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"Simple" interface for launching XBMC and NetFlix on Windows 8?

3K views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  politby 
#1 ·
Good day. I have an AppleTV2 which I use for NetFlix and XMBC (to play media off of my NAS). I do not have Cable TV. I love the simplicity of the Apple TV and the Apple TV remote. My friends and family are all familiar with how to use it.


I recently bought a Windows 8 PC that I would like to replace the AppleTV with so that I can do some PC gaming on the TV as well. However, I want to keep it just as SIMPLE as the AppleTV interface for my guests.


Here's what I am envisioning:


-A simple remote with very few buttons, as close to the AppleTV remote as possible. This would be used for all media playback

-A "launcher" running in Windows 8 that shows 2 options only - NetFlix Windows application, and XBMC. When quitting either Netflix or XBMC with the remote, you'd be back into the launcher, not the full Windows interface

-When I want to use the full Windows, I would just quit that interface and use my Logitech K400 wireless keyboard with touchpad


Any recommendations on how to set something like this up? Is there a launcher this simple for Windows 8? Is there a good simple remote you folks recommend?


Thank you!
 
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#3 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thrillho  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8#post_24624786


With win8 and it's Modern UI (Metro). You can remove all tiles except the XBMC and Netflix app. This interface is controllable with the remote, unfortunately the Netflix app for win8 is not and requires the Keyboard/Mouse.

Cool - I'll try that. Maybe creating a new user account with just those apps would work well too. To be more specific, I do NOT want to use the actual AppleTV remote as I will be selling that with the AppleTV. I am looking to buy a new simple remote of some sort and am open to any options - wifi, bluetooth, RF, or proprietary wireless - as long as it's easy to use. If it also shoots infrared to power on my TV and control the volume, that's a bonus, but not necessary.
 
#4 ·
I think the point is any remote is going to be of little or no use in Metro. You need to stick with desktop apps if you want to use a remote. As for universal remotes, I personally use the Xsight Touch ($40 on ebay). It's 18 device, touchscreen, RF, favorites with icons, fully programmable via PC/Mac/Linux. Far better than any Harmony I've ever used. You'll need an IR dongle for your PC of course. If you'd rather something phone based, check out iRule or Hippo Remote. Something with keyboard/mouse functionality is required for getting around in Metro.
 
#6 ·
Two general ways to accomplish
  1. Install chrome and watch netflix once (may go through silverlight installation) then setup and use NetfliXBMC (which you can easily make a main menu item for xbmc) http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=178693
  2. If you have a new smart tv with a nice netflix app (Vizio m series, etc) then you can use the pulse eight USB CEC adapter - this will let you use the TV remote to control XBMC which should also already control the TVs netflix app
 
#8 ·
Also keep in mind Metro Netflix is 1080p, but silverlight Netflix is only 720p. So you can't win. That's why many of us use a stand-alone streaming box like a Roku or BD player for that kind of thing. Metro is simply not keyboard friendly enough to be a good solution.
 
#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8#post_24625323


Also keep in mind Metro Netflix is 1080p, but silverlight Netflix is only 720p. So you can't win. That's why many of us use a stand-alone streaming box like a Roku or BD player for that kind of thing. Metro is simply not keyboard friendly enough to be a good solution.

yup, not to mention you won't be getting surround sound if you use Netflix through a browser. Personally I'd use Eventghost to do mouse emulation with your remote and use the Metro Netflix app so you get the best quality picture and sound.
 
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bennynihon  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8/0_100#post_24635581


yup, not to mention you won't be getting surround sound if you use Netflix through a browser

Has anyone ever compared this? They do so much video compression, I can't imagine the surround audio from netflix would really be much better than PLIIx or whatever your receiver normally uses to "remix" surround from stereo



Also, if you go the event ghost route, can you specify it to only override arrow keys within Netflix metro? It would be quite a pain for arrow keys to become mouse strokes in MB3 or XBMC
 
#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bennynihon  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8/0_100#post_24635581


yup, not to mention you won't be getting surround sound if you use Netflix through a browser. Personally I'd use Eventghost to do mouse emulation with your remote and use the Metro Netflix app so you get the best quality picture and sound.
Eventghost for mouse emulation? Don't MCE and Ortek already have full mouse functionality (see the pad and mouse buttons on the remote below)? In any case, mousing around on a remote is brutal. I still prefer the no PC, no Metro option. If I did use a PC, I'd use a mouse app on a phone or my K400.

