Best HTPC Keyboards

[eehtpc]

The ideal input scenario for a media center pc is wireless with the keyboard having integrated pointing functionality. The market isn't exactly saturated with these devices. The ones that are available range drastically in price and quality. This site sells trackball and touchpad keyboards- many of which are wireless. Has anyone had experience good or bad with any of these models? Have one from another manufacturer that's ideal quality? Quality is most important here over price.

[ToxMox]

I have a Silitek SK-7551 and I love it. I don't like the trackball or touch pad ones. This one has a rubbery joystick type of nub that you push on to control the mouse.

[dbfresh23]

I haven't used any of those models, but I have used the Microsoft MCE keyboard quite a bit and I can say that it SUCKS. The keyboard function works fine but the mousing function is horrible and takes a long time to try to get used to.

[dvd_maniac]

I have the MCE keyboard and if it didn't cost me close to 100.00 I would throw it out the window on the highway into an oncoming 18 wheeler doing 100MPH.

I also have the Belkin mediapilot and I love it. The range is good, mouse is awesome compared to MCE and battery life is great and rechargable.

[Thomas Wischgol]

I also use the Slitek SK-7551. It works very well for a HTPC due to the rubber joystick mouse. It uses infrared which is more reliable for me, especially for larger distances. And most importantly, I only paid $17 for it.

[ybrew]

The gyration keyboards and mice are very good. They are pricey, and they don't have a combo unit, but they are good.

[Polypro]

MCE Keyboard here...love it.

P

[insomniac]

this is the best keyboard by far!

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/news_15.htm

[emok]

I second this.

Pros:
-- Well priced -- $29 on sale at Fry's
-- Good range -- I use it from across the living room (~ 12ft away)
-- Decent battery life -- I've had it for four months. Have only changed the battery once.
-- Form factor is easy to hold (not a typical keyboard) I like the handles on the side.
-- Media keys are actually useful.

Cons:
-- Transceiver placement is a bit tricky -- I was having reception problems initially. Moving the transceiver around a little, I was able to resolve these issues (I also turned it sideways).
-- Requires two hands to operate (I guess you can use one if you're really good)
-- Joystick takes a bit of getting used to.
-- Keyboard feel is only OK (subjective). The key travel isn't very deep and I find it a little hard to type at my full speed, but this is ok. How often do I need to type on an HTPC anyway? Some of the key placement is not standard, so that takes getting used to, too.

Overall:
I would still say that this is the best one I've used. I used to use the Logitech cordless desktop elite (range was bad and form factor a little hard to use for the living room).

EDIT: I just looked at the BTC website (http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-21keyboard.htm) and saw the 9019URFIII (uses 2.4Ghz Freq, claims better battery life and better range). It looks the same as the 9019URF. Although I haven't used that particular one, I'd probably stay away from it because it may interfere with 802.11bg devices.

Originally Posted by insomniac

this is the best keyboard by far!

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/news_15.htm

[insomniac]

dont forget the cool legrest dimples on the bottom of the keyboard

Originally Posted by emok

I second this.

Pros:
-- Well priced -- $29 on sale at Fry's
-- Good range -- I use it from across the living room (~ 12ft away)
-- Decent battery life -- I've had it for four months. Have only changed the battery once.
-- Form factor is easy to hold (not a typical keyboard) I like the handles on the side.
-- Media keys are actually useful.

Cons:
-- Transceiver placement is a bit tricky -- I was having reception problems initially. Moving the transceiver around a little, I was able to resolve these issues (I also turned it sideways).
-- Requires two hands to operate (I guess you can use one if you're really good)
-- Joystick takes a bit of getting used to.
-- Keyboard feel is only OK (subjective). The key travel isn't very deep and I find it a little hard to type at my full speed, but this is ok. How often do I need to type on an HTPC anyway? Some of the key placement is not standard, so that takes getting used to, too.

Overall:
I would still say that this is the best one I've used. I used to use the Logitech cordless desktop elite (range was bad and form factor a little hard to use for the living room).

EDIT: I just looked at the BTC website (http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-21keyboard.htm) and saw the 9019URFIII (uses 2.4Ghz Freq, claims better battery life and better range). It looks the same as the 9019URF. Although I haven't used that particular one, I'd probably stay away from it because it may interfere with 802.11bg devices.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by insomniac

this is the best keyboard by far!

