Hi Everyone, I have been thinking a lot about 10' and media center control. I would really appreciate your thoughts.

Looking at the Microsoft Keyboard & Mouse product page for Keyboards there is not a single green button keyboard: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productlist.aspx?type=Keyboard&AdditionalType=Sets 

On newegg, there is this, 5 years old http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109163&cm_re=media_center_keyboard-_-23-109-163-_-Product

There are a limited number of new, interesting and innovative products such as the Cideko keyboard http://www.cideko.com/pro_con.php?id=3 and mouse, or the fancy Glide TV remote http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2009-10/hands-on-with-glidetv/ and the upcoming SilverPac universal remotes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNua8VOIK8A

 

 

 

I am currently using a new (and nicely discounted) Gyration remote/mouse (TigerDirect had them for about $30, amazing, and more amazing still it continues to be nearly state of the art after 4 or 5 years) and some old bluetooth keyboard with an integrated (and terrible) trackball a lot like this one below. The solution works just fine, but is archeological, the first time where I thought wow, that 5 year old piece of hardware is really great, thank god its still around.  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823202004&cm_re=track_ball_keyboard-_-23-202-004-_-Product

One question is, will there be a Micrsoft control solution (keyboard & mouse) for the new and improved Windows 7 Media Center, or is Microsoft leaving this to 3rd parties? Keyboards and motion sensing remote are my main issue, there are plenty of plain U/D/L/R MCE 3rd party remotes. Does Microsoft assume we will buy their fancy Curve keyboard in combination with a 3rd party remote?

And it appears Harmony has always neglected mouse function. 

Is there a good solution or answer I am missing, or am I misjudging the size or prospects of the 10' PC (I know I am the question is by how much).

I'm currently using a Harmony XBOX 360 Remote with programming for both Media Center PC IR and MCE Keyboard IR (based on MS's old MCE Keyboard).  I have a IOGear combo kb/trackball tucked in a drawer near the couch.  I figure that once you get the computer setup, you should be using the IR for the majority of the time in the 10' interface environment.  I think you should also demand your setup works reliably like this as well and not feel like the kb/mouse combo is there as a constant crutch to fix issues (this makes the WAF drop significantly!).

 "Oh honey, just pull the giant keyboard out and hit alt-tab"

That said, there still needs to be significant work to improve the simplicity of the 10' interface of ALL devices.  I love Harmony Remotes, but as much as they automate and provide a one touch way to switch activities, they add complexity because of the custom interface (green button is now mapped to another button on the harmony remote) - which creates a learning curve.  I just can't understand why so few "in the industry" are working to create simple interfaces for the remote control of the entertainment centers.  This even includes full-text searching.  I think interface improvements would simplify text input without resorting to using a full QWERTY or on screen QWERTY keyboard.  I do like that you can search in media center with the numeric keypad - perhaps they should just add predictive text like cell phones?

I feel like I am rambling now...

usafballer

 "Oh honey, just pull the giant keyboard out and hit alt-tab"

lol!

This is what I am trying to control. Just finished, a year long project. HTPC is in the compartment on the lower right. Note, I still lack an appropriate 10' music solution, I am exploring a small second display off the HTPC for music control.

 

 

I don't want to neglect Jay Taylor's great blog on the subject.

User experiences of these solutions differ from one unit to the next and also from one person to the next.  Everyone in my family quickly adapted to all the different remotes.  However, each also found their favorites.  I found the Gyration remote to provide enough functionality to power up/down other devices along with easy navigation both inside and outside Media Center.  While not as programmable as the Logitech products, the integrated mouse functionality was great. Others in the family really liked the one button ease of use of the Harmony products.  Their flexibility to be able to operate so many things and the touch screen functionality was pretty impressive.  For those on a tighter budget both the Microsoft Media Center remote and the nMedia combo solutions offer great value and functionality. 

With today's announement on Logitech being one of the partners for the Google TV play, I assume that meant Harmony, and I assume we will see new products (likely IR) to come.

 

 

 

I wish Microsoft would support the mouse in the extender UI.

I made some modifications to the VmcController extension so that I could use the web interface to insert mouse events instead of just keyboard events, as I was thinking of making an Android app to interface with that.

My additions worked for sending mouse events to the MCE window on the local PC, but on extenders they do nothing. Very disappointing.

