Kitchen Computer + Remote Control

[KarylFStein]

I want to control a computer in the kitchen with my Harmony 890 remote. I'm going to put the SageTV client on it so I can stream TV through it. I've narrowed my computer choices down to an AOpen MP965-DR and the Dell Studio Hybrid.

The AOpen has an IR receiver built-in, so I don't think it would take much to get that working--just load MCE codes in the Harmony. The Dell has an option for an RF MCE remote. That would be nice, but I have no idea if I can program the Harmony to control that. If not, what's the smallest USB RF or IR stick that I could use on the Dell to be able to control it with the Harmony?

[Fuzzy]

Any particular reason for using a stand-alone computer vice just getting an extender? Seems a cheaper option, and comes with a remote.

[KarylFStein]

Yes, it's main roles aren't SageTV.

[btrcp2000]

I have both an 890 and a kitchen PC that is a regular computer plus sage PS (although I don't use them together the way you will be). The Harmony can be set up to control anything via IR, but cannot imitate RF commands. I don't think I've ever seen a universal remote that can do RF. If you want to avoid IR line of sight issues, stash the computer somewhere and use any old IR receiver with the 890's extender thing, which will make it "sort of" RF, as in it will work through walls although it still spits out an IR signal from the extender to whatever you are controlling. I have my kitchen pc in the basement using a vga cat5 extender via a cat5 cable that I pulled into a kitchen cabinet, and an lcd touchscreen mounted below the same cabinet. All the ugly noisy stuff is hidden away in a nerd dungeon downstairs.

www.eventghost.org for complete computer control with any IR remote

[appelm]

Originally Posted by btrcp2000

I don't think I've ever seen a universal remote that can do RF.

Well here's one that does both ir and rf: http://www.universalremote.com/produ...l.php?model=38

Also, with a usb-uirt and girder you can do just about anything with any remote. I actually use an old tivo peanut remote to control my kitchen computer and sage.

[KarylFStein]

Well, I just ended up getting the AOpen with the built-in IR receiver. It would be nice if Logitech made an RF USB dongle for their RF line!