Cheap PC Media Remote for HTPC

If you ever thought of getting a remote for your media PC or HTPC, but didn't want to break the budget, than this cheap PC remote maybe for you. This remote can be had for less than $15 and has plenty of functionality for such a cheap price. The best thing about this cheap PC remote is that it works out-of-the-box with open source software.

This PC remote has many features and functions such as:

• built in mouse functionality with scroll, left and right click
  
• volume control and mute key
  
• e-mail, web browser tab and close window keys
  
• four hot keys(A B C D) for CLI console (Ctrl Alt + F1, F2, F3, F4)
  
• backspace and tab key
  
• four arrow keys and enter key
  
• start, stop and search keys

I am still not familiar with all the functions and shortcuts of this PC remote, but from what I have experienced so far, this cheap PC remote does have some major drawbacks that need to be addressed. The first drawback is the mouse function. The mouse function of this PC remote takes some getting used to. It can be a very arduous task moving the mouse point around with accuracy. The second drawback has to do with IR receiver. The PC remote has to be pointed directly at receiver for the remote to work. This drawback can be a deal breaker for many. Even with these two drawbacks, this PC remote is still a very good deal for the money.



Currently I am using this remote with my Arch Linux HTPC. It works great with Totem, Banshee and XBMC. Below is a video that shows how this PC remote performs: