Home Theater Keyboards? 273
Meeper writes "I've been commissioned to build a Home Theater Computer system, but there is a distinct lack of keyboards that are suitable. The keyboard needs to be equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, compact, and include a built-in mouse or touchpad. The keyboard will be used on couches, so a solution such as the Logitech diNovo Media Desktop is unsuitable due to the normal freestanding mouse. Have any Slashdot readers used a keyboard which fufills my requirements?" Or, on the other hand, what best-compromise solutions have you come up with for melding ease of use with sufficient control?
Laptop and RDC or VNC (Score:5, Informative)
Absolute control, and it's smaller than most wireless keyboards. The only real downsides are price (if you wouldn't buy a tiny laptop anyway) and that establishing control takes about 2-3 seconds.
RD
Re:Laptop and RDC or VNC (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Laptop and RDC or VNC (Score:3, Informative)
SP2 for XP supposedly has concurrent multiple users and would hence support what you're saying, though.
RD
Re:Laptop and RDC or VNC (Score:2)
I haven't figured out a workaround for this. It's be *very* cool if VNC could connect to the virtual desktop of users not actually on the computer (so that one person could be physically logged in and the other could be logged
Monkey (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Monkey (Score:3, Funny)
pray for Mojo
Re:Monkey (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Monkey (Score:3, Funny)
RDP (Score:2, Informative)
By the way (Score:2, Informative)
Gyration (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Gyration (Score:5, Insightful)
Anyway. Aside from this and the price, it's a decent setup for HTPC.
Re:Gyration (Score:2, Informative)
The price was around $90 at Staples I believe
Intellect Airkey (Score:5, Informative)
I use one of these [uk.com] . The intellect AirKey is a small form-factor keyboard with built-in mouse that functions over infra-red. Infra-red really is a fine compromise, because I need to be in IR range to use the TV remote anyway!
The mouse-pad thingy is quite neat, it's small and can be driven from your sofa. It's a bit tricky to get used to at first, but it's really worth it once you get used to it.
My only advice is don't install the system with it, use a proper keyboard and mouse. This thing is fine as a PC remote control, but you probably don't want to set one up with it!
If the above still hasn't sold you, it's a very cheap option and most importantly it's black!
Re:Gyration (Score:5, Interesting)
I have the unfortunate pleasure of having about 20 of keyboard/mouse units at work. In the year that we've had them I've had to send back a full half of them for warranty work. We have two problems repeatedly: The keyboards simply stop working (everything looks ok, but no transmission) and the batteries in the mice refuse to hold a charge longer than about 20 minutes after about 2 months of use. (yea, we do the whole drain 'em till their dead before recharging them)
Just my $.02
Re:Gyration (Score:5, Informative)
This is only good for Nickel Cadium batteries, which are seldom used anymore.
Most manuals for devices using NiMH and Lithium Ion say the batteries last longer if you keep them charged up (topped off). Otherwise, the deep charge/discharge cycles put a lot of wear on the batteries.
Touchy NiMH issues (Score:3, Insightful)
Just for clarity's sake, the "best" way to keep NiMH batteries alive is to keep using them. Charge them up, let them sit, use them a bit, then re-charge after a month or so. If you leave a NiMH battery totally drained, you will hurt the battery... and NiMH batteries drain themselves over time. However,
Re:Touchy NiMH issues (Score:5, Informative)
Depends on the charger.
Only the most brain-dead of chargers will keep charging until you take the batteries out, at least if they're designed for use with NiMH.
Marginally more intelligent chargers automatically work on a timer that assumes the battery is fully drained, give it a full charge, then stop. These are partially where the 'You should drain all the way before recharging' myth comes from, at least in relation to NiMH.
If you really want to keep your batteries in good condition though, you want to look into a microprocessor-based smart charger, which actually checks the voltage level of the battery to determine when it's topped off. The nicest ones even detect the type of battery based on its charge response curve.
There is no alternative if you want to treat your batteries properly.
Note that none of this applies for Li-Ion, which will readily catch on fire if charged improperly. Li-Ions are always supplied with their own charger, which is without exception a smart charger.
Re:Gyration (Score:3, Interesting)
I wanted to buy it but I'm more in the market for a Bluetooth combo kit rather than some proprietary RF. Part of the reason is I have a laptop which has an available bluetooth reciever that goes into the frame, so I don't have to worry about breaking a USB dongle or anything like that.
