Lol, I suppose buying a small child is a solution for a reliable (?!) remote control 
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.How are people remotely controlling their 'non-remote' HTPC cases?
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Lol, I suppose buying a small child is a solution for a reliable (?!) remote control
Too many tendancies to malfunction and quite expensive to run.
Soldato
The Microsoft Receiver is the easiest to use and most compatible. Can be head OEM from an auction site quite cheaply.
It's in the logitech database as Microsoft - Windows Media Centre.
It's in the logitech database as Microsoft - Windows Media Centre.
My HTPC is a MythTV box.
I used to use an MCE remote but it could only turn the PC off and not on. I'm not sure if it's any different for a windows box.
I then switched to an iMon VFD as this can switch the PC on.
Problem with the iMon is that the IR receiver is rubbish (very directional) so I had to switch to an wireless remote - got a Harmony 890 + Wireless externder 2nd hand off ebay for £55 and this works perfectly. I don't actually use the VFD as I think it looks tacky so it's just hidden inside the case with the IR extender blutacked next to the IR sensor.
FYI - the IR receiver with the MCE remote is very good, i.e. you can point the remote pretty much anywhere and it still registers.
I used to use an MCE remote but it could only turn the PC off and not on. I'm not sure if it's any different for a windows box.
I then switched to an iMon VFD as this can switch the PC on.
Problem with the iMon is that the IR receiver is rubbish (very directional) so I had to switch to an wireless remote - got a Harmony 890 + Wireless externder 2nd hand off ebay for £55 and this works perfectly. I don't actually use the VFD as I think it looks tacky so it's just hidden inside the case with the IR extender blutacked next to the IR sensor.
FYI - the IR receiver with the MCE remote is very good, i.e. you can point the remote pretty much anywhere and it still registers.
I had an MCE remote which was fairly good on my acer revo (mostly because I managed to get it free from my girlfriend's dad)... but it broke and now i use my Nexus one and the official android app for XBMC. It's so good that i'm trying to get my girlfriend an HTC wildfire so she can use a remote too when i'm not at home!
Who needs conventional remotes....
Who needs conventional remotes....
Soldato
If I understand you correctly, then it should be perfectly 'easy' to program all that via the Logitech online software. The database has just about every piece of AV kit on there imaginable and the remote will learn how to emulate each item. The software is a bit clunky, but it does work.
If my telly wasn't so cheap and basic (press AV seven times to get to the HDMI input
) then a simple press of My Movies, or whatever on the Harmony remote would fire everything up out of standby, select inputs, load up Media Centre and whatever else. Everything would need to be in line of sight obviously, unless you get an RF version...Once I do get a proper modern telly, then I will be living the Harmony dream.