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What keyboard do you recommend for HTPC use?

post #1 of 89
10/28/09 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
I'm interested in a wireless keyboard with mouse pad or rolling ball to use with my HTPC. I'll be 10-12 feet away from the PC. I would like a keyboard that looks slick, comfortable and lit keys would be nice but I would rather not spend more than $70-$80

Any recommendations?
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post #2 of 89
10/28/09 at 8:45pm
I use the Logitech dinovo Edge which is a bit more than you are looking to spend ($165). But, it has a trackpad and is bluetooth ready. I love it.

There is a slimmer version out now, but it lacks a trackpad:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126046

Also look at the dinovo mini:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

Alex
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post #3 of 89
10/28/09 at 9:35pm
Great deal right here

http://onsale.com/p/product~dpno~769...ource=bwbe8188
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post #4 of 89
10/29/09 at 3:56am
Thread Starter 
Wao natrone06 that Logitech diNovo Edge is awesome BUT it's a Mac edition. Any issues with Vista? By the way what a shame the Mac edition is so much cheaper than the PC edition!
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post #5 of 89
10/31/09 at 3:58pm
Personally I like the laptop keyboard types.

Keysonic also do a good range of mini keyboards.

The ACK-540 RF at 530g and 12g for the receiver is ideas for a HTPC
Measures 30cm/21cm/20cm.

Other similar 'boards are:

iKey DT-5K-MEM-TP

Fentek Industries Mini Touchpad Keyboard.
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post #6 of 89
10/31/09 at 5:09pm
Yeah the Logitech Edge is sweet but expensive. The Logitech MediaBoard for PS3 is in your price range but you would need to buy a usb bluetooth reciever for around 15-20,. If you have an iPhone or Touch, a program called Air Mouse works incredibly well as a touch pad/keyboard from the couch.
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post #7 of 89
10/31/09 at 10:54pm
If you want an inexpensive KB/M combo, This Rosewill combo is pretty nice. Nothing fancy, except the range (2.4Ghz, and the fact that mine has been going with the batteries that came with it since early August.
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post #8 of 89
11/1/09 at 12:31am
Keysonic has some simple keyboards:

http://www.maxpoint.de/de/products/k....php?pid=1_3_7

It's basically the same layout as a laptop and some even have Bluetooth.

http://www.maxpoint.de/de/products/k...e_objectID=589

Haven't tried em myself, but looks like a good option if you think Dinovo Mini is too small.
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post #9 of 89
11/1/09 at 1:35am
One thing for sure. Avoid the DSI / Adesso / nMediaPC keyboard that often gets recommended here. It is by far the worst keyboard I've ever used. Past 3 feet or so from the dongle, it'll start dropping keys and mouse clicks.
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post #10 of 89
11/1/09 at 6:09am
Thread Starter 
Thanks cmonkey, I was not really considering the DSI / Adesso / nMediaPC keyboards but now I know to not even bother.

I've a fan of Logitech but the DiNovo Edge is so expensive and the mini seems too small?
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post #11 of 89
11/1/09 at 6:16am
im using my ps3 logitech media board pro with one of those cheap bt adapters
my pc is about 10 feet away and no probs.. I tried it at my door way (about 15 feet way) and it works fine

it's about $40 for the mediaboard pro
plus $3 for one of those cheap bt adapter
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post #12 of 89
11/1/09 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heli Pilot View Post

If you want an inexpensive KB/M combo, This Rosewill combo is pretty nice. Nothing fancy, except the range (2.4Ghz, and the fact that mine has been going with the batteries that came with it since early August.

What kind of range do you get?
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post #13 of 89
11/1/09 at 6:53am
I think this apple keyboard looks sweet! I'm thinking this one is the one I will get when I build my HTPC.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ton#scoring=tp

Mike
LL
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post #14 of 89
11/1/09 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
I think those apple keyboards rock, BUT they don't have the mouse pad feature built in and it's MAC so I don't know if I'd be missing something for Vista.
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post #15 of 89
11/1/09 at 8:09am
That apple keyboard works perfectly with my Windows 7 machine. The only key missing is delete but I'm there is a work around, I just haven't cared enough about it to figure it out. I'm not sure were SpeedEng manages to score $3 BT adapters but this one works great with windows 7 x64 for $15 (AZiO BTD-V201 USB 2.0). Just don't install the drivers that come with the unit, let Win 7 search for theirs, they work excellent.
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post #16 of 89
11/1/09 at 8:14am
Here is one I am getting to use with my HTPC...it looks the business
and has many good features...Enermax Aurora Micro Wireless Keyboard

Take a look at this review ...with many good pictures

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/710
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post #17 of 89
11/1/09 at 8:14am
I have the Dinovo Edge, but my AV Rack is in the back of the room.

