Which is better? [Archive] - boxee

jaysue

January 11th, 2012, 02:10 AM

I'm looking to get a wireless remote for my Boxee Box and was wondering which would be better? or maybe another suggestion, i'm looking or a remote with a trackpad.

http://www.amazon.com/FAVI-Entertainment-Wireless-Keyboard-TouchPad/dp/B003UE52ME/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326268839&sr=8-2

or

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-Touchpad-Remote-Black/dp/B005MN7DPK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

jasmeet_9sb

January 11th, 2012, 01:09 PM

Currently I'm using Lenovo N5902 and I'm pretty satisfied with it :) I mainly use it in browser or youtube app in dimmed lights with baclit keyboard and trackpad for cursor moves . See the link in my signature for further info..

neveroffline

January 11th, 2012, 08:02 PM

The original Rii your first link works great and many people here have it.

The new Rii your second link I have not tried, but it does have the added IR functionality (few $ more) so you could link it to your TV, etc. - which you could use for volume if you use the TV for that.

I have not tried the Lenovo, but if he says it works, I'm sure it does however for $80 USD I'd try to avoid that as it's pricey. I'm sure you can find it cheaper if you look around though.

jasmeet_9sb

January 11th, 2012, 11:23 PM

Yeah you might find Lenovo cheaper somewhere, as few months back Lenovo online store was selling it for jus $35 :)

yoos

January 12th, 2012, 09:16 AM

You can find deals for N5902 on fatwallet.com all the time for like $35 or so... I actually received one a few days ago and did NOT like it AT ALL. I have the original rii you have linked and like it wayyyy better. For me the N5902 cursor moves way too slow with the boxee box and there's no way to change the dpi so it moves better. The method of movement too moving your thumb over that circle didn't seem very responsive for me. I actually sent it back for a refund already. The original rii you have linked has different dpi settings so the mouse cursor will move faster if you want. The trackpad wasn't as responsive on the rii as a laptop, but still good. I actually gave that rii away as a gift and just yesterday received the newer "Rii Touch N7 2.4GHz Mini Keyboard" which I bought on amazon. I like this too. Changing the dpi is a bit different and it seems like it only has 2 dpi settings where your linked rii has 3, so it's not AS configurable in that way, but I like it. The E button in the center takes you back to the boxee home screen right away no matter where you are, which is a neat bonus. Both rii's light up really well for use in a dark room....

Oh, one more thing on the Lenovo N5902... If you use it on a non boxee box (boxee on a PC or a mac) I guess you can change the dpi on the computer so that's why some people probably like it and are cool with it. I don't see how anyone would like it on the boxee box as the cursor moves such as small distance (slow) unless they don't experience it or understand how it can work when it moves faster...

I guess I can't really say I'd prefer your linked rii vs my new rii... I think they are both very good... Maybe one more thing actually. In boxee 1.5 it seems they took the mouse controls away in boxee as a whole!! That is, the cursor works in the browser, but not everywhere else in boxee... Because of this, you can't click the mouse button on the remote to select something. Due to this it seems your linked rii might be better because you can move the cursor on the trackpad and the enter key is right next to it making it easy to click it after navigating on the pad. With my new N7 rii the enter is on the very right away from the trackpad in the middle...

yoos

January 12th, 2012, 09:19 AM

Here's a direct link to my new rii I got:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050GJ9ZQ/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

I bought that from Fantasia Trading on amazon, but it looks like they aren't listed as a seller atm. It arrived very quickly after ordering, but it was $37 and it looks like it's now $30!

For the original FAVI rii I got it from the exact same link you posted.

yoos

January 12th, 2012, 09:20 AM

I'd be really interested to hear anyone's input on actually using the "Rii Mini I6 2.4G " on a boxee box.

yoos

January 12th, 2012, 09:30 AM

Oh yea, if you have an iphone there's a free boxee remote app too, which is actually VERY cool The only issue is the lowercase "l" doesn't work, but you can enter an uppercase one where necessary. The navigation with it is very nice though.

jaysue

January 12th, 2012, 11:00 PM

jasmeet_9sb

January 13th, 2012, 11:46 AM

@jaysue you must have the older version N5901 (http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-74153) with trackball, which doesn't have backlit keyboard, but the N5902 (http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=PD021461) has full backlight on keyboard :D

yoos

January 13th, 2012, 12:46 PM

I had the Lenovo but it didn't have back lit keys. it was OK but awkward to hold.
can you use the keys right below the track pad to navigate the Boxee home screen? I heard also you couldn't power on the Boxee with the Rii, but can you push a button on Rii if the Boxee is in sleep mode?

