[WINDOWS] Best remote control to use with XBMC for Windows? [Archive]

kiboy6

2009-05-28, 18:18

I know remotes have been discussed a lot on here, but I wasn't able to find any definitive recent thread on what the leading contenders are for the best PC XBMC remote.

Ideally I'd like to go for RF / wireless so I won't have to worry about line of sight IR issues.

What do you guys recommend? Will probably be running XBMC on Vista 64. Do most of the contenders come with RF receivers for the PC as well?

Thanks so much in advance for your suggestions :)

Livin

2009-05-29, 04:43

definitive thread? thread with ratings?

...you are looking for remotecentral.com

detroitdr

2009-05-29, 05:12

I will be building a HTPC and want to use the best remote control. Budget is not an issue.

With XBMC it doesn't really use normal PLAY and stop etc buttons... so the remote has to have mouse capabilities etc... ... again looking to use it for XBMC under Windows XP.

What is the best choice out there?
(I'm in Canada)

Thank-you in advance!

gwood007

2009-05-29, 14:14

Damned expensive, but works, and works well.

detroitdr

2009-05-29, 15:50

Thank-you for your suggestion. I looked at it and yes it looks good!

Does anyone else have another suggestion... or what would be the second best remote?

kiboy6

2009-05-29, 18:50

Thanks for the response, but I didn't find anything there specifically concerning remotes for XBMC.

Will any universal remote work? Even if that is the case, I figured it would be worth getting the opinions of XBMC users to see which remotes work most flawlessly / are most easily configurable with EventGhost / XBMC.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

BradP

2009-05-29, 19:17

I too am interested in an answer here. Moreso for an IR remote though.

idioteque

2009-05-29, 23:18

one word:
Harmony :)

BradP

2009-05-30, 00:54

one word:
Harmony :)

I have the Harmony 880 but how and what do I need to get it to talk to the xbmc?

idioteque

2009-05-30, 11:11

rausch101

2009-06-18, 20:19

I have the Harmony 880 but how and what do I need to get it to talk to the xbmc?

As with any IR remote, you need an IR reciever to read the IR signals into your computer. USB-UIRT or the MCE reciever are probably the two most common (PLENTY of posts about these)

RKillcrazy

2009-06-20, 00:42

I have an original MCE remote and use that receiver to use with my Harmony one

I have setup XBMC to keyboard mode in advanced settings and use Eventghost to simulate keystrokes.

This gives me all the flexiblility I need to create specific keys and custom buttons on my Harmony remote.

I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software

goodluck !

I see in your signature that you are using XP-SP3. What version of the OS are you using? I've had loads of trouble finding remotes that work in XP Pro. Most want you to use XP-MCE, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate.

waldo22

2009-06-20, 02:05

You could try the original xbox DVD kit remote...

Here's my howto thread:

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45337

The remote itself is only $8 or so, and you'll need a USB to Xbox controller adapter for a couple more dollars.

Just set it up with EventGhost, and it should work fine with XP.

-Wes

idioteque

2009-06-20, 14:28

I see in your signature that you are using XP-SP3. What version of the OS are you using? I've had loads of trouble finding remotes that work in XP Pro. Most want you to use XP-MCE, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate.

I got the sp3 WITH ALL updates

the MCE driver is available as a driver for all windows versions.

just google on MCE driver

rausch101

2009-06-21, 02:40

I have an original MCE remote and use that receiver to use with my Harmony one

I have setup XBMC to keyboard mode in advanced settings and use Eventghost to simulate keystrokes.

This gives me all the flexiblility I need to create specific keys and custom buttons on my Harmony remote.

I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software

goodluck !

I assume you still get that .4 second lag and the delayed buffer with this setup?

I am finally trying to cure my problem (have the Harmony 880 with USB-UIRT) and i'm considering just switching from the harmony series unless someone has found a way to get rid of the lag.

ryan03rr

2009-06-24, 09:34

for me heres the setup

xbox 1 ir reciever ( before the new build i had 5 xb1s so had alot of adapters running around)

event ghost

and a pronto pro tsu 7000

noo need for rf with this thing unless you need to go through walls to reach the reciver
the prontos blast ir really well and with a very good range (no need to point it at the system)
i have this configured to control my 3 stage lighting /xbmc /mouse when xbmc is shut down / amp /vswitch / sony lcd and projector/

it works flawlessly for me... never one hickup...

i must say i monkeyed around with event ghost for a couple days and got most of the controls working but still not girlfreind/wife freindly

the i found a post on here where a user submitted a small tutorial and posted his config file on patebin

downloaded that and added another plugin for mouse control... and i was done....

