Remote with a illuminating qwerty keyboard and a less confusing remote design

[alkhemist91]

i find that having a qwerty keyboard really helps for typing in a media player like boxee but i often face with a typing problem when im watching tv in the dark.

i have my boxee in my room and often watch movies and shows with the lights off while im chilling on my bed (like a lot of people). i wish that d-link would make a remote control that is with the keyboard ILLUMINATING so i dont have to face the keyboard to the tv for light and finding myself typing in an awkward position.

so still watching in the dark: i dont always hold the remote while im watching (id just put it beside me) and the time where i wanna change the show or movie im watching, i tend to reach for the remote without looking at it and find myself holding it up-side-down most of the time. I CANT TELL which side im holding. most tv remote control i can tell if im holding it up-side-down. the shape of the boxee remote is too symmetrical from the top half to the bottom half. the only touch sensation to let me know is the boxee icon but it doesnt make a difference because it is way too small or flat and sometimes i am holding it in the middle, far away from the icon.

it a great product but im hoping d-link would make another remote that is illuminated and less confusing. and if they do i hope that they would sell it separately.

p.s. there is no keyboard on Iphone apps

[winedog]

Yeah, it can be tough to use in the dark.

Since the Boxee will recognized a keyboard being plugged into the USB port you can use a wireless keyboard. Some people are now using the Rii minikeyboards (make sure to get the one that comes with the USB wireless dongle, the bluetooth version won't work with BB):

http://www.riiminikeyboards.com/

The only downside is you can't power on your BB remotely with this keyboard as I understand it.

[bigdave240]

Yeah, it can be tough to use in the dark.

Since the Boxee will recognized a keyboard being plugged into the USB port you can use a wireless keyboard. Some people are now using the Rii minikeyboards (make sure to get the one that comes with the USB wireless dongle, the bluetooth version won't work with BB):

http://www.riiminikeyboards.com/

The only downside is you can't power on your BB remotely with this keyboard as I understand it.

Do you know if that keyboard has tv remote capability? It says someting about controlling your video and audio components but it isn't real clear. I just bought a boxee and it replaced my Logitech Revue which had an awesome keyboard so I am looking for something similar to that keyboard. Thanks

[defenderbob]

Do you know if that keyboard has tv remote capability? It says someting about controlling your video and audio components but it isn't real clear. I just bought a boxee and it replaced my Logitech Revue which had an awesome keyboard so I am looking for something similar to that keyboard. Thanks

Yeah, I put my Revue back in the box At least it was a 99$ purchance and not $349.

I have not yet purchased the Rii mote - and I cant seem to find any mfg data on what it can connect to

[gmd024]

The Rii works fine with the BBox and most any other similar device that has a USB connection and it also works fine through a powered USB hub connected to the BBox

I believe it's designed to function with a device that's connected to a TV/monitor - ie... BBox, other media boxes and/or HTPCs - but I doubt it will function on a TV as its main remote control - at least it didn't on my 42" LG that has a USB port (that's less than 1 year old)

Simply googling 'Rii' will bring up many results for info and pricing - if you're considering one of their models, be sure to get the 2.4 RF model(s) and not a bluetooth version

Although I've had a Rii for quite some time, I use the BBox remote exclusively, for most all navigation except the very few times I need to type something in the BBox in a dark/low light environment

bigdave, if you like the Revue's remote, you might consider checking Logitech's site - iirc they offer a similar remote(s) for sale separately

[bigdave240]

The Rii works fine with the BBox and most any other similar device that has a USB connection and it also works fine through a powered USB hub connected to the BBox

I believe it's designed to function with a device that's connected to a TV/monitor - ie... BBox, other media boxes and/or HTPCs - but I doubt it will function on a TV as its main remote control - at least it didn't on my 42" LG that has a USB port (that's less than 1 year old)

Simply googling 'Rii' will bring up many results for info and pricing - if you're considering one of their models, be sure to get the 2.4 RF model(s) and not a bluetooth version

Although I've had a Rii for quite some time, I use the BBox remote exclusively, for most all navigation except the very few times I need to type something in the BBox in a dark/low light environment

bigdave, if you like the Revue's remote, you might consider checking Logitech's site - iirc they offer a similar remote(s) for sale separately

Thanks! I actually did that and it looks like they have the mini that is similar but it won't control the tv unless connected to the revue. I found this one that I might order. seems like if the quality is ok it covers both the IR and the 2.4ghz controls and has a track ball on it too. If I get it I will report back to let you know how it works. http://usb.brando.com/2-4ghz-wireles...49c034d15.html
I did more looking and the mini I6 says it has a learning IR controller built in so it should work as long as you have your original remote to program it. Of course all of this is from China so the interpretation may be a little off but hopefully it is correct.

[bigdave240]

Thanks! I actually did that and it looks like they have the mini that is similar but it won't control the tv unless connected to the revue. I found this one that I might order. seems like if the quality is ok it covers both the IR and the 2.4ghz controls and has a track ball on it too. If I get it I will report back to let you know how it works. http://usb.brando.com/2-4ghz-wireles...49c034d15.html
I did more looking and the mini I6 says it has a learning IR controller built in so it should work as long as you have your original remote to program it. Of course all of this is from China so the interpretation may be a little off but hopefully it is correct.

took me a while before i ordered it but i did and it finally arrived. The quality is soso but it does work. You have to use your own remote to program it for your tv and in my case a directv box. You put the dongle in the BB for the bluetooth keyboard and roller ball and turn it on. It is a little sensitive on the rollerball but once you get used to it you get around pretty good. Some apps don't respond to the rollerball at all but the rest of the keyboard still works. So all in all i am happy with it. Its not as good as the Logitech one but still pretty good.