New MCE Keyboard from Microsoft

[gplasky]

I believe it uses an updated version of the same driver as the MCE Remote. So for the most part it should work out of the box with Sage and other apps that support that remote.

Gerry

[PGPfan]

gplasky is correct, it just needs the updated driver. I would still use Girder since you likely will be remapping some of the buttons.

I haven't bought mine yet (about a week away) but I'm positive it will work with other apps just fine.

-PGPfan

[insomniac]

still like mine better

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-21...rd.htm#9019urf

[Mahoney]

insomniac - that's the one I've got. But the **** thing has just stopped working - can't persuade it to connect to the receiver at all. May have to waste yet more money and get the Microsoft one. At least it will free up a USB port.

[dvd_maniac]

@insomniac

Effective distance : 3 m/9.8'

How do you like the range on that keyboard?

I think 10' might be to short. That is the exact range a keyboard will be while on my lap sitting in my recliner. I think I am going to try the Microsoft too. As soon as my BestBuy has it in stock.

[insomniac]

Im 22' away and works well. It gets a little fussy at more than that. My previous version of this same keyboard went 30'. Im guessing that range will vary +5 or -5 feet per device and configuration.

The joystick is absolutely awesome to have as a mouse. Great front room keyboard.

i believe that Frys has them for around $40 most of the time, or if you look around, you can buy them direct from BTC for about $50. Worth a try!

I.

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

@insomniac



How do you like the range on that keyboard?

I think 10' might be to short. That is the exact range a keyboard will be while on my lap sitting in my recliner. I think I am going to try the Microsoft too. As soon as my BestBuy has it in stock.

[Jesse]

Hello All,

Dumb question: what do you need a keyboard for? I mean the thing looks really cool, but my Hometheater Master MX-700 does everything I need it to so far. What am I missing??

Jesse

[insomniac]

For me, I keep it tucked away in my front room to control general windows functions on my client. I run a PVR350 to the tv (sagetv only of course) in one video channel and svideo out from a video card to another video channel, in case i want to update drivers, surf the web, break something, etc...

It is not needed, but is definitely a worth while addition for me.

I.

Originally Posted by Jesse

Hello All,

Dumb question: what do you need a keyboard for? I mean the thing looks really cool, but my Hometheater Master MX-700 does everything I need it to so far. What am I missing??

Jesse

[dvd_maniac]

I need a keyboard for my client machine in the parlor because it doubles as an Encoding machine and Encarta machine for kids homework.

[Jesse]

Ahhhh,

Computer apps on the tv. They look like crap on my 36" SDTV. I guess on an HD set they must look pretty good? What sort of resolution do you need for computer apps to look good on and HD set?

Thanks,
Jesse

[dvd_maniac]

my client is on a regular SDTV. My Server is downstairs in "The Man Room" with the big screen.
Because I compress my recordings into either Xvid or Nero digital the 36" Tube SDTV actually looks better then the 57" HDTV.

[PGPfan]

Looks like Newegg has it for $59.99 here and here

-PGPfan

[spockware]

Originally Posted by PGPfan

You do not need MCE to use this. I have never had MCE installed on any of my machines since leaving my job at MS. I don't like it. HOWEVER, the remote is outstanding. This (in my system and many others) works far better than the hauppauge remote, imho. There is a girder plugin that works great, and you can (with the correct software driver) use the included 2 ir emitter ports of the reciever to completely replace a USB-UIRT.

The keyboard merely adds additional features to the reciever via a software change (available at MS), but shouldn't exclude other apps from using it without MCE installed. The additional features are basically a few new ir commands exclusive to the keyboard. With the number of people using the remote without MCE, if the keyboard doesn't work out of the box it certainly will soon.

-PGPfan

I have the MCE remote working 99% with Sage/XP Pro/HIP. So, I thought I'd get the keyboard as well. No dice... I got the keyboard, went to MS to get the drivers for the keyboard and they are only accessible from a "Windows Update". In short, since I have WinXP Pro, the drivers never show in my list of possible updates to download. Anyone have the MCE keyboard drivers installed and working on WinXP Pro?

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by spockware

I have the MCE remote working 99% with Sage/XP Pro/HIP. So, I thought I'd get the keyboard as well. No dice... I got the keyboard, went to MS to get the drivers for the keyboard and they are only accessible from a "Windows Update". In short, since I have WinXP Pro, the drivers never show in my list of possible updates to download. Anyone have the MCE keyboard drivers installed and working on WinXP Pro?

Why don't you just go here and download it?
Microsoft Downloads
Update Rollup 1 for eHome Infrared Receiver for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Overview
This update contains multiple fixes for the eHome Infrared Receiver reference hardware. This update also adds support for the Microsoft Media Center Keyboard. The only way to enable support for this keyboard is through this update either preinstalled on a system or downloaded by the customer on Windows Update.

I just installed this on my Windows XP Pro. You just have to validate your copy of Windows but you don't have to have MCE to install this. I have the MCE Remote installed on my system.

Gerry

[cmaffia]

Not sure if this is something you are looking for. I have two of these and they work fine for simple control. They are real tiny too which is what I love about them and they are relatively cheap. This is actually an Adesso model.
When I got my first one direct from Adesso, I paid over 55 bux for it! I then found the same model at the following link for almost half the price and bought it for my bedroom SageTV. I can confirm the 7 meter distance it proclaims in it's spec sheet (7 Meters = 23 feet).

http://www.directron.com/directron/ack581.html

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

That would be just like Microsoft to shove MCE down everybody's throat just to use their keyboard.

Does anybody have a decent alternative to a keyboard with a trackball/mouse onboard? I do not really care about the remote options as much as the promised range this has.

I did find this one that states upto 23' but I can't find a review on it.

[spockware]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Why don't you just go here and download it?
Microsoft Downloads
Update Rollup 1 for eHome Infrared Receiver for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Overview
This update contains multiple fixes for the eHome Infrared Receiver reference hardware. This update also adds support for the Microsoft Media Center Keyboard. The only way to enable support for this keyboard is through this update either preinstalled on a system or downloaded by the customer on Windows Update.

I just installed this on my Windows XP Pro. You just have to validate your copy of Windows but you don't have to have MCE to install this. I have the MCE Remote installed on my system.

Gerry

Because I am stupid! Will take a look. Thanks!

[phenixdragon]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

That would be just like Microsoft to shove MCE down everybody's throat just to use their keyboard.

Does anybody have a decent alternative to a keyboard with a trackball/mouse onboard? I do not really care about the remote options as much as the promised range this has.

I did find this one that states upto 23' but I can't find a review on it.

Umm...MSFT makes like the best hardware out there. And their warranty is by far the best that I have had compared to anyone else.

[dvd_maniac]

I got the Belkin a while ago and love it. I also just got the MCE keyboard today. Not very impressed so far. The lack of a mouse scroll is the first BIG problem I have with it. The other is getting the media buttons to work with Sage... I wish that I could find a Multimedia Keyboard that could be programmed similair to the Hauppauge remote without the use of Girder.

[aperry]

The really sad thing is that 80% of the buttons on the MCE remote work great (numbers, play, pause, stop, etc.), but the others do not (like guide, recorded tv, green button). I really wish that Sage supported all of the MCE codes out of the box, configurable to my liking of course, but alas, I am stuck with the whole Girder mess.

[Motofreak75]

there is a program called HIP (there is a thread somewhere) that make full use of all the buttons , livetv, guide etc..

and its freeware