Media Center Hardware with Xp pro

[vanlierop.kevin]

I wanted to know if it was possible to use Keyboards and remotes that
are for Media Center PC's with the standard XP Professional.

I wanted to get a keyboard that has a built in trackball, and the one
that I found says it works only with a media center PC (with Windows
XP MCE installed), but I didnt know if this was either false, or if
there was a work around.


Also I would like to get a MCE remote to do the basic windows
funtions (On, OFF, volume, music etc.)


Any help would be appreciated.


Cheers


Kevin

 

[kenkcj]

The reason they say it only works with XP MCE is because MCE generally will
only come on computers designed with the hardware for support with Windows
Media Center edition. That being said, you may have to get some third party
software as well as some additional hardware i.e. an IR receiver as that is
whats installed in all Windows Media Center computers to allow communication
between the keyboard and the remote.
By the way, doesn't the MCE keyboard have a remote control function as well?
No need to buy a keyboard and remote control if the keyboard will perform
both functions.
Best of Luck.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

You can get most of the functionality by installing the media center ir
rollup on an xppro computer.

While the audio controls (vol/mute/play/pause/ff/rw/etc) work (and will
work with any wireless kb that has them as well) media computer specific
buttons such as media-start, tv, dvd, etc, will not work as there is no
connection for them on a non media computer.

Sleep will work, but there is no "power" button to kill your computer ;-)

In addition, media center remotes will then work with the computer as
well... ideal for things such as mute, pause, etc.

As for the "trackball" on the one I have it is an "eraser head" which is
usable, but not ideal. It will help a lot if you reduce the sensitivity
in the mouse settings... and help even more to learn keyboard shortcuts.

media center ir rollup ...requires wga verification.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f1-0ac9-433b-b488-4cab82f31dc8&DisplayLang=en>

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[vanlierop.kevin]

You can get most of the functionality by installing the media center ir
rollup on an xppro computer.

While the audio controls (vol/mute/play/pause/ff/rw/etc) work (and will
work with any wireless kb that has them as well) media computer specific
buttons such as media-start, tv, dvd, etc, will not work as there is no
connection for them on a non media computer.

Sleep will work, but there is no "power" button to kill your computer ;-)

In addition, media center remotes will then work with the computer as
well... ideal for things such as mute, pause, etc.

As for the "trackball" on the one I have it is an "eraser head" which is
usable, but not ideal. It will help a lot if you reduce the sensitivity
in the mouse settings... and help even more to learn keyboard shortcuts.

media center ir rollup ...requires wga verification.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b39d53f1-0ac...>

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Thank you both.

Beverly, thats what I read in another post (I believe a response from
you), I just wanted to make sure I got a straight answer to my
question.

So that answer is "YES".

The media center ir rollup should verify no problem eventhough I only
have XP pro? (Im assuming that microsoft just looks to see that
windows in genuine, and doesnt care so much as for the version of
windows?)

Im just looking for one piece of harware that has a mouse and keyboard
built together. I have seen 3rd party hardware, but Im a little
skeptical.
Im not looking to use the trackball/eraser head that is built in for
anything that requires detail or speficic clicking, just for quick
browsing and media functions.

Thanks for the help and any following help.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

So that answer is "YES". <<

yes

correct

The keyboard I am using here and using for reference is;

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=038

The eraser head is the black spot at the top right... (the silver square
below it is a cursor pad.) The mouse buttons are at the top left. To
save power, it's necessary to "press down" on the joystick, so, I
assumed it was non functional until I accidentally discovered the
press/move action.

The board is very well designed for handheld/lap use and the keys have a
backlight option.

Make sure the usb ir dongle is included with either the keyboard or the
handheld remote as "normal" ir ports such as found on most laptops don't
work with the media center ir.

Needing the ir dongle is not really a negative as it allows you to
position the receiver in front of you which is required for reliable
keyboard use.

One plus is that the keyboard _and_ the handheld remote can be used for
software presentations... just install the rollup on the presentation
computer and plug in the dongle... the handheld remote does most actions
such as cursor, enter, volume, pause, etc which generally suffices for
the control of most presentations once they start.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[vanlierop.kevin]

Beverly,

Thanks again.

Chances are this is exactly what Im looking for, just wanted to make
sure of everything before I make the purchase.

Cheers

Kevin