• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Keyboard Recommendations.

M

Magnin

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 14, 2001
Messages
191
Just built a MediaPC and now have to find a keyboard/mouse combo to use.

This is JUST for playing media, no gaming.
I'd prefer something small w/ integrated Trackball or trackpad.
Must be wireless and have a very reliable range of >10ft and a good battery life.

Thanks for any recommendations.
 
The lenovo keyboard is nice. Bought mine for $20 through the Lenovo store when they had a sale on them. Haven't seen it as low as $20 since I purchased mine but they constantly go on sale for < $30. I also have a Dinovo mini which I like just a tad better than the Lenovo one but they cost $100+.
 
So I'm needing a keyboard as well...

Can we list out all of them? Also, do they all have right mouse-click capability?

Logitech diNnovo Mini
Lenovo
IOGear
 
I wanted an all in one (Mouse+KB) unit but settled on separate devices. I have a Logitech G7 laying around, and then bought an HP Elite kb. Thing is spill resistant, VERY slim, and has good range (10+ ft). Other than having to track down my mouse when the kid takes it, Ive been happy with this set up. only thing I would change is no 10-key on the kb.
 
So I've read a lot on the diNovo Mini and there's a lot of folks that say the button suck - particularly the arrow buttons. Anyobdy own one? Also does it have left/right mouse buttons?
 
Dinovo mini does have left/right mouse buttons but not in the conventional form. The trackpad doubles as arrows. You change its functionality with switch on the keyboard. When in trackpad mode the right click is pressing down on the trackpad and left click is hitting fn and a key all the way to the top left of the keyboard.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
The Logitech Dinovo Mini is a nice keyboard, has backlit keys, trackpad, and arrow keys that can be switched on, on the fly. It's small and the cover for it is kinda nice. I will say, trying to drag and drop files on the desktop can be annoying with it, but it's entirely possible.
 
I'll add my vote for the iogear keyboard / mouse combo. It's been great for my setup and easy to type on as well.
 
The Lenovo linked is OK until you turn off the lights, and then it's pretty much worthless. So you'll want to factor your viewing conditions into your decision.
 
I'm curious, why do any of you need a keyboard for your HTPCs? The most I need is a Gyration remote (which I got for $30 :) ). I have no need for a keyboard so I always find these threads confusing.
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I am using a combination of the Gyration Media Center Remote and the Microsoft ARC Keyboard:

gyration_air_music_remote.jpg

msarc_keyboard_front-thumb-550xauto-32389.jpg


I spilled water on the keyboard that the Gyration came with so I replaced it with the much better ARC.

mesasone said:
The Lenovo linked is OK until you turn off the lights, and then it's pretty much worthless. So you'll want to factor your viewing conditions into your decision.
Click to expand...

I purchased and promptly return the DiNovo Mini because the arrows on the touchpad were misaligned and difficult to press with even a medium sized thumb.
 
CrimandEvil said:
I'm curious, why do any of you need a keyboard for your HTPCs? The most I need is a Gyration remote (which I got for $30 :) ). I have no need for a keyboard so I always find these threads confusing.
Click to expand...

I can only speak for myself, but I use my HTPCs for a lot more than just viewing movies through WMC, XBMC or the like. If you're only going to watch ripped movies or Netflix you might as well get a WD Live and be done with it.
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Grimham said:
I can only speak for myself, but I use my HTPCs for a lot more than just viewing movies through WMC, XBMC or the like. If you're only going to watch ripped movies or Netflix you might as well get a WD Live and be done with it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, except for the fact that a WD Live or similar device is a pile of shit. I want to play all of my media, not 80-90% of it. As for using it for more then an HTPC I don't understand the reason because I'm ten feet from my TV and at that distance I have to lean forward and strain my eyes just to read anything in the default Windows enviroment. I'm not willing to get three feet or so from the TV just so I can be lazy and write an email. I've got a laptop, a rooted Nook and a desktop right next to me in the living room just to do any of those things.

That's why it's confusing to me. My HTPC is simple for my media and nothing else, it's a specialised system for that. I've got enough PCs for the other stuff.
 