the only down side is the price of a pronto

the tsu originally sold for a grand but there pretty easy to pick one up on craigslist for around 250....
the logitech harmoney 510 was a good remote for me but as soon as i got into xbmc i started going overboard with the amount of devices in my living room...

thus i absolutly needed the pronto unlimited configuration options...

edit: forgot to metion picked up a ir keyboard of newegg (most are rf so look for the shittiest keyboard possible they are usually ir) and create a new page in my pronto that looks lite a keyboard and cloned the keyboards output to specific buttons on my pronto
giving me a keyboard too.

rausch101

2009-06-24, 16:08

the i found a post on here where a user submitted a small tutorial and posted his config file on patebin

downloaded that and added another plugin for mouse control... and i was done....

Can you give the link to that thread/post#?

ryan03rr

2009-06-24, 20:47

tihs is the link on how to set up the original xbox 1 remote for xbmc for windows... it looks alittle complicated but its really easy..

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45337

this shows the current distributed plugins with event ghost (mouse /system/ ect ect..)

http://www.eventghost.org/docs/pluginlist.html

when you set up the xbox 1 ir reciever the real problem you will have is timing on the auto repeat macro on directional buttons...

i achieved different results between my harmony (old) and pronto (new)
mostly just had to slow the command repeat in event ghost from .01 to .05 and no more delay... the pronto needed less delay to work perfect...

depending on how fat your wallet is i cant stress enough how much better prontos are than harmonys...
read around over at remote central people will tell you the same thing.... there is absolutely no comparison....

i did go one step further and remap the 0-9 keys in the xbmc xml this is not nessasary but i gives me the option of pressing 1 button to go directly to lets say movies in library mode... and since i have a fully mapped keyboard on my pronto i still retaian the ability to use 0-9 via what xbmc thinks is my keyboard...

one other thing to add is lutron makes a ir relay.. that can simly switch a circut on or off or flash( of the on again fast) soldered it into the main power switch in my case and ran it in to my 19 inch rackmount cabinet allowing power on/of and sleep resume all form the remote.. ( sounds expensive but can be dont for <30 dollars

valkur

2009-06-26, 07:51

I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software

Would it be possible to get a copy of your keymappings?

zag2me

2009-06-26, 12:34

mce remote is always best.

idioteque

2009-06-26, 13:05

eumel

2009-06-26, 14:27

http://www.vlsys.co.kr/English/retail_202plus.php

Works well with Xbmc.

rausch101

2009-06-26, 15:25

Ok here it goes:

1: use advanced settings (http://pastebin.com/f47718f33)
2: use eventghost xml (http://pastebin.com/f6482f7f7)
3: use keymap xml in profile dir (http://pastebin.com/d2dd175cf)
4: configure Harmony

MCE Driver XP:
http://www.nztechie.com/downloads/MCE_remote_driver.rar

Good luck !!

These links aren't working for me. Can you use pastebin.ca instead? That seems to hold up. Thanks!

Also, idioteque, do you have a delay when using your harmony?

Also, nice name/song.

idioteque

2009-06-26, 16:36

yep it's from the song :)

I dont know what the delay settings are/where.

They are in the event ghost xml. It is not as quick as the original MCE remote but after weeks of testing this is the best I got. it's about 80-90% the speed of my original MCE remote

valkur

2009-06-26, 19:24

Thank you! That will save me a ton of work.

waldo22

2009-06-28, 01:12

http://www.vlsys.co.kr/English/retail_202plus.php

Works well with Xbmc.

Several people have mentioned that now.

I prefer the xir:

www.xir.us

It's from the guy that made the original xir's for powering on the xbox.

Here's my tutorial:

http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=289968&postcount=22

-Wes

vskatusa

2009-07-02, 04:28

I use dinovo mini keyboard (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=US,EN) with bluetooth. Works flawlessly with full functionality of a keyboard!

tmpdir

2009-07-02, 21:34

Don't like to point so using the Conceptronic CLLRCMCE (http://www.conceptronic.net/site/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=242&Cid=40&gid=4050&Pid=CLLRCMCE). Works on windows and linux machines

Also great if your using an ugly case. (the girl on the website is not included :D)

jloor

2009-07-03, 16:51

Idioteque,

Would you mind posting the last keymap.xml again. It seems as if it is no longer available. Many thanks!

