Recommend a god RF remote (To be used without focus)

[casperse]

Hi Guys

Can anybody recommend a god RF remote to GB-PVR setup? Where I dont need the GB-PVR to run "on top"

Sofar I only found:
SnapStream Firefly USB RF
Remote Wonder II
& Niveus USB IR/RF combo universal (Also IR which could be nice!)

I have my HTPC in a closed room so I need the RF to get this working

Br
Casperse

[casperse]

No recommendation? or Knowledge from past experience ?
There must be one who use a RF remote?

[casperse]

HELP! ...:confused:

[mike909]

I have the exact same question....I think it all comes down to how customizable the buttons are through the utility that comes with the remote's. Tough to figure this out without having one.

[drugstore_cowboy]

Response to Mike's questions:

I am wondering why would you still need girder?

The software that came with my remote - although nice mouse movement functionality and pretty straightforward to use, it only allowed me limited functionality. Meaning that with Girder (an amazing application) I can program most of the buttons on my remote to do different things depending on what application was in use. For example since I use PowerDVD, whenever that particular application is open I can assign different keypresses for my Play, Stop, FF, RW buttons etc. Girder also allows me to have speech recognition controlled events etc.

can't the buttons be mapped to up/down/left/right arrows to mimick a keyboard? How good is the config app?

Yes but I already had the ATI Remote Wonder 1 and Girder before getting into GBPVR so I didn't play with the included software much, even after I purchased the Niveous remote.

Can I be in PC mode, and still use the 'volume' buttons to controll my reciever via IR? or do you have to switch back and forth between modes?

No unfortunately you have to be in one or the other... but GBPVR allows for changing the volume up and down using the left and right directional arrow keys. I use the Girder functions to do this as I have it set to display onscreen with a volume indicator

Can all buttons function in PC mode, or just some? How customizable are the buttons?

If you download and install the Niveous remote software you can play with the software but essentially, you can map almost all of the keys, 0-9 the Stop, Play etc. All except the top row of keys (TV, VCR, DVD, SAT etc) are only allotted for IR functions or at least on my Niveous they are (This includes when I map button presses using Girder). I also have the ATI RW1 (RF only) and it allows all keys to be mapped using Girder

If you can customize keyboard shortcuts to buttons, you wouldn't need girder...I would think.

Well this is kind of true but you are pretty limited with what you can do with the included software. Girder allows you more control and lets you perform different actions based on "key down", "key up", and repeat. for example I have a single left mouse click action for a single depress and a double click action if the key is depressed long enough to register a "repeat" action.

It would be worth checking out the Girder forums and I will be honest... I would like more buttons on my remote

Hope this helps

[mike909]

drugstore,
Thank you for your information...it definately does help. It sounds like with the use of Girder, anything is possible. I installed the trial version of girder 4 to use with my existing remote, but it was kind of flakey. I'm sure it is because I didn't spend enough time learning Girder...so I will have to sit down and figure out the in's and outs. I was hoping to be able to just say. "this button is up arrow, this one is down etc etc." but it seems like it has to have seperate controlls depending on which program has 'focus'. The whole focus thing is nice if your using multiple apps, but for me...everything runs through GBPVR, so I don't really want to deal with focus, and just map one button to up/down/enter etc. Agian, this is probably possible w/ girder, I just need to figure it out. I'm off to read the [url=http://www.marmitek.com/en/manual/9645.pdf]manual[/url on that marmitek remote you recommended and probably purchase it. Thanks for your time and help.

[mike909]

Oh, I forgot to ask...are you using Girder 3.3 or Girder 4? I see a lot of posts about this remote in the 3.3 forum, but not much in the 4 forum.

[drugstore_cowboy]

Oh, I forgot to ask...are you using Girder 3.3 or Girder 4? I see a lot of posts about this remote in the 3.3 forum, but not much in the 4 forum.

I believe that Girder 4 is a recent release... so as you can probably tell I am using 3.3 Someone had posted something on here recently about Girder 4 and an issue that they encountered. I think it was something with minimal impact and may have dealt with a focus issue but I have not gone down that road yet (and probably won't unless some huge benefit comes with it).

If your interested I can send you my .gml file but I warn you it is by no means optimized. Oh my HTPC "to do list" just got bigger... now if only I could tear the g/f away from the HTPC so I can update it.

[mike909]

Thanks again drugstore, youve been most helpfull in my quest for the correct remote to buy. I hate to lie, but as of now, I "promose this is my last question". <--hopefully not a lie.
The manual speaks of showshifter being a requirement to use the pc buttons on the remote. I was hoping I would just be able to install drivers, but do I actually need to install that crappy showshifter just to be able to use it? I know you have the niveus model...so you may not know the answer. Also, does the built in software allow for macro functions? Thanks again...btw: can't find the niveus for sale anymore like you said, and the marmitek is proving to be an elusive character as well. common google...don't fail me now!
EDIT: oh and thanks for offering to send me the gml file..I may just take you up on that if I find girder 3.3.
EDIT#2: will the marmitek work with x-10 stuff in the USA? seems to be a european product.

[drugstore_cowboy]

Thanks again drugstore, youve been most helpfull in my quest for the correct remote to buy. I hate to lie, but as of now, I "promose this is my last question". <--hopefully not a lie.

Ahh it is no problem.. I don't mind

The manual speaks of showshifter being a requirement to use the pc buttons on the remote. I was hoping I would just be able to install drivers, but do I actually need to install that crappy showshifter just to be able to use it?

No that is highly unlikely. If the remote operates using X10 you will be fine just using the drivers and some sort of X10 remote control software.

...does the built in software allow for macro functions?

You know, I don't really know I use Girder but I have fooled around a little with the ATI remote software, RWKeyMaster, and the Niveous software

Thanks again...btw: can't find the niveus for sale anymore like you said, and the marmitek is proving to be an elusive character as well. common google...don't fail me now!

Look here Fourth from the bottom labeled PC Control

EDIT: oh and thanks for offering to send me the gml file..I may just take you up on that if I find girder 3.3.
EDIT#2: will the marmitek work with x-10 stuff in the USA? seems to be a european product.

Yeah it is X-10 compatible so you will have no problems