Text Typing (2=ABC, 3=DEF, etc).

[madcat]

Well, I prefer to have as little plugins as possible, unless they bring a whole new thing to the table (e.g. Stocks plugin).

Installing a pluing that does the same, but adds a keyboard - well, I'll concider but would like to see it built-in.

I prefer QWERTY on other KB, as this is what I'm (and I'm sure everybody else) used to.

Yes, on screen is better (than 1=ABC), but it's big and obscures most of the screen. Maybe semi-transparent?

[JonnyCam]

Ok -
Alternatively you could use another system for streaming the data to your TV instead of the MVP (but that does really defeat the purpose.)
I have my computer going into a powered splitter which sends 2 copies of the signals through wireless links to the TV's in the other bedroom. The good thing about using this setup is that you can have a wireless keyboard so full text searches are no longer a problem.

Maybe you should ask the plugin author (jorm and ron22) about if it's possible to make the keyboard semi-transparent - or even have a popup like the On-screen TV guide so that you hit a key on your remote and it pops up a text entry box with on screen keyboard.
After entering the text it goes away and only displays the show names / search results.

Thats really the only options your have, but I think Sub said that the ability to search full-text using the remote is coming.

[madcat]

Thanks. No MVP here, so I will have to stick with either waiting for th KB or adding the plugins.

A wireless setup is also relevant. This will only happen on the next setup I will build (A proper PC, projector/plasma, etc) down in the basement for movies.

The current setup runs of a laptop for the day-to-day old TV that we (as in my wife) is watching more than I. Wireless KB is a bit overkill for that.

Off topic, can someone recomend a wireless KB? most of them are for desktop usage, and handle maybe 3meters. When I come down to it, I would like to have a smaller KB for longer distance (maybe Bluetooth. This laptop has it built-in...).

[JonnyCam]

For a bluetooth KB - look at the Logitech series (MX?) - these are really expensive - but bluetooth will cover a fiar bit more distance than 2.4ghz wireless.

I use a wireless KB wonstairs - and have used KB's much more than 3 metres away from the PC. Remeber that the 3 m distance is straight line, so downstairs should not be a problem - unless you have thick concrete in your house.

my wireless kb / mouse combo cost me $30 NZ - cheaper than I could probably find a wired combo kit around. It works really well - just make sure that you have a couple of sets of rechargables around.

The new MS wireless combos look good - but suggest you try and find a PS2 plug set - as I am unsure how the USB will handle being put into standby - I know my USB devices wont work correctly after coming back from standby.

I also use an ATI RW remote which is RF, so no issues with downstairs use.

[gEd]

For a bluetooth KB - look at the Logitech series (MX?) - these are really expensive - but bluetooth will cover a fiar bit more distance than 2.4ghz wireless.

Sorry but I think you have this the wrong way around.

from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...uly08.mspx

2.4 GHz Direct Spread
802.11b (Wi-Fi), 802.11g (draft)—Maximum 175-400 feet in normal home/office/SOHO environments and as far as 1000 feet outdoors with straight line of sight. Band is shared with cordless phones and microwave ovens with potential for interference from these devices.

2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping
Bluetooth—Up to 30 feet

bluetooth is a low power solution designed for devices that are close to one another.

[JonnyCam]

OK - but you cant use a LAN / Wifi for a keyboard - but the RF keyboards use the 2.4ghz signal as well (as this is an open spectrum - free from license)

I was meaning more like my keyboard which operates at 2.4 ghz - as do my video senders. One of tne reason I know this is when I was living in an apartment the signal in the bedroom had really bad interference if I turned the microwave on!
'
Also, bluetooth Class 1, version 2 is 100 metres in range. (328 feet apparently)
I know this works well as I use bluetooth to control my HTPC from my Sony mobile phone from around the house (much smaller to carry in my pocket than the RF remote!) - and I can also use it in the garden, which is probably 25 metres from the computer.

Unfortunately, I think the logitech keyboards only use class 2 - which has a max range of 10 metres. (well, V2 of C1 does anyway) This should be sufficient inside a house, especially for upstairs / dowstairs communication as the line of sight distance may not be that large (unless, as I said before you have thick concrete floors which blocks the signal)

So, I was not meaing using wifi 2.4ghz - more the 2.4ghz signal used by most non-infrared wireless PC devices.
If someone could find a way of connecting up a repeater setup so that you could plug receiver into a wireless access point on your wifi network, then you could increase the range drastically.

I have taken a look on google and havent been able to find a keyboard which supports class 1, so it looks like 10 metres may be the max. I am not sure if this is a conservative estimate or the max (but knowing marketing people, it's probably the max under perfect conditions!)

EDIT: I lied, on checking my specs for the wireless KB (the BTC one as below - it was 27 mHZ, sorry for confusion!)
I am pretty sure the ATI RW is 2.4ghz - but obviously I have been known to be very wrong! (I think it's 2.4ghz as it can interfere with the video sender if I dont set them to different channels))Thanks

[JonnyCam]

I see that I didnt answer the question regarding a type of keyboard.

Maybe you could look at something like the attached pic.

BTC 9019URFIII

I have the original version of this which has a range of 3m - quite good for surfing the web etc from your couch. This version has a range of 10 meters. It doesnt say it is bluetooth, but it's says it's 2.4ghz, freq hopping which looks like what gEd describes as bluetooth. (and the dongle looks like a bluetooth one)
My model is straight RF.
http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-21keyboard.htm

It's also smaller than a normal keyboard, and those handles are quite useful! (no numeric pad, due to it's size)
Has back, forward buttons and a scroll buttons. then all the usual media buttons. (plus left / right click and that little joystick to act as the mouse)

Thanks

[madcat]

Thanks guys for the help.
Just for the info, no walls or ceilings to go through. My plan is to have it to use on the PC in front of it (from the couch). It's just that (specially when sitting in a diagonal to the PC location), it becomes more than 3M.

I'll look into the BTC in my area. thanks.