HTPC keyboard

Glaucus

Glaucus

Glaucus

Man of Honour
Joined
11 Mar 2004
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What's everyone using? I have a keysonic but it's flaking out and it was never good build quality.

So what's everyone using, must be something better than the keysonic but not as expensive as the dinovo
 
Funny enough I have a keysonic - I only have to use it infrequently and every time the batteries seem to be flat...

Watching with interest!
 
Even with new batteries it's refusing to work half the time. It's rubbish build quality, fells cheap and nasty and has more flex in the chassis than a ballon.
I've had it almost two years and unit was seond hand, so has lasted reasonably well, but don't really want to spend the money on another one.
 
Hi there,

I got my parents this Xebec iTouchpad Diamond Series wireless keyboard (with trackpad) for their new HTPC this week and they are very happy with it. Here is a review.

That said, I use the logitech Di Novo mini a lot for HTPC uses and it is a fantastic little device (not much bigger than a standard remote, a hinged cover keeps it clean/un-crushed, it has a media control mode, long lasting rechargable batteries and it looks cool). The only complaints are that the keyboard isn't really made for much typing and the price is high.
 
Gyration keyboard and air remote ... tbh the keyboard doesn't get much use as everything is programmed with the remote.

EDIT: If I really need a keyboard I tend to reach for my laptop as that's auto configured with synergy
 
im using a logitech denovo mini. Its ok at best but I just havent seen anything better- you can only charge it via mains not usb which is rubbish, the build is plasticky but it does do the job ok, I just havent seen a decent enough replacment.

I'm kind of leaning towards a smallish keyboard with a trackpad as I often find myself on the net on the htpc and wish I had a better controlling device!
 
cmndr_andi said:
Hi there,

I got my parents this Xebec iTouchpad Diamond Series wireless keyboard (with trackpad) for their new HTPC this week and they are very happy with it. Here is a review.

That said, I use the logitech Di Novo mini a lot for HTPC uses and it is a fantastic little device (not much bigger than a standard remote, a hinged cover keeps it clean/un-crushed, it has a media control mode, long lasting rechargable batteries and it looks cool). The only complaints are that the keyboard isn't really made for much typing and the price is high.
Click to expand...

I've got one of them Xebec's in black and it's a bit crap.

The build quality is good but you don't get that impression when you hold it, cheapo plastic everywhere and the keys don't have a great feel. The trackpad area is shocking.

The main downside though is the wireless range is rubbish. My sofa is only less than 3m away from my PC (where the HTPC is) but you still have to have it in just the right place for it to work. Annoying.

That could just be interferance from something in my living room I guess, but it's still not good. The fact it's rechargeable is fantastic though, and you can still use it while it's charging, albeit plugged in!
 
I just use the onscreen keyboard via wireless mouse for the one or two times a year I need to type on my HTPC, everything else is done via the Harmony.
 
I am using a Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 which cost me S$20 (around 10 quid) new although not sure of uk pricing.

The keyboard is fine and fairly small (no big palm rest or little used buttons and dials to give it extra features). The mouse is also full size and works well. Batteries seem to be lasting very well too. I did find I needed ot put the tiny receiver in the front USB port of my HTPC case and it can be a bit temperamental if used were the signal needs to go around / through me. Using on the other side of me with pretty clear line of sight it all works as you would expect (i.e. pretty well).

I have seen a number of small keyboards about some with touchpads which look good but I was originally looking at something like the Rii mini touchpad keyboard and remote. Seems to tick all the boxes although typing is like on a mobile phone (ie all thumbs) so it depends if you like that. They do look good though and I almost bought one but Space Marine was calling and with only enough cash for one or the other the Emperor beckoning was just too strong a pull to resist.

My cheap wireless set-up is fine for now for me although some kind of stand or holster for storage of the keyboard and mouse would make it much easier to live with.

RB
 
iamtheoneneo said:
android app.
Click to expand...

This. Unified Remote over my DHD. WOL working great with it too, meaning I don't have to shell out for NAS.

However it's obviously not as good as a keyboard (multiple key presses etc.). I wanted the diNovo edge but it's too much money for what it is imo. So I got a cheapy generic wireless MS one.
 
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