 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8/0_100#post_24635679


Has anyone ever compared this? They do so much video compression, I can't imagine the surround audio from netflix would really be much better than PLIIx or whatever your receiver normally uses to "remix" surround from stereo
I think the video and audio quality on Netflix is excellent, far better than fake surround.
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8#post_24635679


Has anyone ever compared this? They do so much video compression, I can't imagine the surround audio from netflix would really be much better than PLIIx or whatever your receiver normally uses to "remix" surround from stereo



Also, if you go the event ghost route, can you specify it to only override arrow keys within Netflix metro? It would be quite a pain for arrow keys to become mouse strokes in MB3 or XBMC

yes, you can have it customized per app. It's a very powerful program, though with a bit of a learning curve.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8#post_24635687


Eventghost for mouse emulation? Don't MCE and Ortek already have full mouse functionality (see the pad and mouse buttons on the remote below)? In any case, mousing around on a remote is brutal. I still prefer the no PC, no Metro option. If I did use a PC, I'd use a mouse app on a phone or my K400.


Just a suggestion for those using a standard remote or one without mouse capabilities built-in. Personally I have an air-mouse type remote so I wave it around much like a Wiimote if I need to control the PC with a mouse, but I obviously like to avoid that as much as possible. Using a mouse app on a phone or a tablet is a good idea too.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bennynihon  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8/0_100#post_24636382


Just a suggestion for those using a standard remote or one without mouse capabilities built-in. Personally I have an air-mouse type remote so I wave it around much like a Wiimote if I need to control the PC with a mouse, but I obviously like to avoid that as much as possible. Using a mouse app on a phone or a tablet is a good idea too.
My point was, anybody using an IR dongle to control their HTPC already has mouse commands available, even if they aren't on the cheap little remote that came with the dongle.


I had a gyration for a bit, many years ago. I also used Mobile Mouse, an app exactly like a gyration. I've used a Wiimote too. Never got the hang of any of them. They all have the same lack of precision that the little pad on the remote I posted has. My universal remote does everything, but the mouse part is just too awkward for me, as is an air mouse. I can be extremely quick and precise with a touch pad.


Having said all of that, using any of the above is the last thing I want to do when watching TV. If I can't do what I need using just arrow keys (not mouse movements), then I'm not going to bother. I'm set up so that I can control all my media without a keyboard or mouse.
 
#15 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8#post_24625323


Also keep in mind Metro Netflix is 1080p, but silverlight Netflix is only 720p. So you can't win. That's why many of us use a stand-alone streaming box like a Roku or BD player for that kind of thing. Metro is simply not keyboard friendly enough to be a good solution.

This post pretty much sums it up.

Netflix on a PC just isnt very wife friendly.

The best solution in my opinion is the PC running XBMC and a seperate box like a Roku for netflix and many other streaming sites. Then get an inexpensive Harmony remote such as

the 650 and set up 2 activities, Watch XBMC and Watch Netflix.

This makes it very simple for anyone to just pick up the remote and watch what they want.
 
#16 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer  /t/1528074/simple-interface-for-launching-xbmc-and-netflix-on-windows-8/0_100#post_24625080


[*] If you have a new smart tv with a nice netflix app (Vizio m series, etc) then you can use the pulse eight USB CEC adapter - this will let you use the TV remote to control XBMC which should also already control the TVs netflix app

[/LIST]

I do it this way, fwiw. I like the m701d's netflix interface, and it supports 1080. Also the tv remote uses wifi direct and has a backlight. USB-CEC through the adapter is hit or miss on some TVs, but it works well for basic front-end control of XBMC. Most problems with CEC are from people unhappy with "power-sync" which I have turned off, because the m701d is connected to my server/htpc
 
#18 ·
Thanks for the suggestions. I just spoke to NetFlix about remote support. They may add support for remotes in the Windows 8 NetFlix app if they get enough requests. How many, I don't know, but it was suggested that I get as many people as I can to suggest this, and they may make it happen. So take a moment to request this support!
 
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