Remote control

[bmassey]

I am in the process of assembling a PVR. Have the mobo, PVR250, ATI 9600pro and 2.5g Athlon. And of course have SS. I plan to output PVR to Mitsubishi 65" screen.

I would like some advice on what the current recomendations are for controling Dish Network receiver. I've scanned through the messages and the community help docs but most of the advice seems to be either a bit dated or not applicable to Dish.

I am looking for best across the room IR control of PVR and Dish receiver with a remote. (Have several with HT but would consider another if it was superior for the purpose). Also would like anyone's experience on wireless keyboards and mice. Plan on limited pc use from across the room as well.

Thanks,

Bob

[BajoBear]

You actually need to consider two types of controls - one that allows Beyond TV (SnapStream) to control the Dish Network receiver and one that you control Beyond TV with.

To allow Beyond TV to control the Dish Receiver I have had very good results using the Actisys IR blaster that I purchased from SnapStream. I use it in combination with HERemote. HERemote is a program that sits between Beyond TV and the IR Blaster. SnapStream is capable of controlling the IR blaster directly, but when I first setup my PVR I had a Comcast digital receiver for use with their digital cable and Beyond TV wasn't very reliable changing channels on the Comcast receiver. Switching to HERemote greatly improved the reliablity, and I've never bothered to uninstall it to see how SnapStream plays directly with the Dish Receivers. I paid a small fee for HERemote of like $15 bucks and it's been well worth it. Also with the Dish receiver changing channels is much faster than with the Comcast equipment. (I love Dish )

Snapstream is also testing a new IRBlaster that is supposed to be more reliable than the Actisys IR Blaster. I haven't read anything about it lately so I don't know if they're still offering that one to people who are willing to test for them or if they've moved on to simply reselling it.

The second control you need is some way of remotely controlling your PC/Beyond TV from the couch. I have heard that many people have success with wireless keyboards and mice, but I prefer I plain ole TV-like remote control. There are a lot of choices there, but I have used the StreamZap remote and just switched to an ATI Remote Wonder.

I like the layout of the keys on the StreamZap better than the Remote Wonder, but the StreamZap is only an IR remote and will only work if you're in the same room as your PVR.

I've relocated my PVR to a downstairs closet and tied it into the video distribution point using a UHF modulator to broadcast the PVR signal to all TVs in the house on channel 14. Well, the StreamZap remote obviously won't work for me. I've only had the ATI remote installed for a day and am still learning the keys and will need to customize some of them to get back some of the functionality that the StreamZap gave me. I can use the ATI Remote Wonder all throughout my 3 story townhouse without any problems. In fact, so far it's worked better than my Dish RF remote.

So in terms of controlling Beyond TV it comes down to more of a preference than anything - remote keyboard and mouse, StreamZap (IR), ATI (RF), or X10 (RF).

I hope this infor helps to clear up some confusion and basically you have to control your Dish receiver with one device and control Beyond TV with another.

[BajoBear]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention that the PVR 250 comes with a remote that I believe you can use with Beyond TV, if an IR solution is all you need.

[bmassey]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Your reply does help clarify what I need. I'll check out the SS store and see what they currently offer for ir blaster and confirm with them it is compatible with Dish.

I picked up the Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse. Will start with that and the remote from the PVR250. (Its supposed to arrive tomorrow).

Had hoped to have everything before this but looks like I'll be assembling hw and sw over the holidays. There are worse things to do...

I love Dish as well. Have had it for quite a few years. Have 4 receivers which I plan to modulate all 4 outputs plus PVR and feed to all the TVs in the house. Thus will have 4 channels plus PVR stored movies.

Thanks again and have a very Happy Holiday.

Bob