AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Whats the best HTPC/WMC7 controller app for Android?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Whats the best HTPC/WMC7 controller app for Android?

post #1 of 18
11/4/12 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking into getting more high tech with my HTPC and I know a lot of developements have come recently with tablet and phone wifi controllers to interface with HTPC and WMC7. I saw that Ceton came out with a new app and it looks great as you can schedule recordings and do almost everything you can control wise at your PC but it costs $5. I have an HD Homerun Prime but it is said to work with all tuners as well so that is nice...

Ceton Companion App

I also have seen several others that dont look quite as nice and as functional but I would also prefer a free app if there is one available.

I have an HTC Evo 4G LTE and also an Asus Transformer 101 both running Android ICS.
I have Plex on both for streaming but I want to get into scheduling recordings and full control while I'm not at home as well as start playing and control TV and WMC while I am there.
Reply
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 18
11/4/12 at 5:34am
Ceton Companion does exactly what you want to. I don't know of any free programs that do this. It's just $5...
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 18
11/4/12 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
I think you are right, after doing more searching i didn't see much that was free that does what this one does. Although the remote part of the app looks sketchy. I wonder how functional it really is to control media center.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 18
11/5/12 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff lam View Post

I think you are right, after doing more searching i didn't see much that was free that does what this one does. Although the remote part of the app looks sketchy. I wonder how functional it really is to control media center.

What do you mean "sketchy"? It works fine for me.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 18
11/5/12 at 7:17am
I'm using the Ceton app right now, but I'm crossing my fingers Microsoft will make the Smartglass app work with WMC (guide, remote, etc).

*deep sigh*
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 18
11/5/12 at 8:45am
Try Remote Potato. I was going to purchase the Ceton app but decide to first give this a try. It works great for controlling WMC 7. And if your'e not happy with it, no harm no foul. PS: I have no skin in the game...
Edited by stuiekathome - 11/5/12 at 9:09am
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 18
11/5/12 at 10:07pm
Love the Ceton Companion app. I don't even bother with the MC interface most of the time. I just grab the coffee table tablet and queue up what I want to see. And never mind managing scheduled recordings and series recordings in the "standard" way. Ceton Companion makes it so simple, it's a wonder I ever put up with Tivo.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 18
11/7/12 at 12:52am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input... Seems like Ceton did a great job with this app. I guess I'll be downloading it today...
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 18
11/7/12 at 9:14am
Anyone tried Irule ?


irule can use both wifi and IR

Wifi seems most reliable especially not line of sight or with IR 3d glasses
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 18
11/7/12 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Anyone tried Irule ?
irule can use both wifi and IR
Wifi seems most reliable especially not line of sight or with IR 3d glasses

I have. It works well, although there's a bit of learning curve. iRule can communicate directly to devices that receive IP commands, or it can trigger an iTach IR blaster to send IR commands.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 18
11/7/12 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lockdown571 View Post

I have. It works well, although there's a bit of learning curve. iRule can communicate directly to devices that receive IP commands, or it can trigger an iTach IR blaster to send IR commands.

Which do you use?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 18
11/7/12 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Which do you use?

Both. If the device supports IP commands, I generally use those. Obviously many devices don't accept IP commands, so then I have to use the IR blaster.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 18
11/7/12 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lockdown571 View Post

Both. If the device supports IP commands, I generally use those. Obviously many devices don't accept IP commands, so then I have to use the IR blaster.

You think irule is better than other options ?

What's total cost you invested ?

Would you do it again or take another path if given choice start fresh ?
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 18
11/9/12 at 8:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

You think irule is better than other options ?
What's total cost you invested ?
Would you do it again or take another path if given choice start fresh ?

I'm not sure what other options there are for Android. I know that there's Roomie for iOS that uses the same iTach emitters that looks pretty nice. The cost was just iRule ($50 I think) and the iTach IP2IR ($90-$100). Honestly, it's definitely more of a luxury, and I use my Logitech Harmony much much more. Again, I would not recommend it as your primary remote. Real buttons are better smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 18
11/9/12 at 12:22pm
Which harmony you have ?

My issue is working through walls.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 18
11/9/12 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Which harmony you have ?
My issue is working through walls.

I have a 650 which is IR. You have a few options for walls.

1. Run an IR repeater through your wall
2. Get an RF remote like a Logitech 900
3. Try one of these, which turns any IR remote into an RF remote. Never tried it, but it has very good reviews on Amazon.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 18
11/10/12 at 6:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff lam View Post

I think you are right, after doing more searching i didn't see much that was free that does what this one does. Although the remote part of the app looks sketchy. I wonder how functional it really is to control media center.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lockdown571 View Post

What do you mean "sketchy"? It works fine for me.

I set up the companion app. The remote is as expected... limited. I could not figure out how to get any kind of a number pad on the screen. If on the guide i don't want to page through 700 channels to find 746 which i watch a lot. Or when watching a show i often use the number multiplier to skip commercials such as 6-skip, which skips 3 minutes.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 18
11/11/12 at 6:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff lam View Post

I set up the companion app. The remote is as expected... limited. I could not figure out how to get any kind of a number pad on the screen. If on the guide i don't want to page through 700 channels to find 746 which i watch a lot. Or when watching a show i often use the number multiplier to skip commercials such as 6-skip, which skips 3 minutes.

Did you try the "enter text" field at the bottom of the remote screen?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers

Gear mentioned in this thread:

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Whats the best HTPC/WMC7 controller app for Android?