HTPC - Remote options?

[Obiron]

Thanks to many posts on BG, I've been wanting to build an HTPC for a while now. Next month is a 3-paycheck month, so I think it will finally be time to bite the bullet. For reference, here is the hardware I'm looking at using:

Case:
Antec Mini Skeleton
or
Antec ISK 300-150

Motherboard:
ASUS
or
ZOTAC
(Basically, the ASUS would look better in the Skeleton case, but for a closed case I would go with the ZOTAC.)

Memory:
OCZ
(Overkill? Should I get only 2GB, or go ahead and get 4? Not sure how much memory an HTPC utilizes)

SSD:
OCZ Agility
(Already bought this drive from a recent Newegg shell shocker deal.)

I'm open to any criticism on my hardware, this is all subject to change up until I place the order. The main purpose of my post though is that I want to know what people are using for remotes for their HTPCs. I'm planning on a Linux-based XBMC install, and I have a Harmony 880 remote that I would like to use (I realize I would need extra hardware to receive the signal from the remote). These are both flexible though, if a Windows based install would have better remote support, or if I can't get my Harmony to work and need to look at different remotes. I came across this Thermaltake solution which I like, but it seems to be out of production (haven't found its replacement yet if it exists) and I can't seem to find any indication that it has any XBMC support.

So what is BG using? Found any good remote solutions? Just using keyboard/mouse? I'm open to any and all suggestions (except for the iPhone app I've seen mention of, as I own a Droid. An Android app, if it exisits, would be acceptable).

[Tythera]

If you plan on using XBMC Live and not just layering it over Linux/Windows you'd be fine with 2 GB of memory. If you were planning on using Vista/Win7 and running other things besides XBMC sometimes then you might want to go with 4 GB because the 9400M reserves part of the memory for itself (I forget if it's 256 or 512MB).

For remotes I'm not sure what the best route is as I'm still using a wired keyboard/mouse. For that Thermaltake solution be aware that it uses a 5" bay which I'm fairly sure wouldn't work with the ISK.

[Obiron]

I'll take a look at XBMC Live. I intended to layer it over Linux (probably Ubuntu), but I don't really intend to use it for anything else so that may not really be what I want. That's something I need to spend some more time reading up on and deciding before the time comes. I haven't really looked much at the different installation options until now.

That 5.25" bay is actually one of the reasons I like the Thermaltake, because I wouldn't want to leave the bay open on the skeleton, and I don't really care about adding a DVD or Bluray drive. I think you're right about the ISK though, since it looks like it's designed for a slim optical drive. I think I'm starting to lean towards the ISK more though for an HTPC (I like the Skeleton, but it might be distracting in a home theater environment) so keyboard/mouse may be the way I end up going.

Thanks for the input.

[Lost]

This is what I use. It works really well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

[Cephius]

The Dinovo is nice (link above) but it's also very expensive and I've found I don't need a full kb. I just picked up a Windows Media Center remote for 20 bucks and used that, it works just fine. I use XBMC live with Aeon65 skin and it works perfectly.

[Obiron]

That Dinovo is very cool. A little pricey, but I won't rule it out yet. For something like that, or the Media Center remote, will these power on the HTPC (I imagine that also partially depends on the motherboard/BIOS) or do you leave your machine on full-time?

Edit: @Cephius - I assume you're using something like this? I didn't realize they would work on XBMC Live, but that's a great cheap solution!

[Cephius]

It's possible to, but it depends on the BIOS you use and specifically if it has a "Wake on USB" option. With the MCE remote too, it uses the same code for the Xbox 360.... if you have one near your HTPC it'll turn on your 360 Easy enough to get around with physical placement but just something to keep in mind.

[Obiron]

I do have a 360 nearby lol, so I'll keep that in mind. Another thought I just had, I wonder if I could program the Harmony to work with the receiver that comes with that remote. I've never programmed my Harmony, the software has found exactly what I've needed for my devices, but that might be fun to play with.

Edit again: A quick Google search found this:

Q: How do I install a Windows Media Center Remote for a computer which is not listed as having the function of a Windows Media Center Computer?

