how can I control my desk top computer remotely

my "cheap" method is I run windows media center on the PC which is connected thru to my TV (vga input). I switch the TV input to vga and then just use a simple wireless dongle "keyboard" remote (no bigger than a remote)..,. type or do anything on the pc. Not elegant but certainly works fine.

Any wireless keyboard/mouse or smartphone app will work fine. I use HippoRemote on my phone and have a Logitech K400r as backup.

I would not trust that VGA converter at all. If you don't believe me, check out some of the reviews for a similar device HERE. If your PC doesn't have an HDMI output, you should get a video card with HDMI. THIS is a good, inexpensive one. It will give you full resolution HD and lossless digital audio. I assume your amp is ultimately connected to your TV? That's how you see the computer screen. If not, you'll need to run a cable from your PC to your TV or use some sort of wireless system. The actiontec mywireless TV works quite well and supports a keyboard/mouse connection.

All that being said, a dedicated device designed for the purpose of playing music an navigating playlists is the cheapest, easiest solution. Apple TV comes to mind. It's very simple to pull your collection into iTunes.

VGA doesn't carry sound so sending it to your pre/pro is of little value so I send it to my TV assuming the tv has a vga input... if not then you could use the vga to hdmi converter... I guess.
Anyways, the sound in my case comes out of the usb port on my computer (actually a laptop). I could / did use the headphone jack but it was noisier in the environment that I was in so I used a usb sound module to converts usb "stuff" to and from audio... in my case the module was used to record 2 channel audio from 2 rca inputs that I was using for converting phonograph records to digital,,, the module has rca output jacks to monitor the process... I ran those to my receiver for sound. Other modules are available on ebay and elsewhere than convert usb "stuff" to optical output than can be run to your receiver.... straight forward but I don't think they are lossless as it is only available thru hdmi.
As far as the remote control, look on ebay for any wireless remote usb "thing" and you will find lots that are available for $20 or so, Plug in the usb dongle and type or poke away. The "remote" I have is a full keyboard with roller ball and arrow, etc so I am basically "sitting at / on your computer" 15 feet away controlling what ever windows media center wants to do... in my case... you could use any other media center / player you want.
Edited by budwich - 2/12/13 at 9:09am

Ok, so you have a plan to get the PC display to your TV and sound to your AVR. All you need is a wireless keyboard/mouse like the logitech I mentioned and you're done. But I see that you really want to use a laptop instead of a simple wireless keyboard/mouse. In that case just use remote desktop to control your main PC (it's a program built into windows). If you don't have windows or the version with remote desktop, there are many remote desktop applications like VNC, for example. This doesn't change the audio/video connections at all, so you'll still get audio. You don't even need video, since you'll have your desktop display on your laptop.

Ok, so you don't have a way to get video from your PC to your TV. Seems like you've entertained some expensive options for audio/video from PC to AVR. I still think a proper video and/or audio card will solve your problem cheaply and easily, far cheaper than that $200 USB/coax thing.

1. Apple TV requires no subscription as far as I know. Since you don't want apple, how about a Dune HD player? I think it will do everything you asked.
2. Doesn't have to be logitech, but they make some good, inexpensive options.
3. Correct. Keep in mind that Dongle is functionally equivalent to wireless keyboard and/or mouse or IR remote.
4. I was assuming that even during remote sessions, audio/video would still go from main PC to Marantz the same way it would in options 2 and 3. No connection to your laptop required. That's how it works on my system.

I personally think it would be inconvenient to have to use a laptop and remote desktop every time I wanted to play some music, so if it were my system, I'd explore option 1 first, and 2 or 3 second.

I realize you use an ethernet connection today. You can continue doing that if you like. But the only way to get audio/video is to make some sort of audio/video connection. So I'll repeat: Get a video card with HDMI. This will allow to connect your PC audio and video to your Marantz with one cable, very cheaply and simply. I even posted to a link to a specific model. This will display your desktop. You can then control it by any method you want (wireless keyboard/mouse, remote desktop from a laptop, a long stick, whatever).

HDMI is full bandwidth and all digital, so should easily handle any audio and video and give you full HD. If you need other details about the capabilities of your receiver, probably best to ask in the audio forum because I have no idea.

It's very low risk to just get a decent video card and try it. The cost is insignificant compared to your receiver.