10 replies to this topic

[woohoo]

My old Microsoft remote control turned up its toes the other day so I'm in the market for a replacement. My needs are pretty simple - I only need to control the media centre itself and a receiver. I want a solid build and the bigger the buttons the better. If I can get a green button I'd be happy too - but it's probably not essential. Any recommendations would be very welcome.

[parki]

IMHO you can't go wrong with a Logitech Harmony remote. I certainly find the buttons ok, and I've got pretty big hands.

Don't pay RRP though, you can find them for MUCH cheaper.

[dwebkombi]

My old Microsoft remote control turned up its toes the other day so I'm in the market for a replacement. My needs are pretty simple - I only need to control the media centre itself and a receiver. I want a solid build and the bigger the buttons the better. If I can get a green button I'd be happy too - but it's probably not essential. Any recommendations would be very welcome.

Harmony One is a popular choice, approx $100.

[woohoo]

Thanks guys. I suspect I will be going the way of the Harmony remotes, though I was wondering if something was out there that was simpler (with bigger buttons), but still of a high build quality.

Harmony One is a popular choice, approx $100.

[woohoo]

I see the newer Harmonys have the four colour buttons which the Harmony One does not have. I haven't worked out what they are for - do I need them?

[Mox]

I see the newer Harmonys have the four colour buttons which the Harmony One does not have. I haven't worked out what they are for - do I need them?

The best thing about the Harmony's are that you can program any button to do what you want.

I was unsure when I first purchased one but once I had run through the install and got my head around activities and being able to program individual buttons it has been great. I just got a harmony 600 I think, only does 4 devices but I only have 3 so works a treat. Really I don't think there are any decent alternatives that have programmable buttons like the original MCE remote.

I have programmed the MENU button on mine to be the green button but I had to used a specific MCE remote model when setting it up, see this post.

Green button and Harmony

Long live the original MCE remote.

[woohoo]

I have programmed the MENU button on mine to be the green button but I had to used a specific MCE remote model when setting it up, see this post.

Well I went and got myself a Harmony One and I'm getting the hang of it. I don't suppose you - or anyone else - knows if I could program it to take me to the "Extras" item on the MCE main menu? Is there a remote control code for something like "Extras"? That would be sweet.

[Mox]

Well I went and got myself a Harmony One and I'm getting the hang of it. I don't suppose you - or anyone else - knows if I could program it to take me to the "Extras" item on the MCE main menu? Is there a remote control code for something like "Extras"? That would be sweet.

I don't know how off the top of my head. What you are looking for isn't really a basic function of a remote though, the original MCE remote doesn't do that so apart from customising WMC I'm not sure how it could be done.

[woohoo]

I don't know how off the top of my head. What you are looking for isn't really a basic function of a remote though, the original MCE remote doesn't do that so apart from customising WMC I'm not sure how it could be done.

Thanks Mox. I'm probably a niche market I use the shoutCast add-on and love it for the way I can get an online photo slideshow for artists whose music I'm currently playing. It's brilliant. Problem is I have to access ShoutCast from Extras, which means a lot of menu navigation if I'm choosing music tracks one by one as I often do...

[Mox]

Thanks Mox. I'm probably a niche market I use the shoutCast add-on and love it for the way I can get an online photo slideshow for artists whose music I'm currently playing. It's brilliant. Problem is I have to access ShoutCast from Extras, which means a lot of menu navigation if I'm choosing music tracks one by one as I often do...

Couldn't you use this - Media Centre Studio to just customise your menu and put the Shoutcast option on the main menu?

[woohoo]

Thanks - I'll give it a shot.