Controlling client with IR remote

[jbrandon]

For those of you using SageTV Client in your media setup (instead of HD200/300) what are you using for remote control.

Because the HD300 is no longer being sold I am forced to use a PC with a client license which I already had but for the life of me I cannot find any way of controlling the PC from my couch without using the keyboard and mouse... I am trying to use a Harmony One remote.

[gplasky]

You're trying to use a Harmony One with what? What IR receiver do you have plugged into your PC? And what do you have Sage configured to use? I have a MCE IR receiver on one of my PCs controlled by a Harmony. I also had a USB-UIRT before controlled by a MCE Remote and then a Harmony.

Gerry

[SWKerr]

As stated above you need a IR receiver plugged into you PC first.

The Microsoft Remote Kit is probably the cheapest option and will work pretty much out of the box with SageTV. The USB-UIRT is a good option and some capture cards come with a Remote as well.

The Harmony can be setup to mimic just about any remote but I have found the MCE IR Receiver and the Harmony work the best.

I use my remote to control several different programs along side Sage. Programs like LM Remote, EventGhost or Girder give you finer control over what you can do with the remote. Most already have a SageTV profile you can use. I currently use LM Remote.

[jbrandon]

The IR receiver I have is one I found in a box... It is a Streamzap PC Remote. It does see the IR because it will flash.

The software seems to be just for PC and a couple of applications - SageTV not being one of them.

I guess I will look for MCE remote to get that receiver. This was the information I was looking for, thanks to all.

Originally Posted by gplasky

You're trying to use a Harmony One with what? What IR receiver do you have plugged into your PC? And what do you have Sage configured to use? I have a MCE IR receiver on one of my PCs controlled by a Harmony. I also had a USB-UIRT before controlled by a MCE Remote and then a Harmony.

Gerry

[gplasky]

And did you choose Streamzap in the Sage Detailed Setup? This was natively supported in Sage. You need to install the Streamzap software on the PC. I'm not sure how well it does on Windows 7. It is also supported by LM Remote. Some of the other programs SWKerr mentions also supports it. I had one of those too running on a Sage client. I just ran across it cleaning out the basement.

Gerry

[jbrandon]

Thanks, I missed that part of the configuration. After going back to Harmony site and selecting the correct device it does work, a little clunky but works. I'll spend a little more time with the button layout and see what that does.

Thanks again to all...

Originally Posted by gplasky

And did you choose Streamzap in the Sage Detailed Setup? This was natively supported in Sage. You need to install the Streamzap software on the PC. I'm not sure how well it does on Windows 7. It is also supported by LM Remote. Some of the other programs SWKerr mentions also supports it. I had one of those too running on a Sage client. I just ran across it cleaning out the basement.

Gerry

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by jbrandon

Thanks, I missed that part of the configuration. After going back to Harmony site and selecting the correct device it does work, a little clunky but works. I'll spend a little more time with the button layout and see what that does.

Thanks again to all...

Clunky is being kind. I used LM Remote and it worked much better for me. So did a couple of other programs. (Eventghost, Girder, etc)

Gerry

[jbrandon]

Well with your guys help I do have something working so I may try different software as time permits. I looked at LM Remote but do not want to shell out 15 Eruos just to try - I know they do have a free version and will give that a go. I'll look at the others you recommended also.

I did get complaints from the Missis about having to move the cursor (too much work) with the arrow keys unlike the other HD300's we have but then I explain it is a computer after all...

Sure wish Sage would start selling the HD300's again - they have to have some in stock still. But I am not going to get raped by the eBay sellers.

Originally Posted by gplasky

Clunky is being kind. I used LM Remote and it worked much better for me. So did a couple of other programs. (Eventghost, Girder, etc)

Gerry

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by jbrandon

I did get complaints from the Missis about having to move the cursor (too much work) with the arrow keys unlike the other HD300's we have but then I explain it is a computer after all...

What do you mean? An arrow key is an arrow key, on the Client or Extender... Whether it comes from an IR-Remote, the web server (mobile or not), an Android or iOS device...

Or are you talking of the current mouse/keyboard control of the Client, before you got the IR-Remote to work?

[jbrandon]

No it is not the same… The HD200/300 the arrow key will “snap” to the menu item whereas the PC IR remote one must “mouse” to the item. The arrow key moves the mouse cursor on the screen and the item is selected once highlighted – at least with the current software/hardware in use. This what she finds confusing.

Originally Posted by Fonceur

What do you mean? An arrow key is an arrow key, on the Client or Extender... Whether it comes from an IR-Remote, the web server (mobile or not), an Android or iOS device...

Not sure what you mean by this, the IR remote works just like a mouse…

Originally Posted by Fonceur

Or are you talking of the current mouse/keyboard control of the Client, before you got the IR-Remote to work?

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by jbrandon

The arrow key moves the mouse cursor on the screen and the item is selected once highlighted – at least with the current software/hardware in use.

Then that's some funny software/hardware you are using... Having the arrows of an IR Remote emulate a mouse isn't the normal way of doing things on a PC...

[gplasky]

It should NOT be acting like a mouse. Check in the Streamzap utility settings to make sure nothing like emulate a mouse is checked. It should operate identical to the HD100/200/300.

Gerry

[jbrandon]

OK, I got it working like a real remote!! Have no idea of what I did to make it work today vs. yesterday but now arrow press will advance the menu item, OK selects the item. Maybe a machine restart did the trick...

Thanks Gerry and all…

Originally Posted by gplasky

It should NOT be acting like a mouse. Check in the Streamzap utility settings to make sure nothing like emulate a mouse is checked. It should operate identical to the HD100/200/300.

Gerry