Wireless Keyboard and or Mouse

[hengy]

I've got a harmony remote for my BTV. I'm currently using a LiteOn wireless keyboard with built in joystick. It just died. What are you using? Do you have any suggestions for a wireless keyboard? Do I need a separate mouse?

[nanook105]

Also need to consider RF vs IR. I use the Interlink VP6210 on both of my PVRs and am VERY satisified. Don't have to worry about range or what direction I am sitting/pointing in.

[carras]

Funny you ask, I was just looking for a keyboard and mouse combo and found the 2.4 MULTIMEDIA KEYBOARD W/ IR REMOTE - F8E838. I also was looking into the Gyration Ultra GT 30 Mouse & COMACT KYB USB Suite. I'm still trying to deside.

[hengy]

For me an Ir keyboard is much more preferable. I can program keystrokes into my Harmony remote. It just gives me more options.

[geoffstewart]

carras,

I have the Gyration Ultra GT with compact keyboard suite... it's called something slightly different in canada, but it's the same thing. I'm very happy with it. It did take a while to find a spot for the receiver such that it would minimize "dead zones". Once that got setup, I had no problems and it works wonderfully. The ability to pick the mouse up and use it in the air is a real plus... very intuitive.

Hope this helps.

Geoff

[Cal]

Gyration Ultra GT with compact keyboard suite sounds right. I'll have to look at the box if I stilll have it to see what its called here in canada but that sounds right. I love mine. I voted "remote" since I use the silver remote that came with the PVR250 card most of the time. I normally use UltraVNC if I want to work on this box from my other PC. If I happen to have a cat sleeping on my lap howerver I use the Gyration stuff from my chair. I don't do stuff very often but its nice for quick searches without haveing to enter stuff in via the remote.

[gjunky]

I use the Gyration Ultra Suite (30ft version) also and are very happy with it. The mouse is even fast enough to do some gaming with and moving it in the air seems to be the only way to operate a mouse from 10ft after you use it.

For the remote I use the Kameleon remote (radio shack) and had it re-programmed with the MCE remote control codes and then customized a few keys by teaching it the actual keys from the MCE remote I have. I still really like the feel of the MCE remote too.

The Kameleon lets me turn on/off all my devices and put them on the right settings, all with a couple macros on the remote. No programming required on the PC side.

-gjunky

[SanchezVic]

I use the Firefly remote for everything Snapstream. I use the Lite-On SK-7551 wireless keyboard and mouse for Windows cleanup and what have you.

[8IronBob]

I just use the Firefly when it comes to Beyond Media, and Beyond TV. The only time I use my keyboard is to switch between my monitor and my television set, or (heaven forbid) the PC is stuck and locked up, which I don't think'll ever happen with Hyper-Threading like my PC uses, or at least not in the next few years, hopefully. Otherwise, the Firefly has served me well. I just basically use the Gateway multimedia keyboard and scroll mouse that came with my PC when I'm physically using the PC, but when I use this as a HTPC, I just use the keyboard to switch between the monitor and the TV (unless there's a way to program the Firefly to switch displays for you, which is constantly making me upset for not finding an official answer to that), and just let the Firefly do the rest.

[hengy]

Originally Posted by SanchezVic

I use the Firefly remote for everything Snapstream. I use the Lite-On SK-7551 wireless keyboard and mouse for Windows cleanup and what have you.

I also use the the Lite-On SK-7551 but it just stopped working. No light on transmitter or receiver. Might have to pull it apart to see what the prob could be. it's an OK keyboard except for the funky joystick.

[SanchezVic]

Originally Posted by hengy

I also use the the Lite-On SK-7551 but it just stopped working. No light on transmitter or receiver. Might have to pull it apart to see what the prob could be. it's an OK keyboard except for the funky joystick.

There are 2 AA batteries in the bottom of the keyboard. They may be dead.

[hengy]

Originally Posted by SanchezVic

There are 2 AA batteries in the bottom of the keyboard. They may be dead.

Nah replaced several times.

[gsinpei]

ATI Remote Wonder works well and it is RF

[btvfreak]

I use my Firefly or Harmony 659 remotes to control BTV, and a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse to do administrative stuff.

[pc4ever1]

I use my Harmony 659 Remote to control BTV and MCE2005. Included with my HP z545 is a RF Wireless Keyboard with Trackball. This is used to to do administrative stuff and to surf the web.

Prior to this I used other wireless keyboards, including the Gyration products. I wasn't impressed with any of those options. Some required a mouse or seperate remote to navigate with the keyboard such as the Gyration stuff. Others have a "pointer" built into the keyboard. I found these to be a pain to use as well. I tried buying keyboards with trackballs built into them. Had to return them also. They were cheaply built and didn't track well.

The best wireless keyboard that I have found to date is bundled with the HP z545 Media Center system. It tracks well, has macro keys on the keyboard and rubberized grips underneath to hold it. Too bad other mfg's haven't built trackballs in their keyboards so they can eliminate the mouse altogether.