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What is the best remote control application / solution ???? (for both Mediabrowser and XMBC ? )

post #1 of 97
2/4/13 at 10:17am
Thread Starter 
Hi All,

I am looking for a good remote control solution for the HTPC's (two)

Currently I have been using mediabrowser but XBMC is installed and an option.

I have two LENOVO remotes (one backlit and one not) that work ok. The range is a bit short for my use and it's sometimes jumpy.

I am interested in a stand alone remote- or an iphone application that would work to control the HTPC well.

basically just scrolling movies and shows.

There is about 5 I am seeing for XBMC and more limited options with mediabrowser.

Which is the best ???

Anyone using something they like ? Anyone tried more than one that can give some insight ???

I'd rather not test and take the time to try them all- and just set up one and be done.

Thanks for the help.
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post #2 of 97
2/4/13 at 12:45pm
JRemote gets a lot of attention on our boards.
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=68491.0
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post #3 of 97
2/4/13 at 5:04pm
@ 9.99...the price is a bit steep for an app, I think....
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post #4 of 97
2/4/13 at 5:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin g. View Post

@ 9.99...the price is a bit steep for an app, I think....

Because it's an iPhone app they sell more at $9.99 than a $1.99. biggrin.gif /ducks and runs.
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post #5 of 97
2/5/13 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 
I'm ok spending $50 if needed.

What I really need is a great control solution that works anywhere in my home to control a slick front end.

I'm not sure jriver qualifies for slick front end.

I know the video and audio quality is superior in jriver but I'm willing to sacrifice that for more eye candy and ease of use.
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post #6 of 97
2/5/13 at 5:48am
XBMC Constellation https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xbmc-constellation/id437807301?mt=8
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post #7 of 97
2/5/13 at 6:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

XBMC Constellation https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xbmc-constellation/id437807301?mt=8

That's the leader so far...

I just installed the free version and will test that out. It'smy first try.

I have no problem paying for it if it's good.

Is that what your using ??
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post #8 of 97
2/5/13 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 
I wish there was a good solution for mediabrowser
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post #9 of 97
2/5/13 at 10:36am
MyMediaCenter is pretty darn good but it doesn't control MediaBrowser either.
Edited by Sammy2 - 2/5/13 at 10:45am
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post #10 of 97
2/5/13 at 2:34pm
CQC is the best app for controlling things... it controls everything...
of course it does cost a bit more than $9.99 tongue.gif
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post #11 of 97
2/5/13 at 11:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

XBMC Constellation https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xbmc-constellation/id437807301?mt=8

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

That's the leader so far...

I just installed the free version and will test that out. It'smy first try.

I have no problem paying for it if it's good.

Is that what your using ??

+1 for XBMC constellation... I have been using the paid version for quite some time and it is nothing other than excellent.

I use this in conjuction with the remote pro / lite app from soundgraph.

Both are installed on my iPad
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post #12 of 97
2/6/13 at 4:47am
Any that support lossless music playback? I have my library ripped in WMA lossless, and I have not found any that will playback on my phone or tablets. Plex doesn't appear to transcode the files for playback either.
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post #13 of 97
2/6/13 at 5:56am
Thread Starter 
WMC or mediabrowser supports lossless audio doesn't it?
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post #14 of 97
2/6/13 at 8:47am
Sorry, yes...But I meant the app for playback on the phone, or tablet ...If I am in the garage, and I want to hear a particular station, (that I grew up with)...I plug in my iPhone to my stereo...
If I want to listen to my library...I'm S.O.L.
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post #15 of 97
2/6/13 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin g. View Post

Sorry, yes...But I meant the app for playback on the phone, or tablet ...If I am in the garage, and I want to hear a particular station, (that I grew up with)...I plug in my iPhone to my stereo...
If I want to listen to my library...I'm S.O.L.

If I'm in the garage and want to listen to a particular station I reach up to the shelf above the workbench and turn on the stereo and tune it to the station I want to listen too.
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post #16 of 97
2/6/13 at 12:43pm
Thanks for that...
As mentioned, it is a station I grew up with.
I am originally from Michigan, and now live in North Carolina.
I'm not a fan of:
a."Classic Rock" or
b. Country Music.
So my options are a bit limited here. And, with the onset of the digital streaming age...I have the ability, and the devices...it's kind of a "no brainer"...
Regardless, the question remains, Re: streaming my lossless library to my phone, or tablet.
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post #17 of 97
2/8/13 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
I am going to test drive Constellation... First.

I will report back my findings.
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post #18 of 97
2/8/13 at 6:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin g. View Post

Any that support lossless music playback? I have my library ripped in WMA lossless, and I have not found any that will playback on my phone or tablets. Plex doesn't appear to transcode the files for playback either.

