Remote keyboard button

There are a number of USB connected IR remote control that are intended for 'media centre' uses.

e.g. Speed-Link SL-6399 Media Centre Remote Controller

You can get remote controls for HTPC (i.e. they look like a TV or PVR remote) that work on 2.4GHz to a USB dongle, provided you haven't got too much WiFi you might find one rated for 20m range, or you could use longish USB cables to get the receiver closer to you.

This query should give suitable results

I'm pretty sure Windows with Media Centre has the code to do this, as my old Targa desktop Media version (XP) has a wireless remote control that selects, starts, stops and pauses video and audio playback and can control the terrestrial/satellite TV card. However the remote isn't very powerful and wouldn't do 20m range. One metre is more like it. It has a dongle that plugs into a USB port and I think its works on 27 MHz like the old generation cordless phones (??). The dongle might be extendable with a USB cable.

rusty

Something like

You can use a Wiimote.

A complex arrangement of pulleys and wire going up the stairs, activating a small hammer on a pivot at the far end which will press a key on the media PC's own keyboard when the wire is tugged?

(sorry, all the right answers were already taken ;-)

cheers

Jules

googling on my own Targa PC's remote ( 5+ years old) shows its ATi system is available independently (in the USA) with a TV card.

No, that must be incorrect as there must be a better answer involving one or more of the following:

gaffer tape, WD40, angle grinder

In message , The Other Mike writes

Plus a spot of superglue?

No, talk to someone who maintains traditional pipe organs and they'll build you a pneumatic system with thin lead pipes [as used for remote consoles in pre-electric days]

Through walls to another room?

MBQ

Through walls to another room?

MBQ

Bluetooth works through walls.

I frequently do bowling from the kitchen when I pop out to make tea. You can use it for any game that doesn't use the sensor bar.

nicknoxx :

Is this small enough?

Thanks for all the replys. In the end, because I've just got a new Android phone, I installed Gmote and used that. It connects to a Gmote server on the, er, server and will allow you to play video or music on a remote machine. It stays connected when the phone's on standby and starts up really fast and I didn't need to install any new wires. Result!