Re:Gyration (Score:4, Informative)
In addition, I've never found that I can get decent control from one of these like with a mouse, trackball, or touchpad. (But I haven't practiced as much either.) Coarse clicking can be pretty quick, but fine clicking (like a text link) takes a bit of patience to get the cursor right where you want it.
Definitely try it before you plunk down $100 for it.
Re:Gyration isn't crap.. (Score:2)
It's quite easy to get used to the mouse in the air movements. The movement is smooth and natural.
And the best part is that you can put it down and use it like a normal mouse, too.
I can't speak for the overall quality of the product, but he's had his for a few years and it still works fine.
LiteOn Airboard (Score:3, Informative)
Re:LiteOn Airboard (Score:2)
Re:LiteOn Airboard (Score:3, Informative)
Re:LiteOn Airboard (Score:2)
High speed data connections like PDAs or laptops have might get annoyed with that kind of "multipath" signal, but for your average TV remote signal just doesn't care. The only limitation here is how bright the light can be because the power is restricted by how many batteries and how oft
Re:LiteOn Airboard (Score:2)
What's wrong with infrared? Back when I bought the keyboard [benq.com] I'm now using with my MythTV box, RF wasn't really an option because none of the RF keyboards available at the time had sufficient range. Yes, you need line-of-sight to the receiver for the keyboard to work, but that's true of all of your other remotes too. The 30' range is nothing to sneeze at, and it runs for months on a couple of AAs. It looks like a notebook keyboard with a thumbpad on the right and a couple of mouse button
Re:LiteOn^H^H^H Acer Airboard (Score:2)
Consumer electronics uses IR for a reason, it works and it is cheap. Screw BlueTooth until the price drops and even then it's intended range of only a couple of feet makes it unsuitable for a HTPC installation.
Try a PDA? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Try a PDA? (Score:3, Informative)
steveha
Re:Try a PDA? (Score:4, Funny)
That's a talented cat you've got there. :)
Re:Try a PDA? (Score:2, Funny)
Easy (Score:2)
Control Will Work (Score:4, Informative)
Quit yer whinin'... (Score:4, Informative)
There are a few RF solutions, but none that have all of the features that *I* would like, and Infared works well enough if the receiver is placed well that there's no need for much more than that.
Re:Quit yer whinin'... (Score:2)
Re:Quit yer whinin'... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Quit yer whinin'... (Score:3, Interesting)
Exactly my logic. Also, most of the IR keyboards run on their own custom protocols, so that it's much less likely for someone who manages to successfully trap the signals to be able to interpret them. Compare that to even ear
KSI Keyboards (Score:4, Informative)
It performed reasonably well while I used it, but it's not been in use for a year or two now...simply because I spend all my PC time on my laptop instead of through the PC connected to the TV.
It was great for Midtown Madness [microsoft.com] on my 42" screen though!
Re:KSI Keyboards (Score:2)
While the keyboard and touchpad/touchstick combo units aren't exactly the best for FPS games, they will get the job done. Just don't expect too much. Wanna play Q3 or UT? Go to your "real" 'puter and wax some punk's behind.
I've used these off-and-on in my work environment, and I love them. From my own experience, they're fai
Plain ol' IR remote (Score:2)
Keyboard? Try an IR Remote. (Score:4, Informative)
My MyHD HDTV PCI receiver card came with an IR receiver, so that was not a problem. There are many remote control options for the various DVD player packages.
An app like Girder [girder.nl] can combine many applications and PC control functions for IR control.
For the things that I cannot do via remote, VNC from my laptop lets me have full control. Or, a basic wireless keyboard/mouse are handy in rare occasions.
Re:Keyboard? Try an IR Remote. (Score:4, Informative)
As for the keyboard and mouse, I use a Logitech cordless mouse and keyboard [logitech.com] which does the job nicely. I keep the mouse on the coffee table and the keyboard in one of the drawers. The only tricky part is keeping the RF receiver on the computer far enough away from the components in your home theater as the cord on the unit is not very long.
