Recommendations for Media Center Keyboard

[Nick Burns]

I'm now looking for a wireless keyboard to control my server. I'd like an all-in-one unit of mouse and keyboard rather than them being separate. Will also need a "key locking" mechanism to prevent accidental keystrokes.

I saw the BTC 9019URF Wireless Multimedia USB at Fry's the other day, but I'm unsure of the quality.

The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard would probably be ideal, but a little more than I want to spend on a keyboard, though willing to go that route if need be.


Any other good suggestions?

[cfaslave]

I use the 9019URF and it I recommend it. Terminal wrote up a review on it a while back. You can read it here:
http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/02/...w-by-terminal/

[John Stead]

Look at Adesso products ...

Adesso SlimTouch Wireless 2.4 GHz RF Mini Touchpad Keyboard
http://www.adesso.com/products_detail.asp?productid=281

[Terminal]

Originally Posted by cfaslave

I use the 9019URF and it I recommend it. Terminal wrote up a review on it a while back. You can read it here:
http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/02/...w-by-terminal/

I am still using it and it works great. Haven't changed the battery yet, it's been 7 months. I don't use it that often, but when I do it works fine.

[ccarlin]

Originally Posted by Terminal

I am still using it and it works great. Haven't changed the battery yet, it's been 7 months. I don't use it that often, but when I do it works fine.

My wife likes to lock the little joystick in an upright position she says it stops the screen saver from coming on I seemed to have to change the batter a little more frequently than I would like.

[Nick Burns]

I didn't see it listed as a feature, but does the 9019URF have a key-lock to prevent accidental keystrokes?

[myktek]

i personally like the logitech Dinvo Edge... it's pricey though, but very nice...

[kandlg]

I would recommend going IR instead of RF. I noticed you are using a harmony remote and you can teach the Harmony keystrokes from an IR remote and use it to control applications. It comes in handy for accessing some of the menus and functions that aren't mapped to most remote controls. I found a rather cheap one that I don't use very often as I was mainly trying to get extra IR commands for the harmony. The MS one is IR (I think) and may be better if you are looking for something to be used more often as a keyboard/mouse. Line of sight is an issue with IR, but if you keep the coffee table clear it won't be a problem.

[Nick Burns]

For the most part I am/will be using the Harmony to control BTV -- I already have it set up and it's working wonderfully.

I'll want the keyboard for when I need to use the webadmin interface and other PC administrative tasks.

Plus I have my server to go in standby mode and since I have yet to find a way to make the remote wake up the computer, I need to press the spacebar on the keyboard to initialize it.

[Terminal]

Originally Posted by Nick Burns

I didn't see it listed as a feature, but does the 9019URF have a key-lock to prevent accidental keystrokes?

Well sort of. I will have to test this, but I have noticed that on mine after it sits for a few minutes of no use, when I move the joystick it takes a second or two before it starts to respond. I have not tested to see if the keys do this as well. Usually when I get it out the first thing I do is move the joystick. I guess this is not really what you are asking for. So the answer would be no.

[mapleleaf]

I used to have BTC keyboard which worked pretty well but joystick was not so great and also the whole keyboard was pretty big. Now I have Adesso with touch pad and it is great with a small footprint. BTC used to be IR which is great with Harmony remote, however newer models are all RF. Adesso is RF as well.

[Terminal]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf

I used to have BTC keyboard which worked pretty well but joystick was not so great and also the whole keyboard was pretty big. Now I have Adesso with touch pad and it is great with a small footprint.

That was the one complaint I had about this keyboard it is big. Personally I hate touch pads.

[Nick Burns]

Picked up the BTC 9019URF last night. Not using any of the software/drivers that came with it. Plugged it in, did the connection/synchronization and it's working like a charm. Even puts the server into standby and wakes it up! Previously I would use a desktop shortcut to put the server into standby.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by Nick Burns

Picked up the BTC 9019URF last night. Not using any of the software/drivers that came with it. Plugged it in, did the connection/synchronization and it's working like a charm. Even puts the server into standby and wakes it up! Previously I would use a desktop shortcut to put the server into standby.

Glad to hear its working out for you. We use our 9019urf keyboard on our link machine in the game/bar room and love it.

[Zaap]

I have one of these, and love it:
X-Gene (SpecResearch 01027) wireless keyboard. Has the best trackball I've ever used for this type of keyboard, and just feels and works way better than the older, bulkier, slower BTC 9019 it replaced (which I was literally ready to throw out the window after getting the X-Gene.) It's RF, not IR.

The newer BTC 9029 URF III is great too, (if you can find one- Frys here in So Cali has them for $45). Used them for several HTPC builds for friends/family. It's much sleeker and better designed than the 9019, and though the new thumb-toggle takes a little getting used to at first, I find it more responsive and easier to use than the 9019's toggle-switch thing-a-ma-bob. Also, the key feedback is good enough I could easily use one as a regular desktop keyboard.

My favorite HTPC keyboard is still my Belkin Media Pilot. It's RF and pricey, but the thumb-pad controller and scrollwheel-clicker are excellent. It has great media buttons, and also doubles as a fairly capable IR universal remote, so it's all I need for controlling the living room AV.

The downside is the somewhat klunky base-station with a mostly-useless number pad as though anyone was buying this keyboard to actually use as a regular desktop keyboard. Unless you're media center is hidden away in an AV closet, it'd be too cumbersome for many HTPC setups. The upside of the bulky base is that it recharges the keyboard's rechargeable batteries- two years and still goin' strong with the supplied batteries- over a month of normal use per charge.