I use an RSS reader extension that lets you view the web page articles linked by the RSS feeds, and this works even on extenders. The arrow buttons scroll around in the browser window. Flash ads even work!. But with no mouse functionality you can't click anything on these web pages. I mean having flash/silverlight work on an extender is kind of the holy grail of what is missing from MCE, and actually it does work. Sure it is a slide-show for any kind of animation, but at least you can do it. But all of the cool stuff in Flash/Silverlight requires a pointing device that you don't have with an extender.

BTW, if you are only using the PC locally (but connected to a TV), the ATI Remote Wonder includes mouse functionality. And since it's UHF it works through walls.

Glugglug,

Mouse/free motion pointer control is fundamental to the web. The question is, at what point will all TV's and MCE's incorporate full motion. Again, wonderous that a capability soon to come to ALL televisions is noticably absent from the market just months before a full-blown explosion. As soon as TV's can incorporate free motion pointers, the feature gap with MCE will look even more conspicuous.

The ATI Remote Wonder II was right under my nose. For $30 it really looks like it gets the job done as a pure HTPC remote; I have no excuses I will go get one and try it out. Nice and detailed review of it over at RemoteCentral http://www.remotecentral.com/wonder2/index.html.

A question it raises, will all of the TV-remote implementations featue 8 point pad sensing rather than true free motion? This controller appears to do a fair job, all of the trackball implementations have been cheaply designed. I can see trackball working well, but no with IR. The MCE keyboards circa 2005 from MS worked this way with a joystick and that was not particularly well received, though affordably priced.

Web navigation is likely one of the target solutions being addressed by MOVE/Natal, even if as a secondary function.

 

 

 

 

 

NOMIS64

Glugglug,

The ATI Remote Wonder II was right under my nose. For $30 it really looks like it gets the job done as a pure HTPC remote; I have no excuses I will go get one and try it out. Nice and detailed review of it over at RemoteCentral http://www.remotecentral.com/wonder2/index.html.

Be sure to download some plug-ins to make it more MCE friendly. The 2 I used to use with an MCE box hooked to the TV instead of an extender were RW Key Master and RW Key Factory. IIRC I couldn't find an ATI driver installer for Win7, but this works: http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/64-bit_Drivers

Two additions,

First it looks like MSI is partnering with Cideko for broader distribution of the Air Keyboard.

Second, another find! The new RII mini wireless 2.4Ghz keyboard. Looks like fun, and its real. This and a Dell Zino and you would have the cutest HTPC, well sized for munchkins. The Cideko looks to be a bit better suited to a full time HTPC but I look forward to seeing how well the motion sensing function works for mouse control.

Video review of the RII mini keyboard here.   

And one more pops out of the woodwork. Way to go Lenovo!

The Lenovo Multimedia Remote with Keyboard

 

 

 that Rii Minikeyboard is coming to live in my house I think!

 

 

This is a cross post where we discuss second screen solutions for WMC and media control. My target application for this problem was really music playback with the screen off, seeking a solution that allows me to browse and control playback. It is the software-based remote solution and arguably the more foward looking solution for WMC/HTPC remote control.

The iPhone/iPad/iTouch is the current leader in remote control for media apps and there are great players for WinAmp, Boxee, and VLC. The L5 remote will complete the equation by offering AV wake up and control on one device. VMCMote looks great...

Unfortunately I do not have an iAnything. I do however have a nice BlackBerry with Wifi, which means I can run the VLC remote control for BlackBerry. This solves my problem, I get music control anywhere in the home on a small screen I already own. I will still try virtual desktop for kicks but for now this will do...

I agree that it looks like a slate is the right answer, and currently the only small screen platform with a vibrant media-friendly app community is iAnything. I think this is the guilty party that killed SideShow. Or it was done in by a lack of OEM interest. But you have to wonder, what is Microsoft going to do for Media Center control given the abandoment of WMC control hardware and not a lot of progressive WMC remote mobile software (at least by MS or on Zune which we all thought was a natural)?

The answer is, that either this is an answer and it is coming, or there is no answer.

Likely partial answer: Natal.

But for now, iAnything. BlackBerry if you must.

I remain asleep at the wheel. These guys had to come out and tweet me to get my attention.

I was honored. Now I am a fanboy. HippoRemote. www.hipporemote.com

 Amazing what you get for $5. Again, now I just need an iPod Touch.

            

Any android version of this?

 

Great thread with some interesting devices!

I'd highly recommend the Logitech diNovo mini keyboard.