I hope this post will help my fellow ACE Tkaraokers looking for a regular and inexpensive remote.
So in the search for the perfect (or at least most usable/practicable) remote, I have the following quick reviews:
Also to preface this, most of my family and friends have an Ariang, M-Player, or packaged karaoke machines that comes with a dedicated remote - so I wanted to emulate this experience at my house using Tkaraoke for them. I use the on-line song book function with my tablet, which, IMHO makes this the most awesome karaoke program.
Lenovo Multimedia Remote (OP post #1)
This is a very nice remote for around $30 with coupon, but with no back lighting, makes it hard to see the buttons unless the room is well lit. There is a new version out that has back lighting but is more expensive ($80).
Rosewill MCE Remote
This remote works well, cost is around $25 though they seem to have a newer model on Newegg (still with small buttons), activating the song queue numbers, changing tempo and pitch is really easy with the number 1, 2 and 3 buttons. Also switching audio with the # button is very handy. The drawback to this remote is that the buttons are too small and hard to read. Also, the green windows media button is too big and easily pressed (which will launch windows media center). The green button can be disabled with software such as LM Gestion. I've used this program and it does disable the green button.
HP Mediasmart Remote
This is my current favorite. This remote was designed for the HP MediaSmart Connect media streaming device but can be used as a MCE remote. It can be bought on Ebay for around $20 (search for HP D4000 MCE remote). The song queue, tempo, pitch and audio functions works the same as the Rosewill above. It has bigger buttons that are back-lit with lighted ring around each button when pressed. Also, the green media button is smaller. In addition, you can program the remote for four additional devices (the first one is not changeable as it's set to the MediaSmart device) - I use the Aux device function for Tkaraoke (you need to program it with the code 5020 first) and Cbl for the TV. Also, the way the buttons are lay out (everything from the Play button down are grouped for perfect Tkaraoking - the forward and reverse skip buttons will advance to the next song or go back to the beginning of the current song)
One thing to consider with the on-line song book and any internet dependent device to queue your songs will be affected by your internet connection - so having a remote will act as your backup in case you lose connection.
EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention is that with the MCE Remote - the power button will "turn off" your computer (ie. put it into sleep mode if you have the powersave modes setup).
Edited by user Monday, October 21, 2013 9:37:11 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