A: The Microsoft Windows EHome Remote commands are common to most media edition computers, however, while the Harmony software wizards and setups refer to specific computer models, for a "generic" setup, the device in the database is not a computer but is actually the IR Remote Control manufactured by Microsoft.

Select Computer, Media Center Computer, then "Microsoft" as the manufacturer and enter the model#1039

Again, this is not a computer model, but the remote model# which will work with any computer that responds to the Microsoft ir remote. While the Harmony software shows selections for four 1039 variants, it appears that these are simply different descriptions (including misspellings) of the same remote.

Looks like a good place to start. Thanks for the suggetions! :D

[Cephius]

Yeah, you can. You have to remap the keys though because the default keys that the harmony software uses need some tweaking and updating. The biggest problem is the "back" key won't get mapped which is pretty essential when dealing with menus.

If you have a harmony remote and plan to do XBMC, this guide is a good place to start: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title..._XBMC_for_Xbox

It's written with the old Xbox in mind, but everything still applies.

[Obiron]

In my searching I kept running across articles talking about using a Harmony on an xbox, but I ignored them since I'm building my own... guess I should have paid more attention lol. Thanks again.

[Isiolia]

Several years ago, when I purchased the case I use for my HTPC, I shopped around a bit and finally spent a bit more than I really wanted to in order to buy a case that had a VFD and remote included, and that could take a full ATX motherboard (as I was using my old desktop's guts).

These days, I don't even install the driver for the VFD, much less the remote. I use a cheap wireless Logitech KB/mouse bundle, which works quite nicely.

IMO, consider your goals for an HTPC. My use is basically more of a living room PC. It's great for watching video files, streaming, playing music, most anything an HTPC might do except DVR functionality (since i have no real use for that). I just don't bother with running a shell over it. As I live alone, I just don't see the point in spending the time to get everything I might want to do all working through a front end. Windows 7 (or Vista) has DPI options that scale the interface up nicely so it's readable from my couch and all.

To me, with that type of use, a remote is kind of excessive. If you're just looking at the normal OS, it'd probably take you less time to just pick up the KB/mouse than to futz with the remote...hence why I don't even bother with mine anymore.

'course, some people like to tinker with it, or make it as easy as possible for less technically inclined family members. Nothing wrong with that either. It does, however, take time.

You can still just use a keyboard to navigate XBMC or whatnot. I'd maybe say to give it a try first, before spending much on a remote, unless you know for certain that you fall into the category of people that really want/need to have a front end.

[Obiron]

When I started looking, I was looking at a case like that too (I think it was also an Antec, for some reason their cases always catch my attention), something that looked kinda like an A/V receiver, but ultimately I decided I just want something small. I'm glad I didn't bite the bullet back then because my idea of what I want has completely changed.

I would actually be fine with a KB/mouse for just myself, but I do like tinkering and since I know other people will be using it too I think ultimately I would like to make it fairly simple. Even with a remote set up though, I'll probably have a KB/mouse stashed in a corner somewhere for those times that I want to play around with things. I agree with not spending too much on a remote in the beginning. I think Cephius' suggestion is nice and cheap, then if I want to try something different in the future I won't feel like I'm out a lot of money.

As for my goals, this will mainly be for movies and music. I'm in the process of ripping my DVD collection to my PC (and eventually to a file server when I build it). I have a DirecTV DVR, so I'm not really looking for DVR functions either. At least, not yet. So really it's just going to be the hub for my movie collection, and sometimes just to play music through my receiver. I know my PS3 will already do those things, but this is just the next step that I've been wanting to take.

[Tythera]

I've personally toyed around with using the PS3 controller because that's relatively easy to setup. I've just been slacking on buying a bluetooth dongle (now that I'm on an amazon prime trial maybe I'll get one for cheap). If all you plan to do with it is use it as the XBMC box it's actually a half decent option.

[Obiron]

That's not a bad option either, I can probably borrow a bluetooth dongle from work just to set it up. After this thread I'm probably going to have 5 or so ways to control my system, because I want to try them all lol. :D

[alecrast]

This is what I use. It works really well.

I use the Dinovo mini, as well. It comes in handy since my HTPC is not Windows-based. I use the vlc player on Linux. It manages to play just about everything I can throw at it.