How do you load the OS to your HTPC? Or change any settings in the BIOS? Set up remote desktop? Load drivers? Change your display settings so you can read your text easier?
Don't get me wrong, probably 80% of the time I don't need to touch the keyboard for what I'm doing (movies), but when I do need it, I'd like a nice cordless one. Once I've set up remote desktop I do most things from my main PC, but there are many times a local keyboard is faster and easier for me. As much as you are confused why I need a keyboard, I'm confused how you can get by without one. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
Grimham said:
How do you load the OS to your HTPC? Or change any settings in the BIOS? Set up remote desktop? Load drivers? Change your display settings so you can read your text easier?.
Click to expand...
All of that stuff I've setup before hand with a moniter, a properly configured HTPC doesn't need to have all of that stuff fiddled with all the time. That's how.
 
Spiffy577 said:
Has anyone used this one? It seems to have a sexier design and seems really functional (mouse button locations, scroll wheel, etc.) No back lighting though. Expensive too. But I may still get one.

http://ergogeek.com/max-geek-2.4-ghz-rf-wireless-keyboard-with-optical-trackball-mouse-usb.html
Click to expand...

I've got this one and like it a lot -- only problems I've had so far is that heavy WIFI (tx/rx) usage will interfere w/ the signal from the keyboard making it jerky at times (I switched the i3 htpc to a hard-wired connection), for longer distances (I'm @ 12ft. from keyboard to receiver) it seems that interference (i.e. hand covering the upper left top of the keyboard) can block the signal, and it doesn't work w/ bluetooth.

I'm looking for a BT keyboard that won't die w/ wifi usage, personally, as I need both for my e350 deluxe system.
 
CrimandEvil said:
Yeah, except for the fact that a WD Live or similar device is a pile of shit. I want to play all of my media, not 80-90% of it. As for using it for more then an HTPC I don't understand the reason because I'm ten feet from my TV and at that distance I have to lean forward and strain my eyes just to read anything in the default Windows enviroment. I'm not willing to get three feet or so from the TV just so I can be lazy and write an email. I've got a laptop, a rooted Nook and a desktop right next to me in the living room just to do any of those things.

That's why it's confusing to me. My HTPC is simple for my media and nothing else, it's a specialised system for that. I've got enough PCs for the other stuff.
Click to expand...

Good for you. I'm glad that's working out for you. Please be aware that other people may have different configurations.

I use my keyboard for basic system administration (updating drivers, installing software), as well as ensuring I end up with the proper folder name when I am ripping my BDs with MakeMKV. What's so confusing about that?
 
I've run into wanting it while typing URLs for video sites. I've also not installed XBMC/Boxee yet, so most of my viewing has been done with the web browser, or finding media files in my (well organized) directory structure. Between Amazon, Hulu, WB, YouTube, etc most of them I've accessed through a web browser. I was going to use Gmote on my phone, but ran into the issue that it didn't have an ESC key so I couldn't exit full-screen mode on videos and I had issues with it not starting properly on boot.

The Text size isn't that big of issue if you change the windows default setting (and your applications actually look at it, which can be annoying)

The Rii Mini looks TOO small.
The Gearhead looks about right.
The IO Gear was on my list.

After reading the reviews of the Gearhead on Amazon (bad build quality, lots of range issues), I'm going to go with the IOGear.
 
Yeah, except for the fact that a WD Live or similar device is a pile of shit. I want to play all of my media, not 80-90% of it. As for using it for more then an HTPC I don't understand the reason because I'm ten feet from my TV and at that distance I have to lean forward and strain my eyes just to read anything in the default Windows enviroment
Click to expand...

If you crank up your browsers zoom (I recommend IE9 for this because it doesn't forget like firefox) and crank up your DPI you should be able to see from 10 feet back - unless your screen is tiny.

WMC of course has big oversized fonts but I generally just use a browser. I like the functionality and special keys you get in Windows media center remote - (the back button is particularly useful) but I hate how they are RF. So the Logitech Mini is kinda tempting.. Kinda worried why it doesn't get 5 stars though.
 
This is the next thing I am looking for. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
 
I'm lovin' this cheap ass IOGear keyboard I got from NewEgg for like $29 - this thing seriously rocks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top