I get lost connections with the bluetooth adapater, CONSTANTLY.

Anyone else experience the issue or have reccomendations?
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post #18 of 89
11/1/09 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Briands View Post

What kind of range do you get?

I can type from another room range normal use is about 10 feet, but I had it plugged into my office, and was in the living room down the hall, maybe 20 feet, and it was still typing.
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post #19 of 89
11/1/09 at 9:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmonkey View Post

One thing for sure. Avoid the DSI / Adesso / nMediaPC keyboard that often gets recommended here. It is by far the worst keyboard I've ever used. Past 3 feet or so from the dongle, it'll start dropping keys and mouse clicks.

I have two adesso keyboards, the media center one with the trackball, and the notebook style one with the touch pad. Both work great here. I have two pc's side by side and 35 feet away and the dongie thing is on the back of the pc tucked away on a shelf in a closet and it works great, no problems at all with range. Just an FYI...........Brian
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post #20 of 89
11/1/09 at 10:03am
Thread Starter 
Brian, that's an impressive range for any keyboard Ghz and Bluetooth.
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post #21 of 89
11/1/09 at 12:12pm
They claim, 100', not sure how that would work. I never tried it any farther than the distance I have now. I have a logitech wave pro that I use for my internet pc and it works at the same distance..........Brian
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post #22 of 89
11/1/09 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eiger View Post

I have the Dinovo Edge, but my AV Rack is in the back of the room.

I get lost connections with the bluetooth adapater, CONSTANTLY.

Anyone else experience the issue or have reccomendations?

I had that problem too, I think it was caused by all the other electronic equipment, to solve it all I did was bought an USB Extension cable from monoprice and placed the bluetooth dongle a little away from the rest of the electronics....works perfectly now.
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post #23 of 89
11/1/09 at 12:30pm
Gyration Air Music Remote/Mouse with Compact Keyboard...If you don't have a remote yet...A little outside your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Gyration-GYR41...7107285&sr=8-1

Mike
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post #24 of 89
11/1/09 at 1:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by G-- View Post

That apple keyboard works perfectly with my Windows 7 machine. The only key missing is delete but I'm there is a work around, I just haven't cared enough about it to figure it out. I'm not sure were SpeedEng manages to score $3 BT adapters but this one works great with windows 7 x64 for $15 (AZiO BTD-V201 USB 2.0). Just don't install the drivers that come with the unit, let Win 7 search for theirs, they work excellent.

quite a few places , im not sure if im allowed to post them
ebay is one spot..
but the bt I purchased are not from this country hint hint
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post #25 of 89
11/1/09 at 4:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEby View Post

Gyration Air Music Remote/Mouse with Compact Keyboard...If you don't have a remote yet...A little outside your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Gyration-GYR41...7107285&sr=8-1

Mike

I like this! Too bad I have too many keyboards.........Brian
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post #26 of 89
11/1/09 at 4:30pm
Logitech Dinovo mini is an awesome HTPC keyboard.
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post #27 of 89
11/1/09 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEby View Post

Gyration Air Music Remote/Mouse with Compact Keyboard...If you don't have a remote yet...A little outside your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Gyration-GYR41...7107285&sr=8-1

Mike

How is the mouse function achieved with this combo?
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post #28 of 89
11/1/09 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by almostinsane View Post

Logitech Dinovo mini is an awesome HTPC keyboard.

Isn't it too small? I would think it feels like your typing on a Blackberry.
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post #29 of 89
11/1/09 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by devoz View Post

Here is one I am getting to use with my HTPC...it looks the business
and has many good features...Enermax Aurora Micro Wireless Keyboard

Take a look at this review ...with many good pictures

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/710

That Enermax keyboard got my interest but if you look on their page and on any of the retailers the present version doesn't have the track ball to use as a mouse and having a "mouse" alternative on a wireless keyboard is a priority for HTPC use, IMO.
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post #30 of 89
11/1/09 at 5:39pm
I just bought this one for $60:

http://www.buy.com/prod/adesso-wirel...209308753.html

I wish it was a little smaller, but it works great with good range. No issues so far, and I would recommend it.
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