HTPC beginner questions

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timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#59340 2-Apr-2010 09:29

I'm a real beginner about HTPCs, if anyone can answer some of these questions, that'd be great! Thanks.
I plan on having Windows Media Centre 7.

My ideal setup would be a box with leads in and out, and a remote. No keyboard, no mouse. I don't mind having a keyboard & mouse when I'm setting it up, but once that is done, I don't want them cluttering up where I'll be. So, first, is this possible? Second, is it possible to set the timer, watch a recording, then delete the recording, all with the use of a remote?

I'll need a remote, which means I'll need an infrared receiver. There seems a general lack of infrared receivers on online stores. Does anyone have any suggestions of what one(s) to buy? Obviously, it has to work with Media Centre. How much fiddling around (in terms of software) is required for this to happen?

Power supplies. There is ATX, and there is microATX, far less common. Are there any other standard power supplies?

Thanks heaps. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later, but that'll help me for now.

askelon

942 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 233

ID Verified

#314101 2-Apr-2010 10:08

You wont need a kb/mouse for much other than the occasional tweaking of things - I steal my desktops ones when need be. Any proper MCE remote / reciever will work well - make sure its not one of the cheap trademe pieces of junk which more or less function as a mouse. Ive used the Hauppaugae MCE Remote Control kits in the past, cost around $60ish, little harder to get hold of but work very well. I currently use one of their recievers and a Logitech Harmony remote so it controls the AMP & TV as well..

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
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Trusted

#314102 2-Apr-2010 10:18

I've installed vnc server of the pvr, so just remote control it sometimes. Also had some spare airpoints on qantas and bought a wireless keyboard so that works as well. But 90% of the time use a remote.

Wireless keyboards are generally only good from about 1m away (well mine is)

Previously known as psycik

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Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#314113 2-Apr-2010 10:51

timestyles: My ideal setup would be a box with leads in and out, and a remote. No keyboard, no mouse. I don't mind having a keyboard & mouse when I'm setting it up, but once that is done, I don't want them cluttering up where I'll be. So, first, is this possible?

It's quite practical not having a keyboard or mouse most of the time, but occasionally you will need to connect them for routine PC maintenance tasks - such as applying Windows updates etc

timestyles: Second, is it possible to set the timer, watch a recording, then delete the recording, all with the use of a remote?

Yes - that's normal operation for most HTPCs

timestyles: I'll need a remote, which means I'll need an infrared receiver. There seems a general lack of infrared receivers on online stores. Does anyone have any suggestions of what one(s) to buy?

I've used the Hauppauge MCE remote kit (a remote with a USB connected IR receiver) for the past year - it works well Hauppauge MCE Remote Control Kit

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#314213 2-Apr-2010 18:03

Hey, thanks everyone for the responses so far! I only wish they made that receiver smaller and without a lead, so it was not really noticeable when plugged into a front USB socket.

Now, one more question (I know I may be pushing it with this one!). Does Media Centre have the ability to wake up from Suspend when either the remote control is used, or the timer needs to record something?

cldlr76

289 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#314259 2-Apr-2010 21:07

If you go with a proper HTPC case it will have the IR receiver built in so no need for wires etc.
I can fully power off and power back on my HTPC with the remote, but can also get it to enter sleep mode and wake up from that too.

My case is SilverStone’s Grandia GD02mt and running windows 7

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#314359 3-Apr-2010 11:46

timestyles: Does Media Centre have the ability to wake up from Suspend when either the remote control is used, or the timer needs to record something?

The power button on the remote will wake the PC, and any media centre application should certainly wake the PC for a scheduled recording.

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Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#314360 3-Apr-2010 11:50

timestyles: I only wish they made that receiver smaller and without a lead, so it was not really noticeable when plugged into a front USB socket.

I prefer to plug the IR receiver into a rear USB port and have the receiver sitting on top of the PC case - in my setup it looks quite unobtrusive there.

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#314898 5-Apr-2010 10:31

Thanks for the additional replies. It's good that it can wake up from suspend (presumably there is some timer in the motherboard that is used for this purpose), that means I can get a standard case and not worry about wasting power. As for the infra red receiver, I'll probably cut a hole in the 5 1/4 plastic front cover and glue it there, so it's not as noticeable.