What are People Using For Keyboard Input on their HTPCs?

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1gkar

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#43090 16-Oct-2009 16:40

As the title implies, I am in the hunt for a new keyboard (please don't say DiNovo Edge: can't justify $300+) that has some method of integrated mouse input, eg. touchpad, trackball, etc.

There doesn't seem to be much available locally that is reasonably priced. Just looking at what works & what doesn't options. I considered the Dinovo Mini but it doesn't have F* keys for Mediaportal useage. Cheers.

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#264315 16-Oct-2009 16:52

1gkar: As the title implies, I am in the hunt for a new keyboard (please don't say DiNovo Edge: can't justify $300+) that has some method of integrated mouse input, eg. touchpad, trackball, etc.

There doesn't seem to be much available locally that is reasonably priced. Just looking at what works & what doesn't options. I considered the Dinovo Mini but it doesn't have F* keys for Mediaportal useage. Cheers.

I use this Adesso Wireless Keyboard

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?item=KEYADE4000

However it is $250 when GST is included.
My HTPC is in a cupboard in a different room but this KB still works from a distance of about 7m through two internal walls. It wakes the HTPC from standby and required no set up besides pairing the USB dongle to the KB.
Gotta say tho', I still prefer to run MP using an IR remote.

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garvani

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#264316 16-Oct-2009 16:55

Im using a cheap genius wireless keyboard, has a mouse controller on it (not trackpad, its a little joystick). Takes a while to get the hang of the mouse but ive mastered it now, has a reasonable range, and was only about $100 its a genius luxemate t810. That and i have a harmony remote that does most things the keyboard will do

freitasm

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#264324 16-Oct-2009 17:35

I use the Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition 1.0... This is the infrared one - that mouse nipple thing annoys me to no end but I maily use the remote control anyway, the keyboard is only when I need the mouse pointer (if I switch from Media Center to iTunes for example or if I want to update something).

Nety

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#264336 16-Oct-2009 18:24

I still think the MS one is really good.. god knows why they seem to have stopped making it or anything even remotely like it. Bluetooth would be the only improvement they should have given it.

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smac

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#264338 16-Oct-2009 18:35

1gkar: What are People Using For Keyboard Input on their HTPCs? .

It's an HTPC, so I don't have a keyboard. Remote does the lot.

bjhoogs

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#264345 16-Oct-2009 18:54

VNC from a laptop

Satch

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#264356 16-Oct-2009 19:45

I'm using one of these puppies for my HTPC (bluetooth and mouse setup). Happy as Larry with it.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=081

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davidcole

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#264363 16-Oct-2009 20:01

I have a logitech desktop wave wireless desktop connected to mine, but only if I'm feeling energetic....95% of the time I use the remote, 4% vnc or rdp to a second session on the machine (xp hack), 1% use the remote. I only use it because i couldn't sell it on trademe.

Ideally I'd like an infrared/rf trackball keyboard - can't stand those little joystick things. But I'd have to import one.

Something like this:

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turb

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#264503 17-Oct-2009 10:42

There's a Gigabyte GK-KM7500 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse that you'll find if you look on pricespy.

It's about $60 and is 2.4Ghz so it has a decent range of about 3-4m. You get better range if you can put up with having the little USB dongle stuck in the front of the PC. It has a little blue light that flashes whenever you press a key or move the mouse.

DON'T get anything that isn't bluetooth or 2.4Ghz as it's range will be pathetic and you'll have to sell it on trademe. Like I did....

I know you want an integrated mouse but I think it's worth having it seperate so you don't have to fiddle with a little pad or joystick. Mostly I'm just using the mouse anyway.

I was a bit worried about getting something crap for $60 when others are spending $$$, but I'm really pleased with it.

All the extra function keys work nicely and the KB itself is light and slimline (my wife even thinks it's okay). It has a volume knob, mute button and a sleep button etc. The sleep button is near the corner and I've put the PC to sleep a couple of time when picking up the KB and pressing it by mistake.

I'm using XP and it all worked fine without having to use the installation disc. The disc has drivers for 98SE onwards.

It is robust enough to cope with being knocked off the table a few times by the goddam cat.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

richms

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#264528 17-Oct-2009 12:52

I would not call 3-4m a decent range. That's what I got with my budget cheap crap one.

I expect 10-15m from a better one. Bluetooth I tried and couldn't live with - too much lag between moving it and the pointer moving.

I just got a 6m USB cable and a hub and use a normal mouse and keyboard for now. IR has always been problematic for me with the lights on, I suspect thats why the have gone to RF on most newer things.

Richard rich.ms

1gkar

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#264534 17-Oct-2009 13:00

smac:
1gkar: What are People Using For Keyboard Input on their HTPCs? .

It's an HTPC, so I don't have a keyboard. Remote does the lot.

So I'm assuming you don't use your HTPC for browsing: internet or Windows & never install or update anything

1gkar

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#264536 17-Oct-2009 13:07

Satch: I'm using one of these puppies for my HTPC (bluetooth and mouse setup). Happy as Larry with it.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=081

Looks promising. How does the navigation pad work? Can you use it fully for navigating around Windows- or Internet- Explorer?

turb

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#264538 17-Oct-2009 13:11

richms: I would not call 3-4m a decent range. That's what I got with my budget cheap crap one.

I expect 10-15m from a better one. .

I guess it depends how big your lounge is and how good your eyes are!

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

smac

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#264641 17-Oct-2009 18:40

So I'm assuming you don't use your HTPC for browsing: internet or Windows & never install or update anything

Not really no. HT for me means a machine that plays and records TV, plays DVD's, and plays music. Don't get me wrong, I'm under no illusions it's that way for everyone, just commenting on my own use since we were asked :) All I mean is on a day to day basis the system never shows anything other than the 7MC, and my remote handles that perfectly. If/when I need to tinker under the hood I just whack a USB mouse and keyboard into the front USB ports. The WAF of a keyboard permentantly in the lounge would be 0/10

As an aside, don't get me started on updates.....recently started having troubles with the sleep function. Stripped it back to a fresh install and traced the problem to a recent ACPI windows update. Needless to say auto updates is now OFF. It wasn't broken, they update it anyway, and it breaks

richms

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#264653 17-Oct-2009 19:01

turb:
richms: I would not call 3-4m a decent range. That's what I got with my budget cheap crap one.

I expect 10-15m from a better one. .

I guess it depends how big your lounge is and how good your eyes are!

Firstly it depends on where the computer is located, then it depends on what is in the way between that and where they keyboard is.

Richard rich.ms

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