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Topic:
Is there a better choice than the MX-900?
This thread has 16 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Wednesday May 28, 2008 at 23:35
Hozer
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If money is not really a big deal, is the MX-900 still a good choice or is there something better? I currently have the MX-900, but do not find it very ergonomic to navigate the skip,ff,stop, etc functions. This was no big deal in the past because I rarely used them, but I find myself using them a lot more frequently with the HTPC.

What are the good choices in the $300-$600 range that would have better ergonomics but still have comparable functionality as the MX-900?
Post 2 made on Wednesday June 4, 2008 at 00:29
Jimmy Bellagio
Advanced Member
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On May 28, 2008 at 23:35, Hozer said...
If money is not really a big deal, is the MX-900 still
a good choice or is there something better? I currently
have the MX-900, but do not find it very ergonomic to
navigate the skip,ff,stop, etc functions. This was no
big deal in the past because I rarely used them, but I
find myself using them a lot more frequently with the
HTPC.

What are the good choices in the $300-$600 range that
would have better ergonomics but still have comparable
functionality as the MX-900?

If you move slightly above the 500 mark you will find some better remotes such as the Pronto TSU9400, MX-980, Nevo SL, low scale RTI (Maybe T2+) but the control processor costs and you will need it programmed professionally.
James S. Bellagio
Post 3 made on Wednesday June 25, 2008 at 01:26
twilo123
Long Time Member
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i 2nd the tsu9400 but the retail is definitely above your price range. it also uses a control processor for out of sight control which will cost extra. runs on 802.11g and only supports wep encryption.
Total Control
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Post 4 made on Wednesday June 25, 2008 at 15:13
vbova27
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Save up and go for the MX-980.

Give up starbucks for two months and there you go.
OP | Post 5 made on Monday June 30, 2008 at 22:52
Hozer
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I did consider the 980, which is within my price range, but it is not any better ergonomically than the 900.
Post 6 made on Thursday July 3, 2008 at 16:59
GMPCM
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Wow, thats a lot of money just for an IR remote!
I can do anything those remotes can do using my Logitech MX mouse. Your using an HTPC, so you already have a mouse in your hand, it's a bit silly to have to fumble for a remote when you want to watch something on TV or Cable.
My mouse button functions change based on my current activity, so if I am watching a DVD the buttons will FF, Rew, pause or play the DVD. If I am watching my comcast HD cable box, the mouse buttons asume the correct functions for it such as skip 30 sec, play, pause, chan, menu navigation, etc.
All this is accomplished with a $50 IR transceiver attached to my HTPC's USB port and some very smart software.

Last edited by GMPCM on July 6, 2008 08:59.
GMPCM Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

http://www.hd-radiopc.com
Post 7 made on Thursday July 10, 2008 at 18:21
smokinghot
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On July 3, 2008 at 16:59, GMPCM said...
Wow, thats a lot of money just for an IR remote!

The MX-980 and/or TSU-9400 are far from just IR remotes.


I can do anything those remotes can do using my Logitech
MX mouse.

For a sec there I thought I was in the Harmony forum. Not because you're speaking of Logitech, but statement of your mouse being on par with top tier remotes on the market, is on par with Harmony forum delerium. To be fair, he is only speaking of controlling his HTPC in his OP, but somehow I'll take the leap and assume he will be controlling the rest of the HT with this one device.

If you can get your mouse to control the rest of his HT as well. Your statement might hold some water. As it is, it's profoundly ludicrous.
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Post 8 made on Friday July 11, 2008 at 15:44
GMPCM
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My mouse can control ANY device in a home theater system. DVD player, amplifier, HDTV display, cable box, sat box, and anything else you can think of. It cost me a whole $50 for the IR transciever that the system uses, wow. Its not specific to the Logitech mouse, I used to have a Microsoft wireless intellimouse explorer and it worked just as well. Its a pretty simple concept to understand, the software I use simply maps the mouse buttons and/or keyboard keys to IR signals based on the AV device I am currently watching/using. If I switch to a different AV device, the mouse button mappings change accordingly. Navigating an AV device menu is a thousand times better than it is with the stupid up/down buttons on a remote since it uses the mouse scroll wheel for that. Anyone with a cable box can relate to the huge difference that would make.
As for using an IR remote to control my HTPC, I can do that as well, but I can use ANY remote I have laying around for that, and all I need in that case is my IR capable wrist watch. :) When I press the button on my watch I have specified to be Play, Pause, Mute, etc, the software detects which application I am using, such as Winamp, Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, etc. and issues the correct command for that application. Its not something I use a lot for my HTPC, since the mouse is always right there for that, but it is VERY important for my carPC.