I also have a 4 port USB hub running to a spot under the couch that allows me to quickly connect or disconnect things like USB Thumb Drives or USB Gamepads. I use the gamepads for many of the games on the system like GTA Vice City and MAME. Specifically I like the Gravis Gamepad Pro [gravis.com] (BB $15, Nice mapping software), the Nyko AirFlo PC [nyko.com] (BB $20, Dual Analog sticks, Air Flow technology), and if you can find it the GF USB Control Pad (BB $10, Dual Analog sticks). All of the gamepads work well with Girder and the games I use them for. Sometimes it is nice to have 3 or 4 different gamepads for N64 Emulators because it is easier to know which gamepad you are configuring. Before I had 4 Gravis Gamepad Pro's which was a pain because I had to label them 1 - 4 but windows would not allow me to change their names.
Of course VNC is a must but aside from that if you get your bindings tight in girder you can do almost anything with MyHTPC and a good remote.
Re:Keyboard? Try an IR Remote. (Score:2)
However, Girder was what pushed me over the edge and off of Windows for good. I have a remote control and an irMan. I wanted the power button on the remote to act as a toggle (ie: if mo
Not Bluetooth but radio-wireless (Score:5, Informative)
It's a USB attached unit that uses RF wireless (900Mhz I think). Has built in Trackball and mappable mutli-function buttons. I can control my HTPC from two rooms over if necessary. And runs on standard AAA batteries.
I bought it a year or so ago from Directron.com
Re:Not Bluetooth but radio-wireless (Score:2, Interesting)
Some more thoughts:
Get one with a trackball. The joy
Wireless Keyboard/Mouse for Home Theatres (Score:2, Funny)
There's the which is nice (RF versus Infrared is always better). It has a built in thumbilina (thumb mouse). [google.com.ph]
Beyond that...Remote desktop via a Tablet PC works...
Check out these links... (Score:2, Informative)
Gyration Media Center Remote and Keyboard. (Score:3, Informative)
Good luck mate, and make a few bucks. =)
Not a keyboard, but works just as well (Score:2)
Does it have to be Bluetooth? (Score:3, Insightful)
Is IR really not good enough?
Security? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Re:Security? (Score:5, Funny)
Play CPE-1704-TKS^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Friends. "Christ, I almost had it play the launch code for the nukes!"
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Meh - don't bother with fancy. (Score:2)
It works great - well enough to play FPS games in here.
Gamepad as mouse? (Score:2)
Re:Gamepad as mouse? (Score:2)
The link is for a Linux version, although I remember seeing win32 versions as well.
my own sollution... (Score:2)
I have also used what I will call a wrist board with my laptop, as well as a couple of desktop systems, and I think it would work well as a remote for a pc based home theatre system. It is burried somewhere in storage right
Industrial Strength Wireless Keyboard (Score:4, Informative)
MouseKeys? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:MouseKeys? (Score:2)
AVSForum HTPC group is the place to ask (Score:2, Informative)
So what about: Voice? (Score:5, Funny)
A small dark room in the lower level of a house (read: "parent's basement").
An lcd screen on the wall hooked up to a Slackware box.
A replica Captain's Chair from the USS Enterprise (for obvious reasons only a single chair is needed).
The computer is voice activated and responds to the name, "Sulu".
Act 1:
Me: "Mr. Sulu, set course for http://www.slashdot.org."
Computer: "Aye, captain".
Me: "Engage!"
I'm seriously drooling just thinking about it. That, my friends, would truly be living.
"Warp speed!," my fellow slashdotter!
Re:So what about: Voice? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:So what about: Voice? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:So what about: Voice? (Score:2)
"It's dead, Jim..."
Remote + wired keyboard may do it... (Score:3, Informative)
What I do is put that remote up in the viewing area, and a real keyboard/mouse/LCD panel in the back of the room attached to the HTPC. The monitor is actually slaved to my Mitsubishi X400 projector, which gets the primary XGA feed from the Radeon card.
This lets me play "maximum projectionist" from the back of the room when needed (I like to make trailer reels from Apple.com for example), but watch media from the couch with just a remote like the good old days.
Not BlueTooth, but it works (Score:5, Informative)
Parex Wireless Multimedia Keyboard w/ Intellipoint Mouse [softwareandstuff.com]
According to the website, they're sold out, but it might be available somewhere else. It works great (across the room for me, although my living room isn't that large), and it doesn't conflict with the Hauppauge IR receiver either (though it definitely will conflict with an irman, and maybe others, so be forewarned). It doesn't require direct line of sight, it will work on up to a 70 degree angle (if I remember the manufacturer's specs correctly). And, it was only $20 at the time.
