HTPC Builds

Couple weeks ago I built my first HTPC. It's a modest machine around $300 in parts. I need a wireless keyboard, with good range. I bought one and the range sucks. Also interested in any setups you have to share, pics encouraged. :)

I'm going to look up the model keyboard I got, I think it was a logitech kxx? It was cheap.

I'm also interested in a harmony-like remote so I don't shuffle a thousand remotes around. I had an older harmony one but my kid has chewed it up so much... it's seen better days.

Thanks for any input.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/Wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r?crid=26
Logitech K400

Well my first question is does your htpc case have front usb and if not is there any way you have to move the usb dongle to the front of the case. (saw a few keyboards with about a 30ft range) but every one of them runs on a RF that is interrupted by microwaves rather easy (lol 2.4ghz channels)

I do have front port but plugging it their would be very ugly. I'm using the "range extender" that came with the keyboard. It helps a bit but makes it protrude out like a typical thumb drive. Maybe I can use a USB extension cable to position it better so it's not in the back of the computer, nor sticking out the front like my PC is aroused. At the very least, I will see if it helps bringing it forward.

This is good advice. With my own setup, I ran a USB extension cable to get the dongle from the rear of the PC to just underneath my TV, this improved reception significantly.

As far as remotes go, I opted for a Windows Media Compatible remote (though I'll probably go with a harmony eventually).

I looked into this kind of thing a few years ago I now have a full media network with Raspberry Pis on each TV connected to what was my original HTPC which is now just a server with lots of memory.

I use a version of XBMC on the Pis which has a nifty little mobile app (I prefer the Yatse one on Android) which works over Wifi. XBMC works on all the major operating systems and is open source.

You mentioned about having fewer remotes as well, now most PC graphics cards don't support CEC but you can get a CEC Adapter from Pulse-Eight which will allow your PC to control your TV through the HDMI cable. Unfortunately none of the TVs I have at home have full support for CEC so the control I have them with my phone is limited largely due to having to have a cable box which has no way other than IR to control it, maybe you would have more success.

It isn't a replacement for a keyboard but it depends what you want your HTPC to be, I most just use it to watch movies and recorded TV with where the phone app is perfect. If you want to be able to browse the internet like a normal PC this kind of setup may not work although I can use my phones keyboard to type.

For the remote, I picked up a Logitech Harmony 300 for pretty cheap... it works rather well, but it doesn't have as many programmable macros as the regular harmonies have. I have my TV, HTPC, a receiver, and a DVD player (kinda moot with the HTPC but the wife uses it as a CD player sometimes). I already had an USB IR receiver from a previous HTPC build, so one would need to pick one up if they didn't already have one (some laptops and some htpc cases have them built in). With my current software setup, it's rare that I need anything besides the remote, but I do have a logitech wireless keyboard in case I need it (although most of the time, with software adjustments, I just remote desktop from my other computer).

For software, I run Windows 7 and launch Media Center, and then use Media Browser to handle all my videos and movies. I didn't bother hooking up a tuner card since I just download everything anyway. I looked into Windows 8 (since I could've gotten it for cheap, plus gotten the Media Center add-on for free at the time), but people were saying that Media Center had all the same bugs that it had in Windows 7, with the caveat that Media Browser no longer worked with it (not sure if any of this has changed since I looked into it 2 months ago). Overall I'm happy with my software setup. The software is very user friendly and easy to figure out (a.k.a., wife and out-of-town family-visiting friendly). The setup process is straightforward as well.

I used to use an old Inspiron 9300 for my HTPC, but it was a bit sluggish. I have a desktop tower sitting next to my entertainment center now, and most of my friends commented that they didn't even notice it was there when they asked how I got all the videos on my TV.

On a side note, there's a free android app called myRemote that works rather well... you install a program on the computer, and you can control your HTPC with your phone (or other android device). It includes a mouse function (works like a touchpad) and a basic keyboard entry section. Comes in handy if you just need to do something quick and don't wanna bother with the mouse/keyboard.

I use the Logitech K360. All wireless mouse/kb and uses usb. As far as range I haven't gone beyond 11ft approx. but did not have any issues.

I would just as always read reviews and see if it's what you need. I'm sure there are probably better wireless setups from lycosa, http://www.razerzone.com/ or someone but I did not want to spend a lot of cash for kb/mouse on the home theater room since everything else cost me a small fortune.

Use it with htpc, desktop, xbox and ps3.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/keyboard-k360?crid=1114

I use the Harmony 900 and it works like a charm but as always with Harmony's as you might know they can be a pain in *** to program and Logitech's support for the remotes is meh at best.

Check out http://www.hometheaterforum.com/
http://www.htpcforums.com/
and
http://www.avsforum.com/

Besides htpc information there are extensive guide(s) for the Harmony remotes. A search on avs forum for Harmony gives tons of results and the members are very helpful if your question is not already answered.

Same goes for wireless kb and mouse setups.

I looked into the raspberry's and I tinker with it since they are pretty cheap. I don't think I will replace the current HTPC with one but might use for a secondary TV. Are they able to playback large h.264 1080p videos smoothly? I've been using XBMC and have the Yatse app but it can't find my PC automatically. I turned on zeroconf, I haven't really played with it further. I have cheap windows media remote which has great range and works good right out of the box, but it's just another remote... and no keyboard :)

does it come with this?


The headphones and mouse I use came with one of these each, I use the mouse on laptop, and the headset on my desktop, range seems to be pretty fair, but I had to use a USB extension cable, running it from the back of the computer, up my desk, and set it besides my monitor, so that the signal wouldn't get as much interference from the computer itself, desk or other furniture.
(I was getting some static interference when I set the dongle on the back, and minor interference when in front)

on my current setup, I can take my headset to the next room and be working almost as good

Yes I have been streaming 1080p HD movies over my network completely fine with a Raspberry Pi (both wired and wifi) I actually have more of an issue with an LG Blu-Ray player streaming things. Yatse also connects strait away to the Pi no problem.

Last night with the release version of RaspBMC I installed several of the on demand media services (BBC, ITV, 4oD and 5ive) all of which work fine as well, I'm sure many of the US ones would work just as well. Highly recommended and for such little cost worth doing.