Which MCE remote works best with NPVR, XBMC and WMC?

[HarryH3]

After years of watching shows via the Hauppauge Media MVP, an old PC is now the NPVR server and installed near the TV for direct HDMI connection. Does anyone have experience with the vast array of MCE remotes that are available? When looking on ebay I see generic ones, Microsoft ones, at least 2 different models from Lenovo, 3 or more models from HP and even some from Dell (which look exactly like the Lenovo-branded ones). The options are bewildering. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p...&_from=R40

I notice that some are missing the colored buttons. Are these important? We do use the blue button frequently in NPVR to pull up the OSD, but I'm not even sure what the other colored buttons do. :confused: A couple of channels are flagged copy-once so we're forced to use WMC for that. Will these remotes control WMC when NPVR isn't running? I've also looked briefly at XBMC but is it really useful for use as a DVR? It looks geared more towards playing movies, but perhaps I'm missing something!

Anyway, I just wanted to "ask the audience" about their experiences with MCE remotes and see if there are things to watch for before pulling the trigger. (Perhaps I don't even know enough about them to even ask the right questions). :eek:

One thought is that perhaps the Hauppauge 45-button remote could still be used with the IR receiver that comes with the MCE kits? But will it work with WMC and XBMC?

Thanks!

[mikeh49]

You want a "real" MCE remote. Some act like a keyboard and mouse to the system, and will not work well with NPVR. The "real" ones show up in Device Manager as the eHome device. That said, the bigger the receiver, the more likely it is "real". So, one like this should be OK:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HP-Media-Cen...3ccdea6eb3

Anything with this 2.5" square by 1/2" high receiver should be good.

This one should also be OK, but I have no experience with this receiver:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dell-remote-...417235ddc9

I have two of these, and they work great:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Microsoft-MC...33808f0466

The "real" MCE remote works with MCE as well as NPVR.

You can configure the colored buttons, as well as many others, by editing the registry. No additional software needed. Search on the forum for a post by pBS for the method. PM me if you go this way and I can provide more info.

[mvallevand]

For XBMC I strongly prefer my Rii wireless keyboard rather than line-of-sight IR remotes, I just wish NextPVR didn't use Ctrl keys, but Fn keys help navigation. No CableCard here so I don't have to consider WMC.

Martin

[HarryH3]

mikeh49, the Dell one looks more modern, but the Microsoft one looks like it might be user to hold and use. I guess that since the wife uses it 99% of the time that I'll let her pick. ;-) I ran across pBS's "no software" thread while I was researching MCE remotes. I may be PM'ing you for details of your config in a few days. Thanks for the offer!

Martin, when I googled Rii wireless keyboard I found this on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UE52ME Is that the one you have? I'm not sure how well it would work for me because I have huge hands but it's VERY cool anyway. It definitely made my nerdmeter swing!

[mvallevand]

I wasn't the Rii, just thought maybe RF would be something to think about.

Size-wise the keys are bigger then the MVP http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post426877 and because of the fast response of keyboard vs remote input numbers are way better. The arrow keys are the weakness but its nice because I can just plug the small dongle in any device even an Android STB or tablet and I've got a remote.

Martin

[HarryH3]

That's quite a toy collection. I just had a little nerdgasm...

[mvallevand]

Here's a good price http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShock...12152013_2 if you get the deal $14 free shipping and it has a blaster too. $7 more in Canada but at that it's still a deal

Martin

[HarryH3]

Here's a good price http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShock...12152013_2 if you get the deal $14 free shipping and it has a blaster too. $7 more in Canada but at that it's still a deal

Martin

Whatever it was, I missed it. Only seeing the shell shocker deals for today now.

[mvallevand]

Whatever it was, I missed it. Only seeing the shell shocker deals for today now.

It was this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6880101007 The price has doubled now.

Martin

[HarryH3]

Ah, I saw the remote the other day but didn't realize that it came with the sensor.