Looking for media center remote

[drew and not u]

I'm looking for a remote for my computer. I have XP pro. I only really need something that I can use to control winamp and winDVD, VLC too preferably. It doesn't have to have a mouse function, but that would be cool. I searched around a tiny bit, but failed to notice anything that really caught my eye. Also don't want to spend an arm and a leg, this is just so I don't have to get out of bed. Anyone have any experiences or recommendations?

[JazzyJake]

the logitech harmony remotes are great, the ones that come with XP MCE are good too.
check ebay they might have something

[drew and not u]

The logitech Harmony's are Home Theater universal remotes. They have a usb connection for upgrading the software and adding new devices, nut no IR receiver for the computer. I like the XBox 360 and XP Media Center remotes, because they're functional and cheap, but they only work with Media Center Edition. I've found a couple others on amazon, but I can just imagine how crappy their software is. I guess I've narrowed it down the ATI Remote Wonder and the Sound Blaster X-fi remote. Anyone have any experience with these?

[Capper]

My recommendation is to get your lazy ass out of bed, especially to shower at least every few days

[Tyreal]

Originally Posted by Capper

My recommendation is to get your lazy ass out of bed, especially to shower at least every few days

Agreed. Do you want clap on clap off lights with it as well?

[PrOLifIC_onE]

I am currently using the ATI remote wonder plus. It's a radio freq. (RF) remote instead of the more common infrared (IR). RF is good if want to be able to control it through walls and/or while not in the line of sight of the reciever. But if your plan on being in line of sight then I would probably recommend an IR. The good thing about IR is there are many universal learning remotes out there that will copy the functions so u can use just one remote for the pc and the other electronic equipment you got. And, frankly, many RF remotes have 'dead' angles. You don't point the remote at the receiver like you do with a standard IR remote and sometimes the position of the remote will not get the signal to the receiver... (the real expensive RF remotes don't have as much of a problem with this).


I used to have a Niveus RF/IR universal. It was inexpensive and worked very well for me but it ended up taking too many flights across the room, thanks to my kids, and a few buttons stopped working. By that time Niveus stopped making them and I couldn't find a replacement so I went with the ATI Remote Wonder Plus.

I use x10Commander software (freeware) to program my buttons.

[drew and not u]

Good stuff, thanks man. I think that's what I'm going to go with. The RF is definitely one of the features I like about it.