Best way to power a HTPC on / off remotely

Mike1983

Mike1983

Mike1983

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Joined
16 Nov 2007
Posts
811
Hi all

I'm keen to build a couple of HTPCs, need to be in a large ATX sized chassis (such as Silverstone GD07, OrigenAE S16V etc...). I'd really like to be able to power them on / off and control the software (PLEX) using a Harmony remote. What is the best way of doing this?

It looks like the OrigenAE case could do this without any further mods but I'm reluctant to pay £300 for a bare chassis (and I'm building 2 of them). Any cheaper ways of doing this?

I guess a tablet based remote app with Wake On Lan feature may also be suitable but I currently have difficulty keeping my main PC asleep (it self wakes) and understand WOL doesn't work from a full S5 shutdown.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Mike
 
Does the Harmony remote support any kind of IR? If so you should be able to get an IRDA module for any case that may be able to trigger a power on/off. THis is basically what the OrigenAE does.

Also WOL works from S1 to S5 so you shouldn't need to worry about only putting the HTPC to sleep.
 
Thanks

I couldn't get WOL to work from S5 but after reading your post I did some research. It turns out it isn't supported as standard by Windows 8.1, you need to turn off the "turn on fast startup" option to get it to work.

So can I ask what you / others use to control their HTPC when switched on then? Is there a good remote app that works as both a keyboard and mouse / tracker pad?

Thanks
 
I've got a Moneual 320 HTPC case which works perfectly with my Logitech Harmony One. As cokecan has said what you need is a basic IR receiver which usually plugs into an internal USB header and also connects to your 24-pin motherboard connector.
 
I got an HP USB RC6 IR Receiver from eBay China, plugged into a USB port on my HTPC, and it works very well with my Harmony remote.

It was very similar to this, if not the same:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-NEW...nics_Video_RemoteControls&hash=item3a7eabbe4d

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Mike1983 said:
So can I ask what you / others use to control their HTPC when switched on then? Is there a good remote app that works as both a keyboard and mouse / tracker pad?
Click to expand...

I use Unified Remote for Android on my phone to control the PC. It has keyboard and tracker, single click, double click, multi-click to right click, etc. You can also wake and sleep your phone from it, as well as browse windows explorer remotely, etc.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I'm currently taking a punt on a FLIRC USB receiver, placed an order today. Looks like the power on command is due to be deployed very soon if not already (I currently don't own one to test).

If it works, it sounds like it will be the neatest solution and wont involve external wires or drilling the chassis to have a hole for the remote sensor.

Thanks
 
I ditched full size stuff for htpc in favour of the new celeron NUC. for about £100 plus ram and hdd (if you must... usb stick works well) its the perfect openelec box. Not sure if there is a standalone PLEX, but a mate is using a NUC with openelec with the plex plug in.

the great thing about the NUC is the built in ir receiver is compatible with MCE remotes, and powers up from OFF with the power button on the remote.

Best £100 ive ever spent.

working sweet with my new harmony smart control too!
 
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