The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5) - Is there such thing as a good PC remote control?

Is there such thing as a good PC remote control?

I have been looking around for a remote control for my PC for awhile, but haven't found anything good. Everything looks totally cheap and most stores don't carry any -- you have to go online. And that makes it hard to figure out if it will work for you.

All I want is something that can control Winamp or some other media player so I can control my music without having to get up and go to the PC. I think all that would be required is that it would have to send multimedia keyboard ones.

I saw some cheap ones online but they use the serial port (!) and such... and they all probably have really sketchy and bugger drivers. It doesn't seem like there is any "respected" manufacturer that makes them anymore.

Also if anyone knows of a good MP3 player on Windows with a full-screen mode, that would be cool. All I'm looking for is something butt-simple, to do exactly one thing, no bells and whistles and buggy TiVo wannabes and whatnot...

Roose
Thursday, May 27, 2004

wireless mouse and keyboard?

jon
Thursday, May 27, 2004

This looks kind of cool:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/6b0e/

Matthew Lock
Thursday, May 27, 2004

What about ATI's remote? Granted, it's got hooks specifically for ATI products, but I don't know of a reason why you wouldn't be able to use it with Winamp.

I've had one for about a year now, and haven't had any issues. Granted, I don't use a whole heck of a lot, but it may still be worth a look.

Steve Barbour
Thursday, May 27, 2004

Sorry, meant to paste a link to the ATI remote, http://www.ati.com/products/remotewonder/

Steve Barbour
Thursday, May 27, 2004

Doesn't really matter where your remote comes from (I personally own a Pinnacle), it's just a matter of remote control software. This is the best product ever (though commercial):
http://www.mediatexx.com/

I've successfully used it with BSPlayer, Winamp, Media Player, Irfan View, etc. I even shut down my computer with it.

As a side note, my remote is also connected on serial and I have no problems. One of my friends has constructed his own remote and he also uses uICE. You should at least see the trial.

some anonymous guy
Thursday, May 27, 2004

That thing is scary. It must have 50 buttons -- half as many as my keyboard! And twice as many as any other remote control I own.

If I didn't mind something huge with several dozen buttons cluttering it up, I'd get a cheap USB IR interface for my computer, and use my HP-48. I could even have a nice menu on the display.

(The point of a remote control is that it's small and portable, though. And that usually means "smaller than my hand".)

also would buy a good remote control, if he found one
Thursday, May 27, 2004

I just got an 802.11b card for my pocket PC. A little web service work on the PC, a small compact framework app, and voila! A remote control that doesn't even need to be in the same room.

What? Why yes, I *am* a total geek, why do you ask?

Chris Tavares
Thursday, May 27, 2004

Well, I actually ended buying this online today, kind of an impulse buy:

http://tekgems.com/Products/creative-multimedia-remote-cimr100.htm

But it was only $16 shipped, less than the cost of restaurant dinner, so if it sucks then oh well...

Too bad it's serial port, but it looks better designed than a lot of the remotes I've seen which were obviously designed by engineers... (I can knock us, because I am one myself).

It's cheap and simple, which is what I want. Most of the remotes are $50 and up.

If anyone, by any chance, has any experience with this remote I'd be interested...

Roose
Thursday, May 27, 2004

Tooting our own horn here. Check out http://www.snapstream.com/products/firefly/.

It looks good, it's affordable, it comes with a basic home theater front-end, and it has profiles for over 80 different applications, including WinAMP.

Richard Kuo
Thursday, May 27, 2004