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More => Old Versions => Media Center 12 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: Efjay on May 29, 2007, 10:43:59 am

Title: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: Efjay on May 29, 2007, 10:43:59 am
I've been looking at various remotes and was intrigued by the Gyration Universal Remote Control. http://www.gyration.com/en-US/ProductDetail.html?modelnum=GYR3101US&accshow=3 (http://www.gyration.com/en-US/ProductDetail.html?modelnum=GYR3101US&accshow=3) I want to use it with my tv and MC's Theatre View. Is there any reason why this remote would not be compatible with MC? Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: glynor on May 29, 2007, 10:45:50 am
I know nothing about that one, but I have a Snapstream Media FireFly remote and when combined with Girder it's wonderful.  RF, lots of buttons, great range and response.  I'm very pleased with it.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: Osho on May 29, 2007, 10:47:22 am
I would suggest Logitech Harmony 890 - it is a bit expensive ($225 on amazon) but it replaces all the other remotes and works very well with MC12 using USBUIRT.

Osho
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: StarBand Guy on May 29, 2007, 11:12:05 am
I've been using the Gyration for years now with MC and I love it.

You pay a bit in depth of funtionality, but it's easy and with TheatreView as it is now it does the trick nicely.
By the way, I also have a Harmony which I use for everything else.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: StarBand Guy on May 29, 2007, 11:15:52 am
Also, the Gyration is RF which is nice. It won't use the Girder plug-ins, but that's no biggie. It functions as a mouse as far as the computer is concerned. Don't know if it works with Vista. I use XP pro.

Essentially, I have it configured for volume, pause, play, mouse, clicks, zooms, pans, and switching views.

The batteries last a long time.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: Efjay on May 29, 2007, 11:25:18 am
Thanks for the quick replies. I'm, looking for something simple and therefore I'm trying to avoid Girder. The Gyration remote would appear to be an all-in-one remote which would suit me fine. I'll probably give the Gyration a shot.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: raldo on May 29, 2007, 03:46:10 pm
With the Logitech and USBUIRT (or some other infrared device) you can control both your PC and your other devices.

Is this possible with the the Gyration (which is RF) remote?
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: glynor on May 29, 2007, 03:59:25 pm
With the Logitech and USBUIRT (or some other infrared device) you can control both your PC and your other devices.

Is this possible with the the Gyration (which is RF) remote?

You don't need the Logitech to use a USBUIRT.  I have one to control my TV, cable box, and other equipment.  It works great (I program it via Girder but there are lots of options for that).
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: Efjay on May 29, 2007, 06:01:49 pm
With the Logitech and USBUIRT (or some other infrared device) you can control both your PC and your other devices.

Is this possible with the the Gyration (which is RF) remote?

The product info page says yes: "Universal IR (with optional learning function) remote control functionality communicating with home theater components and OEM device(s)"
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: Matt on May 29, 2007, 08:26:25 pm
There's a great Sony learning remote you can get everywhere for around $20.  You'll need an IR reciever like a UIRT to use it, but it'll control anything else IR you may own. (RM-VL600)

The Microsoft Media Center remotes or ATI hardware remotes are other cheap alternatives for use with a PC.

A wireless keyboard with integrated mouse is also nice in case you want to type an email or browse the web.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a remote (and looking for comments)
Post by: maxxsid on May 29, 2007, 11:30:39 pm
Remote Controllers!
My current setup is rather complicated and involves Girder. I also would like to simplify things.. Never tried the build-in MC Remote Control functions. Is it possible to get away without Girder? Can MC run scripts/applications from RC? Macros (sequence of commands with a single button press)? Is it possible to do WOL without Girder (it's actually built-in into USB-UIRT and Girder only allows to associate it with a remote's button)?
I am using Logitech Harmony remote control via USB-UIRT.
TIA!

..I'm, looking for something simple and therefore I'm trying to avoid Girder...