This was unrelated, but Google Music will let you upload wma, mp3, flac, ogg, m4a

Lossless is transcoded to 320k mp3

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1100462
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post #19 of 97
2/8/13 at 6:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

I am going to test drive Constellation... First.

I will report back my findings.

No Android devices?

Also, XBMC is an airplay target
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post #20 of 97
2/8/13 at 7:19am
Thread Starter 
I have no android devices.

I had a Droid X before my iphone. Terrible experience.

It was buggy and just generally crappy.

I am certainly not an apple fan boy. But the iphone is a better general device IMO.

The android stuff is just to unstable and buggy for me. At least on a cell phone.
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post #21 of 97
2/8/13 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

I have no android devices.

I had a Droid X before my iphone. Terrible experience.

It was buggy and just generally crappy.

Droid X felt buggy and crappy more due to Motorola's Motoblur than Android. Both iOS and Android came a long way since that time which was ios 3 and android 2.3, it's worth considering next time the contract renewal hits

Tying your android "experience" to Froyo running on a Droid X would be like to tying your intel experience to Pentium 3
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post #22 of 97
2/9/13 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer View Post

Tying your android "experience" to Froyo running on a Droid X would be like to tying your intel experience to Pentium 3

Not the analogy I would use, but I would agree. My android Moto phone is running Gingerbread, but originally had Froyo. GB was a big upgrade from Froyo, which did suck on Moto devices, but Jellybean is even better.

I skipped over Ice Cream Sandwich with my Nexus tablet, but getting Jellybean is the one reason I'm considering upgrading my phone.
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post #23 of 97
2/10/13 at 6:55am
Thread Starter 
I'm just turned off to android.

It's odd because I'm not an apple guy at all.
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post #24 of 97
2/10/13 at 6:59pm
Try sticking with Nexus devices. No added BS to the OS.

Unfortunately, the Nexus 4 isn't too attactive, so I'm waiting for the next one.
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post #25 of 97
2/10/13 at 7:21pm
I went from iPhone (1), iPhone 3G, and iPhone 4 to a Samsung Galaxy S3 which is now running Jellybean. If the current differences between the iPhones and Android smartphones persist then I won't be switching back any time soon. It is funny to see an iPhone now because it seems so tiny.
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post #26 of 97
2/11/13 at 6:30am
Thread Starter 
How about remotes ???
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post #27 of 97
2/11/13 at 6:53am
Anything but a Harmony?
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post #28 of 97
2/11/13 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

Anything but a Harmony?

What is wrong with Harmony ?

I need something that will work through a wall or have good range. One of my HTPC's (main HTPC) is connected to two different TV sets. Only one location has line of site.

It's not far away... perhaps 15 or so feet away at most but not line of sight.

My Lenovo mini keyboard remote works but in the secondary location it's not consistent. It sometimes works and sometimes does not.

I don't favor the control of that remote either. I need a true real remote solution.

I am weighting :

Irule or SmartPhone vs WIFI vs IR with repeaters vs RF

I need a good solution to control my projector/ cable box / HTPC / Denon AVR etc...

What is everyone using ?

What would work fast- and reliably from either location ?

I was checking out the MX-1200 and 980 ( I know a dealer) but they are expensive and seem complicated to set up.

What is the difference between one of those and a Harmony One ?

What options exist for cheaper that might work ?
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post #29 of 97
2/11/13 at 10:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

What is wrong with Harmony ?

I need something that will work through a wall or have good range. One of my HTPC's (main HTPC) is connected to two different TV sets. Only one location has line of site.

It's not far away... perhaps 15 or so feet away at most but not line of sight.

My Lenovo mini keyboard remote works but in the secondary location it's not consistent. It sometimes works and sometimes does not.

I don't favor the control of that remote either. I need a true real remote solution.

I am weighting :

Irule or SmartPhone vs WIFI vs IR with repeaters vs RF

I need a good solution to control my projector/ cable box / HTPC / Denon AVR etc...

What is everyone using ?

What would work fast- and reliably from either location ?

I was checking out the MX-1200 and 980 ( I know a dealer) but they are expensive and seem complicated to set up.

What is the difference between one of those and a Harmony One ?

What options exist for cheaper that might work ?

Is running an IR blaster like this one out of the question? I know you said you have to go through a wall. There's also nothing wrong with Harmony remotes.

Also, Mfusick, do you really need to indent after every single sentence? It makes your. paragraphs. sound. like. this. It's a bit annoying to read IMO.
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post #30 of 97
2/11/13 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

What is wrong with Harmony ?

What is the difference between one of those and a Harmony One ?
URC isn't selling off their remote division, but Logitech is.

In another thread you said you had hundreds to spend on a remote so I was trying to help you spend it all.

If you like buyer's remorse then get a Harmony...
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AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › What is the best remote control application / solution ???? (for both Mediabrowser and XMBC ? )