Remote recomendations

R.C.Anderson · 21 Dec 2015 at 12:23

I've been having a look around, but I can't find an AIO remote that is capable of doing what I want...

I want IR control for my TV & AV Receiver & some form of connection (bluetooth, wifi etc) for my HTPC (mouse/keyboard capabilities). If it has wifi and could send a WOL request to the HTPC that would be a bonus too.

Does anything like this exist? I'm not expecting it to cost £10 or anything, but I'm not going to pay extortionate prices for it.

Jano · 21 Dec 2015 at 13:43

Harmony Ultimate One with the Hub, they pop up on Amazon deals every now and again.

Scottland · 21 Dec 2015 at 14:17

A Harmony Hub will control IR and RF/Bluetooth devices. Whilst it can replicate keyboard or mouse commands - it's not a replacement for a keyboard & mouse.

As long as the HTPC is set to wake from an IR receiver, you shouldn't need WOL unless isn't not in the same room?

R.C.Anderson · 21 Dec 2015 at 17:11

My htpc isn't currently configured to wake from IR, as I don't currently have so IR receiver for it... I currently use an app on my phone which will send a WOL command to it, then use a mini keyboard/touch pad to control it the rest of the time the standard remotes for my TV & AV receiver. I essentially want to combine all those units into 1 device. Sounds like the harmony system can do more than I originally thought, but still doesn't tick all the boxes if it can't fully replace a keyboard.

Scottland · 21 Dec 2015 at 21:18

R.C.Anderson said:
My htpc isn't currently configured to wake from IR, as I don't currently have so IR receiver for it... I currently use an app on my phone which will send a WOL command to it, then use a mini keyboard/touch pad to control it the rest of the time the standard remotes for my TV & AV receiver. I essentially want to combine all those units into 1 device. Sounds like the harmony system can do more than I originally thought, but still doesn't tick all the boxes if it can't fully replace a keyboard.

You can configure the remote to send any keystroke, but there's no keyboard layout (although there is a digital keypad). You'd still need either a separate keyboard or use an app. The only thing I need to use my keyboard for is text input really, maybe with a well co fired remote you could do the same?

hyperseven · 21 Dec 2015 at 21:33

My Note 3 does all that you ask.

Anymote app for IR (TV,AV AMP)
Unified for WiFi (WOL, mouse/KB, KODI etc)

Both have customisable widgets, one of my home screens of actions I use the most.

Hobbsie · 21 Dec 2015 at 21:52

Try looking into demopad its a app for all mobile devices i think iv only used it with iphone/pad though. Demopad uses global cache devices to control your gear.

R.C.Anderson · 21 Dec 2015 at 23:08

I currently use unified did the WOL, and occasionally to control, but I was wanting to move away from using my phone tbh, as I want something that's always ready to go, rather than having to get my phone out & opening the app etc (plus my current phone (or my old s3) doesn't have IR anyway).

The problem with unified is it only works once logged in, so is no use for logging into the PC

hyperseven · 21 Dec 2015 at 23:22

R.C.Anderson said:
I currently use unified did the WOL, and occasionally to control, but I was wanting to move away from using my phone tbh, as I want something that's always ready to go, rather than having to get my phone out & opening the app etc (plus my current phone (or my old s3) doesn't have IR anyway).

The problem with unified is it only works once logged in, so is no use for logging into the PC

Does is not install as a service?

R.C.Anderson · 21 Dec 2015 at 23:29

hyperseven said:
Does is not install as a service?

Doesn't seem to have done in mine, only as a program that needs to run in order to connect. If it's possible to install it as a service instead I might have to look into that as a temporary measure, but unless there's some form of WiFi ir blaster that I could also control from my phone it won't fully do everything I want unfortunately.

hyperseven · 22 Dec 2015 at 05:57

R.C.Anderson said:
Doesn't seem to have done in mine, only as a program that needs to run in order to connect. If it's possible to install it as a service instead I might have to look into that as a temporary measure, but unless there's some form of WiFi ir blaster that I could also control from my phone it won't fully do everything I want unfortunately.

On the installer you should have the option to install as service.

Scottland · 22 Dec 2015 at 11:47

What phone/tablet do you use? Yatse will WoL and also has the ability to control an AV Receiver if it's Wifi enabled.

R.C.Anderson · 22 Dec 2015 at 11:58

I use a OnePlus 2, but neither my AV receiver nor TV are network capable unfortunately, so the only way to control them is via IR.

Scottland · 22 Dec 2015 at 13:14

The only other option that might work and hasn't been mentioned is HDMI-CEC. In theory you could get a USB CEC adapter and that could power on the receiver and TV when the HTPC is powered on, as well as control the receiver volume.

I don't really use CEC though, but that's the only other option I can think of combined with a Rii remote with keyboard/mouse and remote functions.

Jano · 22 Dec 2015 at 13:24

You can have a full keyboard with the harmony remote/hub combo, just use the app on your phone/tablet and use the keyboard on that.