Otherwise, I've heard that the Gyration products are great, but again, they're not Bluetooth, they're RF.
-- Joe
Bluetooth? (Score:3, Informative)
Why? My HT PC uses a NiceTracker ACK-573 [directron.com] keyboard. It's an infrared PS/2 keyboard. Works just fine (with one exception I'll get to momentarily), and has the added bonus that I can program my Universal Remote from it, and use the remote for most functions that don't require me to actually be entering text. Since I run MythTV [mythtv.org], I rarely need to enter text, and it saves me having to doink with LIRC.
The one exception to working fine is that the thing eats batteries, even when it's not in use. The solution was pretty simple: run to Radio Shack, get a pushbutton switch, drill a hole in the case and install the switch on the battery terminal. Voila, on-off capability that saves the battery.
Logitech MX 700 wireless mouse (Score:3, Informative)
All that we use to control our HTPC is a Logitech MX 700 wireless mouse [bit-tech.net]. With the HTPC app that we use, SageTV [www.sage.tv], everything is accessible from a mouse-driven interface. We don't use that computer for email or games requiring a keyboard. My only complaint about the mouse is that its range is only about 10 feet.
The only thing that we can't do with the mouse is turn on the TV and the stereo. I am planning on programming one of the extra buttons on the mouse to do this. I'm planning on using it to launch a macro via the software program Girder [girder.nl] that will send all of the appropriate IR commands out of the USB-UIRT [usbuirt.com] IR blaster/receiver to turn on all the devices and switch their inputs accordingly. That should solve the only problem we have, which is explaining to babysitters how to use the TV.
My solution (Score:5, Insightful)
Another benefit for me is that the PC hooked to the HT system is my main PC, so the keyboard moves easily between the desk and the couch; they trackball and a wireless mouse are both hooked up via USB and I just grab whatever one I want.
Why not... use an XBox? (Score:3, Informative)
Fujitsu Siemens Celcius Mobile H (Score:2)
While the manufacturer's page [fujitsu-siemens.com] doesn't mention it at all, the keyboard and trackpad of this little powerhouse are detachable and use Bluethooth. I'm sure you need more than a laptop can provide as an HTPC, but maybe you can get one of the keyboards as a spare part.
I assume it has batteries that need to be charged, and I don't know how that would happen without the laptop to chrage it.
Oh - that's easy (Score:3, Informative)
a google search for:
keyboard "integrated trackball" bluetooth
returned about a bazillion hits.
keyboard?? (Score:2)
Get him a PDA with bluetooth. There should be some software that'll control all that needs controlling. And if he really needs a keyboard then he can use the on screen keyboard, or just use graffiti or whatever that particular PDA has.
LiteOn Airboard IR Wireless Keyboard (Score:2)
Link here [digitalconnection.com]. I don't think you would actually want to buy it from there though, apparently they farked with its hardware themselves, and I am not sure exactly why. Finding a place to actually buy it from is left as an exercise to the reader.
I used to use one of these a few years ago. It is infrared, but that doesn't really matter that much, it would go about 30 feet, and had a wide angle. The "mouse" is some weird joystick thing that looks more like a plastic nipple than anything, and takes some getting
IMO, don't bother (Score:2)
I love my setup! (Score:4, Informative)
For most regular use, i have a Logitech DiNovo keyboard and mouse (I know, I read your post, not in the air mouse) and it ahs BY FAR the best range of any wireless option I tried (Logitech MX, Logitech regular, MS wireless, MS BT, Gyration, and a couple other no namers). On top of it, I don't need to put it away, sicne it practically looks like a work of art instead of a dorky keyboard. Also, the programmable keypad makes for a slightly bulky but funky remote.
For more HT based stuff, I use a Remote Wonder that came wiht my Radeon 9800 AIW Pro. Good range and all, but mousing with it is horribly impractical for anything more than a quick click every few minutes.
You can try the Gyration mouse, which I thought gave good distance (but the keyboards absolutely suck - bad enough that I returned it one week later and ate the restocking fee), but I found it semi awkward and completely useless for games.
I have this all setup about 12 ft from the TV. I was worried about interference (Wifi AP, cordless phones, 2 wireless console controllers, 2 wireless PC controllers in a multiunit building), but so far, everything is great.