Your right that it is not "on par" with the top tier remotes for HTPC and home theater control on the market: it leaves them all so far behind its ridiculous.

Last edited by GMPCM on July 11, 2008 16:51.
GMPCM Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

http://www.hd-radiopc.com
Post 9 made on Friday July 11, 2008 at 17:05
smokinghot
Super Member
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It's amazing what some people think they know....

I have no doubt that you have tweaked your mouse to the way you would like it to operate. Whatever that may be. However for you to claim that your mouse can do whatever the top tier remotes can do is the asinine.

If you really want to believe what you claim, go right ahead. No harm no foul. But don't come on here and pretend what you're saying is true.

From experience from dealing with other people who make such uneducated claims. I won't bother trying to teach you otherwise. Instead I'll ask that readers of this thread take the time to look into his software and the other remotes mentioned within this thread, and come to their own conclusion.

P.S:

On July 11, 2008 at 15:44, GMPCM said...
Its a pretty simple concept to understand,
the software I use simply maps the mouse buttons and/or
keyboard keys to IR signals based on the AV device I am
currently watching/using.

Most people buy universals to get away from using more than one remote.

Navigating an AV device menu is a thousand times better
than it is with the stupid up/down buttons on a remote
since it uses the mouse scroll wheel for that. Anyone
with a cable box can relate to the huge difference that
would make.

It's called "press and hold" which is even easier than a thumb wheel. Of course you know what I'm talking about because to make the claims you are, you'd have to be fully versed in what other systems/remotes can do. ....right?
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Post 10 made on Friday July 11, 2008 at 21:32
GMPCM
Long Time Member
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I have used other remotes, some were considered to be the very best available. You on the other hand have never even used the software I am talking about here, so who really is the ignorant one? I dont use any remote other than my mouse now, and I have one hellava home theater system to say the least. The software also controls my home automation system, can your overpriced IR remote do that? Does your fancy remote respond to voice commands? Can it carry on an intelligent voice conversation with you? Can it serve out an HD/AM/FM tuner to all of the other control stations in your home, or even some other location on the internet? Can you control your home theater or home automation system from a remote location like your office? You have no clue what this software is capable of, and yet you claim that I dont know what I am talking about? Whatever..

Last edited by GMPCM on July 11, 2008 21:54.
GMPCM Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

http://www.hd-radiopc.com
Post 11 made on Saturday July 12, 2008 at 02:18
smokinghot
Super Member
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On July 11, 2008 at 21:32, GMPCM said...
I have used other remotes, some were considered to be
the very best available. You on the other hand have never
even used the software I am talking about here, so who
really is the ignorant one?

Granted, I've never used the software you speak of, but I thought we were talking about a mouse being capable of top end remote operation...? That's simply wrong. Curious what remotes you did use...you failed to back up your statement.

I dont use any remote other
than my mouse now, and I have one hellava home theater
system to say the least.

I'm sure you do. Really doesn't matter though.

The software also controls my
home automation system, can your overpriced IR remote
do that?

Yep... sure can. Plus I can pick it up, walk into a different room and still have complete control over everything. Can your IR mouse and keyboard do that?

Does your fancy remote respond to voice commands?

Your mouse does?

Can it carry on an intelligent voice conversation with
you?

Now you're scaring me....

in·tel·li·gent
1. having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend, as persons or animals:

Do you have conversations with other objects in your home...? Do they talk back to you....?

Can it serve out an HD/AM/FM tuner to all of the
other control stations in your home, or even some other
location on the internet? Can you control your home theater
or home automation system from a remote location like
your office?

We're still talking about a mouse doing the same thing as a top end remote right? Please include a link to the mouse you're currently using. I've never seen and/or heard of one that has a mic or speaker. Let alone be operated without physical contact.

You have no clue what this software is capable
of, and yet you claim that I dont know what I am talking
about?

Again, you're right I don't, but it doesn't matter. The arguement is whether or not your wonder mouse can do what a top end remote can do. It simply can't without extensive add ons and constant menu, pop-up surfing. Plus, it's stuck in one location and must be within a short distance to your HTPC. Have you tried using Bluetooth...? Of course if you did get the range of Bluetooth, you'd still have to carry a monitor around with you to make sure you were scroll wheeling through the menus correctly. Even with that, from what you say I still may need keyboard to do what I want. So how would that work...? If you weren't sitting at your coffee table you'd carry the monitor and mouse in one hand, and the keyboard in the other...?Most are trying to remove clutter from their coffee table.

