Wireless Fun: Part 2: Keyboard/Mouse!

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:29 pm

Having 720 gb of wirelessly accessible online content at ~80 Mbps in front of a 32" hdtv running at 1024x768x32 is a beautiful thing.

Now, how about wireless keyboard / mouse recommendations

Notes:

Router = DGL-4300
Access Point (configured as a wireless client) = DWL-2100 AP
Configured flawlessly with WPA-PSK, Super G (tm) with static turbo, etc

To Do:

Acquire wireless keyboard/mouse
Hook up switch to downstairs AP to see if I can hook up multiple computers
Figure out way to boost audio signal
("quiet" videos require boosting the HDTV's volume, which can introduce undesirable noise)
Removing the rising horizontal distortions
(perhaps it's svideo cable inteference)
(I notice two at a time, they always move up the screen)

Post by **Jonathan** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:10 pm

Heh, I've got 720 GB of wirelessly accessible content... of your mom!

I've never used a wireless keyboard. My recommendation for a wireless mouse is LogicTech, optical, and rechargeable. Mine is not rechargeable, and I have to insert new batteries every couple months.

bob · Post by **bob** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:20 pm

The rising lines on the tv could be refresh rate. Depending on exactly what your drivers allow, you may be able to fiddle with the refresh rate quite accurately (59.9, 60.0, 60.1) and see what happens. Or it could just be plain old interference like you mentioned. Is your svideo cable shielded? Check if you can affect the lines by touching the cable with your hand or a piece of metal, or by wrapping it in foil. There's also the possibility of RF interference going on inside the computer's case, but I'm not sure how often that happens.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:45 pm

I don't think it's the cable, since I use a Monster Cable v3

http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=231

I'll fiddle with the refresh rate if I'm unlazy enough (multires is a good app for it iirc).

As for inside the case, unless it's with the svideo port itself, wouldn't that also affect my vga out, which is crystal clear?

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:53 pm

Update:

Most wireless keyboards seem to suck

If someone can find an RF wireless rechargeable keyboard with the following layout ( image ), it'd be greatly appreciated. Apparently, the 2x3 (rowcol) insert/home/etc key format is mostly phased out. Also, diamond arrow keys are EVIL.

Just fyi, that's an image of a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro, which I currently use, and is still $70+.
There are lots of wireless mice

...although it's annoying to tell which are rechargeable or not. Logitech seems to be the safe bet here; more narrowing needs to be done.
Wireless remotes sound interesting

...particularly the iMon. It's still an option, but the ability to type / browse the web is also an issue.

Here's newegg's digital media remote category.

quantus · Post by **quantus** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:54 pm

Since you want a wireless keyboard AND mouse, I don't think rechargeable is an option... I've never seen a keyboard that recharged.

I think Vinny is just a walking chunk of RF interference. The best way to test this is to walk out of the room so that there's a wall between you and tv and see if there are still lines. Peaking around the wall invalidates this test.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:58 pm

Eventually I should get an HDTV with an HDMI connector. I think the svideo interface is a severe bottleneck for me :/

Alternatively, anyone know of a good component cable setup for an HTPC? My DVD player through component is downright gorgeous.

Here's quick googled summary for those that don't know the difference between component, svideo and composite cables ( link ).

Edit:
Nevermind, apparently my incoming BFG GeForce 7800 GT OC 256 MB has onboard VIVO for composite, S-Video, and component video output. Too bad that won't be in the HTPC ._.

George · Post by **George** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:38 pm

Hah! I spit on your svideo. DVI (and HDMI) is like looking into the face of GOD! Although God's face tends to have rainbows when He moves due to a mediocre color wheel. But at least the entire screen no longer turns red when I bump my desk.

No one sells rechargeable keyboards because you just don't need them. A wireless keyboard only draws power when you actually press a key, and they can run a year or more on a single battery. If you're worried, you could buy a standard rechargeable battery (or two, but most keyboards only need one) and charge it in an external charger.

The mouse is another story. I wouldn't buy another non-rechargable mouse. I bought a no-name wireless keyboard/mouse pair (made by a case-maker as I recall) from Directron. They worked ok, but the mouse was dead after just over two months. The claims of "some users may get six months" refer to people who go on vacation during those six months. In theory, you could use an external charged battery here too, but standard rechargable batterys tend to last less time between charges and require more care as far as cycling the charge.

Remotes are almost by definition wireless. My parents' first camcorder/VCR (circa 1985) had a "remote" that had a long cable you plugged into the VCR. That isn't real common anymore... The only thing I would say about PC remotes is make absolutely sure it has a mode where it acts as a mouse. That way, even if you don't go through the incredible headaches of programming every hot-key for every app, you can still use just about anything. My new TV tuner came with a remote which doesn't offer that. I haven't touched it since I found that out.

George · Post by **George** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:01 pm

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050901/15289.html?.v=1
Logitech to sell cheaper Harmony. Go buy one--or two or ten. Buy enough to boost my Logitech stock's value.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:12 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the harmony is a fancy remote control without a receiver.

It's designed to control components with existing receivers. How would that work with my HTPC?

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:13 pm

FYI, here's a more useful link, although it still lacks a lot of detail:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ ... NTID=10929

George · Post by **George** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:32 pm

Damn, you might be right. For some reason I thought it functioned as a PC remote control, too. Or rather that the original one did.

Ah, here it is:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ ... ,CRID=2079

The Harmony Remote has access to the largest online database of devices. This means that it will support all brands of Televisions, Projectors, Monitors, Amplifiers, Stereo Receivers, Audio/Video Switches, Channel Decoders, Cable Boxes, Satellites, Digital Set Top Boxes, Video Recorders, VCRs, PVRs, TV/VCR Combos, DVDs, DVD Recorders, Laserdisc Players, DVD/VCR Combos, CD Players, CD Jukeboxes, Digital Music Servers, Game Consoles, Mini Systems, Computers, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, Laptops, Tape Decks, Light Controllers, Minidisc Players, DATs and more! There is even a specific activity for the Harmony Remote that integrates your Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition PC with your entire entertainment system.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:51 pm

The wording there implies the PC already has an IR receiver.

My HTPC doesn't have an IR receiver
My HTPC doesn't have an RF receiver
I prefer RF to IR

I'm probably being too picky... seems a wireless keyboard/mouse is the way to go.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:01 pm

THG: SoundGraph IMON Knob/VFD ( Review )

The Knob seems especially tempting, especially with the silly 5.25" covers my SFF uses. I might just give into the IR flaw...

ps. I'm still in shock over the Dell 2405FPW in my room o.o

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:07 pm

Here's the official SoundGraph product page ( link )