Re:I love my setup! (Score:2)
Scorpius 990P IR keyboard (Score:3, Interesting)
I have one of these and am very happy with it. I don't use the mouse much but it works fine. Its small enough to sit reasonably unobtrusively in my living room (with the IR repeated via Xantech IR repeaters down to where the equipment is racked).
Only issue I've had is it sends lengthy IR codes when you use the mouse that were crashing an IRTrans [irtrans.de] infrared decoder/receiver -- the guy that makes them has a fix in the works though.
I saw these at Comdex a couple of years ago (from a taiwanese company), then recently set up a MythTV box and found a guy in the UK selling them on ebay. I looked a bit in the US but lost patience trying to find a distributor and ended up ordering from the UK guy for about $80 including shipping.
what i use... (Score:4, Interesting)
the ati is as good of a mouse as i need, and i rarely have to use the keyboard but when i do, it is handy.
i dont see how bluetooth is needed, any wireless kb should work as long as it is comfy for you to use.
another option for the mouse is a gyration (i think that is how it is spelled). they are pretty slick, let you wave your hand through the air to move the mouse. i would get the ati remote as well though, then you have a nice remote to control the playback functionality and a basic mouse, and the gyration for any advanced stuff you want to do.
Easy (Score:3, Interesting)
...is anyone surprised?
Re:Easy (Score:3, Funny)
untill XP SP2 comes out... (Score:2)
IBM Wireless Navigator Pro (Score:2, Informative)
I have one (Score:2)
Things work reasonably well except for the fact that the keyboard is infrared which causes problems trying to use it in your lap.
I think these keyboards are the same as those used in the earlier web TV boxes.
The keyboard is limited, i.e. no numeric pad, to keep it small and
Another way of doing things (Score:3)
Depending on your funds, it may be much smarter to investigate the use of a wireless pocket PC or similar device used in conjunction with automation software like girder to control your system. The upshot of this is that you can display information about the current media elements on the your control device. A truly smart remote control and with 802.11 the range would exceed your typical TV to sofa distance as well.
I Love These (Score:2)
Mouse on a couch (Score:2)
Those with some sort of RSI may need to adjust, but it doesn't bother me at all.
VNC Yes, but need the right device (Score:3, Interesting)
Pros: It's SO DAMN COOL
Cons: the 900mhz phone screws up my wireless. I solved this by getting rid of my land line and going all cellular,
I also use PalmVNC at work to manage a large variety of machine, although only mac, windows and RH9 (damn I'm gonna miss you RH9). It's quite convenient to haev my palm with me and be able to read logs while in the bathroom. Ok, I know that's a bad pun, but I really DO read the log files from my servers on PalmVNC when I'm in the crapper. And it's not as bad as going to the bathroom to play solitaire with your Palm.
Well, if you have a chair (Score:2)
Usually I just use a gyration mouse and keyboard - they make these in Bluetooth now.
In the past I have used one of the Grandtec MiniVic Flexible Keyboards [grandtec.com] it coutour fits really nicely to most arms on leather chairs and kind of looks like a built in.
Take into account there are several USB 1.1 / 2.0 Hubs that are wireless.
I also get my clients to
Take another look (Score:2, Informative)
Cordless keyboard, Optical mouse (Score:3, Insightful)
And, one you get to know your way around the software you're using, you usually don't need the mouse anyway.
Re:Cordless keyboard, Optical mouse (Score:2)
His couch is armless, you insensitive clod!
why does it need bluetooth? (Score:2)
Something like this, perhaps? (Score:2, Informative)
Mouse (Score:2)
Other than a real mouse, the only I found usable was a clip-on "Ballpoint" mouse sold a long time ago with Toshiba laptops. I don't think they exist anymore. And they didn't have a scroll wheel of course.
Go with a standard wireless optical mouse!
Exclusive Livin-Room devices here... (Score:2, Informative)
Ruwido [ruwido.com] has brilliantly designed keyboards, remotes and mice for the wireless iving-room use
Their "Amadeus" RC is reported (by them) to have 70.000 RC's preprogrammed
flexibility? (Score:2)
Admittedly, this setup takes quite a bit of configuration, and can be a pain in the ass if you don't know what you're doing (I didn't). But it mak
Re:Hello, Meeper here (Score:2, Informative)