PVR150 remote

[Smoker]

Greetings Folks

I am putting together a HTPC and already have a pvr150 with the old style remote. I want 2 pvr150's and my first thought was to get another pvr150 without a remote for cost savngs and the idea that I already have a remote. But the more I read the more I wonder if I am going to be happy with that old style remote and if I shouldn't try and get a MCE type remote.

So is my first thought (old style remote) sufficient ? or am I going to regret not getting a MCE remote ?

Smoker

[Bathman]

I would stick with the old Hauppauge remote and say some money.

Originaaly I ued the same remote that you have then the newer 45 button Hauppauge remote and now a MCE remote and I cannot say that my GBPVR experience is different with any of them.

[pastro]

When compared to an IR MCE remote, the only issue I have with the 45 button Hauppauge is the lack of backlight. The range on the Hauppauge is great but it is line of sight. I would rather have an RF unit since we use the remote from about 30 ft away in one situation and I don't have line of sight to the PVR unless I get up. (That's when a laptop and VNC comes in handy)

If I had the 34 button, I would probably get a different remote.
If you opt for the MCE remote, make sure you get one with the colored buttons since they are used.

I think a number of people have bought some variation of the Logitech Harmony remote and been happy with the results. Check out this thread.

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=23572

[FartyMcPooPants]

My suggestion would be to possibly look at a 1600 rather than a 150.

It works in GBPVR but has the added benefit of having a full ATSC tuner rather than a pure analogue tuner. (although it does tune in analogue signals as well)

It has the same hardware MPEG encoder on board etc.

With the upcoming turn off of analogue broadcasts, now might be the time to build in a little bit of future proofing and get at least one digital tuner for your system.

From my recent purchase hunt, the difference in price isn't that great (In my local frys the difference was a total of $10)

Just a thought

[Smoker]

I should of been clear which Haupaugge remote I had.

It is the one pictured here. 45 buttons I count.

If there really is no difference in function than with the MCE remote then I suppose saving money is the way to go. and now I started looking at the Logitech Harmony remotes. Now I just have to figure which (low cost) one to look at.

:EDIT: Now that I think about it I really won't have alot of things to control. Just the GBPVR, since through that I can record, watch and play everything. So I am back to trying to figure out if the remote I have will suffice.

As for the 1600 I have been going back and forth with this thought and while I can understand the idea of having the HD tuner for the future, for some reason it's just not a clear choice for me. Mental block maybe
Also for some reason I can't seem to find it at a site thats reputable.

[pastro]

How about this for $89?
Probably can find it a bit cheaper (I've seen it for $69 with rebate)

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hauppauge...tDetail.do

Compusa has the same price.

The only drawback with the 1600 is that I think it is a hybrid so it is one tuner or the other.

[Smoker]

DOH! Not looking very well I guess

I do realize that it would be one or the other. Thing is that it would be purely for future growth cause right now I do not have HD. I am looking but I sort of doubt I will be buying HDTV real soon cause of the cost along with the higher cable bill for digital.

As for the remote decision it really boils back down to whether the current remote I have will suffice for all the GBPVR functions.

:EDIT: sorry clicked to quickly... this is the card I am thinking about since it has FM (which I do not have now and it's the cheapest

[pastro]

DOH! Not looking very well I guess

I do realize that it would be one or the other. Thing is that it would be purely for future growth cause right now I do not have HD. I am looking but I sort of doubt I will be buying HDTV real soon cause of the cost along with the higher cable bill for digital.

As fr the remote decision it really boils back down to whether the current remote I have will suffice for all the GBPVR functions.

If you have line of sight the Hauppauge will be fine. My wife and kids have no trouble using it which is a big plus.

Btw,
If you are in range of any ATSC towers, there are quite a few over the air broadcasts of sports in HD that look good on my std def TV, but until I get an HD display I agree with you it isn't worth the hassle of getting an antenna in the attic etc.