Remote that can switch between programs?

Put all these apps in order on the task bar and program the Win +1, Win +2, etc commands int a Harmony remote with Media Center SE device.

The Media Center SE Device is a device (like AVR and TV) in the Harmony remote programming software that controls a Media Center PC which is Microsoft's term for Home Theater PC.

Don't use the Harmony Touch unless you want to be constantly looking down at the touch screen rather than at your TV. If you go that route you might as well get a remote control app for your smart phone or tablet (assuming you have those).

Get one with buttons like the One or the 900 or even the 650 or 300.

I don't use anything but the ceton MyMediaCenter app which is basically for WindowsMediaCenter and AVR Remote for my Denon AVR.

There's other apps but IDK which is best. I like a remote with tactile buttons over touch screen apps for control of playback myself.

I'm pretty sure you just described HippoRemote. I have a couple of pages per profile with customizable layouts and commands (screen shots HERE). Many profiles have already been created. HERE's a sample. Just make keyboard shortcuts for your programs and assign them to buttons in Hippo.

I just added a button called task switch that sends alt+tab, and it works just fine for that purpose.

Mine does that but not each time.. Maybe the first time per session of WMC but after that it just jumps to Media Browser as this is what I use this for.

Another option is using a program like Eventghost. Hit the buttons that you want to map to xbmc, mce etc. and then set those buttons within Eventghost to open the desired program. This is how I do exactly what you are talking about.

I'm no expert on event ghost, but I think it works with IR primarily. Hippo isn't IR. If 2 euros is a deal breaker, then you should probably keep looking for a free solution, no matter how complex and time consuming.

...I skipped over the post where you said you are looking for an Iphone app now, my bad.

I use Eventghost with a ir remote. I have no idea if it works with an Iphone.

Pro version does profiles and all the rest, which I find very useful. I've never tried the basic version. So I can't help you there.

I've used mobile mouse as well. It's very cool and slicker than Hippo in some ways. However, there are times when it will go completely out to lunch, so it was never reliable enough for me. For example, you will lose control on certain system level pop-ups (UAC related ones) and on the windows login screen. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, you have to plug in a real keyboard or do a hard reboot to recover. Hippo has no problems in those cases. If you can live with that, mobile mouse has a really cool feature which is air mouse mode, where you simply point your phone to move the cursor, like a Wii-mote or gyration mouse. I never got the hang of it, but some people like it.

You may also run across logitech's free mouse app. It's the worst of the lot, so don't waste your time.

I use 'Unified Remote' on an Android phone. The mouse functionality is particularly good and the choice of remotes is very impressive XBMC; MPC-HC, JRiver, Netflix etc etc etc

If you can perform those functions with keystrokes, they can also be done with Hippo. I don't know how to automatically call screen changes, but the profile authoring is well documented on the site. I do know that it works the other way around, meaning, if you pick a profile it will launch the associated app on your PC. For example, if I pick the WMC profile, it will switch to the WMC pad and also launch (or switch to) media center on my PC. You can customize the bottom row somewhat, but I don't remember the limitations.

I use an IR remote 99% of the time and don't use XBMC at all. I only use Hippo on rare occasions for a keyboard/mouse, web browsing, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Daum Player. I've never attempted the advanced functionality your asking about, so those are the limits of my knowledge on the subject. You may want to start a new thread or post where the nuts and bolts of Hippo and XBMC are discussed. Or if you think you'll find Hippo at all useful, just buy it and start experimenting. That's what I did.

I don't think there is an iOS version of 'unified remote' mentioned earlier.

Here are the current XBMC screens. You can add whatever you like to them.




Edited by mdavej - 2/21/13 at 11:35am

I can't imagine doing without my Harmony One remotes. I just wish they were cheaper.

I agree that universal remotes are indispensable in a home theater. I probably haven't used an OEM remote in at least 10 years. I don't use harmony anymore (I use JP1 and Xsight due to better programming capabilities and lower price), but there are many cheaper alternatives to the One. If you don't have more than 5 or 6 devices then the 600, 650 and 700 work pretty much the same as the One and are much lower cost. Refurbs work just as well and are even cheaper. Older models like the 880, 550 and 360 are even better IMO. I'm just not sure what the future holds for the entire Harmony product line now that Logitech is dumping it. So there is some risk in buying a harmony right now.

The XSight ins't cheap, or at least not where I looked.

Not any more. But back when they were still being made, I got a couple of used Xsight Touches for $40 each and a couple of Xsight Pluses for $25 each. Those are comparable to the Harmony 900 and 650 respectively. Anyway, I was mostly referring to JP1 remotes when I said cheap. They typically run $3-$20. I wouldn't recommend Xsight to anyone today because they are almost impossible to find in the US except on ebay now and then. I do recommend JP1 because they are very cheap and far more programmable than harmony (conditional branching, nested subroutines, unlimited devices, very fast macros, custom protocols, pronto hex import, etc.). The biggest drawback is most have no LCD display for extra functions. All functions must go on physical buttons. But you can put 5 functions per buttons (short press, long press, shifted, double shifted, and double press). The problem is remembering where you put everything.

EDIT: It looks like a few sellers have come out of the woodwork and you can buy Xsight again. Even at $190 the Touch is a bargain compared to the 900.
Edited by mdavej - 2/22/13 at 8:19am