Low-cost remote?

[Hercules]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a fairly ergonomic, well built remote that I can use in conjunction with USB-UIRT to control Sage. I have seen these MX-500s and they are >$100 which for a remote to me... is pretty obscene.

I appreciate any links you can give me.

[krutaw]

Originally posted by Hercules
Hi all,

I'm looking for a fairly ergonomic, well built remote that I can use in conjunction with USB-UIRT to control Sage. I have seen these MX-500s and they are >$100 which for a remote to me... is pretty obscene.

I appreciate any links you can give me.

Here's a couple of ideas...

http://www.streamzap.com/products/pcremote/
http://www.digiconcepts.com/ahanix_c...ssories_04.htm

I personally *LOVE* the silver remote that came with both of my Hauppauge cards.

[gplasky]

I'm using this:

Phillips MCE Remote

$30.00. Includes receiver. (Receiver is also blaster but no one can get it to blast outside of MCE) I use mine with a USB-UIRT and it works great. Got every button working.

Gerry

[stanger89]

He's looking for something to use with his USB-UIRT so he doesn't need a remote. As such, your answer may be in here Hercules.

[gplasky]

What? He IS looking for a remote. The one I posted I use with a USB-UIRT. And that is also suggested in the thread you posted. I'm just letting him know that $30 gets him the remote and the receiver. He doesn't have to use the receiver. Not sure what you mean by your first sentence.

Gerry

[jphhughes]

I would suggest you look into the jp1 group . They provide software that allow you to program a remote to do just about any conbination of hardware. They deal mostly in UEI remotes also know as "all in one"and radio shack. The average price is arount $30. Their is a nice UEI 6131 which is desigend for PVR use. I am currently using it with SageTv.

http://hifi-remote.com/forums/

[stanger89]

I'm not sure what I meant by that first sentence either.

Sorry, didn't mean to dismiss your suggestions, just that it may be cheaper to get one without a reciever.

FWIW, I use a Streamzap but if I were using a USB-UIRT I'd get a remote with more buttons.

[Hercules]

So which would you recommend without a reciever? By the way, I checked that thread and continually the ones that pop up are those MX-500 or 700 remotes which are entirely too pricey for me.

[stanger89]

I know some people are happy with Tivo remotes, they can be had for under $10 on ebay. Other than that, I'd just try and find one with the most buttons I can.

[Hercules]

I think I found the one...

http://www.ofausa.com/remote.php?type=URC%206131

It has even got thumbs up and down buttons, and can be had for ~$10 online or in Radio Shack.

What do you guys think?

[jphhughes]

The plain 6131 ( not modified for jp1) can only be programmed with the built in codes. In order to get a 6131 modified for jp1 which will give you much greater flexibility in programming it , ucan buy at jp1 site from Rob Crow or at http://www.bluedo.com. The moidified 6131 has a jp1 connector added to it.

[Hercules]

Yea but using Girder, can't I assign the buttons to do anything I want them to? I am not using this remote to control my television...

[RenHoek]

Even without JP1'ing this remote, the standard 6131 works out GREAT for me.

By default, not all buttons are used, but you can easily "keymap" other buttons from other devices into the unused buttons to fill it up. Since you're using the UIRT, it doesn't matter WHAT the real device/command you're using, just that each button is unique from the rest. Then you teach Sage with the fully populated remote.

My vote's for this remote!! (Although, had I known about it, I'd definately gone for the JP1'd version online for $25 instead of $20 at Best Buy)

-RenHoek

[Hercules]

Originally posted by RenHoek
Even without JP1'ing this remote, the standard 6131 works out GREAT for me.

By default, not all buttons are used, but you can easily "keymap" other buttons from other devices into the unused buttons to fill it up. Since you're using the UIRT, it doesn't matter WHAT the real device/command you're using, just that each button is unique from the rest. Then you teach Sage with the fully populated remote.

My vote's for this remote!! (Although, had I known about it, I'd definately gone for the JP1'd version online for $25 instead of $20 at Best Buy)

-RenHoek

Can you explain what the JP1'd remote does over the normal one, as I'm a tad confused about that..?

[jphhughes]

RenHoek is right on the money. However to answer your question, the folks at jp1 have developed software that allows you to assign functions or codes to each button on the remote. Their is a spreadsheet called keymapmaster that you use to construct the keymappings and then this information is transfered (cut and paste) to a program called IR whihc allow uploading and downloading of the configuration into the remote. You will also need a cable which can be purchased or built by you. I guess in concept it would be like a Pronto. Again keep in mind the plain 6131 does not come with the jp1 connector.

[Hercules]

Okay, but since I'll be using Girder to translate the events... it won't matter anyways, will it?

[RenHoek]

You don't need to use Girder to control Sage. Only if you want to control other apps in addition to Sage (like myHTPC, IE, Outlook, WinAmp, ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, etc...)...I mean...you can if you want, but you don't HAVE to. Sage & UIRT make it so you don't have to add another layer to complicate the setup.

Setup your remote so that it has unique codes for each button (w/ or w/out JP1 software).
Go to Sage's "Learn Commands" menu.
Teach it the ir codes you've programmed into your remote for each of the available Sage commands.
Sit back and drive Sage via the remote!!

I've looked at Girder, but so far I haven't had the need to complicate my HTPC setup with it (yet...)

-Ren

[Hercules]

Originally posted by RenHoek
You don't need to use Girder to control Sage. Only if you want to control other apps in addition to Sage (like myHTPC, IE, Outlook, WinAmp, ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, etc...)...I mean...you can if you want, but you don't HAVE to. Sage & UIRT make it so you don't have to add another layer to complicate the setup.

Setup your remote so that it has unique codes for each button (w/ or w/out JP1 software).
Go to Sage's "Learn Commands" menu.
Teach it the ir codes you've programmed into your remote for each of the available Sage commands.
Sit back and drive Sage via the remote!!

I've looked at Girder, but so far I haven't had the need to complicate my HTPC setup with it (yet...)

-Ren

Brilliant, thanks. That cleared up a lot of confusion on my part

[Opus4]

Originally posted by Hercules
Yea but using Girder, can't I assign the buttons to do anything I want them to?

Not if the button doesn't emit an IR code to begin with.

Hercules: I realize I'm coming to this conversation a little late, but in case you missed it, I posted some "getting started" info for JP1 remotes in: How to use another remote with the Hauppauge IR receiver. You don't have to use your JP1-modified remote with the Hauppauge IR receiver, as that thread mentions -- you can simply use that info as a starting point for quickly getting up to speed for assigning some-IR-protocol codes to each button on your remote. I think it was mentioned above that when you choose some device for your remote, it may not actually use all the buttons. You can easily use JP1 to assign codes to every button

I am not using this remote to control my television...

With a programmable remote, cheap or expensive, you may find that you really DO want to use it to control your TV and other equipment.

- Andy

[sixdoubleo]

Originally posted by Opus4
Not if the button doesn't emit an IR code to begin with.

And I know you probably are aware, Opus4, but I thought I'd add.....

With a standard (non-JP1'd) URC-6131, there are many buttons which do NOT emit IR codes. However, the workaround for this is to use the URC-6131's "keymap" function which allows you to move buttons from one device configuration to another...so in effect you end up with all the buttons. See This thread

The JP1 solution is WAAAAY cleaner though. I'd hate to have to reprogram all that keymapping back into my URC-6131 if it ever lost it!

With the JP1, it's a breeze. I wish I had known about it before buying mine. ($17.99 at Circuit City...not like it broke me or anything)