Best Remote Desktop App for the iPad (to primarily control W7 Media Center)

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Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#65614 4-Aug-2010 13:51

Hi,

As the title suggests, I'm after the best remote desktop app to primarily control my Windows Media Center (WMC) PC (Windows 7). 99.9% of the time I will be connected to my own WIFI network, but would like the ability to browse (in particular) my WMC Music library and Shoutcast plug in from other rooms, but have the content play on my WMC.

I'm after a cost effective solution, and one that will work well over WIFI. Any recommendations?

Cheers,
Satch.

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726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#362984 4-Aug-2010 13:59

I have two on my iPad. RDP Lite for use when on the same network. It's free so can't be much more cost effective ;-)

I also bought LogMeIn Ignition for when I want to remote into PC's not on the same network. Although it costs $38, it's actually a bargain for the functionality and ease of use. It has more gestures configured and intuitive mouse control so I find it's actually easier to use than RDP...

Hope that helps.

dan

1134 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#363042 4-Aug-2010 15:08

I wouldnt use RDP for a media centre

You can try teamviewer, as no cost for personal use, and there is a free iphone app for it

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#363047 4-Aug-2010 15:14

dan: I wouldnt use RDP for a media centre

Reasoning?

rgoulter

105 posts

Master Geek

#363078 4-Aug-2010 15:38

another one is iTeleport its about $5 cheaper than logmein. dunno if its any better or worse than logmein?

CB_24

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

#363100 4-Aug-2010 16:10

Intelliremote works perfectly!!

tonyc

20 posts

Geek

#363110 4-Aug-2010 16:33

I use iteleport to acess my work computer from Ipad when I am at home.
works well, you have to remember to start iteleport on your computer (have been caught out a couple of times when I have restarted computer)
Excellent product and support is good as well.

Regs

4066 posts

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Snowflake

#363139 4-Aug-2010 17:24

you would be better using a web server based app on the media center to do this - then it would be as simple as bringing up a web page on your ipad.

RDP wont work - as you wont be sharing the main screen.

A VNC type client might be an option - as these share the screen.

RemotePotato is a web and streaming app that you can use to stream video etc to other devices, not sure if it does remote control though. I'm sure there are a few iphone apps (with windows component) built purely for remote control functions though.

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
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Twitter: @nzregs

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Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#363198 4-Aug-2010 18:58

Regs: you would be better using a web server based app on the media center to do this - then it would be as simple as bringing up a web page on your ipad.

Please tell me more about this!

I've just tried Teamviewer and it is soo laggy. Am I safe to assume that the other similar apps would give comparable results? I don't want to fork out $30-40 for an app that is too slow for me to use.

Regs

4066 posts

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Snowflake

#363237 4-Aug-2010 20:19

try these links...

http://halcomputing.com/wifiremote/

http://kumatek.com/NControl.html

and note that i've never used these at all...

EDIT: it appears that one cost $3.99 and the other (ncontrol) is FREE

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#363246 4-Aug-2010 20:52

Regs: try these links...

http://halcomputing.com/wifiremote/

http://kumatek.com/NControl.html

and note that i've never used these at all...

EDIT: it appears that one cost $3.99 and the other (ncontrol) is FREE

Thanks for the suggestions, but these are just straight WIFI remotes. I want to be able control my media center from a different room where I don't have a view of the TV. That's why something like RDP interested me.

Maybe one day someone will bring out the app I want... :)

Note a bit of irony with the Wifiremote site. It has a Flash video on it to demonstrate the software. That's a fat lot of use when trying to surf their site about iPhone and iPad apps on an iPhone or iPad!!

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#363255 4-Aug-2010 21:08

Satch:
Regs: try these links...

http://halcomputing.com/wifiremote/

http://kumatek.com/NControl.html

and note that i've never used these at all...

EDIT: it appears that one cost $3.99 and the other (ncontrol) is FREE

Thanks for the suggestions, but these are just straight WIFI remotes. I want to be able control my media center from a different room where I don't have a view of the TV. That's why something like RDP interested me.

Maybe one day someone will bring out the app I want... :)

Note a bit of irony with the Wifiremote site. It has a Flash video on it to demonstrate the software. That's a fat lot of use when trying to surf their site about iPhone and iPad apps on an iPhone or iPad!!

Well then you should have waited for a Windows 7 tablet, and not bought that stupid iPad... Wasted all that money and now you've got to find something to do with it...

There also a couple of excellent browser based apps that would do the trick - you just need to figure out how to use flash... :)

In theory someone could write a remote app, with 2 way feedback so you could see what you are doing on the iPad, but then you would have the ability to see porn, which you total apple fanboys aren't allowed to do... which also means Apple would never approve it... Besides shouldn't you be using Apple TV by now...

But seriously - There's a couple of good RDP apps for the iPhone (I use IRdesktop for example) - should only be a matter of time before they get scaled up, for use on the stupid iPad's... :) There a good guide on the Missing Remote, on how to enable concurrent remote access.

You can run Media Center over RDP - it just won't support video - I'd say you should be OK with audio, especially if you want it to play it locally using the music library...

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#363294 4-Aug-2010 22:02

Poor Rusty. His wife won't allow him to buy an iPad :(

Just to veer OT for 1 second... When Apple announce the "stupid iPad", I was like "what the hell would I want with one of those?". Then they were released in the US and shown on TV, and I went "wow!". Over time I talked myself out of the idea until that fateful Friday they were release locally, and I went down to see one in store. I ummed and ahhed all weekend until I finally decided that life was too short to wonder what if, so I bought one. Still enjoying it as I tap this out on it.

Anyways, next time I fark my HTPC up again and need you to come around and fix it, I'll let you have a go on my iPad Rusty...

Now thanks for the suggestions mate. I'll have a look into them and fire off any Q's I have :)

Regs

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Snowflake

#363323 4-Aug-2010 22:41

ah, so you're really after something like this:
http://windowsmobile.mobilitydigest.com/wp7-windows-media-center-remote/

perhaps you'll be able to trade in your iPad for a windows phone 7 shortly?

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Regs

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Snowflake

#363328 4-Aug-2010 22:45

or even the android app
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/android-media-center-remote-control/

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek

#363351 4-Aug-2010 22:59

Regs: ah, so you're really after something like this:
http://windowsmobile.mobilitydigest.com/wp7-windows-media-center-remote/

Yes please...

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