[mythtv-users] remote vs wireless keyboard vs mythdroid vs mythmote please share your experience

[Joey Morris]

Rob Verduijn <rob.verduijn at gmail.com> wrote on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 09:55:59PM +0200:
> After digging through the mentioned devices reviews about them and
> nosing through the brands websites I found the following device from
> loftek:
> 
> It seems they have a very interesting device namely the "Rii mini i6"
> http://www.loftek.us/product_view.asp?Categoryid=43&id=202
> 
> Being a infrared remote and a wireless 2.4ghz keyboard with touchpad
> in one makes it a very interesting choice to me.
> Even though I do not look forward to the pains of creating a new
> lircrc keyboard map, it does sound very promising.

You shouldn't need LIRC for the keyboard side. I don't have this
remote, but I'd assume it will be detected as just another keyboard.
You will likely need LIRC for the back side of the remote (the
learning IR part), although see recent posts where some here suggest
bypassing LIRC altogether for IR devices:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/511144

> It solves the problem of the missing keyboard and does not force me to
> keep a second device next to me on the couch.
> The need for just one remote was one of the big selling points that
> convinced the misses to allow me to install mythtv as our main media
> centre in the living room.
> Like me she was also really getting annoyed by the ever growing pile of remotes.

For doing things like pause, play, skip forward, menu navigation, etc.
(basically anything other than typing text and controlling the mouse),
I find a standard remote MUCH easier to use than devices like this. I
keep both around. Maybe you'll like the mini-keyboard just fine for
both sets of tasks, but I wouldn't toss out your other remote yet.

> It's not bulky, functions as a remote, includes a keyboard, has
> tactile so you can use it without having to look where you need to put
> your fingers.

While it will be better than a smartphone in terms of using it without
looking at it, a standard remote is still much more convenient in this
respect. This just has too many keys that are all the same shape
aligned in a grid.

If you do want to try out this style, you should also consider the
iPazzPort version that's been mentioned a couple of times on this list
(the kp-810-18r or the kp-810-16). One thing I like better about the
iPazzPort's keyboard is that it has Alt, Ctrl, and Shift keys on the
right side, which the Rii Mini i6 lacks. When you're thumb-typing, the
ability to access those keys with either hand is helpful.