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/news_15.htm

It might be the best, but is it actually available for sale anywhere? PCAlchemy doesn't seem to carry it anymore, and nobody else I tried has it in stock.

I did however find this XGene keyboard. Anybody have any experience with that?

[insomniac]

My local Fry's has them in stock

Originally Posted by GKusnick

It might be the best, but is it actually available for sale anywhere? PCAlchemy doesn't seem to carry it anymore, and nobody else I tried has it in stock.

I did however find this XGene keyboard. Anybody have any experience with that?

[ToxMox]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

It might be the best, but is it actually available for sale anywhere? PCAlchemy doesn't seem to carry it anymore, and nobody else I tried has it in stock.

I did however find this XGene keyboard. Anybody have any experience with that?

I've never bought from here but a quick Froogle search led me to this:
http://ergogeek.com/index.php?target...product_id=233
They say they have 7 in stock.

[insomniac]

i can tell you that I like this keyboard so much, that I own a brand new one sitting in a box for backup when my old one gives out!

[GKusnick]

OK, I found a 9019URF for $40 at my local Fry's. (Didn't even know I had a local Fry's until yesterday.) Thanks for the tip.

Here's my take on it:

Pros:

* Cheap.
* Doesn't require line of sight, so I can put the receiver in my A/V closet with my Sage PC.
* Lightweight, easy to carry one-handed.

Cons:

* Range is not all I could have hoped for.
* No visible indication of Num Lock status that I can find, which makes typing your password a challenge if your BIOS boots up with Num Lock on.

[insomniac]

I cant remember, and not at home to see, but im pretty sure that there is a little LED that should light up on the RF receiver that indicates if numlock and capslock is on.

BTW: play around with the placement on the receiver. As stated before, its a little tempermental, but you should be able to get it listening from a minimum of 15 feet up to 30 with correct placement.
I.

Originally Posted by GKusnick

OK, I found a 9019URF for $40 at my local Fry's. (Didn't even know I had a local Fry's until yesterday.) Thanks for the tip.

Here's my take on it:

Pros:

* Cheap.
* Doesn't require line of sight, so I can put the receiver in my A/V closet with my Sage PC.
* Lightweight, easy to carry one-handed.

Cons:

* Range is not all I could have hoped for.
* No visible indication of Num Lock status that I can find, which makes typing your password a challenge if your BIOS boots up with Num Lock on.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by insomniac

I cant remember, and not at home to see, but im pretty sure that there is a little LED that should light up on the RF receiver that indicates if numlock and capslock is on.

Not on mine. The only light is the green Connect light.

The XP login screen has the little balloon in the password blank for Caps Lock, but not for Num Lock. Once I'm logged in, IntelliPoint puts little balloons down in the tray area for all the Lock keys. So Num Lock during login is really the only issue. It's livable, just annoying.

[insomniac]

you could always go get tweakui and make windows auto-login for you

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx

If its a HTPC, you dont want to deal with logins all the time anyway!

I.

Originally Posted by GKusnick

Not on mine. The only light is the green Connect light.

The XP login screen has the little balloon in the password blank for Caps Lock, but not for Num Lock. Once I'm logged in, IntelliPoint puts little balloons down in the tray area for all the Lock keys. So Num Lock during login is really the only issue. It's livable, just annoying.

[mcbinder]

Originally Posted by eehtpc

The ideal input scenario for a media center pc is wireless with the keyboard having integrated pointing functionality. The market isn't exactly saturated with these devices. The ones that are available range drastically in price and quality. This site sells trackball and touchpad keyboards- many of which are wireless. Has anyone had experience good or bad with any of these models? Have one from another manufacturer that's ideal quality? Quality is most important here over price.

I have this:
XGene 2.4GHz Wireless Keyboard with 800dpi Optical Trackball http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...all?osCsid=fe1

Works OK except the trackball is a bit finicky, like it won't move unless you tip the KB a bit. Some have sanded the ball for better traction.
Good range and buttons.

mcb

[Polypro]

I had a BTC...had to get it replaced because after ~4 months of use, the joystick, when returned to center (releasing it) would still cause the cursor to move. The replacement was never put into use as I got the MCE keyboard, and I like it.

P