Ok here it goes:

1: use advanced settings (http://pastebin.com/f47718f33)
2: use eventghost xml (http://pastebin.com/f6482f7f7)
3: use keymap xml in profile dir (http://pastebin.com/d2dd175cf)
4: configure Harmony

MCE Driver XP:
http://www.nztechie.com/downloads/MCE_remote_driver.rar

Good luck !!

jimbosis

2009-07-07, 09:00

Having gone through both a Harmony 880 and an MCE Remote I strongly recommend XPadder and a 360 Controller for Windows. Here's why.

1. There are about 30 more buttons on a regular remote than you really need for XBMC.

2. They are both a pain to setup - Harmony's configuration program was designed in the antechamber of Hell and you'll have to muck around with something like Eventghost or IRSS to get the MCE remote working to full potential. 360 and Xpadder with the 360 profile just plain work.

The only justification for the Harmony is if you really need 'one remote to rule them all.' It's not nearly is cool as it sounds. If you have several components and need to change your audio and video inputs constantly, the Harmony serves a purpose. Myself, with only XBMC and a 360 (I gave up on cable years ago) I found simpler was better.

Finally, there is one other option for an XBMC remote that beats all of the above - the XBMC controller for the Ipod Touch. If not for the cost of the Itouch and my wife's unwillingness to donate it to my HTPC, It'd be my first choice.

rausch101

2009-07-07, 14:18

To those with a Harmony who notice the lag/sluggishness when issuing commands, here is a nice method to decrease the lag time. It helps a lot, but it's still not perfect. It's definitely much more usable though in my opinion.

Taken from AVSForum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=623320)

Since this question gets posted a lot, here are two easy fixes to get the Harmony remote to respond more quickly.

Click on the Device's "More Options"
- Select "Adjust the delays (speed settings)"
Inter-key Delay: 300ms
Inter-Device Delay: 300ms

Start by adjusting the Inter-key and Inter-Device delays to 300ms or less. Then test the remote. If it works at 300ms, keep lowering the speed in 100ms increments and see if the device still responds. If it doesn't, increase it back up 100ms. In my experience, I've found that most devices will respond to 100ms and devices like Tivos will take an Inter-key of 0ms.

Click on the Device's "Troubleshoot"
- Select "Show me more problems"
- Select "Device doesn't appear to receive every command correctly."
- Select "The device responds too much to some commands (for example, volume up increases the volume too quickly)."

The default number of repeats is 3. Lower the repeat speed and see if the remote still responds. If it doesn't, increase the number of repeats until the device still responds. In my experience, most devices will respond with 2 or more repeats and devices like Tivos will respond with 1 repeat.

afxjzs

2009-07-08, 06:10

I am currently using a Logitech XBOX 1 wireless controller. my first xbmc was on the original xbox, and the logitech wireless controllers just killed. i highly recommend it.

it's fast has hell, the setup wasn't TOOOO bad, and it works almost flawlessly.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HE7TK1QDL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

i love it. no need to ever look down at the remote, unbeatable speed, plenty of buttons...

Only issues i have:
- for some reason, the volume slider doesn't work on HD/5.1. it works great on everything else, but HD video, the right thumbstick doesn't change the volume. the slider moves, but the volume stays the same. any help on this is much appreciated.
- the two triggers don't work as well as they did on the original xbox. they hang a bit and it's annoying.

i'm using xbdc and some keymap file i googled how to fix.

Very highly recommended.

jimbosis

2009-07-08, 09:47

The volume on passthrough audio such as AC3 can only be adjusted on the receiver - because it's a digital signal the gain can't be increased or decreased like an analog signal.

Rusti

2009-07-08, 19:12

I got a Rock Vista MCE remote working successfully on Ubuntu/XBMC.
It's a very cheap and sexy MCE remote.
It uses the LIRC new Windows MCE config (the one that has Philips et. al. next to it, mceusb2 I think).

3dfan

2009-07-10, 13:40

Thanks everyone for priceless advices! expensive, but it is worth of it!

afxjzs

2009-07-21, 04:40

The volume on passthrough audio such as AC3 can only be adjusted on the receiver - because it's a digital signal the gain can't be increased or decreased like an analog signal.

not to get all thread jacky, but is there a way for xbmc to change the digital volume?

Indisent

2009-09-02, 08:54

Hey Guys,

New here. Found this thread while doing a search. I was wondering if this remote will work right out of the box with XBMC. http://www.xpcgear.com/remotevista.html

I am turning my old desktop into an HTPC.

P4 3.40Ghz
4GB Ram
Windows XP Pro SP3
Thanks for any and all help/advice.