It's great that you found a solution that works well for you. I just have issue with people posting dribble that may confuse the average lurking doing research.
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Post 12 made on Saturday July 12, 2008 at 06:36
GMPCM
Long Time Member
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December 2006
76
My logitech mouse is connected via wireless RF not IR, no line of site and the link distance is quite acceptable too. The keyboard mapping has nothing to do with mouse IR control of an AV system, I just mentioned that as it is a nice feature as well.

As far as voice command and conversation features, I was of course refering to the softwares capabilties since that is what enables mouse control of my AV system.
The software is a voice enabled artificial intelligence, thus you can have an intelligent voice conversation with it if you have a microphone attached to your HTPC.
Anyway, I suggest you go troll somewhere else as you are obviously just here to argue and have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. Maybe you can convince a few naive non-intellectuals on some gutter forum into blowing $600 bucks on a remote control when they already have a computer connected to their home theater system, but most posters here are a smarter than that.

Last edited by GMPCM on July 12, 2008 06:58.
GMPCM Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

http://www.hd-radiopc.com
Post 13 made on Saturday July 12, 2008 at 23:27
smokinghot
Super Member
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3,688
Lurkers please look beyond this thread... nothing helpfull will come fro people trying to protect their pride.

edit:
On July 3, 2008 at 16:59, GMPCM said...
All this is accomplished with a $50 IR transceiver attached
to my HTPC's USB port and some very smart software.

I knew there was a reason why I mentioned upgrading to Bluetooth. Three posts later you changed it to a RF system, Just must have been more misinformation I guess, (I'll quote it so you can't pretend that you're not talking out of your ass).

On July 12, 2008 at 06:36, GMPCM said...
My logitech mouse is connected via wireless RF not IR

And notice still no model types of the very best options he's already tried. Your replies are border line spam.

Last edited by smokinghot on July 12, 2008 23:49.
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Post 14 made on Tuesday July 22, 2008 at 09:15
Jimmy Bellagio
Advanced Member
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854
Yes, it must be really fun sitting at your computer desk watching a Bluray. I would be out of a job if I had to push this on a family of three+. Okay, every body gather around the computer and change the channel. - Honey can you get up and press the L key on the keyboard - the lights need to go out. Or how about - Where is that damn mouse?

I think your getting ripped off for $50 bucks. An application of that type should cost about $19.99 or possibly freeware.


On July 12, 2008 at 06:36, GMPCM said...
My logitech mouse is connected via wireless RF not IR,
no line of site and the link distance is quite acceptable
too. The keyboard mapping has nothing to do with mouse
IR control of an AV system, I just mentioned that as it
is a nice feature as well.

As far as voice command and conversation features, I was
of course refering to the softwares capabilties since
that is what enables mouse control of my AV system.

The software is a voice enabled artificial intelligence,
thus you can have an intelligent voice conversation with
it if you have a microphone attached to your HTPC.
Anyway, I suggest you go troll somewhere else as you are
obviously just here to argue and have absolutely no clue
what you are talking about. Maybe you can convince a
few naive non-intellectuals on some gutter forum into
blowing $600 bucks on a remote control when they already
have a computer connected to their home theater system,
but most posters here are a smarter than that.
James S. Bellagio
Post 15 made on Thursday July 24, 2008 at 22:09
GMPCM
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2006
76
We are referring to Home Theater PC's (HTPC's) here, and it’s only the additional hardware you would require for an "HTPC" to have IR send and receive capability that costs $50. We do not even sell the USB-UIRT hardware. HTPC's are generally high end systems hooked up to expensive HDTV's or HD Projectors; they are NOT the cheap desktop PC attached to a tiny little monitor that you own.

The AIVMS software is distributed within our HD RadioPC CD package, with a cost of only $12.95. If you really think $13 is too expensive for software of this caliber, you should concentrate more on improving your career outlook and financial status, rather than wasting time on Internet forums. I'm sure your wife and children would also appreciate that.
If we were to distribute AIVMS separately the cost would be a fraction of the current CD distribution package, probably around $4.00, but we are not interested in selling the AIVMS software separately at this time. In fact, since the entire HD RadioPC site represents a "hobbyist" break-off from a much larger and lucrative business, I really don’t care if you purchase the products offered there at all. Hobbies also tend to disappear when they are no longer enjoyable, and this particular one is also based on the availability of specific HD Radio receiver hardware that will become quite scarce within the "very" near future. Given those facts, you might want to save your mindless criticism and idiotic remarks for someone else.

Last edited by GMPCM on July 25, 2008 00:03.
GMPCM Artificial Intelligence Management Systems

http://www.hd-radiopc.com
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