I never tried to power on the boxee with the Rii actually.... If I remember tonight when I'm home I'll try it. I'm guessing no because the box needs to be on already for the wireless keyboard to connect with the usb connector it uses, which is attached to the boxee and doesn't have power until the boxee is on.

If it's in sleep mode it will come out with the rii.

You can use that little arrow pad with arrows pointing up/down/left/right to navigate just as you do with the up/down/left/right on the boxee. In versions 1.22 and lower you can use the right/left mouse button also to select, which is conveniently located next to the arrow pad, however in boxee 1.5 it seems they don't have mouse controls (except in the browser) so you'll have to use the enter key to select something in boxee, which is fairly close to the arrow pad on this rii, so that's cool.... On my new N7 rii the enter key is much farther away from the arrow pad.

jorgealarcon

January 22nd, 2012, 02:25 PM

I think the first one is better. Trust me. You won't regret getting it. http://www.amazon.com is a good site to order from.

dj72

February 1st, 2012, 06:59 AM

When buying a 3rd party remote, how do you link/connect it to the BB, and how do you know what remotes are compatible? What technical specs should I be looking for?

jasmeet_9sb

February 1st, 2012, 11:39 AM

All you should be looking in a third party remote is it should be Plug n Play i.e. it shouldn't need any drivers to be installed to work ,as you can't install any drivers on BB !!

dj72

February 2nd, 2012, 01:41 AM

All you should be looking in a third party remote is it should be Plug n Play i.e. it shouldn't need any drivers to be installed to work ,as you can't install any drivers on BB !!

Ok, so BB specific remotes only then, if I understand you correctly?
(I.e. it should say "Boxee remote" in the tech specs?)

edit: ..or are we talking about wifi type remotes (similar to bb-app on iphone)?

jasmeet_9sb

February 2nd, 2012, 10:49 AM

No that doesn't mean BB specific remotes only. Plug n Play means it shouldn't need any drivers installation to work. We're talking about wireless remotes/keyboards i.e. that remote/keyboard will come with a USB receiver/dongle which you'd need to plug in into the USB port of BB. Look at this video of lenovo N5902 http://goo.gl/s0ZBO .

dj72

February 2nd, 2012, 11:47 AM

Ahh, sorry, I had no idea the BB had a universal fit with keyboards.
Very interesting... I especially miss back light in the stock remote since I'm using my BB in the bedroom.

Zraxius

October 22nd, 2012, 12:48 AM

everyone: It has been a few months since this thread's was started....has anyone found any better remotes in the meantime?

jasmeet: Are you still using the Lenovo N5902? Does the cursor move slowly for you when using the trackpad in the browser? You seemed to enjoy your Lenovo, did you have a way around this issue?(if you noticed any issue at all of course)

I really like the idea of having a BB remote with single handed controls for browsing the menu's, but not having to flip the remote over when I have to type something.

jamisonlee31

November 11th, 2012, 12:50 AM

I like the first one better. Did you buy it already? What are your views about the remote? I am also thinking of buying one.

gmd024

November 11th, 2012, 06:29 AM

I like the first one better. Did you buy it already? What are your views about the remote? I am also thinking of buying one.

People tend to have personal preferences with the remotes that are supported on the BBox

I have/had 2 N5901's, I gave one away and I don't remember the last time I've used the 2nd one... it's actually plugged into an HTPC in a room that's not used much, but the Lenovo does function fine on the BBox

I also have a Rii which works fine on the BBox - I actually use this remote the few times that I use the Raspberry Pi with OpenELEC

I have found over the last 2 years I've been using both of my BBoxes, that I use their Boxee Remotes exclusively (even in the dark) -- 99% of the time I'm using the 3 keys at the bottom/right side of the remote's keyboard side (in the bottom 2 rows of keys)

But again, as a personal choice between the Lenovo and the Rii... I'd choose the Rii

farrellygabrielle

December 2nd, 2012, 11:59 PM

The had the second one for a good price. I think you better get that.

williamhbaudinet

March 15th, 2013, 11:09 PM

I hate a lot of control buttons so I would have to go with this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-Touchpad-Remote-Black/dp/B005MN7DPK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

My friend got this and I am getting one like it too. :)

gmd024

March 16th, 2013, 08:23 AM

There's quite a few to choose from now a days...

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=rii+remote&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=25426955231&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1250802397173845931&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_6c19x6af8e_b

lucaspcatalan

June 2nd, 2013, 01:11 AM