[WINDOWS] Best remote control to use with XBMC for Windows?

BradP Wrote:I have the Harmony 880 but how and what do I need to get it to talk to the xbmc?

As with any IR remote, you need an IR reciever to read the IR signals into your computer. USB-UIRT or the MCE reciever are probably the two most common (PLENTY of posts about these)

idioteque Wrote:I have an original MCE remote and use that receiver to use with my Harmony one

I have setup XBMC to keyboard mode in advanced settings and use Eventghost to simulate keystrokes.

This gives me all the flexiblility I need to create specific keys and custom buttons on my Harmony remote.

I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software


goodluck !

I see in your signature that you are using XP-SP3. What version of the OS are you using? I've had loads of trouble finding remotes that work in XP Pro. Most want you to use XP-MCE, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate.

You could try the original xbox DVD kit remote...

Here's my howto thread:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=45337

The remote itself is only $8 or so, and you'll need a USB to Xbox controller adapter for a couple more dollars.

Just set it up with EventGhost, and it should work fine with XP.

-Wes

RKillcrazy Wrote:I see in your signature that you are using XP-SP3. What version of the OS are you using? I've had loads of trouble finding remotes that work in XP Pro. Most want you to use XP-MCE, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate.

I got the sp3 WITH ALL updates

the MCE driver is available as a driver for all windows versions.

just google on MCE driver

idioteque Wrote:I have an original MCE remote and use that receiver to use with my Harmony one

I have setup XBMC to keyboard mode in advanced settings and use Eventghost to simulate keystrokes.

This gives me all the flexiblility I need to create specific keys and custom buttons on my Harmony remote.

I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software


goodluck !

I assume you still get that .4 second lag and the delayed buffer with this setup?

I am finally trying to cure my problem (have the Harmony 880 with USB-UIRT) and i'm considering just switching from the harmony series unless someone has found a way to get rid of the lag.

for me heres the setup

xbox 1 ir reciever ( before the new build i had 5 xb1s so had alot of adapters running around)

event ghost

and a pronto pro tsu 7000

noo need for rf with this thing unless you need to go through walls to reach the reciver
the prontos blast ir really well and with a very good range (no need to point it at the system)
i have this configured to control my 3 stage lighting /xbmc /mouse when xbmc is shut down / amp /vswitch / sony lcd and projector/

it works flawlessly for me... never one hickup...

i must say i monkeyed around with event ghost for a couple days and got most of the controls working but still not girlfreind/wife freindly

the i found a post on here where a user submitted a small tutorial and posted his config file on patebin

downloaded that and added another plugin for mouse control... and i was done....

the only down side is the price of a pronto

the tsu originally sold for a grand but there pretty easy to pick one up on craigslist for around 250....
the logitech harmoney 510 was a good remote for me but as soon as i got into xbmc i started going overboard with the amount of devices in my living room...

thus i absolutly needed the pronto unlimited configuration options...



edit: forgot to metion picked up a ir keyboard of newegg (most are rf so look for the shittiest keyboard possible they are usually ir) and create a new page in my pronto that looks lite a keyboard and cloned the keyboards output to specific buttons on my pronto
giving me a keyboard too.

ryan03rr Wrote:the i found a post on here where a user submitted a small tutorial and posted his config file on patebin

downloaded that and added another plugin for mouse control... and i was done....

Can you give the link to that thread/post#?

tihs is the link on how to set up the original xbox 1 remote for xbmc for windows... it looks alittle complicated but its really easy..




http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=45337


this shows the current distributed plugins with event ghost (mouse /system/ ect ect..)

http://www.eventghost.org/docs/pluginlist.html



when you set up the xbox 1 ir reciever the real problem you will have is timing on the auto repeat macro on directional buttons...

i achieved different results between my harmony (old) and pronto (new)
mostly just had to slow the command repeat in event ghost from .01 to .05 and no more delay... the pronto needed less delay to work perfect...


depending on how fat your wallet is i cant stress enough how much better prontos are than harmonys...
read around over at remote central people will tell you the same thing.... there is absolutely no comparison....

i did go one step further and remap the 0-9 keys in the xbmc xml this is not nessasary but i gives me the option of pressing 1 button to go directly to lets say movies in library mode... and since i have a fully mapped keyboard on my pronto i still retaian the ability to use 0-9 via what xbmc thinks is my keyboard...

one other thing to add is lutron makes a ir relay.. that can simly switch a circut on or off or flash( of the on again fast) soldered it into the main power switch in my case and ran it in to my 19 inch rackmount cabinet allowing power on/of and sleep resume all form the remote.. ( sounds expensive but can be dont for <30 dollars

idioteque Wrote:I then have a special specific keymap.xml inside XBMC which has all remotes and other controllers removed and only has keyboard mappings.

SO:
1: MS MCE receiver
2: Eventghost
3: advanced settings keyboard mode
4: keymapping.xml with specific keymappings only for keyboard
5: program harmony one with logitech software

Would it be possible to get a copy of your keymappings?

mce remote is always best.