Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Windows 7 forum: Looking for IR remote control to transmit keyboard-combos?

by: zekebauer June 3, 2012 8:21 PM PDT

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Resolved question

Looking for IR remote control to transmit keyboard-combos?

by zekebauer - 6/3/12 8:21 PM

Can anyone direct me to where to find a reasonably priced IR remote that can be programmed to transmit any manner of standard Windows keyboard keystroke-combinations, I mean such standard combinations as as Ctrl-W to close a tab or window (as opposed to the global Alt-F4 command that closes the entire program), or Ctrl-+/- to increase/decrease the displayed font size in a window, or Alt-Tab to simply switch open windows?

I have three identically programmed venerable Sony RM VM-700 IR learning remotes that am fairly in love with, situated in various corners of my abode for convenience, and want to program the above signals onto their buttons to be picked up by a standard USB IR receiver. Have found some cheap-enough remotes on Amazon that provide basic functionality such as mouse navigation and closing/opening windows (e.g., "PC Remote Controller", "Vista Remote Control"), but none have provided the needed versatility documented above. (They typically offer four colored "hot buttons" that allow for programmable launching of programs via a shortcut-"shortcut", but not programmable keystroke combinations.)

Am running a non-WMP-oriented Windows 7 HTPC on a large monitor, and routinely do things like browse google-news from a distance using the handheld Sony universal remotes to open/close/switch windows in a mobile manner from various locations without being chained to a keyboard & mouse. My need is to increase the Sony remotes' functionality to transmit whatever manner of keyboard-shortcut keystroke-combinations that may be desired.

Can anyone recommend a lower-end IR remote that provides such programmable functionality? The intent is to get said keysoke-combos programmed into that, then relay them onto the Sony learning remotes for daily use. Is a $100+ Logitech Harmony unit my only option? If so, which of their several models provides such Windows-keyboard programmability?

Surely I can't be the only one with such needs these days, but am having a hard time finding a forum of similarly minded folk. Any informed answers are duly appreciated; thanks much.

zekebauer has chosen the best answer to his/her question.
Click here to view the answer that was selected.


zekebauer has chosen the best answer to his/her question!
Click here to view the answer that was selected.

Answer This
Ask for clarification
Report offensive post
Email to friend
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user zekebauer

Any universal remote

by Jimmy Greystone - 6/4/12 8:31 AM

In Reply to: Looking for IR remote control to transmit keyboard-combos? by zekebauer

Any universal remote that can use the Microsoft media center remote commands would work. You could then use a program like EventGhost (which is free) to trap certain button presses and map them to specific actions. Really any remote you can get to work with a program like EventGhost will work, but remotes using the Windows media center command set are pretty easy to find, and should give you a pretty wide range of options as far as programs to trap those signals and convert them into some kind of Windows event command.

There are a couple other IR programs for Windows, I just forget the name of them now, but EventGhost is one of the better ones I've ever come across and it's free. Takes a little bit to figure out the way the UI works. Basically you press a button, and if the program registers it, it'll show up on the left pane. Then you drag that command over to the program action on the right side that you want it to be associated with, and you can add in other commands as well if needed. It's a little convoluted, but it's free, so can't complain too much.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

dd

by zekebauer - 6/4/12 9:16 PM

In Reply to: Any universal remote by Jimmy Greystone

Thanks Jimmy. Actually, I'm already using a couple of WMC-capable remotes. The point I didn't make clearly enough is while that those remotes provide plenty of basic functionality -- and I'm taking full advantage of that -- they don't provide the full range of specific keystroke-combinations I need, like Ctrl-+/- and Ctrl-W. I've tried a number of them and investigated plenty others, just not the high-end ones like Logitech's yet.

I need the hardware IR transmitter to beam those signals so I can capture them onto my universals. I came to realize that perhaps all I really need is a fully enabled Windows keyboard that transmits in IR. Found a nice looking reasonably priced mini-unit on amazon, Unisen iPazzPort KP-810-18R Wireless Keyboard, that might be up to the task: http://www.amazon.com/Unisen-iPazzPort-KP-810-18R-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B0071DCTKS/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1338835004&sr=1-6&tag=5336121792-20

The WMC remotes I have do offer programming four colored buttons that enable the launching of executable Windows programs by setting the program's shortcut to quick-launch using "Ctrl-Alt-_" combinations, but they don't record simple keyboard combinations. But maybe Event Ghost lets keyboard combinations get recorded as executable programs? I'll look into it, thanks.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Re-reading about Event Ghost

by zekebauer - 6/4/12 10:23 PM

In Reply to: dd by zekebauer

I replied above before fully comprehending what you wrote, Jimmy, actually quite intriguing on second read. If the program can translate any IR remote signal I send it into anything else I program it to like a keystroke-combo (and hopefully not have to be running itself in order to do so), that could be the ticket. I'll definitely look into it, thanks for the tip. I think LIRC may be another similarly functioning program.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are requesting a clarification of the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Clarification Request Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are posting an answer to the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Answer Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close
close

Click here to be notified via e-mail when someone submits an answer.

Would you like to resolve this question? close

Based on your response, it looks like this question has been answered.



Sorry, there was a problem resolving this question. Please try again.

Resolve Leave unresolved