what is the most family compatible remote to setup for SageUI

[benjatelcom]

Let me start by indicating that my family ONLY uses SageTV. There is no other input to my display. Its either SageTV or off. They hated the sluggish menu operation through the Harmony 890's RF extenders. Now the Harmony is garbage thanks to a dog.

The wife is very content with her Gyration mouse, which only works in surface mode because of a few drops on a brick floor. I'm considering some sort of fixed touch screen remote to put on the coffee table, because it needs to be bolted down.

I would like a remote that operates the Sage UI in a very fluid manner, and I might have to hardwire some IR receivers in the livingroom back to my wiring closet where the server is to do so.

What is the closest thing I can get to extending the Sage UI to a touch panel remote? Has anyone written iPhone apps that interact with SageTV?

[Djc208]

You could always use Nielm's web-server based extender remote. It's not pretty, but would do what you want via a web based interface.

If you know HTML you could customize it to look nicer too. The issue would be control of the TV itself. An iPod touch won't turn on the TV or change the volume.

Otherwise you're looking at a touch-screen style remote, which can be pricey but would give you better integration and customization.

[benjatelcom]

I am using the webserver already, and looking at installing the jetty mobile device webserver too. I have a few old WiFi PDAs collecting dust around here.

I might just try to nab a bare Harmony 890 somewhere since my stuff is already programmed and I own the bases/chargers already.

I was hoping the answer was that somebody made a really cool sageTV remote...

Does anybody have a bluetooth based universal remote? I would love to program a remote OTA instead of plugging in all my bases and the harmony every time I increment my programming.

[SWKerr]

You can always use a USB-UIRT and a long cable but I just use IR Extender. It is a poor mans Harmony 890. You can buy a set for $30 and then just use the normal Harmony or any other universal remote for that matter.

I have a USB-UIRT in the closet and the IR Extenders in two other rooms as well. The response is great I do not seem to have any delays.

I also use a RF Firefly in the Garage and it also does not have a delay but you would probably not be able to program that into a Universal remote.

[SkierHiker]

I likewise needed to make it real simple for my family to navigate all the remotes plus SageTV. I had some old PDA's around and thought that I could use them. I searched and found NoviiRemote Deluxe from NoviiMedia. I installed it on an HP 4700, spent a couple of hours designing and programming my screens, and came up with an absolutely beautiful and easy to use remote control. I printed up a nice color shortcut card for them and they are all very happy with it.

The only drawback is the IR is not very strong in PDAs. I had a Dell Axim and its IR could not reach across the living room. The HP could until I bought a new DVD/VCR which had the IR receiver recessed into the case and that stopped the HP from reaching it. I had to get some IR extenders from a friend and they solved the problem.

If you're interested in this, I would highly recommend checking out NoviiRemote Deluxe. It was actually a fun project. If anyone is planning on going down this route, send me a private email and I'll send you my screens including all the remote codes for SageTV.

[perf]

Why complicate things? A simple IR remote (like the Harmony 525/520) works great. No delays. I use it emulating a MCE remote with a MCE receiver and HIP. I have a USB-UIRT as well, but found it harder to setup to detect multiple keypresses correctly.

/Per

[SkierHiker]

For the record, I bought a Gyration MCE remote and absolutely love it. I no longer use my PDA and the Gyration not controls everything. Plus it's kinda fun using the mouse feature.