

Johnboy1951

Wossack wrote: »

By R-Pi, do you mean a raspberry pi? If so, yes, it would appear the R-Pi has built in CEC support, so shouldnt need an adapter (double check this, but cursory google suggests as such). Again, it will depend on your telly (and version of xbmc I believe - Im on a frodo build of openelec, and no problem)

My htpc (a shuttle xs35gt), doesnt have a CEC compatible HDMI out, so I gotta use the adapter. The adapter is also plugged into a USB port on my htpc, which handles the CEC data exchange

/edit wee instructables guide on Pi + CEC, may be of use - http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-Remote-For-Free/

Thanks for the link.
It appears that pulse-eight were being overly optimistic when they said ALL modern TVs support CEC?

Yes Raspberry Pi (R-Pi) with CEC enabled using Openelec 4.05 (updated today from 4.02)

Thanks for the info about the USB connection .... it does carry Data so must be connected to the source PC. I thought it might only be for power and thus could be connected to a USB port on the TV.

slegs

flirc is unbeatable for Pi and then use any remote (or use with a harmony in your existing setup for all devices)

well worth the money